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Division 1.3 Emissions to air

United Kingdom

Original text. Later amendments are not shown.

BAT 12. In order to prevent or, where that is not practicable, to reduce odour emissions, BAT is to set up, implement and regularly review an odour management plan, as part of the environmental management system (see BAT 1), that includes all of the following elements:

  • a protocol containing actions and timelines;

  • a protocol for conducting odour monitoring as set out in BAT 10;

  • a protocol for response to identified odour incidents, e.g. complaints;

  • an odour prevention and reduction programme designed to identify the source(s); to characterise the contributions of the sources; and to implement prevention and/or reduction measures.

BAT 13. In order to prevent or, where that is not practicable, to reduce odour emissions, BAT is to use one or a combination of the techniques given below.

TechniqueDescriptionApplicability
a.Minimising residence timesMinimising the residence time of (potentially) odorous waste in storage or in handling systems (e.g. pipes, tanks, containers), in particular under anaerobic conditions. When relevant, adequate provisions are made for the acceptance of seasonal peak volumes of waste.Only applicable to open systems.
b.Using chemical treatmentUsing chemicals to destroy or to reduce the formation of odorous compounds (e.g. to oxidise or to precipitate hydrogen sulphide).Not applicable if it may hamper the desired output quality.
c.Optimising aerobic treatment

In the case of aerobic treatment of water-based liquid waste, it may include:

  • use of pure oxygen;

  • removal of scum in tanks;

  • frequent maintenance of the aeration system.

In the case of aerobic treatment of waste other than water-based liquid waste, see BAT 36.

Generally applicable.

BAT 14. In order to prevent or, where that is not practicable, to reduce diffuse emissions to air, in particular of dust, organic compounds and odour, BAT is to use an appropriate combination of the techniques given below.

Depending on the risk posed by the waste in terms of diffuse emissions to air, BAT 14d is especially relevant.

TechniqueDescriptionApplicability
a.Minimising the number of potential diffuse emission sources

This includes techniques such as:

  • appropriate design of piping layout (e.g. minimising pipe run length, reducing the number of flanges and valves, using welded fittings and pipes);

  • favouring the use of gravity transfer rather than using pumps;

  • limiting the drop height of material;

  • limiting traffic speed;

  • using wind barriers.

Generally applicable.
b.Selection and use of high-integrity equipment

This includes techniques such as:

  • valves with double packing seals or equally efficient equipment;

  • high-integrity gaskets (such as spiral wound, ring joints) for critical applications;

  • pumps/compressors/agitators fitted with mechanical seals instead of packing;

  • magnetically driven pumps/compressors/agitators;

  • appropriate service hose access ports, piercing pliers, drill heads, e.g. when degassing WEEE containing VFCs and/or VHCs.

Applicability may be restricted in the case of existing plants due to operability requirements.
c.Corrosion prevention

This includes techniques such as:

  • appropriate selection of construction materials;

  • lining or coating of equipment and painting of pipes with corrosion inhibitors.

Generally applicable.
d.Containment, collection and treatment of diffuse emissions

This includes techniques such as:

  • storing, treating and handling waste and material that may generate diffuse emissions in enclosed buildings and/or enclosed equipment (e.g. conveyor belts);

  • maintaining the enclosed equipment or buildings under an adequate pressure;

  • collecting and directing the emissions to an appropriate abatement system (see Section 6.1) via an air extraction system and/or air suction systems close to the emission sources.

The use of enclosed equipment or buildings may be restricted by safety considerations such as the risk of explosion or oxygen depletion.

The use of enclosed equipment or buildings may also be constrained by the volume of waste.

e.DampeningDampening potential sources of diffuse dust emissions (e.g. waste storage, traffic areas, and open handling processes) with water or fog.Generally applicable.
f.Maintenance

This includes techniques such as:

  • ensuring access to potentially leaky equipment;

  • regularly controlling protective equipment such as lamellar curtains, fast-action doors.

Generally applicable.
g.Cleaning of waste treatment and storage areasThis includes techniques such as regularly cleaning the whole waste treatment area (halls, traffic areas, storage areas, etc.), conveyor belts, equipment and containers.Generally applicable.
h.Leak detection and repair (LDAR) programmeSee Section 6.2. When emissions of organic compounds are expected, a LDAR programme is set up and implemented using a risk-based approach, considering in particular the design of the plant and the amount and nature of the organic compounds concerned.Generally applicable.

BAT 15. BAT is to use flaring only for safety reasons or for non-routine operating conditions (e.g. start-ups, shutdowns) by using both of the techniques given below.

TechniqueDescriptionApplicability
a.Correct plant designThis includes the provision of a gas recovery system with sufficient capacity and the use of high-integrity relief valves.

Generally applicable to new plants.

A gas recovery system may be retrofitted in existing plants.

b.Plant managementThis includes balancing the gas system and using advanced process control.Generally applicable.

BAT 16. In order to reduce emissions to air from flares when flaring is unavoidable, BAT is to use both of the techniques given below.

TechniqueDescriptionApplicability
a.Correct design of flaring devicesOptimisation of height and pressure, assistance by steam, air or gas, type of flare tips, etc., to enable smokeless and reliable operation and to ensure the efficient combustion of excess gases.Generally applicable to new flares. In existing plants, applicability may be restricted, e.g. due to maintenance time availability.
b.Monitoring and recording as part of flare managementThis includes continuous monitoring of the quantity of gas sent to flaring. It may include estimations of other parameters (e.g. composition of gas flow, heat content, ratio of assistance, velocity, purge gas flow rate, pollutant emissions (e.g. NOX, CO, hydrocarbons), noise). The recording of flaring events usually includes the duration and number of events and allows for the quantification of emissions and the potential prevention of future flaring events.Generally applicable.
  1. Applicability