Carbon Management The Challenge

The disposal of contaminated activated carbon in the JACADS facility used a micronization process followed by incineration. Communications from technical managers involved with this process stated that the micronization and incineration disposal process presented many technical challenges and required a significantly longer investment of time and effort to complete than anticipated.18 No alternative to on-site micronization has been identified, but one is likely to be needed at both TOCDF and UMCDF. 

TOCDF faces a particular challenge concerning the management of spent activated carbon wastes. The permit under which it operates stipulates that micronization is to be used to manage the activated carbon waste, the result of a requirement to use proven technologies that were available at the time the permit was issued. As discussed previously, however, micronization has not proven to be a viable treatment process. An alternative needs to be demonstrated to and accepted by the regulatory community at the earliest possible time in order to avoid an extended closure period and the attendant added costs. 

Gerard D, Wilson EJ (2009) Environmental bonds and the challenge of long-term carbon sequestration. J Environ Manage 90 1097-1105... 

The irmnediate challenges facing engineers are to reduce emissions from carbon-based fossil fuels, to identify alternative sources of energy and feedstock, and to help manage the economic transfer of dependency from one somce to another. 

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