The Environmental Impact of Al-zawiya Oil Refinery in Libya - Coursework Example

The environment impact of Al-zawiya oil refinery in Libya (Student Name) (Course No.) (Lecturer) (University) (Date) The environment impact of Al-zawiya oil refinery in Libya 2 Gas emissions from oil drilling activities in Libya contribute to serious environmental problems, which the country has to address. Al-zawiya oil refinery is the major contributor of such. There are different methods of mitigating the impacts. Application of Best Available Technique (BAT) for Disposal BAT involves application of the most effective method of disposing the wastes. Oil refinery processes tend to generate many oil wastes. The company has to devise proper techniques of disposing the generated wastes to prevent generation of hazardous gases during decomposition or exposure to harsh environmental condition. Countries have distinct laws that govern the various methods of disposing industrial wastes resulting from oil refineries. In addition, the company has to work towards reducing the wastes in accordance with the waste disposal acts and regulations that requires collection, separation, and recycling of hazardous materials. In cases where the company lacks the capacity to handle oil wastes, it could outsource to waste disposal specialists for recycling (Bréchet & Tulkens, 2006, 115). Besides ensuring the waste disposal sites are far from cities or residential areas, the company should also participate in activities such as Zero Emission Systems. Exposing oil wastes to high temperatures might result in emission of gases, therefore, there is need to dissolve them in high temperature furnace and later re-used as industrial raw material, gases, and construction materials. Advantages of BAT Disposing oil wastes using proper methods might assist in reducing the impact of the gases on the environment. The law requires disposal of wastes from qualified instructions and personnel as a means of curbing the exposure of such materials to harsh environmental conditions. Efficient disposal allows application of other waste management methods such as recycling or using (Rackley, 2010, 72). Exposing the wastes to high temperatures could as well reduce the impacts as it decreases the amount of waste generated into the environment. Since the law requires compliance with environmental standards including the waste disposal acts, effective disposal might assist to reduce the amount of resources used by the company to pay for environmental remediation. Disadvantages of BAT The method involves many legal processes, which might be costly, and time consuming for the company especially if it lacks qualified personnel of handle the wastes effectively (Ohio EPA, n.d.). Besides, employing external wastes handlers with the required standards might be expensive. Waste disposal in areas far from residences could pose serious threats as it leads to accumulation of wastes within a single place. Limited facilities have furnaces that can burn oil wastes at the required temperatures, which relates to its high cost, which to some extent the company might not afford. Monitoring Gas Leaks Using Sensors and GPS Trackers Gas leakages during oil refinery contribute significantly to the rising level of pollutions. Therefore, it is significant to focus on various methods of ensuring the prevention of such occurrences using standardized materials. Leaked gases in the atmosphere might contribute to serious environmental problems like acid rains and destruction of the ecosystems. To prevent such leakages, the company should focus on designing, installing, and having in place the operational manuals based on the risk assessment methods and hazard registration. Moreover, there is need to review hazard registration process periodically to provide appropriate operation management (Mariussen, 2010, 332). Having in place the check systems such as application of Global Position System (GPS) devise to locate leakage areas to assist in addressing the deteriorating facility with time. The operating system should also monitor the facility from time besides the patrols and remote systems. Such practices would enable fast identification and minimization of the risk leakages events occur. Advantages The method is efficient as it assists to determine the leakages before the gas spread becomes intense. The GPS trackers also give specific location within the refinery that contributes to the gas leakages. Besides the leaking points, the method also helps to identify the processes within the plant experiencing corrosion and requires replacement before the leakages occur (Al-Azab et al., 2005, 188). The method is accurate, efficient, and reliable as it operates during both the day and night. The hazard registration might assist in monitoring the conditions of the processes on daily basis to prevent the likelihood of occurrence. Disadvantages Using the method requires trained personnel with adequate skills and experience. Besides, the company might have to reorganize it culture and working hours since the method involves monitoring the system during both the day and night. Inaccuracy and failure of the devices might lead to serious environmental problems especially if the devices fail to indicate the exact locations of the leakages. Although the devices have the capacity to show the areas within the oil refinery experiencing leakages, they cannot quantify the leakage rate or the level of environmental saturation with emitted gases from the refinery. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) method During oil refinery, carbon dioxide is usually the major gas generated. The company could use carbon capture and storage method to prevent emission into the atmosphere. The fact that CO2 contributes significantly to global warming, it also has several uses like fire extinguishers. However, its introduction into the environment could contribute to imbalance leading to acid rains and destruction of the ecosystem. The CCS method aims at trapping the generated CO2 and directs it into storage facilities within the earth crust to prevent contamination with the environment (Linstroth & Bell, 2007, 221). Injection of the gas into the earth crust helps in reducing the magnitude of the pollution. The method is highly competitive and requires adequate resources to ensure proper construction all the components. In most cases, companies use piping systems that are less corrosive to prevent underground leakages before the gases reach the required destination. CCS is a new method of carbon sequestration, which might assist in reducing environmental impacts. Advantages The method contributes to the reduction of gases emitted into the atmosphere. The CCS structures also work with the existing refinery system, which prevent waste of resources in constructing newly improved refinery system to accommodate the new technology. Therefore, it saves on planning associated stresses and electricity. The capture and stored gases might be utilized for the development of other sources of energy, which makes it a flexible method. Disadvantages The method is quite advanced and plays important roles in reduce the effect of gas pollution on the environment. However, it involves construction of underground facilities to absorb and store the gases generated from the oil refinery. The company will require many resources and time for such construction. Besides, it requires trained personnel to undertake the designing and construction, which might be costly (Whitcombe et al., 2003, 142). CCS method also utilizes other sources of energy, which could add extra stress on the limited resources within the environment. It requires maintenance of the pressure used in injecting the gases into the underground systems. A slight leakage from the CCS facility might lead to serious environmental problems considering the levels of accumulation. The power used within the refinery has to be stable to accommodate the application of CCS. Costed Evaluation of the Methods References Al-Azab, M., El-Shorbagy, W., & Al-Ghais, S. 2005. Oil pollution and its environmental impact in the Arabian Gulf region. Amsterdam: Elsevier. Bréchet, T., & Tulkens, H. 2006. From BAT (best available technique) to BCAT (best combination of available techniques). Göttingen: Niedersächsische Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek. Linstroth, T., & Bell, R. 2007. Local action: The new paradigm in climate change policy. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont Press. Mariussen, Å. 2010. Global warming, transnational communities, and economic entrepreneurship: the case of carbon capture and storage (CCS). Transnational Communities, 5(3), 327-346. Ohio EPA. n.d. Financial Analysis of Pollution Prevention Projects. Retrieved from http://www.unep.fr/shared/publications/other/WEBx0072xPA/manual_cdrom/CPlinks/pd fs/fact33.pdf Rackley, S. A. 2010. Carbon Capture from Power Generation. Carbon Capture and Storage, 4(3), 65-93. Whitcombe, Joshua Matthew, & N/a. 2003. Study of Catalyst Particle Emissions From a Fluidized Catalytic Cracker Unit. Griffith University. School of Environmental Engineering. Costed Evaluation plan Method Strategic Plan Results Area Evaluation Title Partners (joint evaluation) Type of evaluation Planned Evaluation Completion Date Estimated Cost (USD) Provisional Source of Funding Application of the best available technique for disposal Reduction of oil wastes Waste reduction actions None Mandatory Outcome evaluation April 31, 2016 30,000 Al-zawiya oil refinery Compliance with state regulations Efficient and effective refinery processes The state government Mandatory Outcome evaluation November 30, 2016 40,000 Al-zawiya oil refinery Outsourcing waste management practices Reduced amount of indisposed wastes Registered oil waste management institutions Mandatory Outcome evaluation October 31, 2016 30,000 Al-zawiya oil refinery Monitoring leakages through sensors and GPS trackers Timely response to leakages Reduced amount of gases emitted into the atmosphere UNFPA Mandatory Outcome evaluation November 30, 2016 30,000 Al-zawiya oil refinery Appropriate location of the leakages Proper GPS and sensors installation processes None Mandatory Outcome evaluation July 31, 2016 40,000 Al-zawiya oil refinery All time monitoring of refinery processes Reliability of the monitoring trackers None Mandatory project mid-term evaluation 30 July 2016 20,000 Project budget Carbon capture and storage (CCS) method Construction of efficient facilities for gas storage Reduced carbon dioxide leakages into the atmosphere None Mandatory project final evaluation 31 July 2016 20,000 Project budget Availing properly trained personnel to manage the facility Improved efficiency and effectiveness in oil refinery None Mandatory project mid-term evaluation 20 July 2014 20,000 Project budget Construction of highly accommodative systems to withstand high pressure Increased amount of stored gases in the earth crust None Mandatory project final evaluation 30 October 2016 20,000 Project budget Read More