HC Deb 11 December 2003 vol 415 cc541-2W
Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what controls apply to the use of chemical solvents as substitute fuels in cement kilns; and what monitoring takes place of emissions which might reasonably be expected to derive from such use. [142345]

Mr. Bradshaw

The use of solvents as substitute fuel in a cement kiln requires a permit from the Environment Agency. The permit contains conditions specific to the cement kiln which include:

  1. a specification for the substitute fuel(s);
  2. requirements for on-site storage and handling of substitute fuel(s);
  3. requirements for monitoring and sampling to ensure that out-of-specification substitute fuel is not burned in the kiln;
  4. a range of other requirements ensuring adequate control of the process;
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  5. emission limits for pollutants likely to be emitted in significant quantities; and
  6. requirements for monitoring and reporting emissions.
Permits require the continuous monitoring of the following parameters:
  • Particulate matter
  • Oxides of Nitrogen (NO plus NO2 expressed as NO2)
  • Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
  • Carbon Monoxide (CO)
  • Hydrogen Chloride (HCL)
  • Oxygen, moisture, temperature and pressure
  • Volatile Organic Carbon expressed as Total Organic Carbon (VOCs as TOC)
Permits require the periodic monitoring of the following parameters:
  • PM101
  • Oxides of Nitrogen (NO plus NO2 expressed as NO2)
  • Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
  • Carbon Monoxide (CO)
  • Hydrogen Chloride (HCL)
  • Hydrogen Fluoride
  • Volatile Organic Carbon expressed as Total Organic Carbon (VOCs as TOC)
  • Heavy metals
  • Dioxins and furans2
  • Moisture, temperature, oxygen,
  • Flow
  • Other species3
  • 1PM 10s monitored during substitute fuel trials.
  • 2Dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls are being included in new permit variations.
  • 3Other species may be specified based on an assessment of the fuel composition and trial data.

Each of the above controls including monitoring requirements is considered in detail in the "Substitute Fuels Protocol"—Environment Agency guidance for managing substitute fuel trials on cement and lime kilns.

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