Contents
Executive Summary
1.1 Purpose of the Report
1.2 Structure of the Report
2.1 Background
2.2 General Site Description
2.3 Major Activities Undertaken
2.4 Project Organisation and Management Structure
2.5 Status of Environmental Approval Documents
3 Environmental Monitoring and Audit Requirements
3.1 Environmental Monitoring
3.1.1 Air Quality
3.1.2 Odour
3.2 Site Audit
3.2.1 Water Quality
3.2.2 Landscape and Visual
4.1 Air Quality
4.1.1 Commissioning Phase Monitoring
4.1.2 Operation Phase Monitoring
4.2 Odour
4.2.1 Commissioning Phase Monitoring
4.2.2 Operation Phase Monitoring
4.3 Water Quality
4.3.1 Construction Phase Monitoring
4.3.2 Operation Phase Monitoring
4.4 Waste Management
4.4.1 Construction Phase Monitoring
4.4.2 Operation Phase Monitoring
5.1 Weekly Environmental Site Audit
5.2 Landscape and Visual Audit
6 Environmental Non-conformance
6.1 Summary of Environmental Non-Compliance
6.2 Summary of Environmental Complaint
6.3 Summary of Environmental Summon and Successful Prosecution
7.1 Key Issues for the Coming Month
LIST OF ANNEXES
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Annex A |
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Annex B |
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Annex C |
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Annex D |
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Annex E |
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Annex F |
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Annex G |
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Annex H |
Environmental complaint, Environmental Summons and Prosecution Log |
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Annex I |
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Annex J |
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The construction works of No. EP/SP/61/10 Organic Resources Recovery Centre Phase 1 (the Project) commenced on 21 May 2015. This is the 46th monthly Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) report presenting the EM&A works carried out during the period from 1 to 31 March 2019 in accordance with the EM&A Manual. Substantial completion of the construction works was confirmed on 3 December 2018. In the meantime, the operation phase EM&A programme had commenced in March 2019.
Summary of Works undertaken during the Reporting Month
Works undertaken in the reporting month included:
· Operation of the Project, including organic waste reception, and operation of the pre-treatment facilities, anaerobic digesters, composting facilities, air pollution control systems, on-line emission monitoring system for the Centralised Air Pollution Control Unit (CAPCS), Co-generation Units (CHP)s and Ammonia Stripping Plant (ASP), and the wastewater treatment plant;
· Process fine-tune, including adjustment of the ASP with new treatment media, modification of Continuous Environmental Monitoring System (CEMS) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA) rectification and improvement works following equipment failures and the alteration of different operation modes and measures to adapt to the high variation of SSOW nature and sources; and
· Construction of the Visitor Centre.
Environmental Monitoring and Audit Progress
Air Quality Monitoring
Exceedances on odour from CAPCS, on dust, NOx and SO2 from CHP and on CO, NOx, SO2, VOCs and NH3 from ASP were recorded on the on-line monitoring system. It should be noted that measurements recorded under abnormal operating conditions, e.g. start up and stopping of stacks, unstable operation, test runs and interference of sensor, are disregarded.
Exceedances in emission parameters of CAPCS, CHP and ASP were found to be a result of the breakdown of the automatic chemical dosing system of the air pollution control systems of the CAPCS, tripping of the circulation pump resulting in the incomplete desulphurisation of biogas which fed to the CHPs, and the combustion efficiency of the thermal combustion unit of the ASP was under further optimisation process.
The Contractor has implemented mitigation measures to control the exceedance (including the arrangement of the supplier of the dosing system for the CAPCS to repair the dosing system and manual dosing of chemical to the CAPCS until the problems of the automatic dosing system is expected to be fixed in the next reporting period; adding an additional activated carbon filters to the biogas desulphurisation system to control the H2S level in the biogas which fed to the CHP and the ASP; and tuning the thermal combustion unit of the ASP to optimise combustion efficiency and overall performance.
The Contractor is recommended to closely monitor the processes, including the chemical dosing system in the CAPCS, the desulphurisation process, and combustion of biogas in the ASP to avoid the reoccurrence of similar problems.
Odour Patrol
Odour patrol were conducted by representatives of the Contractor, the ER and Employer (EPD Project Team) on 1, 4, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27 and 29 March 2019. The Independent Odour Patrol Team, ALS Technichem (HK) Pty Ltd (ALS), has also joined the odour patrol on 1 March 2019. No Level 2 Odour Intensity was recorded during odour patrols.
Air samples were also collected at the CAPCS for olfactometry analysis at the laboratory on 10, 11, 19 and 27 December 2018 and 16 and 29 January 2019. The odour level of the samples collected on 10, 11, 19 and 27 December 2018 and 16 January 2019 have exceeded the odour limit. The cause of the exceedances recorded was due to the breakdown of the automatic chemical dosing system and the repairing time of the automatic chemical dosing system was longer than anticipated. The system was fixed and the odour concentration of the air sample taken on 29 January 2019 showed compliance with the odour limit.
An investigation of the cause of the exceedance has been carried out. The investigation report is shown in Annex J.
Water Quality
No non-compliance to the effluent discharge limit stipulated in the discharge licence issued by the EPD under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance was recorded during this reporting period.
Waste
Management
Waste generated from the construction of the Project includes inert construction and demolition (C&D) materials (public fill) and non-inert C&D materials (construction wastes).
Inert C&D materials (public fill) include bricks, concrete, building debris, rubble and excavated spoil. In total, 190.40 tonnes of inert C&D material were generated from the construction of the Project.
Non-inert C&D materials (construction wastes) from the construction of this Project include metals, paper / cardboard packaging waste, plastics and other wastes such as general refuse. 0.00 kg of metals, 0.00 kg of papers/ cardboard packing and 0.00 kg of plastics were sent to recyclers for recycling during the reporting period. 16.45 tonnes of general refuse was disposed of at the landfill.
0.00 L of chemical waste was collected by licenced waste collector from the construction of the Project.
Waste generated from the operation of the Project includes chemical waste, waste generated from pre-treatment process and general refuse.
1,200 L of chemical waste was collected by licenced waste collector from the operation of the Project.
477.08 tonnes of waste generated from pre-treatment process from the operation of the Project was disposed of at landfill. Among waste generated from pre-treatment process from the operation of the Project, 0.00 kg of metals, 0.00 kg of papers/ cardboard packing and 0.00 kg of plastics were sent to recyclers for recycling during the reporting period.
Around 1.50 tonnes of general refuse from the operation of the Project was disposed of at landfill. Among general refuse from the operation of the Project, 0.00 kg of metals, 0.00 kg of papers/ cardboard packing and 0.00 kg of plastics were sent to recyclers for recycling during the reporting period.
Findings of Environmental Site Audit
A summary of the monitoring activities undertaken in this reporting period is listed below:
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· Joint Environmental Site Inspections |
4 times |
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· Landscape & Visual Inspections |
2 times |
Four weekly joint environmental site inspections were carried out by the representatives of the Contractor and the ET. The IEC was also present at the joint inspection on 22 March 2019. The environmental control/ mitigation measures (related to air quality, water quality, waste (including land contamination prevention), hazard-to-life and landscape and visual) recommended in the approved EIA Report and the EM&A Manual were properly implemented by the Contractor during the reporting month.
Environmental Exceedance/Non-conformance/Compliant/Summons and Prosecution
Exceedances for the air emission limits for the CAPCS, CHP and ASP stacks were recorded during the reporting period.
No incident occurred during the reporting period.
No complaint/ summon/prosecution was received in this reporting period.
Future Key Issues
Activities to be undertaken in the next reporting month include:
· Operation of the Project.
· Contractor should resolve the technical issue related to the on-line monitoring of methane emission (hence the calculation of the NMVOC concentration) from the CHP stacks as soon as possible and undertake bi-weekly gas sampling and laboratory analysis of NMVOC when the on-line monitoring equipment for methane is not available.
· Implementation of further measures to control the air emission from the CAPCS, CHP and ASP.
· Continue construction of the Visitor Centre.
1
inTroduction
ERM-Hong Kong, Limited (ERM) was appointed by OSCAR Bioenergy Joint Venture (the Contractor) as the Environmental Team (ET) to undertake the construction Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) programme for the Contract No. EP/SP/61/10 of Organic Waste Treatment Facilities Phase I, which the project name has been updated to Organic Resources Recovery Centre (Phase I) (the Project) since November 2017. ERM was also appointed by the Contractor to undertake the operation EM&A programme starting 1 March 2019.
1.1
Purpose of the Report
This is the 46th EM&A report which summarises the monitoring results and audit findings for the EM&A programme during the reporting period from 1 to 31 March 2019.
1.2
Structure of the Report
The structure of the report is as follows:
Section 1: Introduction
It details the scope and structure of the report.
Section 2: Project Information
It summarises the background and scope of the Project, site description, project organisation and status of the Environmental Permits (EP)/licences.
Section 3: Environmental Monitoring and Audit Requirements
It summarises the environmental monitoring requirements including monitoring parameters, programmes, methodologies, frequency, locations, Action and Limit Levels, Event/Action Plans, as well as environmental audit requirements as recommended in the EM&A Manual and approved EIA report.
Section 4: Monitoring Results
It summarises monitoring results of the reporting period.
Section 5: Site Audit
It summarises the audit findings of the environmental as well as landscape and visual site audits undertaken within the reporting period.
Section 6: Environmental Non-conformance
It summarises any exceedance of environmental performance standard, environmental complaints and summons received within the reporting period.
Section 7: Further Key Issues
It summarises the impact forecast for the next reporting month.
Section 8: Conclusions
2
Project information
2.1
Background
The Organic Resources Recovery Centre (ORRC) Phase I development (hereinafter referred to as “the Project”) is to design, construct and operate a biological treatment facility with a capacity of about 200 tonnes per day and convert source-separated organic waste from commercial and industrial sectors (mostly food waste) into compost and biogas through proven biological treatment technologies. The location of the Project site is shown in Annex A.
The environmental acceptability of the construction and operation of the Project had been confirmed by findings of the associated Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study completed in 2009. The Director of Environmental Protection (DEP) approved this EIA Report under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) (Cap. 499) in February 2010 (Register No.: AEIAR-149/2010) (hereafter referred to as the approved EIA Report). Subsequent Report on Re-assessment on Environmental Implications and Report on Re-assessment on Hazard to Life Implications were completed in 2013, respectively.
An Environmental Permit (EP) (No. EP-395/2010) was issued by the DEP to the EPD (Project Team), the Permit Holder, on 21 June 2010 and varied on 18 March 2013 (No. EP-395/2010/A) and 21 May 2013 (No. EP-395/2010/B), respectively. The Design Build and Operate Contract for the ORRC Phase 1 (Contract No. EP/SP/61/10 Organic Resources Recovery Centre (Phase 1) (the Contract)) was awarded to SITA Waste Services Limited, ATAL Engineering Limited and Ros-Roca, Sociedad Anonima jointly trading as the OSCAR Bioenergy Joint Venture (OSCAR or the Contractor). A Further EP (No. FEP-01/395/2010/B) was issued by the DEP to the OSCAR on 16 February 2015. Variation to both EPs (Nos. EP-395/2010/B and FEP-01/395/2010/B) were made in December 2015. The latest EPs, Nos. EP-395/2010/C and FEP-01/395/2010/C, were issued by the DEP on 21 December 2015.
Under the requirements of Condition 5 of the EP (No. FEP-01/395/2010/C), an Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) programme as set out in the approved EM&A Manual (hereinafter referred to as EM&A Manual) is required to be implemented during the construction and operation of the Project. ERM-Hong Kong, Ltd (ERM) has been appointed by OSCAR as the Environmental Team (ET) for the construction phase EM&A programme and the Monitoring Team (MT) for the operation phase EM&A programme for the implementation of the EM&A programme in accordance with the requirements of the EP and the approved EM&A Manual.
The construction works commenced on 21 May 2015. The construction phase EM&A programme was completed in end of March 2019 ([1]). The operation phase of the EM&A programme commenced on 1 March 2019.
2.2
General Site Description
The Project Site is located at Siu Ho Wan in North Lantau with an area of about 2 hectares. The layout of the Project Site is illustrated in Annex A. The facility received and treated an average of 100 tonnes of source separated organic waste per day during the reporting month.
2.3
Major Activities Undertaken
A summary of the major activities undertaken in the reporting period is shown in Table 2.1. The site layout plan is shown in Annex B. The construction programme is shown in Annex C.
Table 2.1 Summary of Activities Undertaken in the Reporting Period
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Activities Undertaken in the Reporting Period |
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· Systems being operated – waste reception, pre-treatment, CAPCS extraction, the digesters, the centrifuge, , the composting tunnels the desulphurisation, the emergency flare, the CHPs, the ASP and the biological waste water treatment plant (about 100-130 t/d SSOW input); · Process fine-tune – adjustment of the ASP operational parameters with new treatment media, CEMS/SCADA modification and improvement work following equipment failures and the alteration of different operation modes and measures to adapt to the high variation of SSOW nature and sources; and · Construction of the Visitor Centre. |
2.4
Project Organisation and Management Structure
The project organisation chart and contact details are shown in Annex D.
2.5
Status of Environmental
Approval Documents
A summary of the valid permits, licences, and/or notifications on environmental protection for this Project is presented in Table 2.2.
Table 2.2 Summary of Environmental Licensing, Notification and Permit Status
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Permit/ Licences/ Notification |
Reference |
Validity Period |
Remarks |
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Environmental Permit |
FEP-01/395/2010/C
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Throughout the Contract
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Permit granted on 21 December 2015
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Notification of Construction Works under the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation |
Ref No. 386715 |
Throughout the Contract |
- |
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Effluent Discharge License |
WT00024352-2016 |
3 June 2016 – 30 June 2021 |
Approved on 3 June 2016 |
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Construction Noise Permit – P1&P2 |
GW-RW0538-18 (Superseded CNP GW-RW0229-18) |
21 January 2019-20 July 2019 |
Approved on 31 December 2018 |
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Construction Noise Permit – P5 (slope) |
GW-RW0347-18 (superseded the GW-RW0107-18) |
30 September 2018 – 29 March 2019 |
Approved on 15 August 2018 |
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Chemical Waste Producer Registration |
WPN 5213-961-O2231-01 |
Throughout the Contract |
Approved on 29 April 2015 |
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Chemical Waste Producer Registration |
WPN 5213-961-O2231-02 |
Throughout the implementation of the Project |
Approved on 10 November 2017 |
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Waste Disposal Billing Account |
Account number: 702310 |
Throughout the Contract |
- |
3
Environmental Monitoring and Audit Requirements
3.1
Environmental Monitoring
The air quality (including odour) monitoring to be carried out during the commissioning and operation phase of the Project are described below. No monitoring for noise, waste, land contamination, hazard-to-life and landscape and visual are required during construction and operation phases of the Project. Although water quality monitoring is not required for the construction and operation phases under the EM&A programme, there are water quality monitoring requirement under the Water Discharge Licence of the plant under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO). As part of this EM&A programme, the monitoring results will be reviewed to check the compliance with the WPCO requirements.
3.1.1
Air Quality
According to the EM&A Manual and EP requirements, stack monitoring are required during the commissioning and operation phase of the Project.
On-line monitoring (using continuous environmental monitoring system (CEMS) shall be carried out for the centralised air pollution unit (CAPCS), cogeneration units (CHP) and the ammonia stripping plant (ASP) during the commissioning and operation phase. The calibration certificate for the on-line monitoring equipment is provided in Annex E.
The monitoring data is transmitted instantaneously to EPD (Regional Office) by telemetry system.
When the on-line monitoring for certain parameter cannot be undertaken, monitoring will be carried out using the following methodology approved by the EPD.
Table 3.1 Sampling and Laboratory Analysis Methodology
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Parameters |
Method |
Stacks to be Monitored |
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Gaseous and vaporous organic substances (including methane) |
USEPA Method 18 |
· CAPCS · CHP · ASP |
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Particulate |
USEPA Method 5 |
· CAPCS · CHP · ASP |
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Carbon monoxide (CO) |
USEPA Method 10 |
· CHP · ASP |
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Nitrogen oxides (NOx) |
USEPA Method 7E |
· CHP · ASP |
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Sulphur dioxide (SO2); |
USEPA Method 6 |
· CHP · ASP |
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Hydrogen chloride (HCl) |
USEPA Method 26A |
· CHP · ASP |
|
Hydrogen fluoride (HF) |
USEPA Method 26A |
· CHP · ASP |
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Oxygen (O2); |
USEPA Method 3A |
· CAPCS · CHP · ASP |
|
Velocity and Volumetric Flow |
USEPA Method 2 |
· CAPCS · CHP · ASP |
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Ammonia (NH3) |
USEPA CTM 027 |
· ASP |
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Odour (including NH3 and H2S) |
EN 13725 |
· CAPCS |
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Water vapour content (continuous measurement of the water vapour content should not be required if the sample exhaust gas is dried before the emissions are analysed) |
USEPA Method 4 |
· CAPCS · CHP · ASP |
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Temperature |
USEPA Method 4 |
· CAPCS · CHP · ASP |
With reference to the EM&A Manual, the air emission of the stacks shall meet the following emission limits as presented in Tables 3.2 to 3.5.
Table 3.2 Emission Limit for CAPCS Stack
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Parameter |
Emission Level (mg/Nm3) (a) |
|
VOCs (including methane) |
680 |
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Dust (or Total Suspended Particulates (TSP)) |
6 |
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Odour (including NH3 & H2S) |
220 (b) |
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Notes: (a) Hourly average concentration (b) The odour unit is OU/Nm3 |
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Table 3.3 Emission Limit for CHP Stack
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Parameter |
Maximum Emission Level (mg/Nm3) (a) (b) |
|
Dust (or Total Suspended Particulates) |
15 |
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Carbon Monoxide |
650 |
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NOx |
300 |
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SO2 |
50 |
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NMVOCs |
150 |
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VOCs (including methane) (c) |
1,500 |
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HCl |
10 |
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HF |
1 |
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Notes: (a) All values refer to an oxygen content in the exhaust gas of 6% and dry basis. (b) Hourly average concentration (c) The VOCs emission limit include methane as biogas is adopted as fuel in the combustion process. |
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Table 3.4 Emission Limit for ASP Stack
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Parameter |
Maximum Emission Level (mg/Nm3) (a) (b) |
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Dust (or Total Suspended Particulates) |
5 |
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Carbon Monoxide |
100 |
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NOx |
200 |
|
SO2 |
50 |
|
VOCs (including methane) (c) |
20 |
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NH3 |
35 |
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HCl |
10 |
|
HF |
1 |
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Notes: (a) All values refer to an oxygen content in the exhaust gas of 11% and dry basis. (b) Hourly average concentration (c) The VOCs emission limit include methane as biogas is adopted as fuel in the combustion process. |
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Table 3.5 Emission Limit for Standby Flaring Gas Unit ([2])
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Parameter |
Maximum Emission level (mg/Nm3) (a) (b) |
|
Dust (or Total Suspended Particulates) |
5 |
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Carbon Monoxide |
100 |
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NOx |
200 |
|
SO2 |
50 |
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VOCs (including methane) (c) |
20 |
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HCl |
10 |
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HF |
1 |
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Notes: (a) All values refer to an oxygen content in the exhaust gas of 11% and dry basis. (b) Hourly average concentration (c) The VOCs emission limit include methane as biogas is adopted as fuel in the combustion process. |
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3.1.2
Odour
To determine the effectiveness of the proposed odour mitigation measures and to ensure that the operation of the ORRC1 will not cause adverse odour impacts, odour monitoring of the CAPCS stack (see Section 3.1.1) and odour patrol will be carried out.
Odour sampling works shall be conducted weekly in the first month of the commissioning stage of the Project. The air samples at the CAPCS stack under full capacity of operation should be collected for olfactometry analysis.
Odour patrol shall be conducted by independent trained personnel/ competent persons in summer months (i.e. from July to September) for the first two operational years of ORRC1 at monthly intervals along an odour patrol route at the Project Site boundary as shown in Annex A.
The perceived odour intensity is divided into 5 levels. Table 3.6 describes the odour intensity for different levels.
Table 3.4 Odour Intensity Level
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Level |
Odour Intensity |
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0 |
Not detected. No odour perceived or an odour so weak that it cannot be easily characterised or described |
|
1 |
Slight identifiable odour, and slight chance to have odour nuisance |
|
2 |
Moderate identifiable odour, and moderate chance to have odour nuisance |
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3 |
Strong identifiable, likely to have odour nuisance |
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4 |
Extreme severe odour, and unacceptable odour level |
Table 3.7 shows the action level and limit level to be used for odour patrol. Should any exceedance of the action and limit levels occurs, actions in accordance with the event and action plan in Table 3.8 should be carried out.
Table 3.5 Action and Limit Levels for Odour Nuisance
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Parameter |
Action Level |
Limit Level |
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Odour Nuisance (from odour patrol) |
When one documented compliant is received (a), or Odour Intensity of 2 is measured from odour patrol. |
Two or more documented complaints are received (a) within a week; or Odour intensity of 3 or above is measured from odour patrol. |
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Note: (a) Once the complaint is received by the Project Proponent (EPD), the Project Proponent would investigate and verify the complaint whether it is related to the potential odour emission from the ORRC1 and its on-site wastewater treatment unit. |
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Table 3.6 Event and Action Plan for Odour Monitoring
|
Event |
Action |
|
|
|
Person-in-charge of Odour Monitoring |
Project Proponent (a) |
|
Action Level |
|
|
|
Exceedance of action level (Odour Patrol) |
1. Identify source/reason of exceedance; 2. Repeat odour patrol to confirm finding. |
1. Carry out investigation to identify the source/reason of exceedance. Investigation should be completed within 2 weeks; 2. Rectify any unacceptable practice; 3. Implement more mitigation measures if necessary; 4. Inform Drainage Services Department (DSD) or the operator of the Siu Ho Wan Sewage Treatment Works (SHWSTW) if exceedance is considered to be caused by the operation of the SHWSTW. 5. Inform North Lantau Refuse Transfer Station (NLTS) operator if exceedance is considered to be caused by the operation of NLTS. |
|
Exceedance of action level (Odour Complaints) |
1. Identify source/reason of exceedance; 2. Carry out odour patrol to determinate odour intensity. |
1. Carry out investigation and verify the complaint whether it is related to potential odour emission from the nearby SHWSTW; 2. Carry out investigation to identify the source/reason of exceedance. Investigation should be completed within 2 weeks; 3. Rectify any unacceptable practice; 4. Implement more mitigation measures if necessary; 5. Inform DSD or the operator of the SHWSTW if exceedance is considered to be caused by the operation of the SHWSTW. 6. Inform NLTS operator if exceedance is considered to be caused by the operation of NLTS. |
|
Limit Level |
|
|
|
Exceedance of limit level |
1. Identify source/reason of exceedance; 2. Inform EPD; 3. Repeat odour patrol to confirm findings; 4. Increase odour patrol frequency to bi-weekly; 5. Assess effectiveness of remedial action and keep EPD informed of the results; 6. If exceedance stops, cease additional odour patrol. |
1. Carry out investigation to identify the source/reason of exceedance. Investigation should be completed within 2 week; 2. Rectify any unacceptable practice; 3. Formulate remedial actions; 4. Ensure remedial actions properly implemented; 5. If exceedance continues, consider what more/enhanced mitigation measures should be implemented; 6. Inform DSD or the operator of the SHWSTW if exceedance is considered to be caused by the operation of the SHWSTW. |
|
Note: (a) Project Proponent shall identify an implementation agent. |
||
3.2
Site Audit
Environmental mitigation measures (related to air quality, water quality, waste, land contamination, hazard-to-life, and landscape and visual) to be implemented during the construction and operation phase of the Project are recommended in the approved EIA Report and EM&A Manual and are summarised in Annex F. Weekly site audits for construction phase and monthly site audits for operation phase will be carried out to check the implementation of these measures.
3.2.1
Water Quality
Compliance audits are to be undertaken to ensure that a valid discharge licence has been issued by EPD prior to the discharge of effluent from the operation of the Project site. The audit shall be conducted to ensure that the effluent quality is in compliance with the discharge licence requirements. The effluent quality shall meet the discharge limits as described in Table 3.9.
Table 3.9 Discharge Limits for Effluent
|
Parameters |
Discharge Limit (mg/L) |
|
Flow Rate (m3/day) |
685 |
|
pH (pH units) |
6-10 (a) |
|
Suspended Solids |
800 |
|
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (5 days, 20°) |
800 |
|
Chemical Oxygen Demand |
2,000 |
|
Oil & Grease |
40 |
|
Total Nitrogen |
200 |
|
Total Phosphorus |
50 |
|
Surfactants (total) |
25 |
|
Note: (a) Range. |
|
3.2.2
Landscape and Visual
In accordance with EM&A Manual, the landscape and visual mitigation measures shall be implemented. Bi-weekly landscape and visual audit during the construction phase is required to ensure that the design, implementation and maintenance of landscape and visual mitigation measures recommended in the approved EIA Report are fully achieved. The implementation status of the mitigation measures for construction phase is summarised in Annex F.
For operation phase, site inspection shall be conducted once a month for the first year of operation of the Project. All measures as stated in the implementation schedule of the EM&A Manual (see Annex F), including compensatory planting, undertaken by both the Contractor and the specialist Landscape Sub-Contractor during the first year of the operation phase shall be audited by a Registered Landscape Architect (RLA) to ensure compliance with the intended aims of the measures and the effectiveness of the mitigation measures.
4
Monitoring Results
4.1
Air Quality
4.1.1
Commissioning Phase Monitoring
On 10, 11, 19 and 27 December 2018 and 16 and 29 January 2019, air samples were collected from the outlet of the CAPCS by ALS for measurement of the Odour Intensity by olfactometry analysis at the laboratory. The odour level of the odour samples collected from the CAPCS on 10, 11, 19 and 27 December 2018 and 16 January 2019 have exceeded the odour limit as shown in Table 3.2. No exceedance was found for the samples collected on 29 January 2019. The laboratory results are shown in Annex I. The cause of the exceedances recorded was due to the breakdown of the automatic chemical dosing system and the repairing of the automatic chemical dosing system was longer than anticipated. The system was fixed and the odour concentration of the air sample taken on 29 January 2019 showed compliance with the odour limit.
Investigation of the exceedances has been conducted. The investigation report is shown in Annex J.
Monitoring results of air quality parameters from stack emissions of the centralised air pollution control system, the ammonia stripping plant and the cogeneration units will be provided once available to show compliance with the monitoring requirements stated in the EM&A Manual (Rev. E) to support the termination of the construction phase EM&A programme.
4.1.2
Operation Phase Monitoring
The concentrations of concerned air pollutants emitted from the stacks of the CAPCS, CHP, and ASP during the reporting period are monitored on-line by the continuous environmental monitoring system (CEMS). During the reporting period, there is no need to operate the standby flare and therefore no monitoring of the flare stack was undertaken.
With reference to the emission limits shown in Tables 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4, the hourly average concentrations and the number of exceedances of the concerned air emissions monitored for the CAPCS, CHP and ASP during this reporting period are presented in Tables 4.1 to 4.5.
It should be noted that measurements recorded under abnormal operating conditions, e.g. start up and stopping of stacks, unstable operation, test runs and interference of sensor, are disregarded.
Table 4.1 Hourly Average of Parameters Recorded for CAPCS
|
Parameter |
Range of Hourly Average Conc. (mg/Nm3) |
Emission Limit (mg/Nm3) |
Exceedance Identified |
Remarks |
|
VOCs (including methane) (a) |
1 - 17 |
680 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Dust (or TSP) |
0 |
6 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Odour (including NH3 & H2S) |
0 – 2,138 |
220 (b) |
Identified (c) |
Breakdown of the automatic chemical dosing system of the CAPCS. Manual dosing of the chemical to the system was arranged. The defect will be rectified in the next reporting period. |
|
Notes: (a) On-line monitoring was not available during the reporting period. Alternative monitoring method as specified in the EM&A manual was used to measure VOCs. (b) The odour unit is OU/Nm3. (c) Dates with exceedances on Odour (number of exceedances on the day) were identified on 8 (1), 10 (2), 11 (5), 12 (12), 13 (21), 14 (18), 15 (13), 16 (11), 17 (24), 18 (18), 19 (19), 20 (12), 21 (19), 22 (8), 25 (4), 27 (2), 28 (1), 29 (7), 30 (1) and 31 (2) March 2019. |
||||
Table 4.2 Hourly Average of Parameters Recorded for CHP 1
|
Parameter |
Range of Hourly Average Conc. (mg/Nm3) (a) |
Max. Emission Limit (mg/Nm3) |
Exceedance Identified |
Remarks |
|
Dust (or TSP) |
0 – 2.5 |
15 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Carbon Monoxide |
0 – 459 |
650 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
NOx |
0 – 272 |
300 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
SO2 |
0 – 202 |
50 |
Identified (c) |
Desulphurisation system interruption. |
|
NMVOCs |
Not Available |
150 |
Not Available (d) |
Nil |
|
VOCs (including methane) (b) |
Not Available |
1,500 |
Not Available (d) |
Nil |
|
HCl |
0 |
10 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
HF |
0 – 0.5 |
1 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Notes: (a) All values refer to an oxygen content in the exhaust gas of 6% and dry basis. (b) The VOCs emission limit include methane as biogas is adopted as fuel in the combustion process. (c) Dates with exceedances on SO2 (number of exceedances on the day) were identified on 11 (3), 15 (1), 16 (2), 28 (5), 29 (1) and 31 (5) March 2019. (d) Technical issue related to monitoring range of VOCs and methane sensors and the Contractor is solving the problem together with the equipment suppliers. |
||||
Table 4.3 Hourly Average of Parameters Recorded for CHP 2
|
Parameter |
Range of Hourly Average Conc. (mg/Nm3) (a) |
Max. Emission Limit (mg/Nm3) |
Exceedance Identified |
Remarks |
|
Dust (or TSP) |
0 – 8 |
15 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Carbon Monoxide |
0 – 340 |
650 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
NOx |
0 – 271 |
300 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
SO2 |
0 – 156 |
50 |
Identified (c) |
Desulphurisation system interruption. |
|
NMVOCs |
Not Available |
150 |
Not Available (d) |
Nil |
|
VOCs (including methane) (b) |
Not Available |
1,500 |
Not Available (d) |
Nil |
|
HCl |
0 |
10 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
HF |
0 |
1 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Notes: (a) All values refer to an oxygen content in the exhaust gas of 6% and dry basis. (b) The VOCs emission limit include methane as biogas is adopted as fuel in the combustion process. (c) Dates with exceedances on SO2 (number of exceedances on the day) were identified on 1 (4), 2 (1), 3 (2), 4 (1), 5 (6), 6 (2), 9 (4), 12 (2), 13 (1), 14 (1), 16 (1), 17 (1), 18 (2), 19 (4), 20 (3), 23 (5), 25 (3) and 26 (4) March 2019. (d) Technical issue related to monitoring range of VOCs and methane sensors and the Contractor is solving the problem together with the equipment suppliers. |
||||
Table 4.4 Hourly Average of Parameters Recorded for CHP 3
|
Parameter |
Range of Hourly Average Conc. (mg/Nm3) (a) |
Max. Emission Limit (mg/Nm3) |
Exceedances Identified |
Remarks |
|
Dust (or TSP) |
0 – 3 |
15 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Carbon Monoxide |
0 – 351 |
650 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
NOx |
0 – 292 |
300 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
SO2 |
0 – 129 |
50 |
Identified (c) |
Desulphurisation system interruption. |
|
NMVOCs |
Not Available |
150 |
Not Available (d) |
Nil |
|
VOCs (including methane) (b) |
Not Available |
1,500 |
Not Available (d) |
Nil |
|
HCl |
0 |
10 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
HF |
0 – 1 |
1 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Notes: (a) All values refer to an oxygen content in the exhaust gas of 6% and dry basis. (b) The VOCs emission limit include methane as biogas is adopted as fuel in the combustion process. (c) Dates with exceedances on SO2 (number of exceedances on the day) were identified on 10 (2), 13 (2), 14 (1), 15 (1), 27 (2), 29 (3) and 30 (1) March 2019. (d) Technical issue related to monitoring range of VOCs and methane sensors and the Contractor is solving the problem together with the equipment suppliers. |
||||
Table 4.5 Hourly Average of Parameters Recorded for ASP
|
Parameter |
Range of Hourly Average Conc. (mg/Nm3) (a) |
Max. Emission Limit (mg/Nm3) |
Exceedances Identified |
Remarks |
|
Dust (or TSP) |
0 – 5 |
5 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Carbon Monoxide |
0 – 1,860 |
100 |
Identified (c) |
Parameter emissions from ASP were affected by process optimisation. |
|
NOx |
0 – 1,159 |
200 |
Identified (d) |
Parameter emissions from ASP were affected by process optimisation. |
|
SO2 |
0 – 135 |
50 |
Identified (e) |
Desulphurisation system interruption. |
|
VOCs (including methane) (b) |
0 – 2,908 |
20 |
Identified (f) |
Parameter emissions from ASP were affected by process optimisation. |
|
NH3 |
0 – 3,653 |
35 |
Identified (f) |
Parameter emissions from ASP were affected by process optimisation. |
|
HCl |
0 – 3.5 |
10 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
HF |
0 - 1 |
1 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Notes: (a) All values refer to an oxygen content in the exhaust gas of 11% and dry basis. (b) The VOCs emission limit include methane as biogas is adopted as fuel in the combustion process. (c) Dates with exceedances on CO (number of exceedances on the day) were identified on 12 (3), 13 (3), 16 (22), 17 (7), 18 (8), 19 (22), 20 (11), 21 (15), 22 (1), 24 (11), 25 (5), 26 (5) and 29 (1) March 2019. (d) Dates with exceedances on NOx (number of exceedances on the day) were identified on 11 (6), 12 (2), 13 (1), 14 (2), 16 (1), 17 (2), 18 (5), 19 (4), 20 (1), 22 (4), 24 (4), 25 (1), 27 (7), 28 (5), 29 (3) and 31 (8) March 2019. (e) Dates with exceedances on SO2 (number of exceedances on the day) were identified on 9 (3), 14 (1), 16 (1), 19 (3), 20 (4), 25 91), 26 (4), 28 (2), 29 (1) and 31 (2) March 2019. (f) Dates with exceedances on VOCs (including methane) (number of exceedances on the day) were identified on 16 (2), 18 (1), 19 (9), 20 (7), 21 (12), 22 (3), 24 (17), 25 (4), 26 (8), 28 (1) and 29 (15) March 2019. (g) Dates with exceedances on NH3 (number of exceedances on the day) were identified on 9 (15), 10 (12), 11 (8), 12 (4), 13 (4), 14 (13), 15 (2), 16 (24), 17 (20), 18 (17), 19 (20), 20 (4), 21 (15), 22 (3), 24 (18), 25 (5), 26 (9), 28 (3) and 29 (1) March 2019. |
||||
4.2
Odour
4.2.1
Commissioning Phase Monitoring
Odour patrols were conducted by representatives of the Contractor, the ER and Employer (EPD Project Team) on 1, 4, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27 and 29 March 2019. The Independent Odour Patrol Team, ALS Technichem (HK) Pty Ltd (ALS), has also joined the odour patrol on 1 March 2019. According to the EM&A Manual and EP requirements, it is considered an exceedance if the odour intensity recorded by the panellists is Level 2 or above. During this reporting period, no Level 2 Odour Intensity was recorded. The odour patrol results are shown in Annex I.
4.2.2
Operation Phase Monitoring
No odour patrol was required to be conducted for this reporting period.
4.3
Water Quality
4.3.1
Construction Phase Monitoring
No effluent was discharged from the construction activity in the reporting month, hence there was not necessary to carry out effluent discharge sampling for this reporting period.
4.3.2
Operation Phase Monitoring
Effluent discharge was sampled monthly from the Effluent Storage Tank as stipulated in the operation phase discharge licence. The results of the discharge sample is recorded in Table 4.5.
Table 4.6 Results of the Discharge Sample
|
Parameters |
Discharged Effluent Concentration (mg/L) |
Discharge Limit (mg/L) |
Compliance with Discharge Limit |
|
pH (pH units) |
6.12 - 8.47 |
6-10 (a) |
Yes |
|
Suspended Solids (b) |
34 |
800 |
Yes |
|
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (5 days, 20°) (b) |
35 |
800 |
Yes |
|
Chemical Oxygen Demand (b) |
888 |
2,000 |
Yes |
|
Oil & Grease (b) |
<5 |
40 |
Yes |
|
Total Nitrogen (b) |
76.5 |
200 |
Yes |
|
Total Phosphorus (b) |
25.1 |
50 |
Yes |
|
Surfactants (total) (b) |
<1.0 |
25 |
Yes |
|
Notes: (a) Daily Average. (b) Effluent sample collected on 25 March 2019. |
|||
No exceedance of discharge limit was recorded during the reporting period.
4.4
Waste Management
4.4.1
Construction Phase Monitoring
Wastes generated from this Project include inert construction and demolition (C&D) materials (public fill) and non-inert C&D materials (construction waste). Construction waste comprises general refuse, metals and paper/cardboard packaging materials. Metals generated from the construction of the Project are also grouped into construction waste as the materials were not disposed of with others at public fill. Reference has been made to the Monthly Summary Waste Flow Table prepared by the Contractor (see Annex G). With reference to the relevant handling records and trip tickets of this Project, the quantities of different types of waste generated in the reporting month are summarised in Table 4.7.
Table 4.7 Quantities of Waste Generated from the Construction of the Project
|
Month / Year |
Quantity |
|||
|
|
Total Inert C&D Materials Generated (a) |
Non-inert C&D Materials (b) |
||
|
C&D Materials Recycled (c) |
C&D Waste Disposed of at Landfill (d) |
Chemical Waste |
||
|
March 2019 |
190.40 tonnes |
0.00 kg |
16.45 tonnes |
0.00 L |
|
Notes: (a) Inert C&D materials (public fill) include bricks, concrete, building debris, rubble and excavated spoil. In total, 190.40 tonnes of inert C&D material were generated from the Project. The detailed waste flow is presented in Annex G. (b) Non-inert C&D materials (construction wastes) include metals, paper / cardboard packaging waste, plastics and other wastes such as general refuse. Metals generated from the Project were grouped into construction wastes as the materials were not disposed of with others at the public fill. (c) 0.00 kg of metals, 0.00 kg of papers/ cardboard packing and 0.00 kg of plastics were sent to recyclers for recycling during the reporting period. (d) Construction wastes other than metals, paper/cardboard packaging, plastics and chemicals were disposed of at NENT Landfill by subcontractors. |
||||
4.4.2
Operation Phase Monitoring
Wastes generated from the operation of the Project include chemical waste, wastes generated from pre-treatment process and general refuse ([3]). Reference has been made to the Monthly Summary Waste Flow Table prepared by the Contractor (see Annex G). With reference to the relevant handling records and trip tickets of this Project, the quantities of different types of waste generated from the operation of the Project in the reporting month are summarised in Table 4.8.
Table 4.8 Quantities of Waste Generated from the Operation of the Project
|
Month / Year |
Chemical Waste |
Waste Generated from |
General Refuse |
||
|
|
Disposal of at CWTC |
Disposed of at Landfill (a) |
Recycled (b) |
Disposed of at Landfill (a) |
Recycled (c) |
|
March 2019 |
1,200 L |
477.08 tonnes |
0.00 tonnes |
1.50 tonnes (d) |
0.00 kg |
|
Notes: (a) Waste generated from pre-treatment process and general refuse other than chemical waste and recyclables were disposed of at NENT landfill by sub-contractors. (b) Among waste generated from pre-treatment process, 0.00 kg of metals, 0.00 kg of papers/ cardboard packing and 0.00 kg of plastics were sent to recyclers for recycling during the reporting period. (c) Among general refuse, 0.00 kg of metals, 0.00 kg of papers/ cardboard packing and 0.00 kg of plastics were sent to recyclers for recycling during the reporting period. (d) It was assumed that two 240-litre bins filled with 80% of general refuse were collected at each collection. The general refuse density was assumed to be around 0.15 kg/L. |
|||||
5
Site Audit
5.1
Weekly Environmental Site Audit
Joint site inspections were conducted by representatives of the Contractor and the ET on 8, 15, 22 and 28 March 2019 as required for the construction of the Project. The IEC was present at the joint inspection on 22 March 2019.
The audits checked the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures for air quality, landscape and visual, water quality, waste (land contamination) and hazard-to-life stated in the Implementation Schedule (see Annex F).
Follow-up actions resulting from the last site inspections were generally taken as reported by the Contractor.
Key observations during the reporting period are summarised as follows:
8 March 2019
· Chemical drums were observed near Building 2 and the contractor was advised to provide drip trays to the chemical drums or replace the drums to designed storage area according to the Code of Practice.
15 March 2019
· Chemical drums were observed near Building 2 and the contractor was advised to provide drip trays to the chemical drums or replace the drums to designed storage area according to the Code of Practice.
22 March 2019
· Chemical drums of less quantity were observed near Building 2 and the contractor was advised to provide drip trays to the remaining chemical drums or replace the remaining drums to designed storage area according to the Code of Practice.
28 March 2019
· Remaining chemical drums were observed near Building 2 and the contractor was advised to provide drip trays to the remaining chemical drums or replace the remaining drums to designed storage area according to the Code of Practice.
Other than the above observation, the Contractor has implemented environmental mitigation measures recommended in the approved EIA Report and EM&A Manual.
5.2
Landscape and Visual Audit
Bi-weekly inspections of the landscape and visual mitigation measures for the construction phase of the Project were performed on 8 and 22 March 2019. The inspection on 22 March 2019 also covered the monthly inspection of the landscape and visual mitigation measures for the operation phase of the Project.
It was confirmed that the necessary landscape and visual mitigation measures during the construction and operation phase as summarised in Annex F were generally implemented by the Contractor. No specific observation was found during site inspections on 8 and 22 March 2019. No non-compliance in relation to the landscape and visual mitigation measures was identified during the site audits in this reporting period and therefore no further actions are required. The ET/MT will keep track of the EM&A programme to check compliance with environmental requirements and the proper implementation of all necessary mitigation measures.
6
Environmental Non-conformance
6.1
Summary of Environmental
Non-Compliance
Non-compliance of emission limits for CAPCS, CHP and ASP were recorded during the reporting period, respectively.
The Contractor has reviewed the organic waste treatment processes (i.e. waste reception, waste pre-treatment, anaerobic digesters, and composting processes) and found that they were operated normally during the reporting period. The Contractor has investigated air pollution control systems of the CAPCS, CHP and ASP and the combustion system for the CHP and the ASP and identified the following potential causes for the exceedance.
(a) There were breakdowns of the automatic chemical dosing system of the CAPCS. As a result, it could not effectively remove the odorous gases (e.g. NH3 and H2S) and caused exceedances of odour limits for the CAPCS;
(b) Tripping of the circulation pump resulting in the incompletion desulphurisation of biogas resulting in exceedances of SO2 limits for CHP and ASP stacks; and
(c) The combustion efficiency of the thermal combustion unit of the ASP was affected during overall process fine tuning that causes exceedances of CO, NOx, VOCs and NH3.
For item (a), the Contractor has arranged manual dosing of the chemical to the system to minimise the exceedances in odour in the CAPCS.
For item (b), the Contractor has contacted the supplier of the chemical dosing system to carry out repairing works so that the system can function properly. Additional activated carbon filter was put on-line to minimise the incomplete desulphurisation of biogas.
For item (c), new setting on operational parameters were adjusted during this reporting period to adapt to the new packing media changed at the end of the last reporting period for better overall treatment performance. The Contractor will continue to tune the thermal combustion unit of the ASP in order to restore the combustion efficiency so that the concerned pollutants will be effectively destroyed.
The investigation report is presented in Annex J.
6.2
Summary of Environmental
Complaint
No complaint was received during the reporting period.
6.3
Summary of Environmental
Summon and Successful Prosecution
No summon/prosecution was received during the
reporting period. The cumulative summons/prosecution log is shown in Annex H.
7
Future Key Issues
7.1
Key Issues for the Coming
Month
Activities to be undertaken for the coming reporting period are:
· Operation of the Project.
· Contractor should resolve the technical issue related to the on-line monitoring of methane emission (hence the calculation of the NMVOC concentration) from the CHP stacks as soon as possible and undertake gas sampling and laboratory analysis of NMVOC at agreed interval when the on-line monitoring equipment for methane is not available.
· Implementation of further measures to control the air emission from the CAPCS, CHP and ASP.
· Continue construction of the Visitor Centre.
8
Conclusions
This EM&A Report presents the EM&A programme undertaken during the reporting period from 1 to 31 March 2019 in accordance with EM&A Manual (Version E) and requirements of EP (FEP-01/395/2010/C).
No air quality, noise and water quality monitoring is required under the construction EM&A requirements.
For the operation phase, a number of exceedances of the emission limits for stack monitoring (including CAPCS, CHP and ASP stacks) were recorded during the reporting period (see Table 8.1).
Table 8.1 Exceedances for Stack Emissions
|
Stack |
Exceedances During the Reporting Period |
|
Centralised Air Pollution Control Unit (CAPCS) |
· Exceeded emission limit of Odour for most of the days (including 8, 10 to 22, 25 and 27 to 31 March 2019) in March |
|
Cogeneration Unit (CHP) |
· Exceeded emission limit of SO2 on most of the days (including 1 to 6, 9 to 20, 23 and 25 to 31 March 2019) in March |
|
Ammonia Stripping Plant (ASP) |
· Exceeded emission limit of CO on most of the days (including 12, 13, 16 to 22, 24 to 27 and 29 March 2019) in March · Exceeded emission limit of NOx most of the days (including 11 to 14, 17 to 20, 22, 24, 24 27 to 29 and 31 March 2019) in March · Exceeded emission limit of SO2 on 9, 14, 16, 19, 20, 24 to 26, 28, 29 and 31 March 2019 · Exceeded emission limit of VOCs (including methane) on 16, 18, 19 to 22, 24 to 26, 28 and 29 March 2019 · Exceeded emission limit of NH3 on 9 to 22, 24 to 26, 28 and 29 March 2019 |
|
Standby Flare Gas Unit |
· NA (Not operated during the reporting period) |
Exceedances in emission parameters of CAPCS, CHP and ASP were found to be a result of problems with the chemical dosing system of the air pollution control systems of the CAPCS, incomplete desulphurisation of biogas which fed to the CHPs, and the incomplete thermal combustion of the thermal combustion unit of the ASP.
The Contractor has implemented mitigation measures to control the exceedance (including the arrangement of supplier of the dosing system for the CAPCS to repair the dosing system and manual dosing of chemical to the CAPCS until the problems of the automatic dosing system is fixed; adding additional activated carbon filters to the biogas desulphurisation system to control the H2S level in the biogas which fed to the CHP and the ASP; and tuning the thermal combustion unit of the ASP to optimise combustion efficiency and overall performance).
Odour patrols and monitoring were conducted in accordance to the EM&A requirements. No exceedance of odour intensity limit for all odour patrol events. Air samples were collected at the CAPCS for olfactometry analysis at the laboratory on 10, 11, 19 and 27 December 2018 and 16 and 29 January 2019. The odour level of the samples collected on 10, 11, 19 and 27 December 2018 and 16 January 2019 have exceeded the odour limit. An investigation of the cause of the exceedance has been carried out. The investigation report is shown in Annex J.
No non-compliance to the effluent discharge limit was recorded during this reporting period.
The environmental control /mitigation measures related to air quality, water quality, waste (including land contamination prevention), hazard-to-life and landscape and visual recommended in the approved EIA Report and the EM&A Manual were properly implemented by the Contractor during the reporting month.
Bi-weekly landscape and visual monitoring was conducted in the reporting period. The necessary landscape and visual mitigation measures recommended in the approved EIA Report were generally implemented by the Contractor.
No incident occurred during reporting period.
No complaint/summon/prosecution was received.
([1]) As some of the minor items are yet to be closed out in March 2019, the construction phase EM&A programme and Operation Phase EM&A programme were undertaking in parallel in March 2019.