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IEE - Environmental Info. 7 Page 3 of 8 �� i IVWI RJ. Il W 1\I IV��1 1 U IUl \I IV Y' �JVI ivv VI VI IIVI u IV n I 11 Il, VVI � ivuvuvi I j�'v��+"� is an important factor for dioxin and fU�8f1 formation. Ambient Dust Although not regulated by the EPA, ambient dust from the cremation process is also a concern for the operator. Dust becomes airborne when remains are swept from a cremation chamber, placed into a processing unit and transferred to urns. Reducing Pollutant Output Just as knowing which pollutants are emitted from your cremator is important, it is also beneficial to know how your equipment reduces these pollutants and what other methods are available to reduce them further. How well a cremator reduces pollutant output depends largely on the design, upkeep and operation of the equipment. We will discuss several methods of reducing pollutant output. Each of the following methods is being utilized at cremator installations in the United States and Canada, although some are not as practical as others are. Scrutinizing Input One of the best methods of reducing pollutant output is also one of the easiest: scrutinizing the materials included with the remains and container for cremation. Non-chlorinated plastics should be requested whenever possible, so the amount of hydrogen chloride produced from the cremation can be minimized. It is also important to cremate the heaviest bodies first and to request from your clients that no unnecessary items be included in the cremation container. These practices minimize the chance of cremating at a speed that exceeds the capacity of the equipment, which can lead to visible emissions from the exhaust stack. Increasing Retention Time Retention time is how long the gases produced from cremation are held in the cremation equipment and exposed to proper temperatures (1400°F - 1800° F) before they are allowed to exhaust to the atmosphere. In many installations, retention time is insufficient to meet current standards. Increasing the afterchamber's volume increases the likelihood that the exhaust gases will be sufficiently exposed to these temperatures, thereby reducing the amount of pollutants exhausted to the atmosphere. Maintaining Adequate and Steady Temperatures Adequate and steady temperature levels are virtually important to maintaining the quality of exhaust gases. Typically, the desired range of operating temperatures is from 1400°F to 1800°F depending on local environmental requirements. In cremation, temperatures higher than 1800° F are not necessarily better for pollution control and can, in fact, create more pollution. When the temperature in the cremation equipment exceeds the designed level, the body bums faster and the exhaust gases expand to a greater volume. This overloads the afterchamber, which then cannot destroy the pollutants as quickly as they are being produced. Unfortunately, this results in higher emissions of pollutants. Low chamber temperatures can be just as much a problem. If temperatures are too low, the pollutants entering the afterchamber will not be sufficiently combusted. Low temperatures reduce the effectiveness of the afterchamber to destroy particulate matter and convert gaseous pollutants to a less harmful gaseous exhaust. Therefore, proper controls to maintain adequate and steady temperature levels are important. Turbulence Turbulence is created in the crematory exhaust flow by physical obstacles http://www.ieeco.com/environ2.htm 06/21/2001