Brownfield / Landfill Applications Contaminated Lands

Topics for Discussion Brownfield Discussion Gas Detection Definition Background Funding & Limited Liability Regulations Gas Detection Overview Engineering Requirements Equipment Placement

Brownfield/Landfill Applications What is a Brownfield according to EPA “…..real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contamination.” This includes sites contaminated by Controlled substances Petroleum or petroleum products Mine-scarred lands

Brownfield/Landfill Applications Brownfields…abandoned, idled or under-utilized commercial or industrial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination – properties with the potential to become thriving industrial, commercial or residential developments.

Brownfield/Landfill Applications Brownfield Properties Estimated 500,000 in the United States Most sites known by community and not listed Brownfields in every county, urban and rural area

Brownfield/Landfill Applications Background In 1994 US EPA responded with an approach that paved the way for innovative and creative ways to assess, clean up, and redevelop brownfields sites. The 2002 Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act expands potential federal financial assistance for brownfields revitalization, including grants for assessment, cleanup and job training.

Brownfield/Landfill Applications Background Post-closure Land Use/Residential & Commercial Development of former disposal sites Safety regulations (OSHA) drive industrial requirements for monitoring hazardous conditions (Petroleum and natural gas industry), which drove sensor technology development Combustible gas monitoring applied in industrial settings for safety purposes Combustible gas monitoring applied in residential and commercial settings due to 27 CCR Landfill Gas Monitoring and Control requirements and Brownfield and industrial development Background: Just a review of how automated gas detection systems used in industry (chemical manufacturing, petroleum and natural gas industry) can (and has been) applied to structures on or near landfills and disposal sites. Key events: -PCLU and development of old disposal sites -Safety regulations for gas detection in place for activities which store, transport & handle combustible gases -Direct Digital Control Automation Systems developed in 1980s to control energy use -Combustible Gas Detection systems in place in natural gas industry -Continuous monitoring required in 27 CCR Article 6 (Gas Monitoring and Control Regulations) and 27 CCR 21190

Brownfield/Landfill Applications Reasons for Brownfield Growth – Title II Government Funding Funding $200 million per year (thru “06) Site assessment and cleanup grants $50 million may be used for sites with petroleum contamination Liability Clarification Provides Superfund Liability to owners, purchasers and innocent landowners

Brownfield/Landfill Applications Structure Gas Monitoring Requirements in 27 CCR

Brownfield/Landfill Applications Structural Gas Monitoring Regulations in 27 CCR Federal Regulations (40 CFR Part 258.23) Explosive Gas Control State Regulations (27 CCR Article 6) 27 CCR Gas Monitoring & Control Regulations 20919.5 (a) 1 Explosive Gas Control. 20921 Gas M&C During Closure/PC 20931 Structure Monitoring 20934 Reporting 20937 Control 21190 Post-closure Land Use Of course it’s important to know the statutory authority requiring continuous monitoring systems, which are found in both Federal and State regulations: Generally Subtitle D requires gas monitoring and control and 27 CCR Article 6 Gas Monitoring and Control Requirements (20919-20937) Continuous gas monitoring is also discussed in the Postclosure Land-use Section 21190

Brownfield/Landfill Applications Structural Gas Monitoring Regulations in 27 CCR 27 CCR 20919.5 (a) 1 Explosive Gas Control “…owners…must ensure that: (1) The concentration of methane gas generated by a (MSWLF) facility does not exceed 25 percent of the LEL for methane in facility structures…” 20921 (a) (1) requires that “…The concentration of methane gas must not exceed 1.25% by volume in air within on-site structures…” 20931(a) “…monitoring network design shall include provisions for monitoring on site structures, including but not limited to buildings, subsurface vaults, utilities or other areas where potential gas buildup would be of concern…”

Brownfield/Landfill Applications Structural Gas Monitoring Regulations in 27 CCR 20931(c) “…Structures located on top the waste disposal area shall be monitored on a continuous basis..” 20934 (a)(1) “…monitoring reports shall include: (1) the concentrations of the methane….within each on-site structure…” 20937 (a)(3) “…the documentation of date, time, barometric pressure, atmospheric pressure, general weather conditions and probe pressures… ” 20937 Control (d) “…When the results of monitoring in on site structures indicate levels in excess of those specified in Section 20923(a), the operator shall take appropriate action to mitigate the effects of landfill gas accumulation in on site structures, and public health and safety, shall include one or more of the following:…(4) Alarms, … (5) Ignition source control…(7) Ventilation…”

Brownfield/Landfill Applications Structural Gas Monitoring Regulations in 27 CCR 27 CCR 21190 a) Proposed PCLUs (Post Closure Land Use) shall be designed and maintained to: …(3) prevent landfill gas explosions…” 27 CCR 21190 e) “…Construction of structural improvements on top of landfilled areas…shall meet the following conditions:…(1) automatic methane gas sensors, designed to trigger an audible alarm when methane concentrations are detected, shall be installed in all buildings…” 27 CCR 21190 e) (8) periodic methane gas monitoring shall be conducted inside all buildings…”

Brownfield/Landfill Applications Structure Gas Monitoring

Brownfield/Landfill Applications Structure Gas Monitoring

Brownfield/Landfill applications Gas Measures at PCLU projects Example of PCLU project where gas monitoring and control measures occurred as part of the construction of a Home Depot on an old disposal site in Marin County. The facility was constructed with a membrane liner and continuous gas monitoring system which were tied to an alarm and ventilation system in the building. Additionally a gas control system was operated within the landfill.

Brownfield/Landfill Applications Typical Gas Detection System on Brownfield

Brownfield/Landfill Applications Brownfield / Landfill Gas Detection Methane & other Toxic gases from unused industrial sites may, if undetected, pose a potentially serious threat to anyone living or working nearby. It is essential that such risk be minimized by the use of continuous and accurate gas monitoring within the building. Sierra Monitor has a solution for buildings constructed on Brownfield sites.

Brownfield/Landfill Applications Typical Gases Found and Require Monitoring Combustible Gas (methane typically) Ammonia Carbon Monoxide Chlorine Hydrogen Sulfide Nitrous Oxides

Brownfield/Landfill Applications Products Used in Detection of Gases Sentry System IT Series 4-20mA Alarm Only

Brownfield/Landfill Applications ↑ Elevator Shaft Sensor ↓ House IR Sensor in Ceiling Vent Riser, % by Volume IR

Brownfield/Landfill Applications Acoustic Ceiling Mounted Sensor ↑ Hard Ceiling Mounted Sensor ↓ 8 Channel Sentry Controller

Brownfield/Landfill Applications Location of Landfill Gas Monitors Landfill gas monitors are typically placed in three types of locations at or near landfills; these are subsurface, surface, or enclosed space. The three types of monitoring locations address different landfill gas concerns and can be used either alone or together in a sampling program. Note that these systems generally do not measure landfill gas levels at points of human exposure. Subsurface Systems—Subsurface systems measure concentrations of contaminants in the soil gas at locations beneath the soil-air interface. The depth of sampling can range from a few inches to many feet below the surface. Surface Systems—Surface systems measure concentrations of gas within a couple of inches above the soil-air interface. Enclosed Space Systems—Enclosed space systems monitor gases in indoor air or confined areas overlying or adjacent to landfills, such as buildings, subsurface vaults, utilities, or any other spaces where the potential for gas buildup is of concern.

Brownfield/Landfill Applications Gas Sensor Placement Overview Any accessible confined spaces near a landfill where a 5-15% LEL-UEL condition would most likely occur Structures on or within 1000 feet of the landfill (homes, buildings, warehouses, etc) Basements, sub-floors and raised foundations Utility systems: manholes, vaults, boxes and subsurface trenches, storm drains, water & electrical distribution in the vicinity or through the disposal area Utility closets, mechanical rooms, bathrooms (utility penetrations) Water wells, excavations (pools)