How are refineries supposed to get rid of muck from the bottom of cat crackers, dead rats, cats, catalyst, yard sweepings, used engine oil, municipal waste, demolition materials and sustainably recycled tyres if they can't chop them up into bunker fuel? <Beginning in July 1, 2009 California will require ships to use cleaner fuel than bunker fuel when they are within 32 miles of California. This alone will eliminate 11% of the particulate emissions in Los Angeles. >
Joking aside, it used to seem absurd that in Los Angeles, there were very strict rules on catalytic converters and smog controls on cars while dirty great trucks and buses would be roaring past with clouds of gunk pouring out their chimneys. One truck was the equivalent of about 10,000 old cars.
There was just about enough goop in the air that cars could have operated just on the air without bothering with fuel via the fuel tank. In some timber processing factories, there is enough dust that a dust cloud fire can get going. osh.dol.govt.nz
There's probably a good business to be had sucking in air, separating and collecting the particulates, using them as fuel. Or maybe just use the fuel/air mixture as is, with a bit of topping up on clean air days.
China's exports of goop in the air must be substantial these days, forming a significant part of the particulates in California.
Mqurice |
