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New BAT for common waste water and gas systems (EU)

New BAT for common waste water and waste gas treatment/management systems in the chemical sector.

Decision (EU) 2016/902 of 30 May 2016 establishes the conclusions on best available techniques (BAT) relating to common systems of treatment/management of aqueous and gaseous effluents in the chemical sector.

These conclusions cover the activities referred to in sections 4 (chemical industry) and 6 (other activities) of Annex I of the IED Directive (Directive 2010/75/EU of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions), mainly management of wastewater (collection and treatment), management of residual gas (collection and treatment) and diffuse emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Environmental Management System (EMS) (BAT 1 & 2)

As a reminder, the first BAT developed in the decision concern the EMS for activities covered by Sections 4 and 6 to Annex I of the IED Directive. For the chemical industry, two special functions are integrated by the decision:
  • On sites where several operators are involved, the establishment of a convention that defines roles, responsibilities and coordination of functioning procedures for each operator in order to enhance cooperation.
  •  The establishment of inventories of waste water and waste gas.

In addition, the decision specifies that in some cases, the following elements must be part of the EMS:

– Odor management plan (see BAT 20); – Noise Management Plan (see BAT 22). Eau rejet

Monitoring of wastewater and atmospheric emissions (BAT 3 to 6)

BAT 3 and 4 specify the substances/parameters (pH monitoring, metals, toxicity, etc.) to be monitored in the wastewater and the minimum frequency of monitoring.

BAT 5 and 6 specify, for emissions of VOCs and odors, how to measure emissions, mainly by implementing existing standards.

Emission in water (BAT 7-12)

One of the objectives referred to in this chapter is the reduction of water consumption and wastewater production (BAT 7). Particular attention is paid to the separation of uncontaminated water and wastewater (BAT 8) and to buffer storage of aqueous effluents produced outside the normal operation (BAT 9).

In addition, to reduce emissions to water, BAT 10 lists in order of priority technical processes to use. Pretreatment of waste water is also recommended to prevent the impossibility of treatment of certain substances in the final phase of the treatment process, mainly by protecting the final treatment plant for toxic compounds (BAT 11).

Waste (BAT 13 & 14)

To avoid or, if this is not possible, to reduce the amount of waste for disposal, BAT 13 recommends a waste management plan to ensure, in order of priority, the prevention of waste, preparation for the reuse, recycling or valorisation in another way.

A description of the techniques applicable to sludge treatment is specified by BAT 14 (chemical conditioning, stabilization, etc).

Air emissions (BAT 15-21)

When the situation allows, BAT 15 recommends to confine sources of air emissions in order to treat them directly.

BAT 17 and 18 are dedicated to flaring in order to minimise the use of non-routine situations (start and stop operations, for example). Both BAT specify which techniques could be used to achieve this goal.

To reduce the emission of VOCs, the Decision lists, in BAT 19, a combination of techniques to be used by professionals. These include in priority techniques to limit the number of emission sources, strengthen containment systems and ensure the maintenance of infrastructure.

As for odors, BAT 20 requires the establishment of an odor management plan to prevent its occurrence. This plan particularly allows  to set actions and associated deadlines, as well as odor monitoring procedures.

Other techniques are specified by BAT 21 to reduce odor emissions due to the collection and treatment of wastewater as well as sludge treatment.

Noise (BAT 22 & 23)

Noise emissions are governed by a noise management plan. A combination of techniques to be used by professionals is specified by BAT 23, which include in particular the choice of the location of the installation (“appropriate location”), machine maintenance, closing doors and windows, and soundproofing the premises.

The last chapter is dedicated to the description of the techniques potentially used by professionals for the treatment of sewage and diffuse emissions of VOCs.

Sources :

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/902 of 30 May 2016 establishing best available techniques (BAT) conclusions, under Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, for common waste water and waste gas treatment/management systems in the chemical sector, OJ L 152, 9.6.2016, p. 23–42

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