subject/ref air products acetylene gas production facility ... · pdf fileis this the first...

Meeting minutes

Subject/Ref

Air Products Acetylene Gas Production Facility:

Public Meeting

Venue

Japie Greyling Primary School, Daleside

Date of Meeting

20 February 2014

Present

ERM Kasantha Moodley

Gary McFadden

Lisa Otten

Air Products Barry Little

Tom Maclean

Leon Serfontein

Local Ward

Councillor

Rob Jones

Please refer to the Attendance Register

attached as Annex B to these minutes

Environmental Resources Management Building 32 1st Floor The Woodlands Office Park Woodlands Drive

Woodmead, 2148 Facsimile Email

Attached: Meeting Attendance Register Presentation Slides

Meeting minutes

Comment Commentator

Comments received during the Open House Event

1. Concerned about the risk of potential fires/explosion. The facility should have the necessary measures on site to manage fires as the local fire department are not reliable.

Gerhard

2. • Recognises the positive economic benefits of an international company in the area, particularly with regards to job creation.

• The facility is a step towards the planned R59 corridor development.

• Believes that Air Products understands the risks associated with the proposed development otherwise they would not be investing.

• Willie is the pastor of the local Daleside church and runs a feeding scheme that feeds the local community 5 days a week from produce donated by local farmers.

Willie de Kock

3. Misunderstanding relating to the proposed development of a kiln at the Glen Douglas dolomite mine and the proposed Air Products facility.

Jennifer Zeiss

Comments received during the Public Meeting

1. Is this the first acetylene plant in South Africa using this production process and will acetone be produced as part of the process? Air Products operates two other acetylene gas production facilities in South Africa using a similar production process. Acetone is not manufactured in the process, acetone is used for the safe storage and transport of the acetylene gas (ie acetylene gas is dissolved in acetone during cylinder filling.

Unknown participant 1 (participant did not sign attendance register)

2. The smell of carbide is a nuisance to the residents who are in lee of the surrounding factories. It should be noted that the calcium carbide will be stored in airtight containers (turnbins) to avoid contact with air and moisture. All other products used in the production process will also be stored in airtight containers including the acetone and nitrogen. The stakeholder was invited to visit the existing Air Products facility in Kempton Park.

Unknown participant 1

3. What is the cost of building this plant? The estimated cost of building the plant exceeds millions of rands.

4. What is the waste product produced and will it create dust emissions? Lime slurry is not a waste product, it is considered a by-product of the production process and is planned to be made available to local contractors for use in the agricultural/infrastructure sectors. This slurry will be stored in sludge separation units where water will be drawn off. The lime will be transported in a putty form, therefore there will be no dust emissions.


5. Where is the calcium carbide produced? It is produced in Newcastle and transported in containers.


Meeting minutes

6. Are the reaction tanks open to the atmosphere? The generator tanks and entire production process is a closed loop system, to not allow the release of acetylene gas.


7. What are the sources of air pollution? Based on the operations at the existing Air Products facilities, the atmospheric emissions are generally low as the produced gas is kept in the contained system. The release of gases is only likely during an emergency situation/unplanned event, ie fires or explosions. An Air Quality Impact Assessment will be undertaken to determine the potential air emissions from the construction and operation of the proposed facility as well as the cumulative impact on the air quality of the study area.


8. What is the reason behind the site location? The R59 development corridor is identified as an important industrial corridor within the region. The facility requires a good distribution network and the R59 provides easy access to the major highways. Various other sites were considered during the pre-feasibility stage of the project, however the land was not considered feasible based on technical, environmental and financial considerations. In Daleside, two other sites were considered that did not meet the necessary criteria. It should be noted that the proposed facility will comprise the latest design/technology and meet all required international and local standards in terms of environment, health and safety and social aspects.

Andries Potgieter

9. Will the production process use large amounts of water? Where will the water be discharged? It is planned to collect and store storm water run-off which will be channelled to two catchment pits on site (site slopes towards the East). 214 m3/hr of water will be required for Phase 1 (top-up water). Plant will use 80-90% recycled water in a closed loop system. For additional water requirements, borehole and/or municipal water will be used.

Thabo Mahloane

10. What about the residual smell of lime? There is very little to no smell associated with the lime. This will remain around the area of the pit as an onsite odour.


11. What are the operational times of the plant? The facility will operate for 24 hours for 5 days a week.


12. How many empty vs full cylinders will be on site? There will be 380 cylinders on site per shift.

Jennifer Zeiss

13. Will there be any pollution of the Klip River, particularly in flood situations? The catchment pits are 4 500 m3 each and are open to provide adequate storage of storm runoff water. The surface area around the plant will be concreted so that runoff is directed to the pits and not off site. Surface water from the dirty areas will be recycled and re-used on site.

Jennifer Zeiss

14. When is construction expected? Jennifer Zeiss

Meeting minutes

Should the EIA be approved, construction is planned for December 2014. All project stakeholders will be provided the opportunity to appeal the decision, prior to construction.

15. Will the proposed development lower the property values in Daleside? The R59 has been identified as a strategic industrial and commercial corridor for development. The proposed facility itself is not likely to result in reduced property values as there are several industries operating in the area. However, this will be considered in EIA process.

Jennifer Zeiss

16. Received notification of the public meeting on day of therefore expects that many residents haven’t attended the meeting as they haven’t been informed. Notification of the meeting was sent on 17 January 2014. ERM sent out a reminder a week before the meeting and the local Ward councillor sent out a reminder a day before the meeting. Attendees were encouraged to complete the attendance register and include the details of any residents they think should be included in the stakeholder database. Suggested other public forums/places for future notifications: Post office in Henley on Klip, churches in Daleside, local radio station, Principal’s forum, and municipality communications. All attendees’ details will be noted from the attendance register and used for future communications. The possible options for future notifications have been noted and will be considered.


17. Has the Plan of Study been submitted as part of the Draft Scoping Report and has specialist studies been undertaken? Yes, a Plan of Study for EIA has been included in the draft report and will be submitted as part of the Final Scoping Report as well. Detailed specialist studies are still to be undertaken.

Andries Potgieter

18. What is the life span of the facility? Has the community been taken into account when the plant is decommissioned? The lifespan of the facility will be approximately 50 years. A project specific fund will be set aside for the community as part of the Air Products Corporate Social Responsibility Programme. Air Products will consult with the community around possible initiatives for the CSR. The community is encouraged to share and identify initiatives to benefit from the fund.

Thabo Mahloane

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The world’s leading sustainability consultancy

Proposed Acetylene Gas Production Facility Environmental Impact Assessment

Public Meeting 20 February 2014


Contents What’s this layout for? Formatting for contents slide – this slide has slightly different spacing between lines to emphasise topics

Agenda

Introduction 5 minutes

Project Description 15 minutes

EIA Process 10 minutes

Open Discussion 25 minutes

Questions

Issues and concerns

Summary and Way Forward 5 minutes



Principles for Sharing

Please…

Mobile phones turned off or on silent

All comments are welcome and will be recorded

Raise a hand if you would like to ask a question

Clearly introduce yourself

Speak loudly so that everyone can hear

Don’t interrupt others

Please allow for different opinions & different views

Address all questions / remarks through the facilitator



Purpose of the Meeting

4

To share information about the Project

To enable stakeholders to raise concerns/ questions about the Project

To provide responses to concerns and questions, where possible

To inform the EIA to ensure that it is relevant and appropriate



Introductions

Air Products South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Private company formed by a 50/50 joint venture between Air Products, Chemicals INC and Metkor Group Holdings

Manufactures, supplies and distributes a variety of industrial and specialty gas products and chemicals to the Southern African region

Environmental Resources Management Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd

Independent environmental and social assessment practitioners appointed to undertake the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Process

ERM has extensive experience in undertaking EIAs in the Gauteng region



Project Background

6

Existing Acetylene Gas Production Facilities Located in Pinetown and Kempton Park Operational for > 40 years with aged infrastructure Encroached by other industrial and residential development

Proposed Project Plan: Close down these two facilities Construct and develop a new facility on a site where the potential

off-site risks can be managed The facility is proposed to be constructed in the center of two

properties



7

Proposed Location - Daleside

Insert Map



Project Site

8

Stand 88 and 89 of Valley Settlements Agricultural Holdings – Air Products have purchased both properties

Combined area of the stands is 4.4 ha

Current Zoning – Industrial 3

Surrounding land-uses: East: Manufacturing facilities South: Equipment maintenance and storage facilities West: Private North: Manufacturing facilities

Residential properties have been identified along Lawa, Graniet, Kalksteen and Tillet Roads.

Existing site access via Tillet Road (off Springbok Road)



Proposed Site Layout

9



Production Process

10

Filler Hoppers and Generator Vessel

Cylinder Filling

Calcium Carbide + Water Calcium Hydroxide + Acetylene Gas Exothermic Reaction

Project to be developed in 2 Phases: Phase 1: Production capacity of 7200

m3/day (December 2015) Phase 2: Total production capacity of 14

400 m3/day (2022)

Uses: welding and cutting of metals

Lime (by-product) will be stored on site for collection



Key Project Components

11

Cylinder Filling

1. Generator Vessel 2. Compressors

3. Driers 3. Cylinder Filling



12

Facility Illustration

Insert Map

Ring Road

Lime separation area

Fire water pits

Workshop

Offices and Change Facilities

Cylinder Storage

Cylinder filling

Material storage

Generator and Compressors



EIA Process

13

EIA required under National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act No. 107 of 1998), as amended

Key Listed Activities in terms of GNR. 545 (2010): (3) The construction of facilities or infrastructure for the storage, or storage and

handling of a dangerous good, where such storage occurs in containers with a combined capacity of more than 500 cubic metres.

(4) The construction of facilities or infrastructure for the refining, extraction or processing of gas, oil or petroleum products with an installed capacity of 50 cubic metres or more per day.

(5) The construction of facilities or infrastructure for any process or activity which requires a permit or license in terms of national or provincial legislation governing the generation or release of emissions…

Air Emissions Licence (AEL) will be applied for: Subcategory 6.1 (Organic Chemical Manufacturing)



Progress with EIA

14

We are here



Specialist Studies

15

Biological Studies Terrestrial Ecology Physical Studies Air Quality Site Traffic Heritage and Archaeology Major Hazardous Installation Geotechnical and Dolomite Investigation



Existing Site View

16

Existing farmhouse to be upgraded View of site – facing South Site will be cleared of these buildings

Tillet Road Site is disturbed and undeveloped



Potential Key Impacts

17

Impacts to Soil / Ground Resources Impacts to Water Resources Impacts to Vegetation and Fauna on

site Impacts to Cultural Resources Impacts to Air Quality Traffic Impacts Noise Impacts Social Impacts Unplanned Events



Quantitative Risk Assessment

18

Proposed development considered a Major Hazardous Installation (MHI) under the current MHI Regulations (2001)

Key findings of MHI Assessment (by ERM):

Location Specific Individual Risk Risk is greater to individuals indoors than outdoors due to potential

building collapse on site from potential explosion Minimal risks beyond the boundary of the site

Potential offsite effects include radiation from acetone pool fires or

overpressures from acetylene explosions



Location Specific Risk

19



Loss of Containment – Acetone Pool Fire

20



Loss of Containment – Acetylene Explosion

21



Open Discussion

22

Please raise any questions, concerns and/or queries that you may have on the Project and/or the EIA Process…



Way Forward

23

Commenting Period on the Draft Scoping Report closes on 26 February 2014 (next Wednesday)

Incorporate all comments received on the Draft Scoping Report into the Final Scoping Report

Release Final Scoping Report for Public Review (21 days)

Submit the Final Scoping Report to GDARD

Thank you for your valued participation in this process!

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