Eia
Eia
Eia
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) "Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is the process of assessing the likely environmental impacts of a proposal and identifying options to minimize environmental damage. The main purpose of EIA is to inform decision makers of the likely impacts of a proposal before a decision is made. EIA provides an opportunity to identify key issues and stakeholders early in the life of a proposal so that potentially adverse impacts can be addressed before final approval decisions are made."
EIA is not a way of allowing an environmental 'veto' on development proposals. Environmental considerations may be set aside in favour of other considerations including economic and other benefits of going ahead. The Commonwealth and each State and Territory has legislation relating to EIA
Objectives of EIA
Ensuring environmental factors are considered in the decision-making process Ensuring that possible adverse environmental impacts are identified and avoided or minimized Informing the public about the proposal
Sulphuric acid is made from any one of the basic raw materials - sulphur, pyrites or tail gases from metallurgical industries. The production of 1 ton of sulphuric acid (of 100% concentration) requires 0.33 ton of sulphur and produces 1.8 tons of high pressure steam. The manufacture of sulphuric acid requires three qualities of water, namely, demineralized water for boiler feed, process water to absorb sulphur trioxide and cooling water.
Sulphur dioxide and acid mist are released from waste gas from the final absorber tower. Apart from boiler blow downs and water treatment plant regeneration, aqueous effluent from sulphuric acid plant originates from spills, leakages from pumps and flanges. The vanadium catalyst used for the oxidation process is returned to the catalyst manufacturer for vanadium recovery or safe disposal. Small amounts of sulphur dust are produced when sulphur is stored in open air. Sulphur dioxide and acid mist released into the atmosphere may contribute to acid rain.
(c) Safety issues and occupational health hazards in the sulphuric acid production process:
Any sulphur dioxide concentration in excess of 27 mg/Nm3 is known to be a strong irritant and the allowable maximum safe and industrially accepted concentration is half this value. The maximum safe concentration for sulphuric acid mist for a 24 hour period is 0.14ppmv. The acid should be handled by skilled workers with full safety protection appliances such as eye wash fountains at strategic points, detailed operation manuals and safety guidelines. Continuous monitoring of sulphur dioxide levels in the stack and of acid mist and sulphur trioxide concentration in the gas after passing through the final absorber must be measured weekly.