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Significant Environmental Aspects in a Boiler

When we think of a boiler, the picture that comes to mind is that of immense heat and possibly the creation of pollution. As with all industrial processes, the operation of a boiler too is prone to various ways of polluting the environment. However, if we can only understand the various significant environmental aspects of a boiler, we will be able to control its impacts.

Significant environmental aspects are prevalent in all walks of daily life and include social life, offices and industrial sectors.

An industrial setup consists of production units as well as supportive service units or it outsources the help of service units. The various service units may be mechanical, electrical, civil, or they may be in boiler houses, automobiles, office sections and laboratories.

Case Study for the Evaluation of Environmental Aspect in the Operation of a Boiler

Activity: Operation of a Boiler

Identification of Aspects and Impacts in the Operation of a Boiler (Inputs and Outputs of a manufacturing process/operation):

Aspect: (a) Emission of carbon dust; (b) Emission of SOx and oxides of carbon

Now, during the operation of a boiler, the following are the significant environmental aspects and impacts:

Boiler Aspects: Emission of carbon dust
Boiler Impacts: (a) Increase in the ground level of the ozone layer; (b) Soil and groundwater contamination

Boiler Aspects: Emission of SOx and gases of carbon
Boiler Impacts: Increase in ground level of the ozone layer

Note: Carbon dust emitted from a boiler is identified as a hazardous waste as per legal documents.

Evaluation of Environmental Aspects in the Operation of a Boiler

1.
Aspect: Emission of carbon dust
Evaluation of Impact (Severity of Impact Scale: 1-5; Trivial-1, Fatal –5): 3
Legal and Other Required Regulations: Legal
Significant/Non-significant: Significant
OCP No.: OCP D/N No. 01

2.
Aspect: Emission of SOx and oxides of carbon
Evaluation of Impact (Severity of Impact Scale: 1-5; Trivial-1, Fatal –5): 3
Legal and Other Required Regulations: Legal
Significant/Non-significant: Significant
OCP No.: OCP D/N No. 01

Now based on analysis of the aspects, we will have to develop an environmental management program (EMP) for the boiler. EMP analysis will depend on the objective, present status, and target of the organization.

Environmental Management Program for a Boiler

Objective: Carbon dust disposal as per legal requirement.
Present Status: Carbon dust is kept in unidentified site.
Target: Carbon dust emitted from an industrial boiler is kept in drums in identified site and disposed of as per legal requirement.
Responsibility: Section Head

Do you want to learn more about aspect analysis and environmental management program development? Then read the articles on Aspects and Environmental Management Program.

More Articles by Dr Dilip Ganguly

• Economic Development and the Environment
• Environmental Aspects
• Environmental Aspect and Impact
• The Source of Pollution
• Environmental Effects
• Global Environmental Problem
• Environmental Policy Targets
• Environmental Management Plan
• The ISO-14001 Standard
• Quality, Safety and Environmental Standards
• Environmental Impact Study
• Assessment of Environmental Aspects
• Aspects
• Automobile Industry
• The Automobile Industry
• Boiler
• Boiler House
• Compressor
• Compressors
• Daily Life
• Everyday Life
• Environmental Management Program
• Operational Control Systems
• Production Unit
• Production Units