STUDENT INDUSTRIAL

PROJECT PRESENTATION
PROJECT TITLE: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
OF A PLASTIC RECYCLING FACILITY

Presented by: Oh Xian Biao (24369)

Course: Chemical Engineering

UTP Supervisor: Dr. Khairiraihana Johari

Host Company Supervisor: Madam Tan Shwu Mei
 Overview of Presentation

❖ Introduction of Host Company

❖ Project Introduction

❖ Methodology

❖ Results and Discussion

❖ Conclusion and Recommendations

Introduction of Host Company
Chemsain Konsultant Sdn Bhd Background

Mr Chan Woon Peng

Managing Director of Chemsain Konsultant Sdn
Bhd

• One of the major companies providing services in the fields of Environment, Engineering
and Occupational Health & Safety
• Founded on 1984 by Managing Director, Mr. Chan Woon Peng
• 450 multi-disciplined staff consisting of scientists, engineers and technical support
personnel
Chemsain Konsultant Sdn Bhd Background

• 10 branches across Malaysia and Brunei

• Branches located in Subang Jaya, Shah Alam, Kemaman, Johor Bahru, Kuching,
Miri, Bintulu, Labuan, Kota Kinabalu and Bandar Seri Begawan
 Services Provided

Environmental Engineering On-site Testing and Laboratory

Consultancy Sampling

Occupational Safety Information Training and Water Infrastructure

and Health Management Development
Project Introduction
 Background of Study
• Project Site: Jin Rong Plastic Industries Sdn.
Bhd
• Identify and foresee environmental impacts
during operation (mechanical recycling)
• Subjected to First Schedule of the Natural PP Woven Plastic Sacks PE Plastic Straps

Resources and Environment (Prescribed

Activities) Order, 19941, Activity 6A, Facilities
for Disposal and Treatment of Wates: (i) The
development of landfill for municipal
wastes or any site or area used or to be
used for the storage, disposal, treatment,
recycling or decomposition of municipal
wastes Plastic Resins
Background of Study
 Problem Statement

Lack of Enforcement Huge Potential of

01 Most factories do not comply
with environmental regulations
02 Environmental Pollution
Processes such as washing
due to lack of enforcement dirty plastic wastes and melting
previously of plastics
Objectives & Scope of Study
Objectives
➢ To study the daily operation flo
w of the plastic recycling facility
from an environmental & safety
perspective
➢ To collect and analyse environ-
mental baseline data.
➢ To identify and describe major
environmental impacts
Scope of Study
➢ Operational stage of the plastic
recycling plant
➢ Physical environment of facility
through site survey
➢ Sensitive receptors surrounding
the facility
➢ Environmental parameters/
baseline data
➢ Dispersion modelling for the
emission of air pollutants
 Relevance of Project

New Field of Study

First-of-its-kind project
handled by the company

Better Insight into the Reference Material

Industry For other similar projects or
future monitoring reporting
Better understanding of the
operations and possible impacts.
Methodology
 Key Milestones

Creating a Planning Phase Execution Data Gathering Conclusion and

Problem Phase and Analysis Recommendations
Statement
Gantt Chart
 Tools and Software
a. Equipment used

Aeroqual Series 500 Carbon Monoxide Meter Setup for NO2 and SO2 sampling
Portable Air Monitor
 Tools and Software

3M SE 402-Series Sound Portable Water Quality Meter

Level Meter
 Tools and Software
b. Software used

Aeroqual S500 Software 3M Detection Management System

Microsoft Excel
Results and Discussion
Major Environmental Impacts

Air Water Noise Waste

AIR QUALITY
 Air Quality Sampling

PM10 and CO monitoring in the PM10 and CO monitoring in SK SO2 and NO2 monitoring in the
facility Pajar Sejingkat facility
 Air Quality Sampling Results
Sampling GPS Coordinate Description Particula Carbon Sulphur Nitrogen
Point te Matter Monoxide Dioxide Dioxide
(PM10), (CO), µg/m3 (SO2), µg (NO2), µg/
µg/m3 /m3 m3
A1 1°35’43.46"N Within the Project 6.00 <1.00 80 13.7
110°27'15.07"E site
A2 1°35'38.51"N SK Pajar Sejingkat 13.00 <1.00 58 17.9
110°26'14.27"E
MAAQS - 2020 100 30 250 280

PM10 Nitrogen Dioxide

• Levels at both points under the stipulated limit • Both readings lower than guideline limit
• High levels could cause chronic respiratory or • Main source: Vehicle emissions
cardiovascular diseases • Higher traffic volume near point A2

Sulphur Dioxide Carbon Monoxide

• Both readings lower than guideline limit • Not detected
• Does not rely on fuel with high sulphur content
• Melting of plastics not known to release
sulphur
 Potential Environmental Impacts
• Emission of VOC during extrusion
process (melting of plastics)
• Mandatory for all plastic recycling
facilities to install wet scrubbers
• Failure of scrubber = large
concentrations of VOC released
• AERMOD dispersion model used
to simulate the emission of VOC
 AERMOD Dispersion Model
• American Meteorlogical Society (AMS) and the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) Regulatory Model (AERMOD)
• Steady-state Gaussian Plume Dispersion Model
• For simple and complex terrain; urban and rural environment
• Receptor(s) within 50 km of source (near-field impacts)
• Predict downwind concentrations based on source emissions, meteorological
data and site parameters.
AERMOD Dispersion Model
 Source Information & Emission Rate
Source Information Emission Rate

Source: Chimney In the case of an untreated mass

Source type: point flow of 0.10 kilograms/hour or more an
Stack height: 10.0 m emission standard of 20 mg/m3 applies.
Stack diameter: 0.2 inch
Exit velocity: 12.0 m/s • Flow volume of scrubber: 0.377 m3/s
Exit temperature: 313K • Emission concentration limit: 20mg/m3 or
0.02 g/m3
UTM X-coordinate: 439273
• VOC emission rate: 0.02 x 0.377 = 0.0075
UTM Y-coordinate: 176306 g/s
• Assume removal efficiency of 98%, the
emission rate when the wet scrubber fails
is 0.0075 g/s * (100/100-98) = 0.375 g/s.

Department of Environment, Malaysia Clean Air Regulations 2014 (DOE, CAR 2014) FIFTH SCHEDULE [Regulation 15], EMISSION STANDARDS
FOR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES, Category (3) Gaseous and Volatile Organic Substances, Class (1)
Sensitive Receptors and Grid System
• SK Pajar Sejingkat was chosen as sensitive receptor (2km away from premise)
• Project site as discrete receptor
• 6 X 6 km Cartesian grid system (3 km radius) with spacing of 100 metres was used

Receptor X-coordinate (m) Y-coordinate (m) Direction

Project site, A1 439287.04 176348.76 -

SK Pajar Sejingkat, A2 437408.33 176197.28 SW

 Emission of Criteria Air Pollutants
• Factory only processes PP and PE polymers
• Possible VOC compound emitted: formaldehyde, acrolein and acetone (PP); butane from PE
• Butane is harmless except as a simple asphyxiant
• Only formaldehyde and acrolein will be used comparison.
• Limits for acetone are too high (20,000 µg/m3 for 1-hour average concentration and 14,000 µg/m3 for
24-hour average concentration)

Pollutant 1-hour average, μg/m3 24-hour average, μg/m3

Acrolein 6.3 2.0

Formaldehyde 25 16
*Based on Arizona Ambient Air Quality Guidelines (AAAQG)
 Results of Dispersion Modelling
Two scenarios were modelled:
A. 1-hour and 24-hour average concentrations of VOC with control measure (wet scrubber)
B. 1-hour and 24-hour average concentrations of VOC without control measure (wet scrubber)

Scenario A

Incremental concentration • Maximum 1-hour concentration = 0.4 μg/m3

Sensitive receptor
1-hr average, μg/m3 24-hr average, μg/m3 (edge of receptor grid) & 4.0 μg/m3 (project site)
Project site, A1 2.9 0.4 • Both measurements were at a safe level

S2 Pajar Sejingkat, A2 0.3 <0.1

Acrolein 6.3 2.0

Formaldehyde 25 16
 Results of Dispersion Modelling
Two scenarios were modelled:
A. 1-hour and 24-hour average concentrations of VOC with control measure (wet scrubber)
B. 1-hour and 24-hour average concentrations of VOC without control measure (wet scrubber)

Scenario B

Incremental concentration • Maximum 1-hour concentration = 14.6 μg/m3

Sensitive receptor
1-hr average, μg/m3 24-hr average, μg/m3 (edge of receptor grid) & 200.0 μg/m3 (project site)
• 1-hr average concentration at Project site
Project site, A1 145.5 21.8
exceeded limit by a wide margin.
SK Pajar Sejingkat, A2 14.6 1.3 • Without scrubber, factory workers will be most
affected.
Acrolein 6.3 2.0
Formaldehyde 25 16
Results of Dispersion Modelling
Scenario A
Results of Dispersion Modelling
Scenario B
WATER QUALITY
 Water Quality Sampling
• Water samples were analysed by Chemsain Konsultant Sdn Bhd accredited laboratory
• National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) used to assess water quality

Sampling Point GPS Coordinates (WG Date and Time Description

S 84)
W1 1°35'41.9"N 13/01/2020 A point in the drain at the proposed IETS
110°27'12.1"E 11.35 am location in Lot 1144

W2 1°35'44.2"N 13/01/2020 Concrete drain outside the Project site, the

110°27'14.53"E 12.00 pm main discharge outlet from the Project
site; Lot 1144
W3 1°35'34.8"N 13/01/2020 A point at Sg Tapang; possibly a receiving
110°27'22.6"E 1.15 pm point of IETS effluent from the Project Site
 Water Quality Sampling

Point W1 Point W2 Sungai Tapang Point W3

(Point W3)
 Water Quality Sampling Results
NWQSM
Parameter W1 W2 W3
(Class IIB)
• Class IIB from NWQSM was selected
Temperature,C (in-situ) 28.6 32.1 29.2 Normal  2 (recreational use with body contact)
pH Value (in-situ) 9.4 7.6 7.1 6.0 - 9.0

Dissolved Oxygen, mg/L (in-situ) 5.3 5.3 6.8 5-7 Physical Parameters: Temperature, pH &
Conductivity @ 25C, µmho/cm 219 1,120 2,810 -
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
Biochemical Oxygen Demand in 5
days @ 20C, mg/L
2.4 1.8 3.3 3 Chemical Parameters: Dissolved Oxygen
Chemical Oxygen Demand, mg/L 33 25 35 25
(DO), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD),
Chemical Oxygen Demand & Heavy Metals
Total Suspended Solids, mg/L 5.6 6.4 80.5 50

Oil & Grease, mg/L 1.0 <1.0 <1.0 N

Lead (as Pb), mg/L <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 0.05
Microbiological Parameters: Total Coliform
Cadmium (as Cd), mg/L <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 0.01 Count (TCC) & Faecal Coliform Count (FCC)
Chromium, Hexavalent (as Cr6+),
<0.02 <0.02 <0.02 0.05
mg/L

Arsenic (as As), mg/L <0.006 0.009 <0.006 0.05

Total Coliform Count

<1.1 1.6 x 104 >1.6 x 104 5.0 x 103
MPN/100mL, 350.5C/48 h

Feacal Coliform Count

<1.1 2.2 x 103 2.2 x 103 4.0 x 102
MPN/100mL, 44.50.2C/24h
 Physical Parameters
NWQSM
Parameter W1 W2 W3
(Class IIB)
Physical Parameters (Notable Findings)
Temperature,C (in-situ) 28.6 32.1 29.2 Normal  2
pH Value (in-situ) 9.4 7.6 7.1 6.0 - 9.0 pH
Dissolved Oxygen, mg/L (in-situ) 5.3 5.3 6.8 5-7 • Minor exceedance for point W1 (pH 9.4).
Conductivity @ 25C, µmho/cm 219 1,120 2,810 -
• Normal reading for main discharge outlet.
• No caustic soda added.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand in 5
2.4 1.8 3.3 3
days @ 20C, mg/L

Chemical Oxygen Demand, mg/L 33 25 35 25

TSS
• Normal values for W1 and W2, possibly due
Total Suspended Solids, mg/L 5.6 6.4 80.5 50
to sedimentation pond.
• Spike in sample W3 (80.5mg/L). Possibly
Oil & Grease, mg/L 1.0 <1.0 <1.0 N
Lead (as Pb), mg/L <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 0.05
Cadmium (as Cd), mg/L <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 0.01 attributed to silt and sand in riverbed.
Chromium, Hexavalent (as Cr6+),
<0.02 <0.02 <0.02 0.05
mg/L

Arsenic (as As), mg/L <0.006 0.009 <0.006 0.05

Total Coliform Count

<1.1 1.6 x 104 >1.6 x 104 5.0 x 103
MPN/100mL, 350.5C/48 h

Feacal Coliform Count

<1.1 2.2 x 103 2.2 x 103 4.0 x 102
MPN/100mL, 44.50.2C/24h
 Chemical Parameters
NWQSM
Parameter W1 W2 W3
(Class IIB)
Chemical Parameters (Notable Findings)
Temperature,C (in-situ) 28.6 32.1 29.2 Normal  2
pH Value (in-situ) 9.4 7.6 7.1 6.0 - 9.0
BOD
Dissolved Oxygen, mg/L (in-situ) 5.3 5.3 6.8 5-7
• Normal range for point W1 and W2.
Conductivity @ 25C, µmho/cm 219 1,120 2,810 - • Reject of contaminated plastic wastes.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand in 5
2.4 1.8 3.3 3
• Exceedance in sample W3 (3.3 mg/L).
days @ 20C, mg/L

Chemical Oxygen Demand, mg/L 33 25 35 25

COD
Total Suspended Solids, mg/L 5.6 6.4 80.5 50 • Sample W1 and W3 exceeded limit while
Oil & Grease, mg/L 1.0 <1.0 <1.0 N W2 marginally complied.
Lead (as Pb), mg/L <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 0.05 • Consistent with findings of Santos, Texeira
Cadmium (as Cd), mg/L <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 0.01
and Agnelli (2005) for washing of polyolefins.
Chromium, Hexavalent (as Cr6+),
mg/L
<0.02 <0.02 <0.02 0.05
• Low BOD/COD ratios for all three points could
Arsenic (as As), mg/L <0.006 0.009 <0.006 0.05 indicate that oxidizable matter are largely not
Total Coliform Count
<1.1 1.6 x 104 >1.6 x 104 5.0 x 103
bio- degradable.
MPN/100mL, 350.5C/48 h

Feacal Coliform Count

<1.1 2.2 x 103 2.2 x 103 4.0 x 102
MPN/100mL, 44.50.2C/24h Santos, A., Teixeira, B., & Agnelli, J. M. (2005). Characterization of effluents through
a typical plastic recycling process: An evaluation of cleaning performance and
environmental pollution. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 45, 159-171.
Chemical & Microbiological Parameters
NWQSM
Parameter W1 W2 W3
(Class IIB)
Chemical Parameters (Notable Findings)
Temperature,C (in-situ) 28.6 32.1 29.2 Normal  2
pH Value (in-situ) 9.4 7.6 7.1 6.0 - 9.0
Heavy Metals
Dissolved Oxygen, mg/L (in-situ) 5.3 5.3 6.8 5-7
• Normal values for Pb, Cd, Cr6+ and As.
Conductivity @ 25C, µmho/cm 219 1,120 2,810 - • Possibly due to absence of caustic soda.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand in 5
2.4 1.8 3.3 3
• Heavy metals are present in plasticisers.
days @ 20C, mg/L

Chemical Oxygen Demand, mg/L 33 25 35 25

Microbiological Parameters (Notable Findings)
Total Suspended Solids, mg/L 5.6 6.4 80.5 50

Oil & Grease, mg/L 1.0 <1.0 <1.0 N • No TCC and FCC detected in W1.
Lead (as Pb), mg/L <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 0.05 • High concentration of TCC and FCC in W2 &
Cadmium (as Cd), mg/L <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 0.01
W3.
Chromium, Hexavalent (as Cr6+),
mg/L
<0.02 <0.02 <0.02 0.05
• Discharged water could be contaminated by
Arsenic (as As), mg/L <0.006 0.009 <0.006 0.05 human or animal faeces and, untreated
Total Coliform Count
<1.1 1.6 x 104 >1.6 x 104 5.0 x 103
sewage.
MPN/100mL, 350.5C/48 h

Feacal Coliform Count

<1.1 2.2 x 103 2.2 x 103 4.0 x 102
MPN/100mL, 44.50.2C/24h
 Potential Environmental Impacts
Process Water
Accidental discharge of
wastewater due to failure of
IETS or negligence A
Overflowing of water from Accidental spillage or
sedimentation pond B leakage
Increased levels of turbidity,
COD and BOD and, total sus C Minor spillage of oil or grease
for machinery
pended solids
Domestic wastewater
D Consists of greywater and
blackwater
NOISE QUALITY
 Noise Quality Sampling
• Noise quality sampling was carried out over 48 hours.
• Day time and night-time sound levels were both recorded over 1 hour, per day.
• Results were compared to Guidelines for Environmental Noise Limits and Control (Third Edition),
2019.

Sampling Station GPS Coordinates (WGS 84) Description

1°35’52.4"N
N1 Within the Project site
110°26'45.3"E

1°36'0.40"N
N2 SK Pajar Sejingkat
110°26'49.7"E
 Noise Quality Sampling

Sound level meter within Sound level meter in SK Noise level measurement
project site Pajar Sejingkat at night
Noise Quality Sampling Results
 Noise Quality Sampling Results
• Parameters monitored: peak noise level Noise Level (Leq), dB(A)
Recommended Level
Sampling (Leq)*, dB(A)
(LApk), minimum noise level (LAmn), maximum Station
Day time Night time Day time Night time
noise level (LAmx) and average noise level
(LAeq) N1 56.0 52.0 70 60

• Important parameter: LAeq N2 59.4 51.9 70 60

• LAeq is the steady-state noise level that
would result in the same total sound energy
as the actual fluctuating noise level over a
specified period
• Possible sources of noise: vehicular
movements, industrial activities or animal
sounds
 Potential Environmental/Safety Impacts
• Operation of machineries (fans, conveyors, shredders and compressors)
• Vehicular movements (trucks and forklifts)
• High risk for workers manning high-noise equipment or those working near it
• Could disrupt concentration, invoke stress or cause hearing loss (worst-case scenario)
WASTE GENERATION
 Potential Environmental/Safety Impacts
Type of waste foreseen during operation:
• Domestic waste
• Sewage
• Refuse plastic materials
• Plastic residues from size reduction process and washing process
• Sludge from proposed IETS
Conclusion and Recommendations
Conclusion and Recommendations
Conclusion Recommendations
• There are still environmental impacts Introduction of new equipment
with the operation of a plastic recycling • New equipment with higher accuracy, e.
facility. g., for SO2 and NO2 sampling
• Main potential impacts are emission of
VOC and accidental discharge of Longer duration for monitoring phase
wastewater. • Collection of more samples over a
• Parameters such as pH, BOD, COD, longer period to reduce inconsistencies
TCC & FCC levels exceeded guideline
limits.
• Impacts can be controlled with suitable
measures and monitoring.
Thank You!