According to Richard Stedman, executive director of the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency, has told the press that the agency has approved odour control programme which allowed taller release stacks, additional fans and an Air Phaser system to oxidize air particles. The agency said in its decision that ORCAA has concluded that Ocean Protein’s proposed modifications will improve odour control and comply with emission regulations.
But the people who attended the public hearing on this on May 21 have expressed their concerns regarding the devices. They are in a fix whether the devices would actually clear the foul air that has plagued them since the plant opened in 2005. General Manager Aaron Dierks informed that the Air Phaser system, which uses a non-thermal plasma field to oxidize outgoing air, will bring the company’s total expenditures on odour control to almost $5 million.
Dierks also said that it is good to apply this next step with the latest technology innovation to the processes. He added that it is a safe, sustainable approach to odour reduction that reflects our commitment to making this community a good place to live and work. According to him the device is well used in Canadian plants.
The approval comes with 23 conditions for the operation of the new controls such as closely monitoring the ozone levels released during the oxidation process. According to the decision Ocean Protein should develop an odour complaint response plan, which records atmospheric conditions and carefully monitor complaints before passing them along to the air quality agency. Extensive monitoring and records of outgoing air must be reported to the agency.
