Methyl Bromide Scrubbing
Systems & Technology
Presentation to ERMA
Picton, New Zealand
May 19, 2010
Peter J. Joyce
Dr. Roman Bielski
Value Recovery, Inc.
510 Heron Drive, Suite 301
Bridgeport, NJ 08014
Methyl Bromide Protects Products Worldwide
from Harmful Insects
Produce Grown in Soil
Strawberries, Tomatoes, Lettuce
Imports & Exports
Grapes, Produce, Wood Packaging
Toxic Exposure to Methyl Bromide plus its Ozone Destruction Potential
has Resulted in Partial Ban by the Montreal Protocol and the EPA
Direct Release &
Human Exposure
“..what the world wants”
Methyl Bromide Use
Protective Ozone Shield Decays ...
Resulting in the “Ozone Hole”
Ozone Layer Protects Against Skin Cancer
Achievements to Date:

Developed and patented fully operational cost effective
scrubbing system to destroy methyl bromide while
producing no hazardous wastes*.

Demonstrated the technology on a commercial scale at the
Port of Wilmington, DE & Westville, IN

Licensed the technology for the grass-roots expansion at
the Port of Stockton developed by M&L Commodities.
*
Passed the California “fish test” showing no toxicity at 3 concentrations over 4 days.
California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Chapter 11, Article 3, Section 66261,24(a)(6)
Achievements – 2

Achieved BACT – Best Available Control
Technology – as determined by San Joaquin
Valley Air Pollution Control District (California).

US Patents 7,090,812 & 7,678,353. Also
International patent pending.
Technology Basis:
Methyl Bromide Chemical Reaction in a Water Solution
Na O
Na O
O
+
S
Na SH
sodium
thiosulfate
S
CH3Br
H3C
O
methyl
bromide
O
S
sodium methylthiosulfate
+
Na Br
O
sodium
bromide
• Methyl Bromide Converted to Non Hazardous Byproducts
•
Br- Anion Analysis in scrubber solution validates MB removal
•
Passed the California version of the “Fish Test”
Chapter 11, Article 3, Title 22 Section 66261,24(a)(6)
100% survival of 10 rainbow trout* at all 3 concentrations for 4 days. * Oncorhynchus mykiss
Scrubber performance
Container Fumigation
Methyl Bromide Scrubbing of an Export Container
Westfield, Indiana
9-Feb-06
Time
Min
ppm In
ppm Out
% of Inlet Destroyed
10:54
11:09
11:17
11:31
11:42
13:00
13:23
13:51
14:23
0
15
23
37
48
126
149
177
209
10,891
5,409
4,105
2,787
1,991
770
601
450
342
na
420
350
400
300
50
35
35
30
Na
92.2%
91.5%
85.6%
84.9%
93.5%
94.2%
92.2%
91.2%
Average
90.7%
Lab Scale Methyl Bromide
Adsorption &
De-sorption on Carbon
Low Temp Adsorption then
High Temp (Low Flow)
De-sorption
Scaling Parameters –
Kept Constant:
Fumigation Loading and Concentration
Superficial Gas Velocity Adsorption & Des.
Cycle Times for both Adsorption & Des.
Carbon Type and Size
Temperature
Bed Depth
Cold Storage Facility*:
Port of Stockton, California

Cold Storage Receiving and Export Facility
37,000 square meters of refrigeration space –
needs fumigation facilities –
Start-up in 2009.
Imported grapes and other produce, solid wood packaging.
Export cherries, strawberries, logs, avocados etc.
Designed not to break the “cold chain”
* Developer - M&L Commodities, Inc., Modesto
**Contractor - Controlled Environ. Construction, Tustin
M&L Commodities Phase I and II – Stockton, CA
System Design
Meets all cycle time requirements
 Does not influence product movement
 Monitored for regulatory control –
scrubber solution and inlets/outlets
 BACT determination for San Joaquin
Valley
 Installation at M&L Commodities Cold
Storage facility at Port of Stockton, CA

Port of Stockton:
East Complex
Port of Stockton, CA
•4 Phases, 18 Acres of leased land
•125,000-160,000 sq/ft per phase
•Frozen and Cold Storage
•60,000 sq/ft USDA certified
• Fumigation
•Utilizing V.R. patented scrubbing
technology
•Fuel Cell power plant
•CBP inspection areas, labs, offices
•USDA inspection areas, labs, offices
Conclusions:
•
Large scale (ship) emissions control achievable by
recycling carbon – no carbon hazardous waste to
dispose of.
• Irreversible chemical destruction of methyl bromide
in a non-hazardous aqueous scrubber solution.
• Scrubber solution passes the California “fish test”.
• 90% performance guarantee, 99% available at 15%
incremental capital cost.
• BACT – Best Available Control Technology in CA
Conclusions continued:
Scrubber solution passes the California “fish test”.
• 90% performance guarantee, 99% available at 15%
incremental capital cost.
• BACT – Best Available Control Technology in CA
•
Recommendations:
•
Suggest positive incentives for industry to adopt large
scale emissions controls.
Grants or R&D Support