Proposed Ammonium Nitrate Facility Expansion ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT June 2009

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Proposed Ammonium Nitrate Facility Expansion ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT June 2009 Proposed Ammonium Nitrate Facility Expansion ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT June 2009 Proposed Ammonium Nitrate Facility Expansion Greenleaf Road, Kooragang Island Volume 1 - Main Report Prepared for Orica Australia Pty Ltd 1 Nicholson Street | Melbourne | Victoria | 3000 www.orica.com.au Prepared by AECOM Level 5, 828 Pacific Highway | Gordon | New South Wales | 2073 | T +61 2 8484 8999 | F +61 2 8484 8989 www.aecom.com “This page has been left blank intentionally” Proposed Ammonium Nitrate Facility Expansion S6065303_FinalEA_1June09.doc Contents GLOSSARY OF TERMS...........................................................................................................................XI ACRONYMS........................................................................................................................................... XIV EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...........................................................................................................................1 1.0 INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................1-1 1.1 Background...............................................................................................................1-1 1.2 The Applicant............................................................................................................1-2 1.3 Project Location........................................................................................................1-2 1.4 Project Site History ...................................................................................................1-4 1.5 Current Operations ...................................................................................................1-4 1.6 Need for the Project..................................................................................................1-5 1.7 The Environmental Assessment Process.................................................................1-6 1.8 Major Projects...........................................................................................................1-6 1.9 Environmental Assessment Scoping Report ............................................................1-7 1.10 Environmental Assessment Requirements ..............................................................1-7 1.11 Preparation of this Environmental Assessment........................................................1-7 1.12 Stakeholder Consultation .........................................................................................1-8 1.13 EA Exhibition ............................................................................................................1-8 1.14 Purpose of this Report..............................................................................................1-8 1.15 Structure of this Environmental Assessment............................................................1-8 2.0 CURRENT OPERATIONS.......................................................................................................2-1 2.1 Overview...................................................................................................................2-1 2.2 Primary Operational Components ............................................................................2-2 2.2.1 Ammonia Plant..........................................................................................2-2 2.2.2 No. 1 Nitric Acid Plant (NAP1) ..................................................................2-2 2.2.3 No. 2 Nitric Acid Plant (NAP2) ..................................................................2-2 2.2.4 No. 3 Nitric Acid Plant (NAP3) ..................................................................2-2 2.2.5 No. 1 Ammonium Nitrate Plant (ANP1).....................................................2-2 2.2.6 No. 2 Ammonium Nitrate Plant (ANP2).....................................................2-2 2.3 Outline Process Description .....................................................................................2-2 2.4 Ammonia Production ................................................................................................2-3 2.4.1 Background ...............................................................................................2-3 2.4.2 Desulphuriser ............................................................................................2-3 2.4.3 Primary and Secondary Reformers...........................................................2-3 2.4.4 Shift Conversion........................................................................................2-3 2.4.5 Carbon Dioxide Removal ..........................................................................2-4 2.4.6 Final Purification........................................................................................2-4 2.4.7 Ammonia Synthesis Loop .........................................................................2-4 2.4.8 Heat Recovery...........................................................................................2-4 2.5 Nitric Acid Production ...............................................................................................2-4 2.5.1 Feed Preparation.......................................................................................2-5 2.5.2 Ammonia Converter ..................................................................................2-5 2.5.3 Absorption Column....................................................................................2-5 Proposed Ammonium Nitrate Facility Expansion i S6065303_FinalEA_1June09.doc 2.5.4 Tail Gas .....................................................................................................2-5 2.6 Ammonium Nitrate Production..................................................................................2-6 2.6.1 Neutralisation ............................................................................................2-6 2.6.2 Evaporation ...............................................................................................2-6 2.6.3 Prilling and Drying .....................................................................................2-6 2.6.4 Granulating................................................................................................2-6 2.6.5 Screening, Cooling and Recycle...............................................................2-7 2.7 Ammonium Nitrate Effluent Control..........................................................................2-7 2.8 Material Despatch.....................................................................................................2-7 2.9 Storage .....................................................................................................................2-8 2.10 Stormwater Management .........................................................................................2-8 2.11 Operating Hours .......................................................................................................2-8 3.0 THE PROJECT........................................................................................................................3-1 3.1 Project Objective.......................................................................................................3-1 3.2 Project Need.............................................................................................................3-1 3.3 Consideration of Alternatives....................................................................................3-2 3.3.1 Importing AN into Newcastle.....................................................................3-2 3.3.2 Expansion of Orica’s AN Plant in Gladstone, Queensland .......................3-2 3.3.3 Building a new Facility elsewhere in the Hunter Valley.............................3-2 3.3.4 Increasing AN capacity at Kooragang Island ............................................3-2 3.4 Preliminary Site Layout.............................................................................................3-3 3.5 Proposed Plant Expansion .......................................................................................3-3 3.5.1 Modification of Existing Ammonia Plant....................................................3-4 3.5.2 Additional Nitric Acid Plant (NAP4) ...........................................................3-4 3.5.3 Additional Ammonium Nitrate Plant (ANP3) .............................................3-4 3.6 Infrastructure.............................................................................................................3-5 3.6.1 Cooling Towers .........................................................................................3-5 3.6.2 Boiler for Steam Generation......................................................................3-5 3.6.3 Ammonium Nitrate Effluent Management .................................................3-5 3.6.4 Other Infrastructure Requirements............................................................3-5 3.7 Product Storage........................................................................................................3-6 3.7.1 Pressurised Ammonia Storage .................................................................3-6 3.7.2 Nitric Acid Storage.....................................................................................3-6 3.7.3 Solid Ammonium Nitrate Storage..............................................................3-6 3.7.4 Ammonium Nitrate Solution Storage.........................................................3-6 3.8 Product
Recommended publications
  • H Hunter School of the Performing Arts
    Hunter School of the Performing Arts Morning Shift Route Time From Bus Route H139 1391 7:13 Medowie Via Lisadell near Kedahal, L Fairlands, R Ferodale, L Kirrang, L Kula, 7:19 near Court, L Evans, R Abercrombie, R Ryan, L Lewis, R Fisher, L Kirrang, 7:33 R Medowie, L South, Uturn – 7:40 transfer to 1401 H141 1411 7:09 Medowie Ferodale & Fairlands: Via Ferodale, L Waropara, R Kula, L Kirrang, R Wilga, L Kirrang, L Ferodale, 7:15 - L Medowie, R Silver Wattle, L Brushbox, R Kindlebark, R Ferodale, L Brocklesby, L James, 7:27 - R 1st Boyd, R South – 7:40 Transfer to 1401 H165 1651 7:12 Medowie Via Kirrang near Fisher, Federation, 7:16 R Sassin, L Heritage, L Kindlebark, 7:23 L Laurina, L Coachwood, L Kindlebark, L James, 7:31 L 1st Boyd, South – 7:40 transfer to 1401 H167 1671 7:30 Medowie Via South near Medowie, R Championship, L Lakewood, R South, L Sylvan, R South – 7:40 transfer to 1401 H140 1401 7:10 Medowie Aquatic Centre Grahamstown Rd: Via Grahamstown, Lisadell, L Abundance, R Ferodale, - 7:18 near Peppertree - L Medowie, R Kindlebark, L Heritage, R Sassin, R Federation, L Kindlebark, L Coachwood, L James, 7:34 Brocklesby, L Medowie, L South, Uturn 7:40 collect pax from 1391, 1411 1651 & 1671 - L Medowie, R Nelson Bay, Teal, R Cormorant, Tourle, L Industrial, R Vine, Hanbury, Railway, Platt, L Station, L Turton, L Lambton H237 2371 6:51 Bolwarra Bolwarra Heights: Via Dalveen, L April, R Betula, R Maple, R Dalveen, R Corina, R Paterson, R Largs - 7:01 - Heights L Church, R High, R Largs, R Paterson, L Lang, L Tocal - Bolwarra Heights
    [Show full text]
  • Hunter-Central Rivers Region 0 25 50 75 Km
    State of the catchments 2010 Riverine ecosystems Hunter–Central Rivers region State Plan target By 2015 there is an improvement in the condition of riverine ecosystems. Background The Hunter–Central Rivers region covers 37,000 km2 of the east coast of New South Wales; from Taree in the north, to Gosford and the coastal waterways of the Central Coast in the south, and from Newcastle in the east to the Merriwa Plateau and Great Dividing Range in the west (Figure 1). The region’s major waterways are the Manning, Karuah and Hunter rivers and the coastal waterways of Wallis Lake, Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie, Tuggerah Lake and Brisbane Water. The Manning River ows over a length of 250 km and its tributaries rise immediately north of and within Barrington Tops at an altitude of 1400 to 1500 m above sea level. The major tributaries of the Manning catchment are the Barnard and Nowendoc rivers, rising in the northern part of the valley, and the Barrington and Gloucester rivers, rising in the southern highland areas. The Barrington and Gloucester rivers ow in a north-easterly direction and the Barnard River in an easterly direction through alluvial valleys before entering the Manning River. In the lower reaches, the river is tidal and is often saline to Abbotts Falls near Wingham. A detailed technical report describes the methods used to derive the information contained in this report. At the time of publication of the State of the catchments (SOC) 2010 reports, the technical reports were being prepared for public release. When complete, they will be available on the NOW website: www.water.nsw.gov.au.
    [Show full text]
  • Kooragang Wetlands: Retrospective of an Integrated Ecological Restoration Project in the Hunter River Estuary
    KOORAGANG WETLANDS: RETROSPECTIVE OF AN INTEGRATED ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION PROJECT IN THE HUNTER RIVER ESTUARY P Svoboda Hunter Local Land Services, Paterson NSW Introduction: At first glance, the Hunter River estuary near Newcastle NSW is a land of contradictions. It is home to one of the world’s largest coal ports and a large industrial complex as well as being the location of a large internationally significant wetland. The remarkable natural productivity of the Hunter estuary at the time of European settlement is well documented. Also well documented are the degradation and loss of fisheries and other wildlife habitat in the estuary due to over 200 years of draining, filling, dredging and clearing (Williams et al., 2000). However, in spite of extensive modification, natural systems of the estuary retained enough value and function for large areas to be transformed by restoration activities that aimed to show industry and environmental conservation could work together to their mutual benefit. By establishing partnerships and taking a collaborative and adaptive approach, the project was able to implement restoration and related activities on a landscape basis, working across land ownership and management boundaries (Kooragang Wetland Rehabilitation Project, 2010). The Kooragang Wetland Rehabilitation Project (KWRP) was launched in 1993 to help compensate for the loss of fisheries and other wildlife habitat at suitable sites in the Hunter estuary. This paper revisits the expectations and planning for the project as presented in a paper to the INTECOL’s V international wetlands conference in 1996 (Svoboda and Copeland, 1998), reviews the project’s activities, describes outcomes and summarises issues faced and lessons learnt during 24 years of implementing a large, long-term, integrated, adaptive and community-assisted ecological restoration project.
    [Show full text]
  • Blasting Without Wires in Surface and Underground
    DRILLING AND BLASTING Blasting without wires in surface and underground A WebGen™ unit is encoded at CMOC Northparkes mine by an Orica engineer, ready for loading. ince the launch of WebGen™, the ENABLING NEW MINING METHODS UNDERGROUND world’s first wireless initiating system WebGen™ has demonstrated its success in various in early 2017, Orica has executed underground mines and led to the development of several more than 500 blasts fired using the new mining techniques that would have otherwise been wireless technology in both surface deemed impossible to execute without wireless blasting S and underground mines around the technology. world. At Musselwhite mine, an underground mine owned and WebGen™ is one of the most exciting blasting technologies operated by Newmont, located on the southern shore of to be developed since the introduction of electronic blasting Lake Opapimiskan in Canada uses a Temporary Rib Pillar systems in the early 2000’s. This revolutionary system (TRP) method enabled by WebGen™ to extract ore pillars allows for groups of in-hole primers to be wirelessly that previously could not be recovered in underground initiated by a firing command that communicates through operations. rock, air and water. This eliminates the need for down- wires and surface connecting wires, enabling new mining Using the WebGen™ enabled TRP method, the main ore methods and blasting techniques that are safe and reliable of the panel were blasted and extracted while the TRP held – removing people from harm’s way, reducing operating back the waste rock backfill. For Newmont, this delivered costs, and at the same time increasing productivity benefits.
    [Show full text]
  • – Growing with Our Region Community Information Sheet Issue No
    TERMINAL4 FOUR COMMUNITY TEDITION 01 INFO SHEET T4 – Growing with our region Community Information Sheet Issue No. 1 May 2011 A NOTE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER IntroductionWelcome to the first project information sheet for The Project will have to meet the requirements of a the Port Waratah Coal Services (PWCS) expansion stringent government approvals process. To ensure Welcome to the first Project bottlenecks that have hindered specialists, and Coakes Consulting project, known as the T4 Project. This information that environmental and social issues/impacts are Information Sheet for the Port the Hunter Valley coal chain over to undertake a social assessment for Waratah Coalsheet Services has been (PWCS) designed to providerecent an years. overview of the appropriatelythe project. considered Further in projectinformation planning sheets we have expansion Projectproject, and known some as thebackground on the studies being engaged willEMGA be developed Mitchell McLennan at key milestones to complete to an Over the past decade, demand for T4 Project. This information sheet provide updates on the outcomes of undertaken, and to outline opportunitiescoal through for theyou Port to be of Newcastleenvironmental has assessment, supported by a range has been designed to provide these assessments. grown by more than 32% and PWCS an overviewinvolved of the project, in project some planning. of technical specialists, and Coakes Consulting to capacity is predicted to be exceeded I welcome your feedback on our background on the studies being undertake a social assessment for the Project. PWCS has a legal obligation toin ensure around sufficient 2015. This predicted lack of first information sheet and look undertaken and to outline forward to your involvement in opportunitiesterminal for you capacity to be to meet the longcapacity, term needscoupled of with an increasingFurther information sheets will be developed at key overseas demand for energy and this important project.
    [Show full text]
  • Roads Thematic History
    Roads and Maritime Services Roads Thematic History THIS PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK ROADS AND TRAFFIC AUTHORITY HERITAGE AND CONSERVATION REGISTER Thematic History Second Edition, 2006 RTA Heritage and Conservation Register – Thematic History – Second Edition 2006 ____________________________________________________________________________________ ROADS AND TRAFFIC AUTHORITY HERITAGE AND CONSERVATION REGISTER Thematic History Second Edition, 2006 Compiled for the Roads and Traffic Authority as the basis for its Heritage and Conservation (Section 170) Register Terry Kass Historian and Heritage Consultant 32 Jellicoe Street Lidcombe NSW, 2141 (02) 9749 4128 February 2006 ____________________________________________________________________________________ 2 RTA Heritage and Conservation Register – Thematic History – Second Edition 2006 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Cover illustration: Peak hour at Newcastle in 1945. Workers cycling to work join the main Maitland Road at the corner of Ferndale Street. Source: GPO1, ML, 36269 ____________________________________________________________________________________ 3 RTA Heritage and Conservation Register – Thematic History – Second Edition 2006 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Abbreviations DMR Department of Main Roads, 1932-89 DMT Department of Motor Transport, 1952-89 GPO1 Government Printer Photo Collection 1, Mitchell Library MRB Main Roads Board, 1925-32 SRNSW State Records of New South
    [Show full text]
  • 2019 Voting Record As at 30 June 2019
    2019 Voting Record as at 30 June 2019 Solaris Core Australian Equity Fund Solaris High Alpha Australian Equity Fund Solaris Core Australian Equity Fund (Total Return) Stock Company Name Meeting Date Item Resolutions Solaris Resolution Management/ Decision Type Shareholder Proposal MQG Macquarie Group Limited 26/07/2018 2a Elect Peter H Warne as Director For Ordinary Management MQG Macquarie Group Limited 26/07/2018 2b Elect Gordon M Cairns as Director For Ordinary Management MQG Macquarie Group Limited 26/07/2018 2c Elect Glenn R Stevens as Director For Ordinary Management MQG Macquarie Group Limited 26/07/2018 3 Approve the Remuneration Report For Ordinary Management MQG Macquarie Group Limited 26/07/2018 4 Approve Participation of Nicholas Moore in the Macquarie Group Employee Retained Equity Plan For Ordinary Management MQG Macquarie Group Limited 26/07/2018 5 Approve Issuance of Macquarie Group Capital Notes For Ordinary Management JHX James Hardie Industries plc 10/08/2018 1 Accept Financial Statements and Statutory Reports For Ordinary Management JHX James Hardie Industries plc 10/08/2018 2 Approve the Remuneration Report For Ordinary Management JHX James Hardie Industries plc 10/08/2018 3a Elect Persio Lisboa as Director For Ordinary Management JHX James Hardie Industries plc 10/08/2018 3b Elect Andrea Gisle Joosen as Director For Ordinary Management JHX James Hardie Industries plc 10/08/2018 3c Elect Michael Hammes as Director For Ordinary Management JHX James Hardie Industries plc 10/08/2018 3d Elect Alison Littley as Director
    [Show full text]
  • Regional Climate Projections: Hunter, Central and Lower North Coast Region of New South Wales
    TECHNICAL REPORT 2 • JULY 2015 RegionalTECHNICAL Climate REPORT Projections 2 • JULY 2015 TECHNICAL REPORT 2 • JULY 2015 Regional Climate Projections: Hunter, Central and Lower North Coast Region of New South Wales A This report was prepared for the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Environmental Management Strategy This report has been funded through the Australian Government’s Biodiversity Fund Author: Dr Karen Blackmore, School of Design, Communication and Information Technology Newcastle Innovation (The University of Newcastle) Enquires to: Hunter & Central Coast Regional Environmental Management Strategy c/o- Environment Division Hunter Councils Inc. PO Box 3137 THORNTON NSW 2322 Phone: (02) 4978 4020 Email: [email protected] © HCCREMS (2015) ISBN: Suggested bibliographic citation: HCCREMS 2015: A review of Regional Climate Projections for the Hunter, Central and Lower North Coast Region of New South Wales, HCCREMS. Disclaimer: This document has been compiled in good faith, exercising all due care and attention. Hunter Councils Inc and the author do not accept responsibility for inaccurate or incomplete information. Readers should seek professional advice when applying information to their specific circumstances Copyright: This work is copyright. It may be produced in whole or in part for study or training purposes subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgement of the source. It is not intended for commercial sale or use. Reproduction for purposes other than those listed above requires written permission from the authors. TECHNICAL REPORT 2 • JULY 2015 Regional Climate Projections Contents 1. Executive summary ..................................................................................................5 1.1. Review of historical climate data and reference periods ...................................................5 1.2. Review and validation of 2009 regional climate projections ..............................................5 1.3.
    [Show full text]
  • Regional Water Availability Report
    Regional water availability report Weekly edition 7 January 2019 waternsw.com.au Contents 1. Overview ................................................................................................................................................. 3 2. System risks ............................................................................................................................................. 3 3. Climatic Conditions ............................................................................................................................... 4 4. Southern valley based operational activities ..................................................................................... 6 4.1 Murray valley .................................................................................................................................................... 6 4.2 Lower darling valley ........................................................................................................................................ 9 4.3 Murrumbidgee valley ...................................................................................................................................... 9 5. Central valley based operational activities ..................................................................................... 14 5.1 Lachlan valley ................................................................................................................................................ 14 5.2 Macquarie valley ..........................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • ESG Reporting by the ASX200
    Australian Council of Superannuation Investors ESG Reporting by the ASX200 August 2019 ABOUT ACSI Established in 2001, the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) provides a strong, collective voice on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues on behalf of our members. Our members include 38 Australian and international We undertake a year-round program of research, asset owners and institutional investors. Collectively, they engagement, advocacy and voting advice. These activities manage over $2.2 trillion in assets and own on average 10 provide a solid basis for our members to exercise their per cent of every ASX200 company. ownership rights. Our members believe that ESG risks and opportunities have We also offer additional consulting services a material impact on investment outcomes. As fiduciary including: ESG and related policy development; analysis investors, they have a responsibility to act to enhance the of service providers, fund managers and ESG data; and long-term value of the savings entrusted to them. disclosure advice. Through ACSI, our members collaborate to achieve genuine, measurable and permanent improvements in the ESG practices and performance of the companies they invest in. 6 INTERNATIONAL MEMBERS 32 AUSTRALIAN MEMBERS MANAGING $2.2 TRILLION IN ASSETS 2 ESG REPORTING BY THE ASX200: AUGUST 2019 FOREWORD We are currently operating in a low-trust environment Yet, safety data is material to our members. In 2018, 22 – for organisations generally but especially businesses. people from 13 ASX200 companies died in their workplaces. Transparency and accountability are crucial to rebuilding A majority of these involved contractors, suggesting that this trust deficit. workplace health and safety standards are not uniformly applied.
    [Show full text]
  • Newcastle Power Station Project
    Newcastle Power Station Project Critical State Significant Infrastructure Assessment (SSI 9837) February 2021 NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment | dpie.nsw.gov.au Published by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment dpie.nsw.gov.au Title: Newcastle Power Station Project Subtitle: Critical State Significant Infrastructure Assessment (SSI 9837) Cover image: Site Layout, Source AGL – Amendment Report © State of New South Wales through Department of Planning, Industry and Environment 2021. You may copy, distribute, display, download and otherwise freely deal with this publication for any purpose, provided that you attribute the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment as the owner. However, you must obtain permission if you wish to charge others for access to the publication (other than at cost); include the publication in advertising or a product for sale; modify the publication; or republish the publication on a website. You may freely link to the publication on a departmental website. Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing and may not be accurate, current or complete. The State of New South Wales (including the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment), the author and the publisher take no responsibility, and will accept no liability, for the accuracy, currency, reliability or correctness of any information included in the document (including material provided by third parties). Readers should make their own inquiries and rely on their own advice when making decisions related to material contained in this publication. Newcastle Power Station Project (SSI 9837) | Assessment Report ii Executive Summary Background AGL Energy Limited (AGL) proposes to construct and operate a 250-megawatt (MW) gas-fired power station and associated infrastructure and ancillary facilities, including gas supply and storage pipelines.
    [Show full text]
  • Hunter Investment Prospectus 2016 the Hunter Region, Nsw Invest in Australia’S Largest Regional Economy
    HUNTER INVESTMENT PROSPECTUS 2016 THE HUNTER REGION, NSW INVEST IN AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST REGIONAL ECONOMY Australia’s largest Regional economy - $38.5 billion Connected internationally - airport, seaport, national motorways,rail Skilled and flexible workforce Enviable lifestyle Contact: RDA Hunter Suite 3, 24 Beaumont Street, Hamilton NSW 2303 Phone: +61 2 4940 8355 Email: [email protected] Website: www.rdahunter.org.au AN INITIATIVE OF FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT WELCOMES CONTENTS Federal and State Government Welcomes 4 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT Australia’s future depends on the strength of our regions and their ability to Introducing the Hunter progress as centres of productivity and innovation, and as vibrant places to live. 7 History and strengths The Hunter Region has great natural endowments, and a community that has shown great skill and adaptability in overcoming challenges, and in reinventing and Economic Strength and Diversification diversifying its economy. RDA Hunter has made a great contribution to these efforts, and 12 the 2016 Hunter Investment Prospectus continues this fine work. The workforce, major industries and services The prospectus sets out a clear blueprint of the Hunter’s future direction as a place to invest, do business, and to live. Infrastructure and Development 42 Major projects, transport, port, airports, utilities, industrial areas and commercial develpoment I commend RDA Hunter for a further excellent contribution to the progress of its region. Education & Training 70 The Hon Warren Truss MP Covering the extensive services available in the Hunter Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Innovation and Creativity 74 How the Hunter is growing it’s reputation as a centre of innovation and creativity Living in the Hunter 79 STATE GOVERNMENT Community and lifestyle in the Hunter The Hunter is the biggest contributor to the NSW economy outside of Sydney and a jewel in NSW’s rich Business Organisations regional crown.
    [Show full text]