Nonmetallics Department

Texas Industries Inc. (TXI), Midlothian, Texas, has received a favorable ruling from the Texas Natural Resources Commission (TNRCC) regarding used petroleum-based substances burned in its cement kiln.

The commission granted the company a ten-year permit to continue using the system at its Midlothian cement plant. “Today’s decision by the TNRCC commissioners should put to rest, once and for all, the inaccurate claims that have been made by our opponents,” says Mel Berkhus, TXI executive vice president and chief operating officer for cement, aggregates and concrete.

Among those opponents was the Sierra Club, which was ordered in an earlier ruling  to pay more than $35,000 toward the cost of transcripts for administrative judicial proceedings.

“None of our opponents presented a single medical doctor or toxicologist who would testify under oath that this program has harmed or will harm anyone,” says TXI spokesman Harold Green. He refers to the kiln as probably “the most studied site in Texas” by environmental and regulatory agencies.

“If we didn’t use recycled fuel, we would burn more coal, and the recycled fuel would still be burned in incinerators, resulting in higher net emissions,” Green adds.

The system at TXI burns used oils and fluids, including motor oils, hydraulic fluid and printing ink.

NATIONAL GUARD SITE TRIES USED OIL FURNACE

The Oklahoma Army National Guard (OANG) is installing used oil furnaces at its 13 vehicle maintenance facilities.

The OANG tried a test model furnace out at its Camp Gruber facility before deciding to go ahead with the statewide purchase. “The results were more than positive,” says Mark Wood, of Hotsy Clean Burn of Oklahoma, whose company provided the test furnace and made the statewide sale of furnaces manufactured by Clean Burn Inc., Leola, Pa.

The Clean Burn test model burned a variety of fuels, including transmission fluid, crankcase oil, motor oil and diesel fuel.

12 of the 13 units purchased by the OANG are complete recycling systems that include a fuel storage tank, a heater stand and heater mounting hardware. The systems will allow the National Guard to save time and money.

“Before, the OANG would haul its used fluids to a disposal facility in Muskogee, Okla.,” says Wood. “For some sites, that meant at least a day of traveling. With the Clean Burn units on-site, the OANG saves on transportation costs, heating costs and employee man hours.”