Environmental-impact assessment for the proposed oil-shale integrated tri-generation plant

Air, land and water impacts for a proposed commercial-sized oil-shale integ rated tri-generation system (OSITGS) are predicted. A preliminary analysis of the processes incurred was conducted to determine the nature and expecte d rates of various effluent streams emerging from the OSITGS. Mining and th e processing of the oil-shale will significantly disturb the environment, a s a result of pollution by dust particles and ash derived from the oil-shal e as well as various gaseous emissions from the proposed development. Howev er, it is likely that solid-waste handling (including ultimate disposal) as well as land-use impacts will be of greater concern than emissions to the atmosphere from the proposed oil-shale operations. Preliminary predictions indicate that the proposed integrated process will be financially attractiv e, as well as an environmentally-acceptable technique for producing synthet ic (liquid and gaseous) fuels and electricity from oil-shale, compared with conventional utilisation methods. But significant information gaps exist, so inhibiting the making of accurate environmental assessments concerning t he behaviour of the OSITGS at this time. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.