Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal

advertisement
Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
Project Number: 110060-02 Report 001 Rev 1
Prepared for: BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal
October 2010
Annex E – Air Quality Assessment
Environmental Assessment
REPORT - FINAL
AIR QUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT – BHP BILLITON
ILLAWARRA COAL – VENTILATION SHAFT NO.6
PROJECT
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal
Job No:
3876
9 August 2010
A PEL Company
PROJECT TITLE:
AIR QUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT –
BHP BILLITON ILLAWARRA COAL –
VENTILATION SHAFT NO.6 PROJECT
JOB NUMBER:
3876
PREPARED FOR:
Bruce Blunden
BHP BILLITON ILLAWARRA COAL
PREPARED BY:
R. Kellaghan
APPROVED FOR RELEASE BY:
A. Todoroski
DISCLAIMER & COPYRIGHT:
This report is subject to the copyright
statement located at www.paeholmes.com ©
Queensland Environment Pty Ltd trading as
PAEHolmes ABN 86 127 101 642
DOCUMENT CONTROL
VERSION
DATE
PREPARED BY
REVIEWED BY
01
20.07.2010
R. Kellaghan
J. Cox
02
3.08.2010
R. Kellaghan
J. Cox
03
9.08.2010
R. Kellaghan
J. Cox
Queensland Environment Pty Ltd trading as
PAEHolmes ABN 86 127 101 642
SYDNEY:
Suite 2B, 14 Glen Street
Eastwood NSW 2122
Ph: +61 2 9874 8644
Fax: +61 2 9874 8904
BRISBANE:
Level 1, La Melba, 59 Melbourne Street South Brisbane Qld 4101
PO Box 3306 South Brisbane Qld 4101
Ph: +61 7 3004 6400
Fax: +61 7 3844 5858
Email: info@paeholmes.com
Website: www.paeholmes.com
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
ii
ES1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Overview
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal Pty. Ltd. (BHPBIC) operates an underground long wall mining
operation in the Bulli Seam of the Illawarra Coal Measures in the Southern Coalfield area of
NSW.
As new mining domains are approved and mining moves away from existing
infrastructure, additional ventilation shafts and ancillary plant is required.
This study assesses the potential air quality impacts from the operation of the proposed new
Vent Shaft (VS#6) and addresses the requirements of the NSW Department of Planning (DoP)
and Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW).
Existing Environment
The location of VS#6 and associated infrastructure is on BHPBIC owned land, to the east of the
township of Douglas Park, NSW. During operation, the VS#6 will result in emissions of
particulate matter (PM), low concentrations of coal seam methane and other hydrocarbons,
some of which may be odorous. Data from nearby NSW DECCW monitoring sites (MacArthur
and Oakdale) has been used to provide an indication of existing ambient air quality for the area
around Douglas Park. Local meteorological data is collected at the Energy Developments
Limited (EDL) Appin Power Station, located approximately 5.5 km southeast of the VS#6 site.
Emissions and Dispersion Modelling
The CALMET/CALPUFF modelling system was chosen for this study, to better reflect the hilly
nature of local terrain. Meteorological data collected at Appin Power Station, plus the Bureau of
Meteorology (BoM) sites located at Camden Airport AWS, Campbelltown Airport AWS and
Bellambi AWS were used as input for the modelling.
Modelling of particulate matter and odour emissions from the operation of the VS#6 indicates
the predicted odour concentration at Douglas Park are less than 2 Odour Units, and at most
locations at Douglas Park below 1 Odour Unit. The predicted PM10 concentrations at Douglas
Park are less than 7 µg/m3 or 14% of the air quality criteria. A cumulative assessment for PM10
shows the existing background PM10 is the dominant contributor and the operation of VS#6 will
add a small increment to existing levels. The modelling has assumed that the VS#6 will
exhaust upwards at an angle of at least 45 degrees. This is a key design feature that will
ensure the plume has initial momentum flux to aid dispersion of odour and particulate. The
modelling is based on conservative emission rates and predictions presented in this report are
likely to be higher than what would be expected during normal operation of the VS#3.
Other Components of Mine Ventilation Air
A qualitative assessment of the chemical composition of mine ventilation air was also
undertaken, based on emissions data from other underground mining operations in the area,
including those that mine the Bulli Seam. Existing data indicates that organic components of
mine ventilation air are generally less than the limit of detection. Gas samples analysed for
other hydrocarbons including methane, ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, butane and
pentane, indicate very low concentrations and would be many orders of magnitude below the
relevant air quality goals. An analysis of the metal composition of mine ventilation indicates
that all concentrations are well below the relevant air quality goals.
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background
1.2
Objectives of the Study
1
1
2
2
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
2.1
Service Supply Boreholes
2.2
Access
2.3
Power Supply
3
3
4
4
3
LOCAL SETTING
5
4
AIR QUALITY CRITERIA
4.1
Particulate Matter
4.2
Odour
7
7
8
5
EXISTING AMBIENT AIR QUALITY
5.1
Particulate Matter
5.2
Odour
10
10
12
6
PREVAILING METEOROLOGY
6.1
Prevailing Winds
6.2
Modelling Approach
6.2.1
Introduction
6.2.2
CALMET
6.3
Atmospheric Stability
6.4
Mixing Height
12
12
14
14
14
17
18
7
EMISSIONS TO AIR
7.1
Review of Existing Emission Data
7.1.1
Particulate Matter
7.1.2
Odour
7.1.3
Other Components of Mine Ventilation Air
7.2
On-Site Emissions Testing
7.2.1
Odour Emission Testing
7.2.2
Particulate Matter Testing
7.3
Model Inputs
7.4
Peak to Mean Ratios
19
19
19
19
20
22
22
22
23
24
8
EMISSIONS ASSESSMENT
8.1
Prescribed Limits
8.2
Modelling Results
8.2.1
Odour
8.2.2
Particulate Matter (PM10)
8.2.3
Cumulative Impacts
8.2.4
Assessment of Particulate Metal
8.3
Nuisance Dust Impact
25
25
25
25
28
30
31
31
9
CONSTRUCTION PHASE IMPACTS
9.1
Overview
9.2
Construction Phase Emissions
9.2.1
Clearing / Excavation
9.2.2
Access Route Construction
9.2.3
Haulage and Heavy Plant and Equipment
9.3
Wind Erosion
32
32
32
33
33
33
33
10 CONCLUSIONS
34
11 REFERENCES
35
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
iv
APPENDIX A
A-1
LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1: Predicted Airflows of Upcast Ventilation Shafts under BHPBIC Bulli Seam Operations . 3
Table 3.1: Closest Receptor Locations................................................................................ 6
Table 4.1: Air quality Goals for Particulate Matter ................................................................ 8
Table 4.2: Impact Assessment Criteria for the Assessment of Odorous air pollutants ............... 9
Table 7.1: Emissions data reviewed for Particulate Matter ................................................... 19
Table 7.2: Existing Emissions data reviewed for Odour ....................................................... 20
Table 7.3: Results of Organic Analysis of West Cliff Mine Ventilation Air ................................ 21
Table 7.4: Analysis of n-pentane in mine ventilation air ..................................................... 22
Table 7.5: Odour Monitoring Results ................................................................................ 22
Table 7.6: Results of Return Air Sampling and Derived Concentrations ................................ 23
Table 7.7: Modelling Emission Rates – Scenario 1 ............................................................. 24
Table 7.8: Modelling Emission Rates – Scenario 2 ............................................................. 24
Table 8.1: Maximum Allowable Emission Levels ................................................................. 25
Table 8.2: Predicted Odour Concentrations at Sensitive Receptors ...................................... 28
Table 8.3: Predicted 24-hour Average PM10 Concentrations at Sensitive Receptors ................ 29
Table 8.4: Predicted Annual Average PM10 Concentrations at Sensitive Receptors .................. 30
Table 8.5: Predicted Particulate Metal concentrations from VS#6 ........................................ 31
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1.1: Regional Setting .............................................................................................. 2
Figure 3.1: Local Setting and Receptor Locations ................................................................. 5
Figure 3.2: Pseudo 3-Dimensional Representation of Regional Topography .............................. 6
Figure 5.1: Data Including Dust Storms ............................................................................ 11
Figure 5.2: Data Excluding Dust Storms............................................................................ 11
Figure 6.1: Wind Roses for Appin- 2009 ............................................................................ 13
Figure 6.2: Wind Roses generated for VS#6 Site – Calmet 2009 .......................................... 16
Figure 6.3: Stability Class Frequency (2009) ..................................................................... 17
Figure 6.4: Average Daily Diurnal Variation in Mixing Layer Depth ....................................... 18
Figure 8.1: Predicted 99th Percentile Odour Concentration (OU) – Scenario 1 ......................... 26
Figure 8.2: Predicted 99th Percentile Odour Concentration (OU) – Scenario 2 ........................ 27
Figure 8.3: Incremental Max 24-Hour PM10 Concentration (µg/m3) – Scenario 1 ................... 28
Figure 8.4: Incremental Max 24-Hour PM10 Concentration (µg/m3) – Scenario 2 ................... 29
Figure 8.5: Time series of 24-hour PM10 Concentrations ...................................................... 30
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
v
1
INTRODUCTION
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal Pty. Ltd. (BHPBIC) operates Appin Mine, an underground longwall
mining operation in the Bulli Seam of the Illawarra Coal Measures in the Southern Coalfield area
of NSW, approximately 25km north-west of Wollongong (refer Figure 1.1).
An additional upcast ventilation shaft, known as Ventilation Shaft No.6 (VS#6) is required to
service existing and proposed underground operations.
The construction and operation of VS#6 requires approval under Part 3A of the Environmental
Planning & Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) and in accordance with State Environmental
Planning Policy (Major Developments) 2005.
Cardno Forbes Rigby (Cardno) is managing the preparation of the Environmental Assessment
(EA) to support this Part 3A application and PAEHolmes have been engaged to prepare an Air
Quality Impact Assessment (AQIA) to form part of the EA for the project.
1.1 Background
An integral component of underground coal mining is adequate ventilation to ensure a safe and
efficient underground working environment. Currently, the Appin Mine is ventilated by three
downcast ventilation shafts and two upcast ventilation shafts with extraction fans, as follows:

No.1 Downcast Shaft;

Two downcast shafts at Appin West Pit Top (plus ancillary air intakes);

No.2 Upcast Shaft; and

No.3 Upcast Shaft.
The location of this infrastructure is shown in Figure 1.1.
The current ventilation system for Appin Mine is capable of servicing and/or has previously
serviced the following mining domains known as Areas 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7. However, as new
mining domains are approved and mining moves away from existing infrastructure, additional
ventilation shafts and ancillary plant are required.
Area 9 is a new proposed mining domain within Consolidated Coal Lease (CCL) 767. Area 9 has
been identified by BHPBIC as its next mining domain. This domain is located adjacent to and to
the west of Area 7 and is planned to be mined once the coal reserves at West Cliff Colliery
expire in approximately 2015. Area 7 and Area 9 will be mined in parallel, utilising the existing
coal handling infrastructure and management systems.
An assessment of the proposed mine domain ventilation system has identified a need to
improve the capacity and reliability of the underground ventilation system. A number of options
to improve the ventilation system for Areas 7 and 9 were developed, and after a rigorous
internal assessment of each option, it was determined that the optimal solution was the VS#6.
Underground roadways will also be developed to link the mine ventilation system in Area 7 to
the existing West Cliff No.1 Upcast Shaft.
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
1
Figure 1.1: Regional Setting
1.2 Objectives of the Study
The primary objective of the study is to assess the potential air quality impacts from the
operation of the project by addressing the Director-General’s Requirements for assessment
(DGRs), outlined as follows:
“Air Quality – including a detailed consideration of the impacts that surface
infrastructure, construction activities and construction vehicles could have on the local
air shed, particularly within the township of Douglas Park, including odours.”
The NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) have also requested
additional requirements for assessment, as follows:
“The Proponent should undertake an air quality impact assessment for speciated
volatile organic compounds and odour in accordance with the DECCW Approved Methods
document. The modelling should be informed by monitoring at other shafts which
ventilate the same coal seams”.
The requirements will be addressed by the following proposed scope of work:

Conduct an Air Quality Impact Assessment in accordance with the NSW DECCW “Approved
Methods for the Modelling and Assessment of Air Pollutants in NSW” (NSW DEC, 2005);

Quantify emissions to air for the vent shaft, based on site specific monitoring and
representative monitoring from other underground coal mines;
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
2

Provide a detailed description of the ambient receiving environment, including background
pollution concentrations, prevailing meteorological conditions and nearby sensitive
receptors; and

Provide a cumulative impact assessment based on regulatory dispersion model predictions
and representative background pollution concentrations.
2
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The commencement of operations at Area 9 will result in the operation of two longwalls and
associated development units either side of Douglas Mains using an integrated mine ventilation
system. This parallel longwall operation will require a significant enhancement of the current
ventilation system. Currently, the approximate total mine airflow quantity for Appin Mine
provided by VS#2 and VS#3 is around 520 m3/s. The planned total mine airflow quantity with
the inclusion of Area 9 operating in parallel with Area 7 after the commissioning of VS#6 and
continuation of VS#2 is anticipated to be around 700 to 800 m3/s. Appin VS#3 will be
decommissioned as an upcast shaft and converted to an intake shaft as VS#6 comes on line. A
proposed underground roadway connection between West Cliff Colliery and Area 7 will enable
the use of the existing No.1 Upcast Ventilation Shaft at West Cliff for the ventilation of Area 7.
The VS#6 shaft will be circular with a constructed diameter of approximately 6 m, a finished
internal diameter of between 5 m to 5.6 m and a depth of approximately 530 m. The shaft will
travel in a straight vertical line from the surface to intersect the mine workings underground.
Once construction of the VS#6 is complete, three extraction fans (two duty and one hot spare
fan), associated ducting and horizontal discharge evases will be installed to form the extraction
fan facilities. The extraction fan facilities will consist of three centrifugal fans, connected in
parallel, with horizontal evases discharging approximately 550 to 650 m 3/s of expired MVA in a
north-easterly direction. The fan facilities will be electrically powered via the new substation
constructed on-site. The predicted airflows for ventilation of BHPBICs proposed Bulli Seam
operations are shown in Table 2.1.
Table 2.1: Predicted Airflows of Upcast Ventilation Shafts under BHPBIC Bulli Seam
Operations
Predicted Ventilation Airflow (m3/s)
Shaft #
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
West Cliff VS#1
350
350
350
350
350
350
Appin VS#2
220
240
240
240
240
240
Appin VS#3
350
350
520
520
520
0
Appin VS#6
0
0
0
0
0
550-600
Total
920
940
1,110
1,110
1,110
1,140
A low flow, diesel powered fan will also be installed for emergency ventilation purposes should
power be lost to the main fans.
2.1 Service Supply Boreholes
In addition to the vent shaft, BHPBIC propose to construct and operate a number of small
service supply boreholes from the VS#6 Site, just to the north of the actual shaft location. The
boreholes facilitate delivery underground of supplies such as concrete, ballast, fuel, emulsion,
compressed air and stone dust.
The service supply boreholes are anticipated to be
approximately 200-300 mm in diameter, fully lined and of a similar depth to the shaft. The
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
3
boreholes and associated surface storage tanks would be housed in storage sheds and silos.
Ballast may be stored in a small stockpile area.
2.2 Access
Currently, access to the VS#6 Site on the Mount batten Stud (MBS) property is via a gated,
gravel access track from Dowle Street in Douglas Park. This access route is unsuitable for the
heavy vehicle access required, particularly during the construction phase.
The preferred access route (referred to as Access Option 3) is via Menangle Road. The access
route will be across BHPBIC property and join Menangle Road just north of the Camden Road
intersection.
It is anticipated that initially, during construction, the access route will be unsealed but with the
aim to have the road sealed as quickly as possible. It is envisaged the construction of the
access route will take approximately 6 months.
2.3 Power Supply
A high voltage power supply is required at the VS#6 site. A 66kV high voltage switchyard will
be constructed on BHPBIC land, with supply obtained from BHPBIC’s existing Douglas North
Switchyard (DNS) located on Moreton Park Rd, Douglas Park. The supply would leave the DNS
via an underground cable until it reaches the MBS where it will connect to a new switchyard.
Alternatively, the supply could leave DNS via an underground cable until it reaches the northern
side of Moreton Park Road. An overhead conductor, supported by steel or concrete poles, would
run from the northern side of Moreton Park Road crossing the Hume Highway, ARTC rail line and
continuing to the VS#6 switchyard.
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
4
3
LOCAL SETTING
The location of VS#6 and associated infrastructure is on BHPBIC owned land, to the east of the
township of Douglas Park in NSW (refer Figure 3.1). The proposed location for the VS#6
project is freehold land owned by BHPBIC and is described formally as Lot 37/DP8738, Lot
3/DP8738, Lot 35/DP8999, Lot 1/DP576136 and Lot A/DP421246.
The existing landscape of the property on which the VS#6 Project is proposed can be described
as previously cleared, open land used for agricultural purposes with undulating to hilly
topography. The site is bounded to the immediate west by Harris Creek, a drainage line
draining in a southerly direction into the Nepean River, then the township of Douglas Park and
the Main Southern Rail Line and Hume Highway to the north, south and east. The Nepean River
is located to the south and east of the site, on the eastern side of Moreton Park Road. A threedimensional representation of the local topography is shown in Figure 3.2.
Figure 3.1: Local Setting and Receptor Locations
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
5
Figure 3.2: Pseudo 3-Dimensional Representation of Regional Topography
For the purposes of assessing impacts from the VS#6, the following receptor locations are
selected and presented in Table 3.1.
Table 3.1: Closest Receptor Locations
Location/ Name
Easting (m)
Northing (m)
Elevation (m)
Camden Road / Site 1
289422
6215973
122
Moreton St / Site 2
289393
6215057
113
Duggan/Hokins Close / Site 3
289302
6215434
115
Douglas Park Public School
289286
6215592
119
Moreton Park Rd/Site 4
290665
6215594
115
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
6
4
AIR QUALITY CRITERIA
During operation, the VS#6 will result in emissions of particulate matter (PM), methane (CH4)
and other higher level hydrocarbons, some of which may be odorous. During emergencies, a
low flow fan will be operated via a diesel generator. Emergency operations will be for less than
a 24 hour period, and the emergency system may be tested for one hour per month. These
diesel emissions are typically too small to give rise to significant off-site concentrations.
During construction, fugitive dust emissions from surface activities can also be expected. In
addition, emissions of CO, NO2, and sulphur dioxide (SO2) will occur from diesel-powered
construction equipment; however these are typically too small and too widely dispersed to give
rise to significant off-site concentrations.
4.1 Particulate Matter
Emissions of particulate matter are generally considered in three separate size fractions. These
are described as total suspended particulate matter (TSP), particulate matter with equivalent
aerodynamic diameters 10 m or less (PM10) and particles with equivalent aerodynamic
diameters of 2.5 m and less (PM2.5). Particulate matter has the capacity to affect health and to
cause nuisance effects. The extent to which health or nuisance effects occur, relates to the size
and/or by chemical composition of the particulate matter.
This section provides information on the air quality criteria used to assess the impact of
emissions. The assessment criteria provide benchmarks, which if met, are intended to protect
the community against the adverse effects of air pollutants. These criteria are generally
considered to reflect current Australian community standards for the protection of health and
protection against nuisance effects. To assist in interpreting the significance of predicted
concentration some background discussion on the potential harmful effects is provided below.
The human respiratory system has in-built defensive systems that prevent particles larger than
approximately 10 m from reaching the more sensitive parts of the respiratory system.
Particles with aerodynamic diameters less than 10 m are referred to as PM10. Particles larger
than 10 m, while not able to affect health, can soil materials and generally degrade aesthetic
elements of the environment. For this reason air quality goals make reference to measures of
the total mass of all particles suspended in the air. This is referred to as Total Suspended
Particulate matter (TSP). In practice, particles larger than 30 to 50 m settle out of the
atmosphere too quickly to be regarded as air pollutants. The upper size range for TSP is usually
taken to be 30 m. TSP includes PM10.
The health-based assessment criteria used by NSW Department of Environment, Climate
Change and Water (DECCW) have, to a large extent, been developed by reference to
epidemiological studies undertaken in urban areas with large populations where the primary
pollutants are the products of combustion. This means that, in contrast to dust of crustal 1
origin, the particulate matter would be composed of smaller particles and would generally
contain acidic and carcinogenic substances that are associated with combustion.
Table 4.1 summarises the air quality goals that are relevant to this study. The air quality goals
relate to the total dust burden in the air and not just the dust from the project.
1
The term crustal dust is used to refer to dust generated from materials that constitute the earth’s crust.
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
7
Table 4.1: Air quality Goals for Particulate Matter
Pollutant
Standard
Averaging Period
Source
Total suspended
particulate matter (TSP)
90 g/m3
Annual mean
NHMRC
PM10
50 g/m3
24-hour maximum
NSW DEC (2005)
30 g/m3
Annual mean
(assessment criteria)
50 g/m3
24-hour average
NEPM (allows five exceedances per year
for bushfires and dust storms)
4.2 Odour
The determination of air quality goals for odour and their use in the assessment of odour
impacts is recognised as a difficult topic in air pollution science. The topic has received
considerable attention in recent years and the procedures for assessing odour impacts using
dispersion models have been refined considerably. There is still considerable debate in the
scientific community about appropriate odour goals as determined by dispersion modelling. The
DECCW has developed odour goals and the way in which they should be applied with dispersion
models to assess the likelihood of nuisance impact arising from the emission of odour. There
are two factors that need to be considered:

what "level of exposure" to odour is considered acceptable to meet current community
standards in NSW; and

how can dispersion models be used to determine if a source of odour meets the goals which
are based on this acceptable level of exposure.
The term "level of exposure" has been used to reflect the fact that odour impacts are
determined by several factors the most important of which are:

the Frequency of the exposure;

the Intensity of the odour;

the Duration of the odour episodes; and

the Offensiveness of the odour (the so-called FIDO factor)
In determining the offensiveness of an odour it needs to be recognised that for most odours the
context in which an odour is perceived is also relevant. Some odours, for example the smell of
sewage, hydrogen sulfide, butyric acid, landfill gas etc., are likely to be judged offensive
regardless of the context in which they occur. Other odours such as the smell of jet fuel may be
acceptable at an airport, but not in a house, and diesel exhaust may be acceptable near a busy
road, but not in a restaurant.
In summary, whether or not an individual considers an odour to be a nuisance will depend on the
FIDO factors outlined above and although it is possible to derive formulae for assessing odour
annoyance in a community, the response of any individual to an odour is still unpredictable.
Odour goals need to take account of these factors.
The DECCW “Approved Methods for Modelling and Assessment of Air Pollutants in NSW” (NSW
DEC, 2005) include impact assessment criteria for complex mixtures of odorous air pollutants.
They have been refined by the DECC to take account of population density in the area. Table
4.2 lists the odour impact assessment criterion to be exceeded not more than 1% of the time,
for different population densities.
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
8
Table 4.2: Impact Assessment Criteria for the Assessment of Odorous air pollutants
Population of affected community
Impact Assessment Criteria for Complex Mixtures of
Odorous Air Pollutants
(OU, nose-response-time average, 99th percentile)
 ~2
7
~10
6
~30
5
~125
4
~500
3
Urban (2000) and/or schools and hospitals
2
The difference between odour goals is based on considerations of risk of odour impact rather
than differences in odour acceptability between urban and rural areas. For a given odour level
there will be a wide range of responses in the population exposed to the odour. In a densely
populated area there will therefore be a greater risk that some individuals within the community
will find the odour unacceptable than in a sparsely populated area.
In adopting odour impact assessment criteria for the VS#6 project, consideration is given to the
population density of Douglas Park, which is given as 827 (ABS, 2006).
Using the equation outlined in the Approved Methods (Equation 7.2), an odour goal of 3 OU for
Douglas Park is established, as follows:
It is noted that the more stringent criteria of 2 OU should be applied at the Douglas Park Public
School.
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
9
5
EXISTING AMBIENT AIR QUALITY
Air quality standards and goals are used to assess the total pollutant level in the environment,
including the contribution from specific projects and existing sources. To fully assess impacts
against all the relevant air quality standards and goals it is necessary to have information on the
background concentrations to which the project is likely to contribute.
The NSW DECCW operate a number of monitoring stations in South West Sydney, as follows:

MacArthur (UWS Campbelltown Campus) located approximately 15 km northeast of Douglas
Park;

Bargo (Silica Road) located approximately 20 km southwest of Douglas Park; and

Oakdale (Ridge Road) located approximately 25 km northwest of Douglas Park.
Data from these monitoring sites have been used to provide an indication of existing ambient air
quality for the area around Douglas Park.
5.1 Particulate Matter
PM10 is monitored at Macarthur and Oakdale. There were a number of occasions during 2009
when elevated 24-hour PM10 concentrations occurred as a result of regional dust storms. The
most significant of these occurred on 23 September 2009 when 24-hour PM10 concentrations
were some of the highest ever recorded in Sydney, with concentrations over 1000 µg/m 3
recorded at Macarthur and Oakdale.
Figure 5.1 shows a plot of the 24-hour average PM10 concentration recorded at these two sites
for 2009, with all data included. Figure 5.2 shows the 24-hour average PM10 concentration
with known dust storm events excluded. There was one other occasion when the air quality
goal of 50 µg/m3 was exceeded. This occurred at Macarthur on 22 November 2009 when 24hour PM10 levels were 63 µg/m3 and may have been a result of a local event, however no record
of a dust storm was found.
In most cases the peak concentration due to a new emission source will not occur at the same
time as the background peak, which in Sydney is often as a result of a dust storm or bushfire.
When considering background pollutant concentrations for assessment purposes, it is sensible to
exclude these anomalous events and the approach recommended by the NSW DECCW in their
Approved Methods is to demonstrate that no additional exceedances of the criteria would occur
as a result of the development.
The annual average PM10 concentrations recorded at Macarthur and Oakdale were 21 µg/m3 and
20 µg/m3 respectively, with days where dust storms occurred included in the average. Although
these extraordinary events would normally be excluded from a calculation of annual average,
they are included in this case to provide an conservative indication of annual average
concentrations at Douglas Park.
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
10
1600
Goal
MacArthur
Oakdale
24-Hour PM10 Concentration (ug/m3)
1200
800
400
0
18/12/08
28/03/09
06/07/09
14/10/09
22/01/10
Figure 5.1: Data Including Dust Storms
80
Goal
MacArthur
Oakdale
24-Hour PM10 Concentration (ug/m3)
60
40
20
0
18/12/08
28/03/09
06/07/09
14/10/09
22/01/10
Figure 5.2: Data Excluding Dust Storms
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
11
5.2 Odour
It is not always practical to assess the cumulative odour impact of all odour sources that may
impact on discrete receptors, although in a rural area such as Douglas Park, the number and
type of odour sources may be more easily identified. However it is common in odour
assessment to assess the incremental increase in odour from a proposed development against
the assessment criteria, particularly where no other sources of similar odour character are
present.
6
PREVAILING METEOROLOGY
6.1 Prevailing Winds
Local meteorological data are collected at the EDL Appin Power Station, located approximately
5.5km southeast of the VS#6 site. Data from 2008 to 2010 have been analysed and data from
2009 chosen for assessment purposes. Annual and seasonal wind roses are presented in
Figure 6.1. On an annual basis, the most common winds are from the southeast, southsouthwest and south. This pattern is reflected in most seasons except during winter when
strong winds from the west also dominate. The predominant seasonal winds blow away from
Douglas Park from the proposed VS#6 site. The average wind speed recorded at Appin is 3.5
m/s and calm conditions (<= 0.5 m/s) are infrequent at approximately 1.2% of the time.
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
12
N
NNW
NNE
NW
Annual and seasonal windroses for APPIN (2009)
NE
WNW
ENE
W
E
4%
8%
12%
WSW
16%
Wind speed (m/s)
>0.5 - 1.5
ESE
>1.5 - 3
SW
>3 - 4.5
SE
>4.5 - 6
SSW
SSE
S
>6 - 7.5
>7.5
Annual
Calms = 2.0%
N
N
NNW
NNE
NW
NNW
NE
WNW
NNE
NW
ENE
W
E
NE
WNW
ENE
W
E
4% 8% 12% 16% 20%
WSW
4%
ESE
SW
12%
WSW
SE
SSW
8%
16%
ESE
SW
SSE
SE
SSW
SSE
S
S
Autumn
Calms = 1.2%
Summer
Calms = 1.0%
N
N
NNW
NNE
NW
NNW
NE
WNW
NW
ENE
W
E
4%
8%
12%
WSW
SE
SSW
SSE
NE
WNW
ENE
W
E
16%
ESE
SW
NNE
4%
12%
WSW
16%
ESE
SW
SE
SSW
SSE
S
Winter
Calms = 1.2%
8%
S
Spring
Calms = 4.5%
Figure 6.1: Wind Roses for Appin- 2009
The wind data for 2009 is consistent with long term monitoring data at Appin, including 20072008 data analysed for the Bulli Seam project (PAEHolmes, 2009), 2008 data analysed for the
Appin Area 7 Goaf Gas Drainage Project (PAEHolmes, 2009a) and 1995 data analysed for the
Endeavour Project at West Cliff Colliery (HAS, 2006).
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
13
6.2 Modelling Approach
6.2.1 Introduction
The CALMET/CALPUFF modelling system was chosen for this study. This is based on the fact
that simple Gaussian dispersion models such as AUSPLUME assume that the meteorological
conditions are uniform spatially over the entire modelling domain for any given hour. While this
may be valid for some applications, in complex flow situations, such as hilly terrain, the
meteorological conditions may be more accurately simulated using a wind field model such as
CALPUFF.
CALPUFF is a multi-layer, multi-species non-steady state puff dispersion model that can
simulate the effects of time and space varying meteorological conditions on pollutant transport,
transformation and removal (Scire et al., 2000). The model contains algorithms for nearsource effects such as building downwash, partial plume penetration, sub-grid scale interactions
as well as longer-range effects such as pollutant removal, chemical transformation, vertical wind
shear and coastal interaction effects. The model employs dispersion equations based on a
Gaussian distribution of pollutants across the puff and takes into account the complex
arrangement of emissions from point, area, volume, and line sources. CALPUFF is endorsed by
the US EPA, and has been extensively used in Australia.
A CALPUFF computation grid of 5 km x 6 km was nested within the CALMET meteorological grid
(refer Section 6.2.2) and centred over the VS#6 site. A Cartesian receptor sampling grid of
50 m was used.
6.2.2 CALMET
CALMET is a meteorological pre-processor that includes a wind field generator containing
objective analysis and parameterised treatments of slope flows, terrain effects and terrain
blocking effects. The pre-processor produces fields of wind components, air temperature,
relative humidity, mixing height and other micro-meteorological variables to produce the threedimensional meteorological fields that are utilised in the CALPUFF dispersion model. CALMET
uses the meteorological inputs in combination with land use and geophysical information for the
modelling domain to predict gridded meteorological fields for the region.
CALMET was initially run for a coarse outer grid domain of 100 km x 100 km, centred on the
VS#6 site, with a 0.4 km resolution. The reason for modelling an outer meteorological domain
to feed the inner grid was to allow cloud data from distant Bureau of Meteorology (BoM)
monitoring sites to be incorporated, in the absence of any available local data at a finer
modelling resolution.
Observed hourly data from the EDL Appin Power Station, plus the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM)
sites located at Camden Airport AWS, Campbelltown Airport AWS and Bellambi AWS were used
as input for CALMET. Cloud amount and cloud heights were sourced from observations at
Camden Airport and Bellambi. Upper air data were also extracted from TAPM 2 to provide the
necessary upper air files.
2
The Air Pollution Model, or TAPM, is a three dimensional meteorological and air pollution model developed
by the CSIRO Division of Atmospheric Research. A detailed description of the TAPM model and its
performance is provided elsewhere, (Hurley, 2002a, 2002b; Hurley et al., 2002a, 2002b; Hibberd et al.,
2003; Luhar & Hurley, 2003). TAPM was set up with 4 domains, with a resolution of 30 km, 10 km, 3 km
and 1 km respectively. To improve model accuracy, observed wind conditions from Appin Power Station ,
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
14
CALMET outputs from the outer grid were then used as input into the finer resolution inner grid
domain of 5 km x 6 km, centred on the VS#6 site. The inner grid modelling was used to create
a fine resolution three-dimensional meteorological field for the area around the VS#6 site.
The performance of the CALMET model is compared with observations made at Appin based on
the annual and seasonal wind roses extracted for a point in the middle of the domain at the
approximate location of the VS#6 site (Figure 6.2).
The CALMET annual wind rose displays similar characteristics to the measured wind speeds at
the Appin site with moderate to strong wind speeds dominating from a southeast direction. The
estimated mean wind speed at the site is 3.0 m/s with an estimated percentage of calm
conditions (< 0.5m/s) of 1.7% of the time.
Camden Airport AWS, Campbelltown Airport AWS and Bellambi AWS were used to improve the TAPM
solution.
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
15
N
NNW
NNE
NW
Annual and seasonal windroses for
VS#6 Site - CALMET Generated 2009
NE
WNW
ENE
W
E
4%
8%
12%
WSW
Wind speed (m/s)
>0.5 - 1.5
ESE
>1.5 - 3
SW
>3 - 4.5
SE
>4.5 - 6
SSW
SSE
S
>6 - 7.5
>7.5
Annual
Calms = 1.7%
N
N
NNW
NNE
NW
NNW
NE
WNW
NNE
NW
ENE
W
E
NE
WNW
ENE
W
E
4% 8% 12% 16% 20%
WSW
4%
ESE
SW
12% 16%
WSW
SE
SSW
8%
ESE
SW
SSE
SE
SSW
SSE
S
S
Autumn
Calms = 1.4%
Summer
Calms = 1.4%
N
N
NNW
NNE
NW
NNW
NE
WNW
NW
ENE
W
E
4%
8%
ESE
SE
SSW
SSE
NE
WNW
ENE
W
E
12% 16%
WSW
SW
NNE
2% 4% 6% 8% 10%
WSW
ESE
SW
SE
SSW
SSE
S
Winter
Calms = 1.4%
S
Spring
Calms = 2.7%
Figure 6.2: Wind Roses generated for VS#6 Site – Calmet 2009
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
16
6.3 Atmospheric Stability
An important aspect of pollutant dispersion is the level of turbulence in the atmosphere near the
ground. Turbulence acts to dilute or diffuse a plume by increasing the cross-sectional area of
the plume due to random motion. As turbulence increases, the rate of plume dilution or
diffusion increases. Weak turbulence limits diffusion and is a critical factor in causing high
plume concentrations downwind of a source. Turbulence is related to the vertical temperature
gradient, the condition of which determines what is known as stability, or thermal stability. For
traditional dispersion modelling using Gaussian plume models, categories of atmospheric
stability are used in conjunction with other meteorological data to describe the dispersion
conditions in the atmosphere.
The best known stability classification is the Pasquill-Gifford scheme, which denotes stability
classes from A to F. Class A is described as highly unstable and occurs in association with
strong surface heating and light winds, leading to intense convective turbulence and much
enhanced plume dilution.
At the other extreme, class F denotes very stable conditions
associated with strong temperature inversions and light winds, such as those that commonly
occur under clear skies at night and in the early morning. Under these conditions plumes can
remain relatively undiluted for considerable distances downwind. Intermediate stability classes
grade from moderately unstable (B), through neutral (D) to slightly stable (E). Whilst classes A
and F are closely associated with clear skies, class D is linked to windy and/or cloudy weather,
and short periods around sunset and sunrise when surface heating or cooling is small.
The CALMET-generated meteorological data can be used to estimate stability class for the site
and the frequency distribution of estimated stability classes is presented in Figure 6.3. The
data show a high proportion of stable conditions (class F).
35
Frequency of Occurance (%)
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
A
B
C
D
E
F
Stability Class
Figure 6.3: Stability Class Frequency (2009)
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
17
6.4 Mixing Height
Mixing height is defined as the height above ground of a temperature inversion or statically
stable layer of air capping the atmospheric boundary layer. It is often associated with, or
measured by, a sharp increase of temperature with height, a sharp decrease of water-vapour, a
sharp decrease in turbulence intensity and a sharp decrease in pollutant concentration. Mixing
height is variable in space and time, and typically increases during fair-weather daytime over
land from tens to hundreds of metres around sunrise up to 1–3 km in the mid-afternoon,
depending on the location, season and day-to-day weather conditions.
Mixing heights show diurnal variation and can change rapidly after sunrise and at sunset.
Diurnal variations in the minimum, maximum and average mixing depths, based on the
CALMET-generated meteorological data for the site, are shown in Figure 6.4. As expected,
mixing heights begin to grow following sunrise with the onset of vertical convective mixing with
maximum heights reached in mid to late afternoon.
3000
Mixing Depth (m)
2000
1000
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12 13 14
Hour of Day
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Figure 6.4: Average Daily Diurnal Variation in Mixing Layer Depth
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
18
7
EMISSIONS TO AIR
The primary pollutants of concern from the operation of the VS#6 will be particulate matter and
odour. A review of existing emissions data from other underground mining operations in the
area, including those that mine in the Bulli Seam, has been undertaken and is summarised in
Section 7.1. Site specific emissions data were also collected from the Appin mine, and are
discussed in Section 7.2.
7.1 Review of Existing Emission Data
The following emissions data have been reviewed and are summarised below.

Emissions testing report for Dendrobium Mine (Wongawilli Seam) for particulate matter,
odour and VOCs (EML, 2005);

Emissions data for Metropolitan Colliery (Bulli Seam) for particulate matter and odour (HAS,
2008);

Report on the characterisation and quantification of components in West Cliff Mine (Bulli
Seam) ventilation air (SGS, 2009);

Emissions data from West Cliff Colliery (Bulli Seam) Main Fan Ventilation Duct (BHPSteel,
2003);

Underground gas reports from Appin Area 7 (Bulli Seam) (BHP Billiton, 2010).
7.1.1 Particulate Matter
A summary of the particulate monitoring data from existing data sources is provided in Table
7.1 which shows total particulate concentrations in mine ventilation air ranging from 0.4 mg/m 3
to 2 mg/m3. These data are compared to monitoring conducted in the return air at distance
from the working face of the Appin Area 7 longwall (refer Section 7.2).
Table 7.1: Emissions data reviewed for Particulate Matter
Source
Pollutant
Concentration
West Cliff Main Vent Duct
TSP
1.5 mg/m3
1.1 mg/m3
TSP
1.6 mg/m3
PM10
1.1 mg/m3
PM2.5
1.4 mg/m3
Metropolitan Colliery
TSP
0.42 mg/m3
West Cliff Colliery Ventilation Air
(SGS 2009)
TSP
2.0 mg/m3
Dendrobium Mine Vent Shaft #1
7.1.2 Odour
Odour monitoring data obtained from two mine ventilation shafts are presented in Table 7.2.
Odour concentrations at Dendrobium are lower than at Metropolitan although it is noted that the
Dendrobium mine is in the Wongawilli Seam which is less gassy than the Bulli Seam
(Metropolitan). Odour concentrations have also been collected from the Appin vent shaft #3 for
use in this assessment (refer Section 7.2).
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
19
Table 7.2: Existing Emissions data reviewed for Odour
Source
Pollutant
Concentration
Dendrobium Mine Vent Shaft #1
Odour
54 OU
Metropolitan Colliery
Odour
175 OU
7.1.3 Other Components of Mine Ventilation Air
The primary purpose of mine ventilation is to provide a safe working environment for mine
employees and pollutant concentrations within the return air shafts will be well below levels that
would normally be associated with adverse health effects. This is supported by analysis of the
characterisation and composition of ventilation air, which indicates that organic components of
mine ventilation air are kept low and generally below the sampling/analysis method limit of
detection.
Monitoring conducted at West Cliff Colliery Main Fan Ventilation Duct (BHPSteel, 2003),
indicated concentrations of NOx, SO2 and CO, all below the limit of detection.
An analysis of the VOC components of mine ventilation air at West Cliff, indicated that all toxic
organic components are also less than the limit of detection (SGS, 2009), as shown in Table
7.3. This was also found to be the case at Dendrobium mine (EML, 2005) where all nonmethane VOCs were below detection levels of 0.2 mg/m3.
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
20
Table 7.3: Results of Organic Analysis of West Cliff Mine Ventilation Air
Compound
Results (mg/kg)
Benzene
<5
Toluene
<5
Ethylbenzene
<5
Xylenes
<10
Total Volatile Aromatic Hydrocarbon compounds
<100
Total Volatile Aliphatic Hydrocarbon compounds
<100
Total Volatile Organic Halogenated compounds
<100
TRH C10 – C14
<20
TRH C15 – C28
<50
TRH C29 – C36
<50
Naphthalene
<0.1
2-Methylnaphthalene
<0.1
1-Methlnaphthalene
<0.1
Acenaphthene
<0.1
Flourene
<0.1
Phenanthrene
<0.1
Anthracene
<0.1
Floranthene
<0.1
Pyrene
<0.1
Benzo[a]anthracene
<0.1
Chrysene
<0.1
Benzo[b,k]flouranthene
<0.2
Benzo[a]pyrene
<0.05
Indeno[123-cd]pyrene
<0.1
Dibenzo[ah]anthracene
<0.1
Benzo]ghi]perylene
<0.1
Total PAH
<0.9
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
21
Gas samples were also taken from near the active longwall at Appin Area 7 during 2010 and
analysed for hydrocarbons including methane, ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, butane
and pentane. It would be expected that the concentration of hydrocarbons in MVA would be
highest at this locations given its proximity to the operating longwall. Hence, use of these data
in air impact assessment is very conservative. None of these compounds, with the exception of
n-pentane, have health based impact assessment criteria in NSW, and are therefore not
considered further in this assessment.
The recorded % (v/v) composition of n-pentane at Appin Area 7 is low (0.002%). An estimation
of the concentrations of n-pentane in the mine ventilation air has been estimated from the
available data for total VOC concentration measured at West Cliff and Dendrobium (SGS, 2009
& EML, 2005).
Shown in Table 7.4 is the estimated n-pentane concentrations based on total VOC
concentrations measured at West Cliff and Dendrobium and % composition of n-pentane in gas
samples taken from the Appin Area 7 longwall. The results indicate that concentrations are
many orders of magnitude below relevant air quality goals, and are therefore not considered
further in this assessment.
Table 7.4: Analysis of n-pentane in mine ventilation air
Source
VOC
Concentration
% v/v n-pentane
West Cliff Colliery
<100 ppm
0.002
Dendrobium
3
1
Estimated n-pentane
Concentration
NSW DECCW Goal
<4 x 10-6 ppm
11 ppm
-6
<0.2 mg/m
Note: 1 From gas samples at Appin long wall
3
<4 x 10 mg/m
33 mg/m3
SGS also conducted analysis of the metal composition of the particulate collected at West Cliff.
Further discussion on potential impacts from particulate metal concentrations is provided in
Section 8.
7.2 On-Site Emissions Testing
7.2.1 Odour Emission Testing
Odour measurements were taken from the Appin Vent Shaft #3 on the 18 June 2010 and the
results are provided in Table 7.5 (TOU, 2010). Appin Vent Shaft #3 currently exhausts MVA
from Area 7 which is representative of the MVA expected to be emitted from VS#6. The odour
results are higher than previous data from Dendrobium and Metropolitan Mines. The odour was
characterised by the odour panellists as “earthy”.
Table 7.5: Odour Monitoring Results
Sample Date/Time
Odour Concentration (OU)
Odour Character
18/06/2010 11:49
395
Earthy
18/06/2010 12:10
279
Earthy
7.2.2 Particulate Matter Testing
Particulate matter concentrations were measured in an existing return air panel at Appin, at a
distance of approximately 460 m from the longwall during extraction. The monitoring provides
a highly conservatively level of dust concentration which may be expected from the operation of
VS#6.
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
22
Worst case dust emissions from the proposed VS#6 will occur when mining the longwall panel in
close proximity to the upcast vent. As mining moves away from the VS#6, the concentrations
in MVA will decrease as particles are depleted and deposited out of the air stream, as it moves
towards the shaft. Emissions are expected to follow a cyclical pattern, decreasing as panel
extraction moves away from the vent and increasing as the next panel is mined back towards
the vent.
As progressive longwall panel extraction continues in a northerly direction, the distance from
the VS#6 to the active mining will increase and the associated concentrations of dust will
decrease.
The closest that Area 9 mining will get to VS#6 will be approximately 900m, almost twice the
distance at which dust samples were captured in the return air. It is expected that the daily
rate of longwall mining for Area 9 (i.e. when VS#6 will be operational) will be similar to that in
Area 7 when this sampling was conducted. The total mass of PM10 emissions during mining are
derived from the product of the measured concentrations within the return panel and the total
ventilation flow rate through this panel. The concentration within the VS#6 is then estimated
from the total mass emission from the mining activity and the ventilation flow rate from the
shaft (refer Table 7.6).
Table 7.6: Results of Return Air Sampling and Derived Concentrations
Measured PM10
Concentration
(mg/m3)
Measured Flow
Rate (m3/s)
Total PM10
mass (mg)
from mining
Worst Case VS#6 In-Shaft
Concentration (mg/m3)
76.5
42
3213
@ 650 m3/s
4.9
@ 550 m3/s
5.8
The derived concentrations are significantly higher (2 – 10 times) than other measurement of
TSP taken in vent shafts at other sites (refer Table 7.1). It is also noted that the monitoring
indicates that the PM10 / TSP ratio is approximately 0.6 in underground mine air (i.e PM 10
comprises approximately 60% of TSP). The results therefore should provide a conservative
indication of potential impact from the operation of VS#6 when mining is in close proximity to
the shaft. For the majority of the time during extraction in Area 9, the longwall will be several
kilometres from the shaft and particulate emissions are expected to be similar to those
presented in Table 7.1.
7.3 Model Inputs
The VS#6 will consist of three centrifugal fans, connected in parallel, with evases discharging
approximately 550 m3/s to 650 m3/s of mine ventilation air (MVA) in a north-easterly direction.
The discharge will be directed upwards, at a nominal 45 O angle, to provide the plume with an
initial momentum flux, and assist with the plume dispersion and dilution.
The exit velocity of the discharge will vary according to ventilation flow rate, and two ventilation
scenarios are modeled, representing a high ventilation rate of 650 m3/s and a more typical
ventilation rate of 550 m3/s. The corresponding exit velocities were calculated as 33 m/s and
28 m/s respectively. An adjustment is made to the exit velocity to reflect the fact that the
evases are not vertical, but will be deflected upwards, at a nominal 45 O angle from the
horizontal. The exit velocity is adjusted according to the sine function to account for some loss
of momentum flux in the horizontal direction.
The modelled parameters for each scenario are presented in Table 7.7.
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
23
Table 7.7: Modelling Emission Rates – Scenario 1
Parameter
Value
Flow Rate (m3/s)
650
Exit Velocity (m/s)
23
Release Height (m)
3.0
Stack Diameter (m)
6.0
Temperature (K)
295
3
Odour Emission Rate (OU.m /s)
219,050
PM10
3.2 g/s
Table 7.8: Modelling Emission Rates – Scenario 2
Parameter
Value
3
Flow Rate (m /s)
550
Exit Velocity (m/s)
20
Release Height (m)
3.0
Stack Diameter (m)
6.0
Temperature (K)
295
3
Odour Emission Rate (OU.m /s)
185,350
PM10
3.2 g/s
7.4 Peak to Mean Ratios
The instantaneous perception of odours by the human nose occurs over very short time scales
(~ 1 second) but dispersion model predictions are typically made for time scales equivalent to
one hour averaging periods. To estimate the effects of plume meandering and concentration
fluctuations perceived by the human nose, it is possible to multiply dispersion model predictions
by a correction factor called a “peak-to-mean ratio”. The peak to mean ratio (P/M60) is defined
as the ratio of peak 1-second concentrations to mean 1-hour average concentrations.
CALPUFF has been modelled at hourly time-steps. To estimate peak 1-second concentrations
from hourly averaged odour concentrations, a Peak-to-Mean Ratio (P/M60) of 2.3 has been
applied corresponding to a wake-affected point source, in accordance with Table 6.1 of the
Approved Methods.
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
24
8
EMISSIONS ASSESSMENT
8.1 Prescribed Limits
The Protection of the Environment Operations (Clean Air) Regulations 2003 (POEO, 2003) sets
out standards of concentration for emissions to air from scheduled activities. The maximum
pollution levels relevant to this assessment, allowed under the regulations for general activities,
are provided in Table 8.1.
The expected concentrations of particles from the VS#6 (< 2 mg/m3 when the longwall is
operating away from the shaft, and < 6 mg/m3 when the longwall is in close proximity to the
shaft) are well below the emission limits prescribed by the Clean Air Regulations.
Table 8.1: Maximum Allowable Emission Levels
Air Impurity
Activity or Plant
Standard of
Concentration
Solid Particles
Any process emitting solid particles
50 mg/m3
8.2 Modelling Results
8.2.1 Odour
The results of the odour modelling predictions for the VS#6 are presented in Figure 8.1 and
Figure 8.2. The contours show the predicted odour concentration at 0.5 OU, 1 OU, 2 OU and 3
OU, at the 99th percentile level and expressed as a nose response average (1-second) value.
The plots are indicative of the concentrations that could potentially be reached for 1% of the
time, under the conditions modelled.
The results indicate that the predicted odour
concentration at Douglas Park are less than 2 OU, and at most locations below 1 OU (the odour
threshold or theoretical odour level at which no impact is experienced). The locations where
peak odour concentrations of 3 OU are predicted are at elevated terrain to the north and west of
the site and are sparsely populated.
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
25
Species:
Location:
Scenario:
Percentile:
Averaging Time:
Odour
Douglas Park
Scenario 1 –Ventilation Flow
(650 m3/s)
99th
Nose response
Model Used:
Units:
Guideline:
Met Data:
Plot:
CALPUFF
v6.262
OU
2 OU – Douglas Park Public
School
CALMET
R. Kellaghan
Generated(2009)
3 OU – Douglas Park
Figure 8.1: Predicted 99
th
Percentile Odour Concentration (OU) – Scenario 1
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
26
Species:
Location:
Scenario:
Percentile:
Averaging Time:
Odour
Douglas Park
Scenario 2 –Ventilation Flow
(550 m3/s)
99th
Nose response
Model Used:
Units:
Guideline:
Met Data:
Plot:
CALPUFF
v6.262
OU
2 OU – Douglas Park Public
School
CALMET
R. Kellaghan
Generated(2009)
3 OU – Douglas Park
Figure 8.2: Predicted 99th Percentile Odour Concentration (OU) – Scenario 2
The predicted odour concentrations at each of the sensitive receptors in Table 3.1 are
presented in Table 7.5. The odour predictions for the Scenario 2 are shown to be slightly
higher than Scenario 1. This is because, although the odour emission rate is lower, the exit
velocity is also lower, which reduces the initial momentum flux and dispersion potential.
The predicted odour concentrations are below the adopted Odour Impact Assessment Criteria
(OU 3) at all selected receptor locations, for each flow scenario modelled. It is noted that the
odour character from VS#3 was reported by the odour analysis panel as “earthy”.
On this basis, the predictions presented, made based on the odour emission rates derived from
odour monitoring at VS#3 which ventilated the current Area 7 mining area, would not be
expected to be detectable or distinguishable at the locations shown.
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
27
Table 8.2: Predicted Odour Concentrations at Sensitive Receptors
Predicted Odour Concentration (OU) 99th
Percentile, Noise-response
Receptor Location
Odour Impact
Assessment
Criteria (OU)
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Camden Road / Site 1
1.6
1.7
3.0
Moreton St / Site 2
0.5
0.5
3.0
Cnr Duggan/Hokins Close / Site 3
1.0
1.1
3.0
Douglas Park Public School
1.1
1.1
2.0
Moreton Park Rd / Site 4
0.7
0.7
3.0
8.2.2 Particulate Matter (PM10)
The results of the particulate modelling predictions for the VS#6 are presented in Figure 8.3
for Scenario 1 and Figure 8.4 for Scenario 2. The contours show the maximum predicted 24hour PM10 concentration. The plots are indicative of the concentrations that could potentially be
reached, under the conditions modelled.
Species:
Location:
Scenario:
Percentile:
Averaging Time:
PM10
Douglas Park
Scenario 1 –Ventilation Flow
(650 m3/s)
Maximum
24-Hour
Model Used:
Units:
Guideline:
Met Data:
Plot:
CALPUFF
v6.262
µg/m3
50 µg/m3
CALMET
R. Kellaghan
Generated(2009)
Figure 8.3: Incremental Max 24-Hour PM10 Concentration (µg/m3) – Scenario 1
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
28
Species:
Location:
Scenario:
Percentile:
Averaging Time:
PM10
Douglas Park
Scenario 1 –Ventilation Flow
(650 m3/s)
Maximum
24-Hour
Model Used:
Units:
Guideline:
Met Data:
Plot:
CALPUFF
v6.262
µg/m3
50 µg/m3
CALMET
R. Kellaghan
Generated(2009)
Figure 8.4: Incremental Max 24-Hour PM10 Concentration (µg/m3) – Scenario 2
The predicted PM10 concentrations at each of the sensitive receptors in Table 3.1 are presented
in Table 8.3. The results indicate that the predicted 24-hour PM10 concentration at Douglas
Park will be less than 7 µg/m3 or just 14% of the air quality criteria.
Table 8.3: Predicted 24-hour Average PM10 Concentrations at Sensitive Receptors
Receptor Location
Max 24-hour PM10 Concentration (µg/m3)
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Camden Road / Site 1
6.1
6.9
Moreton St / Site 2
3.0
4.4
Cnr Duggan/Hokins Close / Site 3
2.6
3.3
Douglas Park Public School
3.2
4.1
Moreton Park Rd / Site 4
2.4
3.1
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
Impact Assessment
Criteria (µg/m3)
50
29
The predicted annual average PM10 concentrations at each of the sensitive receptors are shown
in Table 8.5. On an annual basis, the incremental PM10 concentration will be less than 3% of
the air quality criteria.
Table 8.4: Predicted Annual Average PM10 Concentrations at Sensitive Receptors
Receptor Location
Annual Average PM10 Concentration
(µg/m3)
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Camden Road / Site 1
0.6
0.8
Moreton St / Site 2
0.2
0.3
Cnr Duggan/Hokins Close / Site 3
0.3
0.3
Douglas Park Public School
0.3
0.4
Moreton Park Rd / Site 4
0.2
0.2
Impact Assessment
Criteria (µg/m3)
30
8.2.3 Cumulative Impacts
The NSW DECCW’s Approved Methods recognises that existing ambient pollutant concentrations
will exceed impact assessment criteria from time to time. This is demonstrated in Section 5
which shows a number of occasions at MacArthur and Oakdale where the 24-hour PM10
concentration was greater than 50 µg/m3 during 2009, typically as a result of regional dust
storms or bushfires.
A cumulative assessment for PM10 uses the maximum of background data obtained at MacArthur
and Oakdale, as representative of Douglas Park. Generally the MacArthur site, located in
Campbelltown adjacent to the South Western Freeway, is higher than Oakdale which is a more
rural location. The purpose of the cumulative assessment is to demonstrate that no additional
exceedances of the 24-hour PM10 impact assessment criteria will occur as a result of the
operational of the VS#6.
A time series plot of the predicted cumulative daily varying 24-hour PM10 concentration from the
operation of the VS#6 using 2009 data is presented in Figure 8.5. The results show the
existing background PM10 is the dominant contributor with the VS#6 adding just a small
incremental increase to existing levels.
NSW DECCW Goal
Increment
Background
50
24-Hour PM10 Concentration (ug/m3)
40
30
20
10
0
18/12/08
06/02/09
28/03/09
17/05/09
06/07/09
Date
25/08/09
14/10/09
03/12/09
22/01/10
Figure 8.5: Time series of 24-hour PM10 Concentrations
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
30
The annual average PM10 concentration (µg/m3) recorded at MacArthur, for 2009, was 21 µg/m3
(including elevated 24-hour concentrations during dust storms). The minor incremental annual
average concentrations predicted for the VS#6 will not significantly add to this level.
8.2.4 Assessment of Particulate Metal
As discussed in Section 7, analysis of the composition of mine ventilation air undertaken for
West Cliff Colliery (which mines in the Bulli Seam) was undertaken for metal composition of the
collected particulate. The NSW DECCW lists impact assessment criteria for Lead and other
principle toxic air pollutants. The analysis results for lead and other metals, for which impact
assessment criteria are specified, are provided in Table 8.5. Results presented in SCG (2009)
in mg/kg are presented as % metal component of total TSP. The predicted metal concentration
is then derived as a % of the maximum predicted PM10 concentration, for the relevant averaging
period, and compared to the relevant air quality goals.
The results indicate that all concentrations are well below the relevant air quality goals.
Table 8.5: Predicted Particulate Metal concentrations from VS#6
Metal
Sample
Results
(mg/kg)
% metal in
total
particulate
Maximum Predicted
PM10 Concentration
(ug/m3) (averaging
period)
Maximum
Derived Metal
Concentration
(mg/m3)
Air
Quality
Goal
(mg/m3)
% of Air
Quality
Goal
Lead
15
0.0015%
0.8 (Annual)
1.20E-08
0.0005
0.002%
Arsenic
3
0.0003%
41 (1 hour)
1.22E-07
0.00009
0.14%
Beryllium
0.66
0.0001%
41 (1 hour)
2.68E-08
0.000004
0.7%
Cadmium
0.3
0.0000%
41 (1 hour)
1.22E-08
0.000018
0.07%
Copper
16
0.0016%
41 (1 hour)
6.50E-07
0.018
0.004%
Chromium
21
0.0021%
41 (1 hour)
8.53E-07
0.00009
0.9%
Nickel
30
0.0030%
41 (1 hour)
1.22E-06
0.0018
0.07%
8.3 Nuisance Dust Impact
In addition to health impacts, airborne dust also has the potential to cause nuisance effects by
depositing on surfaces, including vegetation. Larger particles do not tend to remain suspended
in the atmosphere for long periods of time and will fallout relatively close to source. Dust fallout
can soil materials and generally degrade aesthetic elements of the environment and are
assessed for nuisance or amenity impacts. Nuisance dust impacts from the VS#6 are expected
to be limited to a small footprint in the vicinity of the shaft and largely contained within BHPBIC
land. The direction of the discharge away from the town of Douglas Park will further mitigate
against any potential impact.
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
31
9
CONSTRUCTION PHASE IMPACTS
9.1 Overview
Construction of the shaft will use a drilling technique known as “blind boring” which involves
drilling from the surface down to the required depth using a large diameter drill head. The drill
head is attached to a drill string that is rotated at the surface. The cutting head breaks the rock
into small pieces that are then transported by a compressed air induced vacuum and water to
the surface. At all times during the excavation of the shaft it is full of water.
The spoil or excavated material from the shaft drilling process will be captured in the form of
very wet slurry and pumped to the three process ponds for settlement and temporary storage.
The drilling process itself is therefore not expected to generate significant quantities of dust.
The process ponds will be regularly cleaned out with an excavator and the spoil material allowed
to dry in a designated shaft spoil drying area, before being placed in a spoil emplacement berm
or bund. Once construction is complete, the process ponds would be decommissioned and the
general construction area rehabilitated. The shaft spoil drying area would also not be required
and the disturbed area rehabilitated upon final placement of the spoil in the spoil emplacement
bund. The spoil emplacement bund would also be progressively rehabilitated and will be
replanted with pasture or native vegetation to provide a visual screening and/or noise barrier if
required. Shaft construction is anticipated to take 18 months to two years to complete.
An access route will also be constructed from Menangle Road, across BHPBIC land, to the site.
9.2 Construction Phase Emissions
Air quality impacts during the construction phase will be relatively short lived and are expected
to be easily controlled through commonly applied dust management measures.
The principal emissions from the construction phase of the project will be dust and particulate
matter, occurring from the following activities:

Vegetation clearing and earthmoving during site preparation and access road construction;

Excavation of process ponds and stockpiling of excavated material;

Handling of spoil material;

Movement of heavy plant and machinery within the site;

Graders / scrapers working access road construction; and

Wind erosion from exposed surfaces.
Emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulphur dioxide (SO2) will
occur from diesel-powered plant and equipment used on-site and vehicle movements to site.
However these emissions are typically minor for projects of this scale and too widely dispersed
to give rise to significant off-site concentrations.
Prior to construction, a Construction Phase Environmental Management Plan will be developed
which will include an Air Quality / Dust Management Sub Plan, to control emissions to air during
construction of VS#6. The Dust Management Plan will:

outline procedures for controlling / managing dust during operation of project;

define roles, responsibilities and reporting requirements;
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
32

outline the dust control inspection regime;

outline potential contingency measures for where standard dust control measures are
deemed ineffective.
Procedures for controlling dust impacts during construction will include, but not necessarily be
limited to the following:
9.2.1 Clearing / Excavation
Emissions from vegetation stripping, topsoil clearing and excavation can occur, particularly
during dry and windy conditions. Emissions can be effectively controlled by increasing the
moisture content of the soil / surface. Other controls that will be considered are:

Modify working practices by limiting excavation during periods of high winds.

Limiting the extent of clearing of vegetation and topsoil to the designated footprint required
for construction and appropriate staging of any clearing.
9.2.2 Access Route Construction
The use of earth moving equipment can be significant sources of dust, and emissions should be
controlled through the use of water sprays during road construction. Where conditions are
excessively dusty and windy, and fugitive dust can be seen leaving the site, work practices
should be modified by limiting scraper / grader activity close to residential areas. The majority
of the length of the access road is a considerable distance from occupied residential receivers,
with the closest section of the access route being approximately 200m to the closest occupied
residence. Given the temporary nature of the access route construction and implementation of
standard dust control measures, dust impacts are expected to be minor.
9.2.3 Haulage and Heavy Plant and Equipment
Vehicles travelling over paved or unpaved surfaces tend to produce wheel generated dust and
can result in dirt track-out on paved surfaces surrounding the work areas.

All vehicles on-site should be confined to a designated route with a speed limits enforced;

Trips and trip distances should be controlled and reduced where possible, for example by
coordinating delivery and removal of materials to avoid unnecessary trips;

Dirt that has been tracked onto sealed roads should be cleaned as soon as practicable;

When conditions are excessively dusty and windy, and dust can be seen leaving the works
site the use of a water truck (for water spraying of travel routes) should be used;

Seal the main access route to the shaft and service boreholes as soon as practical.
9.3 Wind Erosion
Wind erosion from exposed surfaces should be controlled as part of the best practice
environmental management of the site. Wind erosion from exposed ground should be limited
by avoiding unnecessary vegetation clearing and ensure rehabilitation occurs as quickly as
possible. Wind erosion from temporary stockpiles can be limited by minimising the number of
stockpiles on-site and minimising the number of work faces on stockpiles.
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
33
10 CONCLUSIONS
Modelling of particulate matter and odour emissions from the operation of the VS#6 indicates
the predicted odour concentrations within Douglas Park town are less than 2 OU, and at most
locations below 1 OU. The locations where peak odour concentrations of 3 OU are predicted,
occur are at elevated terrain to the north and west of the site that is sparsely populated.
The predicted PM10 concentrations at Douglas Park are less than 7 µg/m3 or 14% of the 24 hour
maximum air quality criteria. A cumulative assessment for PM10 shows the existing background
PM10 is the dominant contributor and the operation of VS#6 will add a small increment to
existing levels. The cumulative assessment for PM10 shows that the addition of VS#6 to the local
air shed which not cause any exceedance of the air assessment criteria. The modelling is based
on conservative emission rates, derived from concentrations of PM10 measured within an
existing return air panel at a distance of approximately 460 m during active longwall mining.
The modelled emission rates are more than double those measured at similar sites and
predictions presented in this report are likely to be higher than what would be expected during
normal operation of the VS#6.
The modelling has assumed that the VS#6 will exhaust upwards at an angle of 45 degrees. This
is a key design feature that will ensure the plume has initial momentum flux to aid dispersion of
odour and particulate.
A qualitative assessment of the chemical composition of mine ventilation air was also
undertaken, based on emissions data from other underground mining operations in the area
that mine the Bulli Seam. Existing data indicates that organic components of mine ventilation
air are generally less than the limit of detection. Gas samples analysed for other hydrocarbons
including methane, ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, butane and pentane, indicate very
low concentrations and would be many orders of magnitude below the relevant air quality goals.
An analysis of the metal composition of mine ventilation indicates that all concentrations are
well below the relevant air quality goals.
Air quality impacts during the construction phase are expected to be easily controlled through
commonly applied dust management measures, which will be outlined in the construction Dust
Management sub plan.
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
34
11 REFERENCES
ABS (2006) Australian Bureau of Statistics website - http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au.
BHPSteel (2003) “Air Quality Report – West Cliff Colliery Main Fan Ventilation Duct”, Air Quality
Laboratory Services BHP Steel, 26 March 2003.
BHP Billiton (2010) “Gas Analysis Report 1005127: Lodden A HDG Seal” BHPBilliton Illawarra
Coal Holdings, 20 May 2010.
BHP Billiton (2010a) “Gas Analysis Report 1004111: Gap- Behind T/G Brattice” BHPBilliton
Illawarra Coal Holdings, 20 April 2010.
BHP Billiton (2010b) “Gas Analysis Report 1004109: 5M OBYE T/G Brattice” BHPBilliton Illawarra
Coal Holdings, 20 April 2010.
EML (2005) “Dendrobium Mine Emission Testing Report – April 2005), EML Air Pty Ltd, 3 May
2005.
HAS (2006) “Air Quality Impact Assessment – Endeavour Project – West Cliff Colliery, Appin
NSW” Holmes Air Sciences, September 2006.
HAS (2008) “Air Quality Impact Assessment: Metropolitan Coal Project”, Holmes Air Sciences,
June 2008.
Hurley, P. J. (2002a). The Air Pollution Model (TAPM) version 2: user manual. Aspendale: CSIRO
Atmospheric Research. (CSIRO Atmospheric Research internal paper; 25). 38 p.
Hurley, P. J. (2002b). The Air Pollution Model (TAPM) version 2. part 1: technical description.
Aspendale: CSIRO Atmospheric Research. (CSIRO Atmospheric Research technical
paper; no.55). 49 p.
Luhar, A. K., and Hurley, P. J. (2003). Evaluation of TAPM, a prognostic meteorological and air
pollution model, using urban and rural point-source data. Atmospheric
Environment, 37 (20): 2795-2810.
NSW DEC (2005) “Approved Methods for the Modelling and Assessment of Air Pollutants in
NSW”, August 2005.
PAEHolmes (2009) “Air Quality Impact Assessment: Bulli Seam Operations”, 15 May 2009.
PAEHolmes (2009a) “Air Quality Impact Assessment Appin Mine Area 7 Goaf Gas Drainage
Project”, May 2009
POEO (2003) “Protection of the Environment Operations (Clean Air) Regulations”, 2003.
Scire, J.S., D.G. Strimaitis and R.J. Yamartino (2000). A User’s Guide for the CALPUFF
Dispersion Model (Version 5), Earth Tech, Inc., Concord, MA
SGS (2009) “Characterisation and Quantification of Components in Ventilation Air and Drain Gas
at West Cliff Colliery”, SGS Australia Pty Ltd, 10 March 2009.
TOU (2010) The Odour Unit “Odour Sample Measurement Results Panel Roster Number:
SYD20100618”, 22 June 2010.
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
35
TOU (2010a) The Odour Unit “Memorandum: Odour Character of Odour Samples Tested on
18/06/2010”, 29 June 2010.
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
36
APPENDIX A
Certificates of Analysis
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
A-1
3876_Illawarra_Coal_VS6_AQA_Final_20100809.docx
Air Quality Impact Assessment – BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal – Ventilation Shaft No.6 Project
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal | PAEHolmes Job 3876
A-2
THE ODOUR UNIT PTY LTD
Aust. Technology Park
Locomotive Workshop
Suite 16012
2 Locomotive Street
Eveleigh NSW 2015
Phone:
+61 2 9209 4420
Facsimile: +61 2 9209 4421
Email: tschulz@odourunit.com.au
Internet: www.odourunit.com.au
ABN: 53 091 165 061
Accreditation Number:
14974
Form 06 - Sydney Laboratory
Odour Concentration Measurement Results
This Document is Issued in Accordance with NATA’s Accreditation Requirements
The measurement was commissioned by:
Organisation PAEHolmes
Contact R. Kellaghan
Sampling Site Appin Ventilation Fan #3
Sampling Method Drum + pump
Order details:
Order requested by
Date of order
Order number
Signed by
Telephone
Facsimile
Email
Sampling Team
R. Kellaghan
15/06/2010
3876
Refer to email correspondence
Order accepted by
TOU Project #
Project Manager
Testing operator
(02) 9874-8644
(02) 9874-8904
ronan.kellaghan@paeholmes.com
TOU
A. Cantlay
N1596L
A. Cantlay
A. Schulz
Investigated Item
Odour concentration in odour units ‘ou’, determined by sensory odour concentration
measurements, of an odour sample supplied in a sampling bag.
Identification
The odour sample bags were labelled individually. Each label recorded the testing laboratory,
sample number, sampling location (or Identification), sampling date and time, dilution ratio (if
dilution was used) and whether further chemical analysis was required.
Method
The odour concentration measurements were performed using dynamic olfactometry
according to the Australian Standard ‘Determination of Odour Concentration by Dynamic
Olfactometry AS/NZS4323.3:2001. The odour perception characteristics of the panel within
the presentation series for the samples were analogous to that for butanol calibration. Any
deviation from the Australian standard is recorded in the ‘Comments’ section of this report.
Measuring Range
The measuring range of the olfactometer is 2 ≤ χ ≤ 2 ou. If the measuring range was
insufficient the odour samples will have been pre-diluted. The machine is not calibrated
17
beyond dilution setting 2 . This is specifically mentioned with the results.
Environment
The measurements were performed in an air- and odour-conditioned room. The room
o
o
temperature is maintained between 22 C and 25 C.
Measuring Dates
The date of each measurement is specified with the results.
Instrument Used
The olfactometer used during this testing session was:
ODORMAT SERIES V04
Instrumental
Precision
The precision of this instrument (expressed as repeatability) for a sensory calibration must be
r ≤ 0.477 in accordance with the Australian Standard AS/NZS4323.3:2001.
ODORMAT SERIES V04: r = 0.1439 (May/June 2010)
Compliance – Yes
Instrumental
Accuracy
The accuracy of this instrument for a sensory calibration must be A ≤ 0.217 in accordance
with the Australian Standard AS/NZS4323.3:2001.
ODORMAT SERIES V04: A = 0.2082 (May/June 2010)
Compliance – Yes
Lower Detection
Limit (LDL)
The LDL for the olfactometer has been determined to be 16 ou (4 times the lowest dilution
setting)
Traceability
The measurements have been performed using standards for which the traceability to the
national standard has been demonstrated. The assessors are individually selected to comply
with fixed criteria and are monitored in time to keep within the limits of the standard. The
results from the assessors are traceable to primary standards of n-butanol in nitrogen.
2
Date: Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Panel Roster Number: SYD20100618_054
T. Schulz
A. Cantlay
Managing Director
The Odour Unit Pty Ltd
ACN 091 165 061
Form 06 – Odour Concentration Results Sheet (V02)
18
Authorised Signatory
Issue Date: 13.11.2003
Issued By: SB
Last printed 6/22/2010 10:59:00 AM
Revision: 10
Revision Date: 10.03.2010
Approved By: TJS
1
THE ODOUR UNIT PTY LIMITED
Accreditation Number:
14974
Odour Sample Measurement Results
Panel Roster Number: SYD20100618_054
Sample Location
Appin Ventilation
Fan #3Fan #1
Appin Ventilation
Fan #3Fan #2
Note:
Valid
ITEs
Nominal
Sample
Dilution
Actual
Sample
Dilution
(Adjusted for
Temperature)
Sample Odour
Concentration
(as received,
in the bag)
(ou)
Sample Odour
Concentration
(Final, allowing
for dilution)
(ou)
Specific Odour
Emission Rate
3
2
(ou.m /m /s)
4
8
-
-
395
395
N/A
4
8
-
-
279
279
N/A
TOU
Sample
ID
Sampling
Date &
Time
Analysis
Date &
Time
Panel
Size
SC10401
18/06/2010
1149hrs
18/06/2010
1515hrs
SC10402
18/06/2010
1210hrs
18/06/2010
1546hrs
The following are not covered by the NATA Accreditation issued to The Odour Unit Pty.Ltd:
1. The collection of Isolation Flux Hood (IFH) samples and the calculation of the Specific Odour Emission Rate (SOER).
2. Final results that have been modified by the dilution factors where parties other than The Odour Unit Pty. Ltd. have performed the dilution of samples.
The Odour Unit Pty Ltd
ACN 091 165 061
Form 06 – Odour Concentration Results Sheet
Issue Date: 13.11.2003
Issued By: SB
Last printed 6/22/2010 10:59:00 AM
Revision: 10
Revision Date: 10.03.2010
Approved By: TJS
2
THE ODOUR UNIT PTY LIMITED
Accreditation Number:
14974
Odour Panel Calibration Results
Reference Odorant
Reference Odorant
Panel Roster
Number
Concentration of
Reference gas
(ppb)
Panel Target Range
for n-butanol
(ppb)
Measured
Concentration
(ou)
Measured
Panel Threshold
(ppb)
Does this panel
calibration
measurement
comply with
AS/NZS4323.3:2001
(Yes / No)
n-butanol
SYD20100618_054
49,900
20 ≤ χ ≤ 80
861
58
Yes
Comments
None.
Disclaimer
Parties, other than TOU, responsible for collecting odour samples hereby certify that they have voluntarily furnished these odour samples, appropriately collected and
labelled, to The Odour Unit Pty Limited for the purpose of odour testing. The collection of odour samples by parties other than The Odour Unit Pty Limited
relinquishes The Odour Unit Pty Limited from all responsibility for the sample collection and any effects or actions that the results from the test(s) may have.
Note
This report shall not be reproduced, except in full, without written approval of The Odour Unit Pty Limited.
END OF DOCUMENT
The Odour Unit Pty Ltd
ACN 091 165 061
Form 06 – Odour Concentration Results Sheet
Issue Date: 13.11.2003
Issued By: SB
Last printed 6/22/2010 10:59:00 AM
Revision: 10
Revision Date: 10.03.2010
Approved By: TJS
3
MEMORANDUM
TO: Ronan Kellaghan
COMPANY: PAEHolmes
CC:
FROM: Andrew Cantlay
DATE: 29th June, 2010
COMPANY: The Odour Unit
JOB NO: N1596L
NO OF PAGES:
1
Including cover sheet
REPLY REQUIRED
NO
NO
ORIGINAL TO FOLLOW
SUBJECT: ODOUR CHARACTER OF ODOUR SAMPLES TESTED ON 18/06/2010
Ronan,
Please find below the odour character for the samples that were analysed on 18/06/2010 at our
Sydney laboratory (Roster Number: SYD20100618_054).
TOU Sample ID
Sampling
Date & Time
Analysis
Date & Time
Odour Character
Appin Ventilation
Fan #3Fan #1
SC10401
18/06/2010
1149hrs
18/06/2010
1515hrs
Earthy
Appin Ventilation
Fan #3Fan #2
SC10402
18/06/2010
1210hrs
18/06/2010
1546hrs
Earthy
Sample Location
Kind Regards,
Andrew Cantlay
THE ODOUR UNIT PTY LTD
Australian Technology Park, Locomotive Workshop,
Suite 16003, 2 Locomotive St, Eveleigh NSW 2015.
(61 2) 9209 4420 Lab
(61 2) 9209 4421 Fax
Download