JUNE 2018

Air Quality Impact Assessments

Koppers Mayfield Plant
April 2018 Air Quality Assessment of the estimated emissions (whilst still maintaining a
reasonable degree of conservatism).
An air quality assessment completed in April 2018, found
that all theoretical predicted pollutant concentrations Samples were collected under a range of operational
were within the EPA criteria, with the exception of conditions, including while different plant activities were
benzene. This assessment involved modelling worst case, underway. The sampling program included testing of the
conservative emissions to allow the prediction of ground fume system for benzene concentration during transfers
level concentrations at and beyond the plant boundary. of various materials and at various flow rates, within the
These concentrations were provided as an initial, worst tar tank farm (the Tar Tank Farm fume system is the largest
case indication of benzene concentrations at or beyond the contributor of benzene to the air).
Koppers boundary. This emissions data was considered to be more accurate
The report on this modelling was provided to EPA which and representative of the actual site conditions. The data,
triggered the requirement for further investigations and along with updated flow rate data were used to undertake
modelling activities which have been discussed in the additional modelling.
following document. Modelling
EPA Response to the April 2018 Predicted The plant activities modelled included, Tar and Soft Pitch
ship unloading, production of various oils from distillation
Benzene Concentrations units into the tar tank farm and, tank-to-tank transfers of
Koppers facility was on a scheduled shut down when the April various materials, at diff erent flow rates. These operational
2018 report was submitted to EPA. Prior to being allowed to conditions were considered to be representative of the
restart after the scheduled shutdown, Koppers was required normal, fully operating plant conditions. These updated
to provide evidence to the EPA, that each proposed plant emissions data were used in the dispersion model which
activity would not lead to an exceedance of the EPA ground predicted benzene concentrations at or beyond the
level criteria for benzene concentration (i.e. 29 micrograms boundary, well below the EPA criteria of 29 μg/m3.
per cubic metre (μg/m3)), at or beyond the boundary. As
The EPA response
part of this requirement for demonstration of compliance, the
EPA placed restrictions on Koppers’ operations and required The EPA reviewed all reports submitted in May 2018 and
further independent testing, trials, simulations, and modelling, concluded that “the predicted impacts from these modelled
before some activities could be resumed. activities will not exceed relevant EPA ground level criteria
at or beyond the boundary, for benzene and other relevant
May 2018 Air Quality Testing & Assessment toxic air pollutants” (EPA letter 25/05/2018). The EPA
has now granted permission for the Mayfield plant to re-
Sampling and testing commence operations, with some precautionary conditions.
Additional, on-site sampling and testing was undertaken This includes monitoring benzene concentrations daily at
at the plant in early May 2018 to enable the refining of the the downwind plant boundary.
measured data and allow an improvement in the accuracy

F LEGEND
Benzene Concentration (ug/m3)
2.5 - 5 μg/m3
5 - 10 μg/m3
10 - 29 μg/m3
M CI > 29 μg/m3
TOURLE ST

N T OS
H DR
EPA criteria = 29 μg/m3
KopperV Plant Boundary

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About Koppers
Koppers Carbon Materials and Chemicals (Koppers)
processes Coal Tar, sourced from Australian steelworks
coke ovens, into Coal Tar Pitch, Carbon Black Feedstock
Oil, Naphthalene, and Creosote. This is done using two
distillation units, which separate the tar components by
differences in boiling point.
The main product Coal Tar Pitch, is an essential raw material
for Australian aluminium smelters.
The Mayfield Plant, located at 133 Woodstock Street,
Mayfield, was constructed in 1967 and began operating in
For more information:
1968. The plant was initially strategically located next to the
Newcastle Steelworks, which supplied raw material Coal Tar. VISIT: www.koppers.com.au
The plant is close to Newcastle Port and customer markets.
Contact Operations Manager Nick Moretti:
Koppers and the Environment P: 0412 194 597
Koppers is committed to pollution prevention, in order to E: morettin@koppers.com.au
preserve the environment for the heath, productivity and
enjoyment for future generations, and the protection of
people through the management of product, process and VERVIEW TAREE
other safety risks
Koppers takes seriously its responsibility to our local
community, employees, and the environment, to handle and
manage all products on site, in a safe and responsible manner.
Koppers holds an Environment Protection Licence (#2156)
NEWCASTLE
for the Mayfield plant operations and is regulated by the SITE LOCATION
New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
The Licence includes requirements for emissions testing
BATHURST GOSFORD
and emission limits, with results available on the Koppers
website www.koppers.com.au. Koppers also submits a
public annual return to the National Pollutant Inventory and, SYDNEY
complies with all other relevant Commonwealth and State
Government environmental reporting requirements.
Koppers is working with the EPA, to continually
improve environmental performance, by identifying and
implementing Pollution Reduction Programs (PRP’s). GOULBURN
Information on previous PRP’s is listed in the EPA Licence.
Recent significant programs include the reduction of odours
and other emissions from the Naphthalene Tank Farm, by
thermal destruction of fumes during plant operation and
nitrogen blanketing of product storage tanks.
Koppers is actively engaging with the EPA, other
Government Agencies, community groups, other relevant
key stakeholders and our neighbours, to provide information
and opportunities to ask questions about the air quality
assessments, undertaken at the Mayfield Plant.