This is similar to putting water on a hot pan at home. Plumes can sometimes be visible due to failed steam traps or leaks in the network. Just this week, a lawsuit involving 20 people was filed against Detroit Thermal, Detroit Renewable Energy, and Project Mist, claiming they were burned by the steam. One woman said steam from the manhole burned her son while at the Science Center in Downtown Detroit while he was walking across the street.
A man said he was injured in a hit-and-run accident and landed on a manhole cover. Last year, I asked Detroit Thermal is the steam is dangerous.
Here's what they said:. Health and safety are top priorities for Detroit Renewable Energy and we have hour crews monitoring the lines to ensure safe operations. While visible water vapor is often safe, steam can be hot to the touch, and we urge caution around any visible plumes. There have also been several instances of manhole covers blowing around Downtown Detroit in recent years, but some of those were blamed on cable failures. Hey, if you like this newsletter, let us know.
Similarly, water main or sewer leaks underground may provide the moisture needed to create the steam. However, sewer leaks can release gases along with moisture, so authorities will quickly fix these leaks.
Unfortunately, sometimes what may look like steam turns out to be smoke once you get a bit closer. Smoke may be coming from the sewers from fires inside nearby buildings or damaged electrical equipment stored underground. We only use parts and products from the brand names you trust.
Every job starts with an inspection of the affected area, so you receive the best solutions. Sometimes the steam can be a scenic addition to the Downtown area, but sometimes it can be hazardous to traffic and pedestrians. To get to the bottom of our steam questions, we went straight to the source: Detroit Thermal. Detroit Thermal operates a district energy network in the city, including almost 40 miles of underground steam pipes that provide service to many of Detroit's best known buildings, including Cobo Hall, the DMC and the Renaissance Center.
The steam provides cost-effective heating, hot water production, and absorption cooling services, and it supports additional manufacturing processes, according to Detroit Thermal. Steam is entirely contained underground in the extensive network; however, water vapor is sometimes visible at the street level for two reasons. It most commonly occurs as a result of other water sources, such as groundwater, coming in contact with the steam pipes.
This is similar to putting water on a hot pan at home. While Detroit is still the most densely populated area in the state, it does not produce enough waste to satisfy the demand of the incinerator, so Detroit Renewable Energy has expanded to further-reaching customers to maintain volumes that optimize efficiency. According to the East Michigan Environmental Action Council, Wayne County Solid Waste Authority statistics showed that in , the largest customer base was outside of the city — with some 66 percent of the waste burned coming from Oakland County and under 20 percent coming from Wayne County.
Another 4 percent came from Canada. While the customers for much of the waste disposal are regional and beyond, the environmental consequences are local. Detroit Renewable Power has invested millions of dollars to improve the facility, including an upgrade to emission controls. Still, the system emits regulated particulates such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, ammonia, nitrogen oxide, and mercury.
Adding insult to injury, service agreements with Detroit Renewable Power indicate the city pays higher rates to dispose of waste than the surrounding suburbs do. Many recyclable products are diverted to the incinerator as well. Zero Waste Detroit reports that one percent of our trash is recycled, while another 70 percent is incinerated. The State of Michigan further incentivizes this system by providing renewable energy credits for the electricity generated by the incinerator.
The operating permit for the incinerator expired in August of and is up for review. Operations continue under an extension. The next step is for The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to either approve or deny the permit application.
0コメント