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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCLE201500181 Certified Engineer's Report 2015-10-12September 28, 2018 Community Development Department Division of Zoning and Current Development 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, VA 22902 To the County Engineer: MadiDrop, PBC is a new company that manufactures and sells a novel point -of -use water treatment technology for the developing world. We are a public benefit company, so our primary mission is to improve water quality, human health, and quality of life for the world's poorest people. The product we plan to manufacture in Charlottesville is a silver -ceramic tablet that can be placed in a household water storage container. The tablet releases silver ions at a controlled rate. Silver is a highly effective disinfectant for waterborne pathogens. The silver -ceramic tablet is called the MadiDrop. Our production process will involve the use of clay, water, sawdust, and silver. Our manufacturing process will mix these ingredients, press the mixed material into the shape of a tablet, fire the tablets in kilns to form the ceramic media, and package the tablets for distributionlsale. Below is our Type 2 Certified Engineer's Report for our planned facility. I am a registered professional engineer in Virginia (VA 038938, license number 0402038938) in good standing. This report is based on addressing the performance standards of Zoning Ordinance Section 18-4.14: Hours of operation: Hours of operation are Monday -Friday 8:00am-6:00pm. MadiDrop PBC anticipates deliveries occurring during normal business hours with the majority being through standard FedEx. We would have an initial freight delivery containing equipment but do not expect to have freight deliveries more than 1-2 times per year. Shipments of outgoing product will occur not more than twice a month during normal business hours. Noise: Our operation will not create sound or impact noise levels in excess of the values specified in Section 4.14.1. Sources of noise will be truck deliveries of raw materials and operation of a hydraulic press to compact the tablets. The hydraulic press that will be used in manufacturing is an American Forge and Foundry 860sd 20 Ton Super Duty Shop Press with a decibel level of 75 which is below the OSHA Daily Permissible Noise Level Exposure reporting level of 90dB. This decibel level is equivalent to the noise produced by a washing machine. Vibration: Our two types of equipment are electric kilns and presses. Neither result in any significant vibration. Glare: Our manufacturing and packing process will be completely contained within the building. The interior lighting associated with our operations does not produce glare that is visible beyond the property boundaries. Heat: Our manufacturing process requires the use of electric kilns to form ceramic tablets. These kilns are typical of kilns used to fire ceramic artwork (pottery). All kilns are well -insulated, will be vented to the outside, and will be run in a temperature - controlled environment. Therefore, any temperature changes will be within the boundaries specified in Section 14.14.3(c). Untreated -kiln emissions Air Pollution: During the firing process, sawdust in our mix will combust and water will evaporate. Exhaust from each kiln will be vented outside the building to a height at least 1 m above the roofline. Based on our targeted annual production of MadiDrops, we anticipate combusting approximately 624 kg of sawdust per year, or 12 kg per week. Kiln combustion temperature will consistently reach 900 °C and will be performed under oxidizing conditions. This will result in efficient combustion of the sawdust to primarily carbon dioxide and water vapor. The weekly mass of sawdust that we will combust is comparable to the mass of wood that would be burned in a household fireplace operated for 4-8 hours per week. Because our wood is already in the form of sawdust, and since the combustion temperature is significantly higher than temperatures obtained in household fireplaces, the combustion will be more efficient and will introduce fewer particulates into the atmosphere. Given the relatively small mass of combusted sawdust per week and the non -hazardous nature of sawdust combustion, we do not plan to perform any treatment of kiln emissions. We will vent our kiln exhaust at a height of 1 m above the roofline of our facility. Below, we provide additional technical detail on emissions from wood combustion. Wood is approximately made up of 50% carbon, 6% hydrogen, and 44% oxygen. The remainder is inorganic ash. Softwoods tend toward higher carbon percentages and lower oxygen percentages. When completely combusted, about half the wood mass is converted to carbon dioxide and the other half to water vapor (Curkeet, 2011). In addition, trace hydrocarbons have been identified in firewood from a conifer pine and from two deciduous trees (oak and eucalyptus) as reported by Schauer et al. (2001). Levoglucosan was found to be the major constituent in the fine particulate emissions from these wood types, contributing 18-30% of the fine particulate organic compound emissions. Other constituents that were identified included 2-methoxyphenol and 2,6- dimethoxyphenol. The study notes that the production of benzene, ethene, and acetylene are small compared to emissions from motor vehicle tailpipe exhaust (Schauer et al. 2001). Other studies have reported on the release of trace amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (Kakareka et al., 2005; Zou et al. 2003). PAH emissions are primarily derived from domestic waste and wood waste combustion (Kakareka et al., 2005). Zou et al. (2003) studied PAH production from firewood combustion and noted that 90% of the PAHs released were in the gas phase, with the remaining 10% in the particulate phase. They also noted that by increasing availability of oxygen to the wood heater, the PAH emissions were reduced. In a similar vein, Bond et al. (2004) presented an analysis of the global inventory of black and organic carbon emissions and noted that low -technology combustion is the major component of emissions. Improved combustion methodologies, such as high-temperature combustion under oxidizing conditions greatly improves emission quality. Our production process will combust sawdust in a vented, oxidative environment at temperatures much higher than conventional wood -burning stoves and fireplaces. This is expected to significantly improve the emission quality. Use of electric kilns used to fire ceramic pottery is a common practice throughout the US. USEPA notes that kilns should be vented to the outdoors, and when properly ventilated, are safe to use (USEPA 2015). In our production process, we will use an integrated fan to bring air into the kiln and out the roof -top chimney. This will insure venting of all emissions to the outside and it will maintain oxidizing conditions during the combustion process. In summary, we will combust approximately 12 kg of sawdust per week as part of our manufacturing process. This quantify is less than what is typically combusted in a household fireplace over a 4-8 hour period. Because we will have an efficient combustion process (high temperature, uniform electric heating, and oxidative conditions) coupled with the use of sawdust instead of bulk firewood, our emission will be significantly cleaner than fireplace combustion sources. Furthermore, we will fully vent our kiln exhaust to a height of 1 m above the facility roofline. Water Pollution: The only chemical used at our tacility is silver nitrate. This is the most expensive ingredient of our product, so our production process is designed to eliminate any waste of this chemical. During the firing process, nitrate ions are combusted to form nitrogen gas (N2) and water vapor. Silver is reduced to metallic silver (Ago). This metallic silver in retained in our porous ceramic tablets. As part of quality control testing, we will periodically generate solutions of tap water containing silver ions at concentrations below the drinking water standard of 100 pg/L (typically 10-30 Ng/L). These solutions will be discarded into the sanitary sewer since silver concentrations do not exceed drinking water standards. We have operated a pilot production facility at the Observatory Hill Engineering Center at the University of Virginia for the past 2 years and have not generated any aqueous silver solutions at silver concentrations above the drinking water standard of 100 Ng/L. An Industrial Waste permit application was submitted to RWSA and the following communication was received from Stuart Wilson, the Industrial Waste Coordinator for RWSA: I have received the industrial waste discharge application for MadiDrop PBC, 1985 Snow Point Lane, Charlottesville, VA 22902. After reviewing the application with our Director of Operations, Wastewater Department Manager, and the Water Quality Specialist at the ACSA, we have come to the following conclusions; 1. The operations of the facility do not fall under any of the categories of 40 CFR Parts 400-699 involving the regulation of the discharge of industrial waste to the sanitary sewer or POTW, respectively owned by the ACSA and the RWSA; 2. The volume of the process wastewater (< 100 GPD) would have no impact on our operations; 3. The quality of the process water to be discharged is meant to be suitable for human consumption. Therefore we see no reason to issue an Industrial Waste Discharge Permit to MadiDrop PBC, and we have no objection to their discharge of sanitary and process wastewater to the sanitary sewer. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call me at 977-2970 x 113. Stuart Wilson Industrial Waste Coordinator, RWSA Radioactivity: Our operation does not require handling of any radioactive materials. There will be no radioactive emissions. Electrical Interference: The equipment in our facility will be simple die -injection molds with hydraulic presses and kilns. These items will not create any electrical interferences. Permits An application was submitted for an Industrial Waste permit, however, RWSA confirmed that a waste permit is not required given the quality of the water to be discharged to the sanitary sewer. No other permits are required at this time. References Bond, T. C., et al. (2004). "A technology-based global inventory of black and organic carbon emissions from combustion." Journal of Geophysical Research 109, DOI: 10.1029/2003J D003697. Curkeet, R. (2001) Wood Combustion Basics. Intertek 36 p. Kakareka, S. V., et al. (2005). "Study of PAH emission from the solid fuels combustion in residential furnaces." Environ Pollut 133(2): 383-387. Schauer, J. J., et al. (2001). "Measurement of emissions from air pollution sources. 3. C1 -C29 organic compounds from fireplace combustion of wood." Environ Sci Technol 35(9):1716-1728. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2015, Ceramic Kilns: http://www.epa.gov/region07/education resources/teachers/ehsstudy/ehsl 7.htm. Zou, L. Y., et al. (2003). "The characterisation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons emissions from burning of different firewood species in Australia." Environ Pollut 124(2): 283-289. Si rely, Jalues A. Smith, Ph. D., F.ASCE, P. E. Chief Scientist MadiDrop, PBC Application fo Zoning Clearance CLE # 0." OFFICE U E O Y PLEASE REVIEW ALL 3 SHEETS Check# Date: lReceipt# lel Cjti Staff: PARCEL INFORMATION Tax Map and Parcel: 09000-00-00-03500 Parcel Owner: RDPD.LLC Parcel Address: 1985 SNOW POINTE LA (include suite or floor) Existing Zoning LIGHT INDUSTRIAL City CHARLOTTESVILLE State VA PRIMARY CONTACT Who should we calllwrite concerning this project? BILL HOWARD Address: 300 PRESTON AVENUE SUITE 300 City CHARLOTTESVILLE State VA. Zip 22903 Zip 22902 Office Phone: L_) Cell # 434-906-1240 Fax # 434-817-1240 E-mail bill.howard@re3cp.com APPLICANT INFORMATION Check anv that apply: Change of ownership X Change of use X Change of name X New business I Business Name/Type: MADIDROP Previous Business on this site FINE CONCRETE Describe the proposed business including use, number of employees, number of shifts, available parking spaces, number of vehicles, and any additional information that you can provide: MadiDrop PBC manufactures ceramic water purification tablets. Raw materials (clay, sawdust, water and silver) are mixed, pressed and fired in a kiln. Tablets are packaged in boxes and stored for shipment. Madrorop has_ employees, working between hours of 9am-6pm, Mon -Sat. Approximately 3-4 vehicles will utilize the parking lot. *This Clearance will only be valid on the parcel for which it is approved. If you change, intensify or move the use to a new location, a new Zoning Clearance will be required. I hereby certify that I own or have the owner's permission to use the space indicated on this application. I also certify that the information provided is true and accuratea best of my ledge. I hav read the conditions of approval, and I understand them, and that I will abide by them. Signature �rf Printed BILL HOWARD APPROVAL INFORMATION [ ] Approved as proposed [ ] Approved with conditions [ ] Denied [ ] Backflow prevention device and/or current test data needed for this site. Contact ACSA, 977-4511, x117. [ ] No physical site inspection has been done for this clearance. Therefore, it is not a determination of compliance with the existing site plan. [ ] This site complies with the site plan as of this date. Notes: Building Official Zoning Official 1 Other Official y Date Date Date County of Albemarle Department of Community Development 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, VA 22902 Voice: (434) 296-5832 Fax: (434) 972-4126 Revised 7/1/2011 Page 2 of Intake to complete the following: YIN Is use in LI, HI or PDIP zoning? If so, give applicant a Certified Engineer's Report (CER) packet. YIN Will there be food preparation? If so, give applicant a Health Department form. Zoning review can not begin until we receive approval from Health Dept. FAX DATE Circle the one that applies Is parcel on private well or public water? if private well, provide Health Department form. Zoning review can not begin until we receive approval from Health Dept. FAX DATE Circle the one that applies Is parcel on septic or public sewer? YIN Will you be putting up a new sign of any kind? If so, obtain proper Sign permit. Permit # YIN Will there be any new construction or renovations? If so, obtain the proper Permit. Permit # 7.nniner fn rmmnlata the fnllnwino. Reviewer to complete thefollowing: /(0.20 Square footage of Use: YIN Permitted as: Under Section: Supplementary regulations section: Parking formula: Required spaces: YIN items to be verified in the field: Inspector Notes: Date: Violations: - YIN If so, List: Proffers: YIN If so, List: Variance: YIN If so, List: SP's: YIN If so, List: Clearances: SDP's Revised 7/1/2011 Page 3 of 3 CERTIFICATION THAT NOTICE OF THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO THE LANDOWNER This form must accompany zoning applications (Home Occupation, Zoning Clearance, Zoning Administrator Determinations or Appeals, Sign Permits, Building Permits) if the application is not the owner. I certify that notice of the application, ZONING CLEARANCE [County application name and number] was provided to RDPD,LLC the owner of record of Tax Map [name(s) of the record owners of the parcel] and Parcel Number 09000-00-00-03500 manner identified below: by delivering a copy of the application in the X Hand delivering a copy of the application to DUANE SNOW (RDPD,LLC [Name of the record owner if the record owner is a person; if the owner of record is an entity, identify the recipient of the record and the recipient's title or office for that entity] on 8-12-2015 Date Mailing a copy of the application to [Name of the record owner if the record owner is a person; if the owner of record is an entity, identify the recipient of the record and the recipient's title or office for that entity] on Date to the following address: [address; written notice mailed to the owner at the last known address of the owner as shown on the current real estate tax assessment books or current real estate tax assessment records satisfies this requirement]. Signature of Applicant Print Applicant Name Date �r 4i COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Department of Community Development 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22902-4596 Phone (434) 296-5832 Fax (434) 972-4126 MEMORANDUM TO: Zoning Clearance or Hom a Occupation Applicant FROM: Zoning Division RE: Request for Approval of Letter of Performance Standards or Certified Engineer's Report Proposed B usiness/Use: /J1 A d r ID R P Address: I �S5 �i�to �OI iK {oq Re CLE (Zoning Clearance Number): HO (Home Occupation Number):_ Contact Person: Phone Number: 431- ��� - l Z V D Fax Number:491-4 17- 1Z Mate Faxed to Applicant: Please return this form along with all required documentation to the Zoning Division upon completion. Thank you. T.ri rv.t (��f 11271 � f11`S: CER Packet Revised 2119109 Certified Engineer's Reports According to Zoning Ordinance section 18-4.14.8, Albemarle County requires a certified engineer's report prior to issuing a zoning compliance clearance or home occupation permit for uses of an industrial character. The certified engineer's report must be reviewed by the County Engineer (or designee). A certified engineers report shall consist of; Type 1: For uses which will have no discharge, noise, vibration, smell, lighting, emissions, impulses or radiation beyond a normal office or residential use, and will not store any hazardous materials, a letter from the owner with the following information will suffice as a certified engineer's report; 1. a description of the business and the physical process involved. 2. a description of any machinery and operations. 3. a statement or explanation for meeting each of the performance standards of section 18-4.14; noise, vibration, glare, air pollution, water pollution, radioactivity, electrical interference. Examples of type 1 uses might be offices or warehouse storage of clothes or home occupations for wood workers. An example letter is available. Type 2: For uses which will have any discharge, noise, vibration, smell, lighting, emission, impulse or radiation which might reasonable be expected to exceed the performance standards of 18-4.14.4 at any time, or which have any permit requirements from DEQ, EPA, Health Department or other local, state or federal agency, a full certified engineers report is required. This report must contain a signed and dated seal from a professional engineer. It must contain copies of any local, state or federal permits. it must contain plans and descriptions of physical and operational measures to meet all of the performance standards, with actual supporting measurements and data where applicable. Examples of type 2 uses might be a contractor's office and storage yard or equipment repair shop, or a manufacturer of electrical components. CER Packet Revised 2111109 4.14 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS No use shall hereafter be established or conducted in any industrial district in any manner in violation of the following standards of performance: 4.14.1 NOISE All sources of noise (except those not under direct control of occupant of use, such as vehicles) shall be subject to and comply with section 4.1B. (§ 4.14-12-10-80; Ord. 00-16(3), 6-14-00) 4.14.1.1 (Repealed 6-14-00) 4.14.1.2 (Repealed 6-14-00) 4.14.2 VIBRATION The produce of displacement in inches times the frequency in cycles per second of earthborne vibrations from any activity shall not exceed the values specified below when measured at the points indicated. 4.14.2.1 METHOD OF MEASUREMENT Earthbome vibrations shall be measured by means of a three component recording system, capable of measuring vibration in three mutually perpendicular directions. The displacement shall be the maximum instantaneous vector sum of the amplitude in the three directions. 4.14.2.2 MEANING OF TERMS Vibrations means the periodic displacement of oscillation of the earth. Area of Measurement Type of vibration At residential district boundaries At other lot lines within district Continuous .00 .015 Impulsive (100 per 006 .030 Minute or less) Less than 8 pulses .015 .075 per 24 hours 4.14.3 GLARE No direct or sky reflected glare, whether from flood lights or from high temperature processes such as combustion, welding or otherwise, so as to be visible beyond the lot line, shall be permitted except for signs, parking lot lighting and other lighting permitted by this ordinance or required by any other applicable regulation, ordinance or law. However, in the case of any operation which would affect adversely the navigation or control of aircraft, the current regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration shall apply. CER Packet Revised 2111109 4.14.4 AIR POLLUTION Rules of the State Air Pollution Control Hoard shall apply within Albemarle County. Such rules and regulations include coverage of: emission of smoke and other emissions from stationary sources; particulate matter; odor; particulate emission from indirect heating furnaces; open burning; incinerators; and gaseous pollutants. 4.14.5 WATER POLLUTION Rules of the State Water Control Board shall apply within Albemarle County. 4.14.6 RADIOACTIVITY There shall be no radioactivity emission which would be dangerous to the health and safety of persons on or beyond the premises where such radioactive material is used. Determination of existence of such danger and the handling of radioactive materials, the discharge of such materials into the atmosphere and streams and other water, and the disposal of radioactive wastes shall be by reference to and in accordance with applicable current regulations of the Department of Energy, and in the case of items which would affect aircraft navigation or the control thereof, by applicable current regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration, and any applicable laws enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia or the requirements of the Virginia Air Pollution Act, whichever is greater. 4.14.7 ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE There shall be no electrical disturbance emanating from any lot which would adversely affect the operation of any equipment on any other lot or premises and in the case of any operation which would affect adversely the navigation or control of aircraft, the current regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration shall apply. 4.14.8 CERTIFIED ENGINEER REPORT SUBMITTAL Each future occupant of an industrial character shall submit to the county engineer as precedent to issuance of a zoning compliance clearance a certified engineer's report describing the proposed operation, all machines, processes, products and by-products, stating the nature and expected levels of emission or discharge to land, air and/or water or liquid, solid or gaseous effluent and electrical impulses and noise under normal operations, and the specifications of treatment methods and mechanisms to be used to control such emission or discharge. The county engineer shall review the applicant's submittal and make comment and recommendation prior to final commission action on the site development plan. (Amended 9-9-92) CER Packet Revised 2/11109 August 31, 2015 Community Development Department Division of Zoning and Current Development 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, VA 22902 To the County Engineer: MadiDrop, PBC is a new company that manutactures and sells a novel point-ot-use water treatment technology for the developing world. We are a public benefit company, so our primary mission is to improve water quality, human health, and quality of life for the world's poorest people. The product we plan to manufacture in Charlottesville is a silver -ceramic tablet that can be placed in a household water storage container. The tablet releases silver ions at a controlled rate. Silver is a highly effective disinfectant for waterborne pathogens. The silver -ceramic tablet is called the MadiDrop. Our production process will involve the use of clay, water, sawdust, and silver. Our manufacturing process will mix these ingredients, press the mixed material into the shape of a tablet, fire the tablets in kilns to form the ceramic media, and package the tablets for distribution/ sale. Below is our Type 2 Certified Engineer's Report for our planned facility. I am a registered professional engineer in Virginia (VA 038938, license number 0402038938) in good standing. This report is based on addressing the performance standards of Zoning Ordinance Section 18-4.14: Noise: Our operation will not create sound or impact noise levels in excess of the values specified in Section 4.14.1. Major sources of noise will be truck deliveries of clay and sawdust and operation of hydraulic presses to compact the tablets. Vibration: Our two types of equipment are electric kilns and presses. Neither result in any significant vibration. Glare: Our manufacturing and packing process will be completely contained within the building. The interior lighting associated with our operations does not produce glare that is visible beyond the property boundaries. Heat: Our manufacturing process requires the use of electric kilns to form ceramic tablets. These kilns are typical of kilns used to fire ceramic artwork (pottery). All kilns are well -insulated, will be vented to the outside, and will be run in a temperature -controlled environment. Therefore, any temperature changes will be within the boundaries specified in Section 14.14.3(c). Air Pollution: During the firing process, sawdust in our mix will combust and water will evaporate. Exhaust from each kiln will be vented outside the building to a height at least 1 m above the roofline. Based on our targeted annual production MadiDrops, we anticipate combusting approximately 2000 kg of sawdust per year, or 39 kg per week. Kiln combustion temperature will consistently reach 900 °C which will results in complete combustion of the sawdust to carbon dioxide and water vapor. Given the relatively small mass of combusted sawdust per week and the non -hazardous nature of sawdust, we do not plan to perform any treatment of kiln emissions. Water Pollution: The only chemical used at our facility is silver nitrate. This is the most expensive ingredient of our product, so our production process is designed to eliminate any waste of this chemical. During the firing process, nitrate ions are combusted to form nitrogen gas (N2) and water vapor. Silver is reduced to metallic silver (AgO). This metallic silver in retained in our porous ceramic tablets. As part of quality control testing, we will periodically generate solutions of tap water containing silver ions at concentrations below the drinking water standard of 100 pg/L (typically 10-30 Ng/L). These solutions will be discarded into the sanitary sewer since silver concentrations do not exceed drinking water standards. We have operated a pilot production facility at the Observatory Hill Engineering Center at the University of Virginia for the past 2 years and have not generated any aqueous silver solutions at silver concentrations above the drinking water standard of 100 fig/L. Radioactivity: Our operation does not require handling of any radioactive materials. There will be no radioactive emissions. Electrical Interference: The equipment in our facility will be simple die -injection molds with hydraulic presses and kilns. These items will not create any electrical interferences. Sincerely, MadiDrop, PBC kSCE, P.E. 10/1212015 License Lookup: License Search Results DPOR License Lookup License Number 0402038938 License Details Name SMITH, JAMES ALBERT License Number 0402038938 License Description Rank Address Initial Certification Date Expiration Date Professional Engineer License Professional Engineer CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA 22911 2004-01-07 2016-01-31 The data located on this website are not the public records of the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). All public records are physically located at DPOR's Public Records Section: 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400, Richmond, VA 23233. While DPOR works to ensure the accuracy of the data provided online, the data available on these pages are updated routinely but may not be up to date at all times (due to document processing delays, technical maintenance, etc.). DPOR assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the information provided or for any reliance on data provided online. While DPOR has attempted to ensure that the data contained herein are accurate and reflect the status of its regulants, DPOR makes no warranties, expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of this data. If discrepancies or errors are discovered, please inform DPOR so that appropriate action may be taken. The license information in this application was last updated at Mon Oct 12 02:50:18 EDT. The disciplinary action information in this application was last updated at Mon Oct 12 02:50:18 EDT. DPOR License Lookup build 1,160 (built 2015-10-06 09:58:05). http://dporweb.dpor.virginia.gov/UcenseLookup/LicenseDetail 111