EAC Site visit 7th April 7, 2021

The purpose of the visit was to determine the cause of high concentration of sodium and silicate deposit
on the ERC catalyst.

Fuel samples were examined on a previous sample and were found to have high levels of silicate and
sodium but although the levels were high, they could not explain the high levels of catalyst
contamination.

The procedure followed was to trace the possible contamination starting with the fuel oil tanks. Samples
of HFO were obtained from the upper and lower level of the feed tank as well as from the strainers of
the boiler feed pumps. These will be analyzed by an ISO 17025 laboratory.

Following the HFO sampling, we proceeded to the on-site offices of ERC where an explanation of the
process was given by Mr. Andre ??? The attached block flow diagram was provided and the and line-up
explained. The block flow diagram indicates the flows of fuel and air into the boiler system. The air
enters the boiler using a forced draft fan, however the air intake has no filtration in order to eliminate
any air born dust particles and salt aerosols (the plant is on the coast) from entering the system. Note
that older the air preheater (APH) elements were observed to be corroded. It would be worth examining
these for salt content. During the on-site visit of the ERC process, a possible sampling point to be used
for air analysis was located in order to quantify sodium and silicate contamination and ascertain
whether this is the possible ingress of the contaminants onto the catalysts.

The possibility that sodium as dissolved salt from the solution of urea was considered unlikely since this
is diluted with demineralized water and in any case, there are no soluble salts of silicon.

Another possibility for high concentration of these contaminants may be of slugs of water / emulsion
finding their way from the HFO feed tank into the boiler. This would imply improper tank drainage.
During our tank farm inspection, we observed that the HFO feed tank, the low point drain was open and
diverted to the emulsion pump and into another holding tank. Slugs of water are unlikely as these would
cause process upsets and these have not been reported by the EAC personnel.