USN Tank to Hold 52,000 Gallons of Toxic Liquid

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

US Nitrogen has filed notice with Tennessee officials that it is installing a 52,000 gallon tank which will emit under five tons of ammonia vapors per year to the atmosphere.
The notice was filed Wednesday with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. According to the filing the tank will be used to store aqua ammonia  also known as ammonium hydroxide. According to the notice some two million gallons of ammonium hydroxide will pass through the storage tank in the course of a year.
Ammonium hydroxide is classified as a highly toxic hazardous substance. Environmental officials state that the chemical can "severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes." It can also cause damage if inhaled.
Citing a formula set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Velo said that the annual ammonia emissions from the tank are expected to be 2.4 tons.
"The tank will be at ambient temperature and will be vented to the atmosphere," the letter from Velo to TDEC Director Michelle W. Owenby states
Velo said that by keeping emissions below five tons the agency should treat the tank as as an "insignificant" source thus exempting the company from the requirement to obtain a state permit.
"We believe the tank would qualify as an insignificant emissions unit and ..(it) does not require an air permit," Velo wrote.
The tank will be located near the company's facility in Midway.
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