US Nitrogen Seeks Permit Extension

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

US Nitrogen is asking Tennessee officials for a six month extension on a construction permit for a new carbon dioxide liquefaction facility that is slated for use by a separate company.
In a letter sent this week to an official of the state Department of Environment and Conservation, US Nitrogen Plant Manager Andrew Velo said that while the facility is "almost complete," additional time may be necessary. The current permit expires at the end of the calendar year.
Velo said that a startup is expected before Dec. 31 but additional time could be needed for start-up and to confirm operations are going as expected following start-up."
The liquefaction facility will be used by Praxair, a company that sells carbon dioxide to beverage and other users. The extension, if approved, would run till June 30 of next year.
The request is the second sought by US Nitrogen following a critical inspection report issued by TDEC officials. Earlier this week the company also sought a ninth amendment to a permit for a flare system used in the production of ammonium nitrate, the Greene County company's primary product.
The inspection report was the result of a nearly month-long on-site inspection of the Midway manufacturing operation.
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