Tuesday, May 22, 2018

USN Seeks Change at Treatment Plant


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Citing the growth of algae in effluent ponds, US Nitrogen is seeking state approval for a change in a a chemical used in its water treatment plant, part of its Greene County chemical manufacturing operation.
In a May 8 letter to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, US Nitrogen Plant Manager Andrew Velo wrote that the change was necessary to minimize the amount of phosphorous entering effluent ponds on the company's sprawling Midway site.
"As you know, the reason for this change is to minimize the amount of phosphorous entering US Nitrogen's effluent ponds," Velo wrote in the letter to Vojin Janic of TDEC.
He said the current level of phosphorous "appears to be adding to the growth of algae in the effluent ponds associated with the US Nitrogen IDB (Industrial Development Board of Greeneville and Greene County)water treatment plant.
Contending that the switch in chemicals would not be considered a significant change in the state's permit, Velo said,"It is US Nitrogen's opinion that NAICC-1611T is an acceptable substitute for PCT 191T which was evaluated as part of US Nitrogen's (NPDES) permit."
A data sheet on the proposed chemical substitute provided by the company to the state listed the acceptable limits of the new chemical in the effluent necessary to avoid an impact on various marine species such as silver side fish and fathead minnows.
The disclosure sheet also states that the proposed chemical can cause severe skin burns and eye damage to humans.
"If this product becomes waste, it could meet the criteria of a hazardous waste," the disclosure sheet states.
Velo's letter states that use of the new chemical was "necessary for effective and efficient production of process water from the raw water sourced from the Nolichucky River."
Monthly reports from US Nitrogen show that some 236 million gallons of water have been pumped from the river since March of 2016. The company uses the river water in the production of ammonium nitrate which is later used at another site in the production of explosives.
According to the letter "the expected residual concentration is expected to be approximately 15 parts per million" and include an organic acid blend containing poly-maleic acid, maleic acid and methyl butanedioic acid" with an ecological toxicity similar to or less than the currently used anti-scalant."
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

No comments:

Post a Comment