US Nitrogen Changing Water Treatment

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

US Nitrogen is seeking state approval to try a series of different methods of treating the millions of gallons of water it takes from the Nolichucky River which will also affect the water the company discharges back into the Eastern Tennessee waterway.
In a 16-page submission to the state Department of Environment and Conservation the company has laid out four different scenarios "that will change the characteristics of the effluent discharged to the Nolichucky River."
According to the letter the possible use of alternatives surfaced as the company undertook an effort to avoid heavy algae growth which had surfaced in a series of holding ponds used in the manufacturing process.
The letter from Dylan Charles, US Nitrogen plant manager, to Vojin Janjic, TDEC permit manager, is dated May 13 but was not posted on the agency website until Friday.
"We have learned more about the quality of the incoming water and other factors affecting the overall water balance," Charles wrote in explaining the reason for the proposed changes.
As an example, he wrote, "we discovered the phosphorous content in our effluent holding ponds was rising more than anticipated and promoting algae growth."
Stating that US Nitrogen subsequently learned that one of the chemicals used in the treatment process contained phosphorous, Charles said the company learned of an alternative chemical, an organic acid, that does not contain phosphorous.
According to the letter, TDEC was informed of the switch to the acid and approved it.
Charles then described a series of alternative operating scenarios the company plans to use on a phased basis.
In one method zinc will be used in the treatment process, while in another zinc will not. With the use of zinc, Charles continued, phosphorous levels will be lower.
Under still another alternative the cycles in the cooling towers will be reduced. In the final alternative, according to the letter, a proprietary system would be employed that would "control the biological growth more efficiently without the addition of chlorides."
Stating that each of the scenarios are consistent with the de minimus intent of the company's original application, Charles said the company was seeking "the division's concurrence" in the effort.
Attached to the letter were a series of charts showing the projected effect of each scenario on the water being pumped back into the river.
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