US Nitrogen Sets Compliance Tests

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

US Nitrogen has given state environmental officials 30 days notice of its plan to conduct tests to determine if its ammonium nitrate manufacturing facility is operating within the limits set in its state permits.
In a letter to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Stephen Wallace of US Nitrogen stated that the performance test will be performed on April 13 by a North Carolina firm, AMP-Cherokee Environmental Solutions.
In a 17-page attachment, the company gave details of how the test will be conducted on both of its ammonium train production units. Previously the company had indicated it might be testing only one of the two trains.
According to the protocol the tests will check the levels of carbon monoxide, ammonia and nitrous oxides emitted from the plants from start-up to full production to shutdown. US Nitrogen has experienced difficulties in prior start-ups.
The tests will also show whether the selective catalytic reduction mechanism is functioning properly. The SCR is designed to ensure emission limits for nitrous oxides are not exceeded.
Under its permit US Nitrogen is limited to producing 73 tons of anhydrous ammonia in any 12 month period.
According to the protocol the tests will establish a range of ammonia injection rates that will ensure that emissions do not exceed permit limits.