US Nitrogen Tests Inconclusive

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Recent tests performed on a Greene County chemical company's ammonia plants were inconclusive and further testing to ensure compliance with its permit limits on ammonia emissions are being planned.
That was the conclusion of a state environmental official after receiving the test results from US Nitrogen.
The details on the tests which were performed in mid-April at US Nitrogen's Midway facility were spelled out in a three-page letter sent today from Bryan Parker of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to Stephen Wallace of US Nitrogen.
According to Parker's letter the test results showed that nitrous oxide limits were met but ammonia slip or ammonia emissions were present.
The tests which were performed by AMP Cherokee Environmental Solutions measured emissions from US Nitrogen's two ammonia trains at four different production rates ranging from a zero ammonia production rate to 100 tons per day.
The tests, according to Parker's letter, "indicate ammonia slip did occur especially with Train One."
He noted that the test plans were amended in the course of the testing.
Acknowledging that US Nitrogen did meet the testing requirements in its permits, Parker said the ammonia injection rates were "inconclusive."
"US Nitrogen did not determine an ammonia injection rate per production rate and furthermore an emission rate was not established," the letter states.
Citing the test results, Parker wrote that "the conditions under which the tests were conducted "do not represent historic operation of the source."
"The division does not consider that the results of this testing (should) be utilized as a basis for calculating compliance with the yearly nitrous oxide and ammonia limits set forth" in US Nitrogen's permit.
Parker noted that the company already has submitted a proposed protocol for the additional testing and said TDEC was still reviewing it. The test has tentatively been scheduled for July 21.
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