PRETREATMENT RATIONALE FOR RENEWAL with MODIFICATION

First Chemical LLC dba Oleo-X
Jackson County
Pascagoula, MS
Water I Branch

MSP090360
SIC: 2075, 2076, 2077, 2079
March 29, 2023
Permit Engineer: Tracy Tomkins

I.	FACILITY INFORMATION

A.	Nature of Business:  Soybean, animal fats and other vegetable oil processing. Oleo-X developed a process to remove contaminants from renewable feedstocks. The product is decanted, water washed (with strong acids and bases to react with certain compounds), chelated, centrifuged, vacuum dried, and filtered with the assistance of a bleaching earth. The finished product will be a deep degummed and super-bleached renewable diesel plant feedstock.

B.	Process Wastewater Description and Proposed Flowrate: 
(1)	Process Wastewater is generated by the decanting, centrifuging, and water washing steps of the process – 0.200 MGD
(2)	Sanitary Wastewater – 0.002 MGD
(3)	Groundwater Recovery System Wastewater – 0.002 MGD
(4)	Stormwater from Process Area #6 Pad and blowdown from Reverse Osmosis System – 0.360 MGD
(5)	Non-contact Wastewater (boiler blowdown and non-contact cooling water) – 0.036 MGD 

C.	Wastewater Treatment: Process wastewater from the processing of soybean oil and stormwater from Area #6 will be collected in a holding tank and treated with bleach and coagulants, routed through a dissolved air flotation (DAF) tank, then to carbon beds, blended with sanitary and other non-contact wastewater, then to the Final Effluent Holding Tank. Groundwater is routed to a holding tank, then through an air stripper and dual activated carbon beds before discharging into the Final Effluent Holding Tank. 

D.	Applicable Federal Guidelines:  40 CFR Part 403 (General Pretreatment Regulations).

II.	RECEIVING POTW INFORMATION

A.	POTW and Permit Number:  Jackson County Utility Authority, POTW 7C MS0020249 (AI – 13275)
B.	POTW Treatment Type:  Activated Sludge
C.	POTW Design Flowrate:  10 MGD
D.	POTW Receiving Stream:  Pascagoula River (tidally influenced with a classified use of fish and wildlife)
E.	POTW Receiving Stream 7Q10 (Q7/10):  A dilution of one (1) part effluent to twelve (12) parts receiving waterbody was determined based on EPA’s CORMIX model (IWC – 7.69%)
III.	PERTINENT FLOWRATE AND LOADING DATA

A.	POTW 12-month Average Flowrate (QPOTW):

Month	Average Flow (MGD)	
January 2022	3.37	
February 2022	4.18	
March 2022	4.15	
April 2022	4.24	
May 2022	3.94	
June 2022	3.41	
July 2022	4.36	
August 2022	7.31	
September 2022	3.9	
October 2022	3.0	
November 2022	3.5	
December 2022	4.47	
		
Average	4.15	

B.	Industrial Facilities Flowrate Data:  

Facility	Permitted Flow (MGD)	QINDUSTRIAL (MGD)	
First Chemical LLC dba Oleo-X  (AI – 1477)	0.600 (Proposed)	0.600 (Proposed)	

C.	Current Maximum Permitted Loads (Xta):

Parameter	First Chemical (lb/day)	Xtat 
(lb/day)	
Zinc	15.8	15.8	
Cyanide, Total	--	--	
Cyanide, Free	Report	--	
Phenol	35.0	35.0	
Benzene	0.486	0.486	
Toluene	0.268	0.268	
2-Nitrophenol	0.838	0.838	
4-Nitrophenol	2.09	2.09	
Bis (2-Ethyhexyl) Pthalate	0.936	0.936	
Nitrobenzene	23.2	23.2	
Chlorobenzene	1.38	1.38	

D.	Maximum 30-day Average Discharge Value (Xt) using the most recent 6 months of DMR data:

Parameter	First Chemical LLC dba Oleo-X (lb/day)	Xtt
(lb/day)	
Zinc	0.572 (August 2022 DMR)	0.572	
Cyanide, Total	--	--	
Cyanide, Free	0.034 (December 2022 DMR	0.034	
Phenol	0.00063 (November 2022 DMR)	0.00063	
Benzene	0.00231 (August 2022 DMR)	0.00231	
Toluene	0.0092 (August 2022 DMR)	0.0092	
2-Nitrophenol	Non-Detect	--	
4-Nitrophenol	Non-Detect	--	
Bis (2-Ethyhexyl) Pthalate	Non-Detect	--	
Nitrobenzene	0.006 (August 2022 DMR)	0.006	
Chlorobenzene	0.00061 (November 2022 DMR)	0.00061	

E.	Data Received 02/08/2023 grab sample from 2 process wastewater tanks:

Parameter	Highest Concentration (mg/L)	Load using 0.200 MGD Flow (lb/day)	
Arsenic	0.164	0.274	
Cadmium	0.00113	0.002	
Chromium	0.0183	0.031	
Copper	0.0294	0.049	
Lead	0.0274	0.046	
Nickel	0.110	0.183	
Titanium	0.0828	0.138	
Zinc	1.12	1.868	
Chloroethane	0.4	0.667	
Chloroform	0.132	0.220	
Methyl Chloride	1.81	3.02	
Methylene Chloride	0.0139	0.023	

IV.	BACKGROUND/DOMESTIC LOADING CALCULATIONS

Background Loading (BGL), lb/d = 8.34 x BGC(mg/L)(1) x (QPOTW - QINDUSTRIAL(2))(MGD)

Parameter	BGC(mg/L)	QPOTW (MGD)	QINDUSTRIAL (MGD)	BGL (lb/day)	
Zinc	0.231	4.15	0.600	6.84	
Cyanide	0.082	4.15	0.600	2.43	
Phenol	0.000025	4.15	0.600	0.0007	
Bis (2-ethylhexyl) Pthalate	0.006	4.15	0.600	0.18	
Arsenic	0.007	        4.15	0.600	0.207	
Cadmium	0.008	4.15	0.600	0.237	
Chromium	0.006	4.15	0.600	0.178	
Copper	0.14	4.15	0.600	4.145	
Lead	0.058	4.15	0.600	1.717	
Nickel	0.047	4.15	0.600	1.391	
Chloroform	0.009	4.15	0.600	2.664	
Methylene Chloride	0.027	4.15	0.600	0.799	

*For benzene, toluene, 2-nitrophenol, 4-nitrophenol, nitrobenzene, chlorobenzene, titanium, chloroethane, and methyl chloride, there is no data available as these are not expected to be present in significant amounts in domestic wastewater.

1 BGC = Background concentration of domestic sewage; literature values from Appendix V of EPA’s Local Limits Development Guidance (EPA 833-R-04-002A, July 2004) for those pollutants with insufficient data. 

2 QINDUSTRIAL = QW1 + QW2 + …
where QW is the largest average flowrate from the DMR over the last twelve months.  (Maximum daily flow data may be used when monthly average data is not available.)

V.	WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS

A.	Instream Wastewater Concentration(1)

IWC, % = QPOTW / (QPOTW + Q7/10) x 100

	IWC – 1/(1+12)*100 = 7.69% (based on CORMIX Model)

B.	Allowable Water Quality Criteria (AWQC) Headworks Loading Calculations

AWQC, lb/day = 8.34 x CCRITICAL(mg/L)(2) x (Q7/10 + QPOTW, MGD) / (1 – RPOTW(3))

Parameter	Cacute (mg/L)	Cchronic (mg/L)	RPOTW (%)	AWQCacute (lb/day)	AWQCchronic (lb/day)	
Zinc	0.09	0.081	79	192.83	173.55	
Cyanide, Free	0.001	0.001	69	1.45	1.45	
Phenol	0.3	0.058	90	1349.83	260.97	
Arsenic	0.069	0.036	45	56.45	29.45	
Cadmium	0.040	0.0088	67	54.54	12.00	
Copper	0.0048	0.0031	86	15.43	9.96	
Lead	0.210	0.0081	61	242.28	9.34	
Nickel	0.075	0.0083	42	58.18	6.44	

*Chromium, benzene, toluene, 2-nitrophenol, 4-nitrophenol, bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, nitrobenzene, chlorobenzene, titanium, chloroethane, chloroform, methyl chloride, methylene chloride, have no acute or chronic saltwater water quality criteria.

1 If IWC ≤ 1%, only an acute screening is developed.  If IWC > 1%, an acute and chronic screening are developed.

2 CCRITICAL = State of Mississippi Water Quality Criteria (adopted October 24, 2002) or EPA Water Quality Criteria, if there is no state criteria.

3 RPOTW = Removal efficiency, in decimal form, from Appendix R of EPA’s Local Limits Development Guidance (EPA 833-R-04-002A, July 2004). 

VI.	POTW INHIBITION ANALYSIS (HEADWORKS INHIBITION, HWI)

HWI, lb/day = 8.34 x QPOTW(MGD) x CINH(mg/L)(1)

Parameter	QPOTW (MGD)	CInh (mg/L)	HWI (lb/day)	
Zinc	4.15	1	34.61	
Cyanide, Total	4.15	5	173.06	
Phenol	4.15	50	1730.55	
Benzene	4.15	100	3461.1	
Toluene	4.15	200	6922.2	
Nitrobenzene	4.15	30	1038.33	
Arsenic	4.15	0.1	3.461	
Cadmium	4.15	1	34.61	
Chromium	4.15	1	34.61	
Copper	4.15	1	34.61	
Lead	4.15	1	34.61	
Nickel	4.15	1	34.61	

1 CINH = Activated Sludge Inhibition Threshold Levels, from Appendix G of EPA’s Local Limits Development Guidance (EPA 833-R-04-002A, July 2004), or other appropriate inhibition study data.
I.	
VII.	LIMITING CASE (LC) SUMMARY TABLE

Parameter	HWI (lb/day)	Acute AWQC (lb/day)	Chronic AWQC (lb/day)	LC (lb/day)	BGL (lb/day)	Xtat (lb/day)	Xtt (lb/day)	BGL < LC (Pass/Fail)	Xtat < LC (Pass/Fail)	Xtt < LC (Pass/Fail)	
Zinc	34.61	192.83	173.55	34.61	6.84	15.8	2.44	Pass	Pass	Pass	
Cyanide, Total	173.06	--	--	173.06	2.43	--	--	Pass	--	--	
Cyanide, Free	--	1.45	1.45	1.45	--	--	0.034	--	--	Pass	
Phenol	1730.55	1349.83	260.97	260.97	0.0007	35.0	0.00063	Pass	Pass	Pass	
Benzene	3461.1	--	--	3461.1	--	0.486	0.00231	--	Pass	Pass	
Toluene	6922.2	--	--	6922.2	--	0.268	0.0092	--	Pass	Pass	
2-Nitrophenol	--	--	--	--	--	0.838	--	--	--	--	
4-Nitrophenol	--	--	--	--	--	2.09	--	--	--	--	
Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate	--	--	--	--	0.18	0.936	--	--	--	--	
Nitrobenzene	1038.33	--	--	1038.33	--	23.2	0.006	--	Pass	Pass	
Chlorobenzene	--	--	--	--	--	1.38	0.00061	--	--	--	
Arsenic	3.46	56.45	29.45	3.46	0.207		0.274	Pass	--	Pass	
Cadmium	34.61	54.54	12.00	12.00	0.237		0.002	Pass	--	Pass	
Chromium	34.61	--	--	34.61	0.178		0.031	Pass	--	Pass	
Copper	34.61	15.43	9.96	9.96	4.145		0.049	Pass	--	Pass	
Lead	34.61	242.28	9.34	9.34	1.717		0.046	Pass	--	Pass	
Nickel	34.61	58.18	6.44	6.44	1.391		0.183	Pass	--	Pass	

VIII.	DEVELOPMENT OF ALLOWABLE CONCENTRATIONS

The remaining industrial wasteload allocation will be used in calculating allowable acute and chronic concentrations using the “Industrial User (IU) Contributory Flow” method as described in EPA’s Local Limits Development Guidance (EPA 833-R-04-002A, July 2004).

PAI, lb/day = (LC, lb/day – BGL, lb/day) (QI, MGD / QT, MGD)

CALLOW, mg/L = (PAI, lb/day) / (8.34 x QI, MGD)

Where,
PAI 	=	Permit allocation for indirect discharger
CALLOW=	Allowable concentration for indirect discharger
QI	=	Applicant’s permitted process discharge 
QT	=	Total industrial contributory flow for pertinent pollutants
LC	=	Limiting case loading
BGL	=	Background/domestic loading

QI 	=	0.600 MGD for all pollutants currently permitted
QI	=	0.200 MGD for the pollutants from recent data
QT	=	0.600 MGD, there are no other permitted facilities 

Parameter	LCacute (lb/day)	LCchronic (lb/day)	BGL (lb/day)	Pacute (lb/day)	Cacute (mg/L)	Pchronic (lb/day)	Cchronic (mg/L)	
Zinc	34.61	34.61	6.84	27.77	5.55	27.77	5.55	
Cyanide, Total	173.06	173.06	2.43	170.63	34.10	170.63	34.10	
Cyanide, Free	1.45	1.45		1.45	0.29	1.45	0.29	
Phenol	1349.83	260.97	0.007	1349.82	269.75	260.96	52.15	
Benzene	3461.1	3461.1		3461.1	691.67	3461.1	691.67	
Toluene	6922.2	6922.2		6922.2	1383.33	6922.2	1383.33	
Nitrobenzene	1038.33	1038.33		1038.33	207.5	1038.33	207.5	
Arsenic	3.461	3.461	0.207	1.085	0.65	1.085	0.65	
Cadmium	34.61	12.00	0.237	11.46	6.87	3.921	2.35	
Chromium	34.61	34.61	0.178	11.48	6.88	11.48	6.88	
Copper	34.61	9.96	4.145	10.15	6.09	1.94	1.16	
Lead	34.61	9.34	1.717	8.42	5.05	2.541	1.52	
Nickel	34.61	6.44	1.391	11.07	6.64	1.683	1.01	

IX.	PROPOSED PERMIT LIMITATIONS

Table 1. Derivation of Permit Limits
Parameter	Reported Max. from DMR (6/2022 – 12/2022) (lb/day)	Allowable Loading 	Current Permit Limits	Proposed Permit Limits	
		Acute (lb/day)	Chronic (lb/day)	Max. (lb/day)	Avg. (lb/day)	Max. (lb/day)	Avg. (lb/day)	
BOD5	105	--	--	Report	2500	Report	5000	
TSS	340.5	--	--	Report	2500	Report	2500	
Ammonia (as N)	22.7	--	--	Report	Report	Report	Report	
Sulfate (as SO4)	157	--	--	Report	Report	Report	Report	
Nitrite-Nitrate (as N)	46.17	--	--	Report	Report	Report	Report	
Zinc	2.701	27.77	27.77	15.8	Report	--	--	
Phenol	0.00252	1349.82	260.96	35	20.5	--	--	
Benzene	0.01133	3461.1	3461.1	0.486	0.207	--	--	
Toluene	0.057	6922.2	6922.2	0.268	0.106	--	--	
Nitrobenzene	0.032	1038.33	1038.33	23.2	8.12	--	--	
Chlorobenzene	0.00243	--	--	1.38	0.515	--	--	
Cyanide, Free	0.034	1.45	1.45	Report	Report	--	--	
Anthracene	0.00045	--	--	0.171	0.0689	--	--	
Chloroform	0.00121	--	--	1.18	0.403	--	--	
Fluoranthene	0.002	--	--	0.196	0.0798	--	--	
Phenanthrene	0.0001	--	--	0.171	0.0689	--	--	
Pyrene	0.00212	--	--	0.174	0.0726	--	--	
	Data Received 2/2023 and .2 MGD Flow							
Arsenic	0.274	1.085	1.085	--	--	--	--	
Cadmium	0.002	11.46	3.921	--	--	--	--	
Chromium	0.031	11.48	11.48	--	--	--	--	
Copper	0.049	10.15	1.94	--	--	--	--	
Lead 	0.046	8.42	2.541	--	--	--	--	
Nickel	0.183	11.07	1.683	--	--	--	--	

	Table 2. Permit Limits Details
Parameter	Proposed Permit Limits	Sampling Frequency 	Sample Type	Basis of Decision1	
	Max. (lb/day)	Avg. (lb/day)	Max. (mg/L)	Avg. (mg/L)				
BOD5	Report	5000	Report	Report	Weekly	24-hr Composite	SUO	
TSS	Report	2500	Report	Report	Weekly	24-hr Composite	SUO	
Ammonia (as N)	Report	Report	Report	Report	Monthly	24-hr Composite	PPL	
Sulfate (as SO4)	Report	Report	Report	Report	Monthly	24-hr Composite	PPL	
Nitrite-Nitrate (as N)	Report	Report	Report	Report	Monthly	24-hr Composite	PPL	
Flow	0.600 MGD	Report	Report	0.600 MGD	Continuous	Flow Meter	SUO	
pH	9.0 s.u. maximum	5.0 s.u. minimum	--	--	Continuous	pH Meter	SUO	
PFAS Analytes2	--	--	Report (ng/L)	--	Quarterly	24-hr Composite	ENG	

1 Basis of Decision: SUO = Sewer Use Ordinance or Agreement; PPL = Previous Permit Limit; ENG = Engineering Judgement
2 Report in nanograms per liter (ng/L), using EPA Draft Method 1633.

X.	STATEMENT OF BASIS (narrative)

A.	BOD5, TSS, and Flow

On December 6, 2011, First Chemical entered an agreement with the City of Pascagoula that allows as much as 5,000 lb/day of BOD5 and 2,500 lb/day of TSS on a monthly average to be discharged.  (See Attachment B for a copy of the agreement.)  The agreement also allows First Chemical to discharge no more than 600,000 gallons per day.  The agreement took effect December 6, 2011 and expires December 5, 2023. This agreement has been extended to the new owners, First Chemical LLC dba Oleo-X.  

B.	pH

The City’s Sewer Ordinance and the JCUA’s Rules and Regulations allow for different pH ranges.  The City’s Ordinance allows for wastewaters with a pH ranging from 6.0 to 8.5; however, JCUA’s regulations allow for a pH ranging from 5.0 to 9.0 for any wastewaters being transported or treated.  JCUA’s pH standard has been included in the permit.  The previous permit limits for pH were 5.5 to 9.5, with allowable excursions below 5.5.  The proposed minimum pH of 5.0 is consistent with the JCUA’s regulations and the national pretreatment standards found in 40 CFR 403.5(b).

C.	Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

In 2019, EPA inspected the First Chemical facility and sampled for PFAS analytes due to past operations at the site. As a result of this inspection and concern for legacy PFAS analytes Oleo-X will be required to sample for PFAS analytes once every three (3) months for the duration of the permit term.  Oleo-X shall collect a 24-hour composite sample that shall be analyzed using EPA Draft Method 1633 until there is an analytical method approved in 40 CFR Part 136 for PFAS in wastewater. Report in NetDMR the results in nanograms per liter (ng/L) for all PFAS analytes required to be tested as part of the method as shown in Attachment A. Any parameters that are removed from the method based on multi-lab validation of the method will not be required for reporting and Oleo-X may report "NODI=9" for any such parameters. Oleo-X shall submit the results of the Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) monitoring, including the lab reports, no later than 45 days following the end of each quarterly period.

D.	Other Requirements

Within 180 days of the commencement of discharge, the permittee shall submit a completed Pretreatment Form 2P application. Based upon the results of the analyses, the permit may be reopened and reissued to reflect this data. 

ATTACHMENT A

PFAS ANALYTE LIST

ATTACHMENT B

AGREEMENT BETWEEN FIRST CHEMICAL CORPORATION AND CITY OF PASCAGOULA EXTENDED TO FIRST CHEMICAL LLC DBA OLEO-X