Project Number:

3177

Pottstown Landfill

SERVICE:

Ammonia Scrubber Optimization Study

DESCRIPTION:

The Pottstown Pretreatment Facility exceeded its wastewater discharge permit limits due to improper operation of the ammonia stripping tower. Weston & Sampson Services, Inc. (WSS), the landfill operators, retained Tech to inspect the pretreatment system, identify improvements, and determine potential air permitting implications.

Tech conducted a site visit to examine the existing scrubber system, and developed a list of immediate stripping system deficiencies and a list of scrubber life cycle concerns. Tech also reviewed the previous 10 years of air stripper sampling data to determine the potential air quality permitting requirements for the air stripper. Tech recommended replacing all of the existing packing media, the support grid, and the existing mesh pad at the top of the tower. These recommendations would drastically improve performance, but would not trigger a construction air permit.

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Key Points

  • The Pottstown Pretreatment Facility exceeded its wastewater discharge permit limits due to improper operation of the ammonia stripping tower.
  • Tech recommended a number of air stripper tower improvements so that the system could be salvaged and rebuilt without triggering a construction air permit.