Management of Aqueous Management of Aqueous Ammonia WastewaterAmmonia Wastewater

Eileen WoodburyEileen WoodburySenior Hazardous Materials SpecialistSenior Hazardous Materials SpecialistMonterey County Health DepartmentMonterey County Health Department

Environmental Health DivisionEnvironmental Health Division

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Ammonia PropertiesAmmonia PropertiesQuick reviewQuick review

• Lighter than air

• Gas at ambient, liquefied under pressure

• Self alarming – sight and smell with a pungent odor

• Detectable by nose, from 5 to 25 ppm

• Highly irritating to eyes, skin, respiratory tract

• Affinity to water, mixes readily

• Service technicians take advantage of thisproperty by bubbling vapor into water to workon a section or component

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3

GenerationGeneration

Generated during routine maintenance or Generated during routine maintenance or servicing of an ammonia refrigeration servicing of an ammonia refrigeration

system. Technicians isolate a system. Technicians isolate a component or section of pipe, and component or section of pipe, and

removes pressure from a section of the removes pressure from a section of the system, i.e. vapor, by directing ammonia system, i.e. vapor, by directing ammonia vapor into water. Also generated as an vapor into water. Also generated as an emergency capture of ammonia vapors emergency capture of ammonia vapors

from pressure relief devices to a from pressure relief devices to a diffusion tank.diffusion tank.

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Purging Vapors into WaterPurging Vapors into Water

Done safely, can reduce the Done safely, can reduce the likelihood of employee likelihood of employee

exposure and harm, exposure and harm, Reduce likelihood of offsite Reduce likelihood of offsite

consequences, and consequences, and Reduce potential exposure to Reduce potential exposure to

the public.the public.

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Improper disposal includes, dumping, spilling, draining, washing down, releasing, etc. and is not allowed.

Therefore, do not release to:

• Industrial Wastewater System • Land • Parking lot, street, gutter, etc.• Storm drain system• Unknown floor drain • Landscaping

RELEASE

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6

SafeSafe Operating Procedure: Operating Procedure: NeutralizationNeutralization

SOP from former River Ranch foods refrigeration technician.

Technician trained in ammonia safety, awareness, and SOP, including proper treatment and disposalConducted away from plant personnel, public, in secure areaMonitoring equipment: pH meter, ammonia detectorDonn PPE, gloves, faceshield, apron

MonitoringMonitoringEquipmentEquipment

NeutralizationNeutralization

Neutralization with muriatic acid, about 19% HCL, in Ammonia/Water resulted in strong exothermic reaction

HCl + NH3 ----> NH4Cl

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9HCl + NH3 ----> NH4Cl

NeutralizationNeutralization

Neutralization with muriatic acid, about 19% HCL, in Ammonia/Water resulted in strong exothermic reaction

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Stand-alone automatic neutralization system

Pump meters weak acid into ammonia/water drum at 30-second intervalsConcurrent agitation of drum contents to promote even mixing of solutionTie-in pH meter to monitor changesOther designs have included ammonia vapor scrubber at ‘vent’ For example: citric acid, acetic acid

NeutralizationNeutralization

Neutralization with weak acidto minimize pH and reduce

Ammonia Vapors

• pH must fall within 7-10 range• Verify no ammonia vapors present with ammonia detector

• Notify POTW, CUPA prior to discharge

• Discharge to sanitary sewer system

NeutralizationNeutralization

Passive Neutralization: Passive Neutralization: Venting to AtmosphereVenting to Atmosphere

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Passive Neutralization: Passive Neutralization: Venting to AtmosphereVenting to Atmosphere

Safely ventilate the container of ammonia wastewater away from the public, and anyemployees; ventilate until all the vapors have dissipated and the pH measures between 7-10, prior to discharge at an authorized point.

Non-Hazardous Ammonia

Wastewater Non-Hazardous Ammonia

Wastewater

Unauthorized Personnel Keep Out!

DisposalDisposal•• Contact POTWContact POTW’’s for disposal to s for disposal to

sanitary sewersanitary sewer..

•• Facilities in unincorporated area Facilities in unincorporated area must contact the must contact the Regional Water Regional Water Quality Control BoardQuality Control Board to to determine discharge requirements determine discharge requirements

•• ……....REUSEREUSE wastewaterwastewater……..

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DisposalDisposal …………

Properly dispose ammonia wastewater,Properly dispose ammonia wastewater,contact a licensed hazardous waste transportercontact a licensed hazardous waste transporter

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RecordkeepingRecordkeeping

•• Type of neutralization usedType of neutralization used

•• Date of notification & approval to Date of notification & approval to sewer agency or RWQCBsewer agency or RWQCB

•• Volume of wastewaterVolume of wastewater

•• Final pH readingFinal pH reading

Maintain the following records, Maintain the following records, make available to regulatory make available to regulatory agencies during inspection:agencies during inspection:

Alternatively, keep manifest documenting Alternatively, keep manifest documenting transport by licensed haulertransport by licensed hauler

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Improper disposal includes, dumping, spilling, draining, washing down, releasing, etc. and is not allowed.

Therefore, do not release to:

• Industrial Wastewater System • Land • Parking lot, street, gutter, etc.• Storm drain system• Unknown floor drain • Landscaping

RELEASE