PORK PACKING PLANT MEETS NEW TOTAL NITROGEN ELG LIMITS

In September 2004, new Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELG) were promulgated for pork, beef and rendering plants that will require them to meet new total nitrogen (TN) limits of 134 mg/l monthly average and 194 mg/l daily maximum. There are approximately 26 pork or beef plants that will have to meet new ELG TN limits as their discharge permits are renewed. For many pork plants, total nitrogen removals greater than 50 percent are required to meet the new limits. This paper describes how one pork packing plant meets, and even betters, the new ELG TN limits. The objectives of this paper are to show the basic approach and various components employed at one pork plant to consistently achieve total nitrogen reduction, while minimizing construction cost and operating costs. Operational challenges are also discussed.