MEMORANDUM

TO: Ron Jordan, EPA

FROM: Elizabeth Sabol, ERG

DATE: 18 September 2009

SUBJECT: Notes from Pre-Visit Call with Kinder Morgan Plant Personnel on 

September 16, 2009

EPA held a teleconference with Wayne Frey, Plant Manager of Kinder Morgan power plant

(Kinder Morgan) on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at 8:00 AM EDT. Participants discussed 

the operations at the Kinder Morgan in preparation for the scheduled EPA visit on Thursday, 

September 24, 2009. The following people participated in the call:

Kinder Morgan

Wayne Frey

EPA

Ron Jordan

Jezebele Alicea

ERG

Sarah Holman 

Elizabeth Sabol

This memorandum summarizes the teleconference discussion points.

Background on Steam Electric Detailed Study and Introductory Remarks

EPA provided background on the study of the steam electric industry and discussed that as the 

study is concluding, there are some data gaps remaining, such as combined cycle system 

operation and wastewaters. EPA stated that the purpose of the site visit at Kinder Morgan is to 

learn more about the plant’s operations, specifically the combined cycle system operations, and 

the characteristics and handling of generated wastewaters. 

Site Visit Logistics

• EPA stated that the site visits conducted during this study have usually consisted 

of the following:

o Check in

o Safety briefing

o Introduction to the plant

o Tour
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September 18, 2009

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o Debrief from the tour/questions

• EPA stated that they will come prepared with hard hats, steel-toed shoes, safety 

glasses, and hearing protection for the tour. Kinder Morgan stated that EPA/ERG 

staff should wear long sleeves, long pants, and thick soled, leather shoes to the 

plant. Kinder Morgan also stated that back-up hard hats and eye/ear safety will be 

on hand.

• EPA stated that there will be four EPA/ERG staff on the site visit: Ron Jordan and 

Jezebele Alicea, EPA and Sarah Holman and Elizabeth Sabol, ERG.

• Kinder Morgan instructed EPA/ERG to park in the administrative parking lot that 

is clearly identified.

• EPA and Kinder Morgan agreed to begin the site visit at 7:30 AM EDT on

Thursday, September 24, 2009.

• Wayne Frey provided his cell phone number, 517-740-6612, and the front desk 

phone number, 517-841-5785.

Brief Overview of the Plant 

• Kinder Morgan stated that they are a “demand dispatch” facility with peaking 

(“peak shaving”) and intermediate load capability. Due to the depressed 

industrial load this year, Kinder Morgan has not run as much in the “reliability 

dispatch” mode.

• Kinder Morgan stated that the plant was last dispatched on August 27, 2009.

• Kinder Morgan stated that their typical peaking operations include starting up in 

the morning, following the load peaks throughout midday and into the evening, 

and then shutting down.

• Kinder Morgan was a brownfield development. Kinder Morgan entered into an 

agreement with the City of Jackson to tear down the GoodYear factory, build its 

facility, and use all existing water and sewage infrastructure. Kinder Morgan 

discharges water to the local POTW. It has never had a reason to develop a 

different drainage system (i.e., discharge to surface water). 

• Kinder Morgan first attempted a greenfield development, but the country 

township would not allow it.

• Kinder Morgan is located in Jackson in a residential area.

Brief Overview of the Combine Cycle Systems

• Kinder Morgan stated that the combined cycle system at the plant have a unique 

configuration because Kinder Morgan was designed to be a peaking plant. Kinder 

Morgan operates a hybrid combined cycle system, which includes six 

aeroderivative (jet engine) combustion turbines and one Frame 7 EA combustion 

turbine, to serve a market, “intermediate load” nitch.

• Kinder Morgan noted the following about the combustion turbines used at the 

plant:

o Kinder Morgan uses low sulfur natural gas to fuel the combustion 

turbines. Kinder Morgan does not also use liquid fuel due to the changes 

in air permitting that it would require.

o Kinder Morgan stated that 10 MW of steam power is produced from each 

50 MW combustion turbine. 3 MW of the 10 MW steam produced is put 
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September 18, 2009

Page 3

back into the turbine for NOx

o Kinder Morgan uses steam for NO

suppression. 1.5 MW of the 3 MW 

consumed is gained back in additional power generation.

x

o The Frame 7 EA turbine is a relatively old technology, but the “low NOx” 

version was relatively advanced at the time it was installed. Kinder 

Morgan stated that this type of turbine does not operate efficiently in

simple cycle mode. If the boiler is designed correctly, this type of turbine 

is much more efficient in a combined cycle system, in which heat is 

recovered. 

suppression because it is less 

damaging to the engine than water. 

o The Frame 7 EA turbine is more ideal for a peaking application because it 

is efficient at starting up and shutting down. 

• Kinder Morgan stated that even though their combined cycle system configuration 

is unique, the wastewater generated is similar to other combined cycle systems.

Kinder Morgan explained that the steam turbines and related equipment are 

similar to all other steam turbines. The cooling water requirement is provided by a 

mechanical draft cooling tower.

• Kinder Morgan stated that the major wastewaters generated are boiler blowdown and 

cooling tower blowdown.

• Kinder Morgan stated that they initially added sulfuric acid to the cooling towers, but 

switched to alkali chemistry due to arsenic that was leaching from the pressuretreated lumber in the cooling towers. This switch allowed Kinder Morgan to meet the 

POTW’s arsenic limits.