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Project No.: 0317.02.005.510 Page 1 of 3

Project Name: DMR2013 CBI?

Yes

No

TELEPHONE CALL RECORD

Incoming

Outgoing

Date: 12/22/14 Time: 2:30 am

pm

Company Name: Tyson Fresh Meats ERG Staff Name: Kimberly Bartell

Contact Name: Kim Dirks/Chris Logue Contact Phone Number: (605) 235-2036/(605) 235-2003

General Subject: 2013 TRI Hydrogen Sulfide Discharges for Tyson Fresh Meats in Hillsdale, IL

TOPICS DISCUSSED AND ACTION TAKEN

On December 22nd, I called Ms. Salter and left a message. I was told to call back on 12/26.

On December 30th, I called the facility and left a message for the plant manager. 

On January 8th, I received a call back from Kevin Judge at Tyson. He stated that he could not provide me with 

the information requested or give me contact information for the corporate contacts. He stated that if we work 

with EPA then we have access to the correct contacts. Mr. Judge stated to look on Tyson’s website and work 

through the lawyers to get our request to the correct person. He stated that their world HQ is in Springdale, AK, 

and their corporate office in Dakota City, SD. 

On January 8th, I called Chris Logue with Tyson Fresh Meats and left a message (Liz contacted him in 2012 

about nitrate compounds). Mr. Logue returned my call and requested an email with further details. See attached 

email correspondence. 

Attachments:

 Columbus Junction.xlsx

 Hillsdale.xlsx

 Lexington.xlsx

 Logansport.xlsx

 WWTP Descriptions.xlsx
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Email Communication with Tyson:

From: kim.dirks@tyson.com

To: Kimberly Bartell

CC: William Swietlik, Kim Wagoner, Christopher Logue, Steve Patrick

Date: 1/9/15 11:59 AM

Subject: RE: TRI Clarification for Hydrogen Sulfide Discharges

In response to your request, please find attached the calculation sheets used for 2013 TRI H2S reporting for the facilities 

listed below. The pounds of H2S reported for each facility are correct as you have listed; these figures represent the 

quantity released either to a receiving stream or municipality from each facility’s wastewater treatment system. There may 

be a slight difference in some cases for the figures shown on the spreadsheets and those reported due to rounding using 

significant digits. Since the spreadsheets have additional H2S calculations on them, you can find the values you are 

interested in at:

 Columbus Junction cells D84 and D85

 Hillsdale cell D53

 Lexington cell D67

 Logansport cell I82

The spreadsheets should be self-explanatory. These facilities are not required to sample for H2S in their final effluent so a 

limited number of soluble sulfide and corresponding pH samples were taken for TRI reporting purposes. The facilities 

normally have a consistent effluent quality so the samples taken are assumed to be representative of their annual 

discharge. Soluble sulfide concentrations were converted to H2S concentrations assuming pK = 7.0 and using the graph in 

Standard Methods “Calculation of Un-ionized Hydrogen Sulfide”. The calculated values were then estimated by assuming 

H2S lbs = H2S mg/l x flow Mgal x 8.34 lbs/gal. 

Because each facility has variations in their wastewater treatment processes, I have also included a chart of the basic 

treatment processes employed. The incoming sulfur load is not the same at all the facilities, and is a function of incoming 

water sulfate concentration and production activities. However, final effluent H2S concentrations are generally similar at 

1 mg/l or less. 

If you have any questions or require additional information, my contact information is below.

Kim Dirks

Fresh Meats Senior Director, EHS Operations

Tyson Foods, Inc.

800 Stevens Port Drive, Suite DD709

Dakota Dunes, SD 57049

Business Phone: (605) 235-2036

Fax: 479-757-7079

Email: kim.dirks@tyson.com

From: Kimberly Bartell

To: Christopher.logue@tyson.com; kim.dirks@tyson.com

CC: William Swietlik, Kim Wagoner

Date: 1/8/15 5:42 PM

Subject: TRI Clarification for Hydrogen Sulfide Discharges

Dear Mr. Logue:

Thank you for your time on the phone today. Eastern Research Group, Inc. (ERG) under EPA Contract No. EP-C-12-021, 

is e-mailing you to request information for Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. See below for background on what the information is 

used for.
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EPA reviews publicly-available discharge monitoring report (DMR) and toxic release inventory (TRI) data to fulfill its 

review obligation under Section 304(b) of the Clean Water Act. The CWA requires EPA to annually review and, if 

appropriate, revise its water pollution control technology-based regulations, called "effluent guidelines," that limit the 

discharge of pollutants to waters of the U.S. from various categories of industrial facilities. EPA is currently conducting 

its 2015 annual review of existing effluent guidelines and potential industrial guidelines which may need to be included 

(see http://www.epa.gov/guide/304m/ for further information). EPA will discuss this review and the results in its 2015 

Effluent Guidelines Program Plan scheduled for publication in the Federal Register sometime in 2015 or 2016.

As part of the 2015 annual review, EPA is evaluating the data reported to the 2013 TRI and needs further information to 

complete the review. Specifically, we would like to clarify the amount of hydrogen sulfide releases to TRI from four 

Tyson facilities. Please confirm/review the following data and questions below.

1. Please confirm the pounds of hydrogen sulfide released in 2013 for the following facilities:

a. Tyson Fresh Meats in Hillsdale, IL (TRI ID: 61254BPNC HIGHW): 5,320 pounds

b. Tyson Fresh Meats in Lexington, NE (TRI ID: 68850BPNC 1500S): 3,350 pounds

c. Tyson Fresh Meats in Columbus Junction, IA (TRI ID: 52738BPNC HWY70): 2,220 pounds

d. Tyson Fresh Meats in Logansport, IN (TRI ID: 46947WLSNF35BYP): 2,056 pounds

2. Please explain how the hydrogen sulfide load is calculated for each facility.

We appreciate your help in interpreting TRI data correctly. If you have any questions regarding this request, please call 

me at (517) 515-1721. If you would like to speak directly with EPA regarding this request, you can contact William F. 

Swietlik of EPA's Office of Water/Engineering Analysis Division by phone at (202) 566-1129 or by email: 

swietlik.william@epa.gov.

Thank you,

Kimberly

--------------------------------------

Kimberly D. Bartell

Environmental Engineer

Eastern Research Group, Inc.

kimberly.bartell@erg.com

Phone: 517-515-1721
Columbus Junction.xlsx

Louisa County From Figure 2

Anaerobic Effluent

No. Date Dissolved S- 

(mg/L)

Ana Eff

pH pH %H2s

1 6/3/2013 4.6 7.4 4.8 100%

2 11/18/2013 8.0 6.85 4.9 99%

3 11/19/2013 8.8 6.9 5.0 99%

4 11/20/2013 10 6.97 5.1 98%

5 11/21/2013 9.6 6.84 5.2 98%

6 11/22/2013 14.8 6.94 5.3 97%

Average H2S 9.3 6.9833 5.4 97%

5.5 96%

Annual Flow (MG) 528.12 Million Gallons 5.6 95%

Average pH (plant data) 7.0 s.u. 5.7 94%

% H2S (from figure 2) 56% 5.8 93%

conversion factor 1.063 5.9 92%

6.0 91%

Estimated H2S Generated 24,384 lbs/year 6.1 89%

CY 2013 6.2 86%

6.3 84%

Anaerobic Influent 6.4 80%

6.5 76%

No. Date Dissolved S- 

(mg/L)

Ana Inf

pH 6.6 72%

1 6.7 67%

2 11/18/2013 1.2 6.93 6.8 62%

3 11/19/2013 1.6 7.11 6.9 56%

4 11/20/2013 1 7.18 7.0 50%

5 11/21/2013 2 7.12 7.1 45%

6 11/22/2013 1.2 7.04 7.2 39%

Average H2S 1.4 7.076 7.3 34%

7.4 29%

Annual Flow (MG) 528.12 Million Gallons 7.5 24%

Average pH (plant data) 7.1 s.u. 7.6 20%

% H2S (from figure 2) 50% 7.7 17%

conversion factor 1.063 7.8 14%

7.9 12%

Estimated H2S Generated 3,277 lbs/year 8.0 10%

CY 2013 8.1 8%

8.2 7%

Anaerobic Influent Sulfates 8.3 5%

Data is estimated based on comparison to Lexington 8.4 4%

50% of sulfate is converted to Sulfide 8.5 4%

8.6 3%

No. Date Dissolved S- 

(mg/L) Sulfate SO4

Ana Eff

pH 8.7 3%

1 7.4 8.8 2%

2 11/18/2013 39.3 236 6.85 8.9 2%

3 11/19/2013 39.8 239 6.9 9.0 1%

4 11/20/2013 31.2 187 6.97 9.1 0.1%

5 11/21/2013 34.3 206 6.84 9.2 0.01%

6 11/22/2013 35.8 215 6.94

Average H2S 36.1 6.9833
Annual Flow (MG) 528.12 Million Gallons

Average pH (plant data) 7.0 s.u.

% H2S (from figure 2) 56%

conversion factor 1.063

Estimated H2S 

attributed to Sulfate 

Conversion 94,642 lbs/year

CY 2013

Final Eff Sulfide 0.9 mg/L Final pH

Annual Flow 528.12 Million Gallons 6.85

Conversion Factor 1.063 6.75

Final Eff pH 6.94 7.18

% H2S 56% 6.98

H2S Discharged 2219.8785 6.93

6.938

H2S Treated 22,164

H2S Released 73,535

Total H2S Generated WWTP 97,919 Total = Ana Effluent + Released

Blood Production H2S

Tons Blood 2599 ton

Emission Factor 0.01977 lb/ton

H2S 51.38223

Total Plant H2S Generated 97971 lbs

Total Released To Atm 73587 lbs

Total Released To Iowa River 1288 lbs

Total Released to Cedar River 932 lbs

Total Treated Onsite 22164 lbs

 H2S Released = H2S from 

sulfate - ana effluent + ana 

influent * Derived from Mass 

Hillsdale.xlsx

Joslin

Ana Effluent

No. Date Dissolved S- (mg/L) pH %H2s

1 4.8 100%

2 4.9 99%

3 5.0 99%

4 11/17/2013 3.2 5.1 98%

5 11/18/2013 5.2 5.2 98%

6 11/19/2013 5.3 97%

7 11/20/2013 3.2 5.4 97%

8 11/21/2013 5.5 96%

Average H2S 3.9 mg/L 5.6 95%

5.7 94%

Annual Flow (MG) 742 Million Gallons 5.8 93%

Average pH (plant data) 7.32 s.u. (Ana Eff) 8.1 5.9 92%

% H2S (from figure 2) 34% 6.93 6.0 91%

conversion factor 1.063 6.9 6.1 89%

avg. pH Ana Ef 6.2 86%

Estimated H2S Generated 8,641 lbs/year 7.3 6.3 84%

CY 2013 6.4 80%

Dissolved Sulfide 6.5 76%

0.5 6.6 72%

H2S Treated @ WW 0.5 6.7 67%

Final Eff Conc 1.25 mg/L (<1mg/l) 1.2 6.8 62%

Annual Flow (MG) 774.48 Million Gallons 2.8 6.9 56%

conversion factor 1.06 Avg Final Eff 7.0 50%

Average pH 6.83 1.25 7.1 45%

% H2S 62.0% 7.2 39%

H2S Released 5,319 lbs/year to river 7.3 34%

H2S Treated in WW 2,673 7.4 29%

7.5 24%

7.6 20%

Biogas Residual Sulfur Post Scrubbers 7.7 17%

TRS 368 lb/yr (Stack Test/AEI) 7.8 14%

7.9 12%

Destruction Efficiency 98.00 % 8.0 10%

Conversion factor 1.063 8.1 8%

H2S post Scrubbers 391 lbs 8.2 7%

H2S Released 8 lbs 14,007,628 cf Flare 8.3 5%

H2S Energy Recovery 339 lbs 161,441,846 cf Boilers 8.4 4%

175,449,474 cf Total 8.5 4%

Biogas System lbs Sulfur Removed 8.6 3%

Total lbs Sulfur 30760 lbs 8.7 3%

Cake H2S Generated 32683 lbs 8.8 2%

H2S Treated 32683 lbs 8.9 2%

9.0 1%

9.1 0.1%

9.2 0.01%

H2S Generated WW 41,715

H2S Stack Releases 8

(=Generated - Cake - Point - 

Fugitives - River)

From Figure 

2
Fugitive Releases 1,033

H2S Discharge River 5,319

H2S Treated 35,016

H2S Energy Recovery 339

Blood System

Blood Drying Released 283 lbs/year RY2013 AEI

Blood Centr/Coag Gen/Released 62 lbs/year RY2013 AEI

Blood Total Gen 344 lbs/year RY2013 AEI

Total Blood H2S Released 344 lbs/year RY2013 AEI

H2S Total Generated 42,059

H2S Stack Releases 352

H2S Total Released 6,704

Onsite 115
Lexington.xlsx

Lexington From Figure 2

No. Date Dissolved S- (mg/L) pH %H2s

1 6/3/2013 35.6 4.8 100%

2 6/5/2013 50 4.9 99%

3 6/7/2013 47.2 5.0 99%

4 11/18/2013 22.8 5.1 98%

5 11/19/2013 39.6 5.2 98%

6 11/20/2013 40.4 5.3 97%

7 11/21/2013 39.6 5.4 97%

8 11/22/2013 43.2 5.5 96%

Average H2S 39.8 mg/L 5.6 95%

5.7 94%

Annual Flow (MG) 1,127.85 Million Gallons 5.8 93%

Average pH (plant data) 6.9 s.u. 5.9 92%

% H2S (from figure 2) 62% 6.0 91%

conversion factor 1.063 6.1 89%

6.2 86%

Estimated H2S Generated 246,732 lbs/year 6.3 84%

CY 2013 6.4 80%

avg. pH Ana Ef 6.9 6.5 76%

6.6 72%

H2S Treated 6.7 67%

Final Eff Conc 0 mg/L (<1mg/l) 6.8 62%

Annual Flow (MG) 1,127.85 Million Gallons 6.9 56%

conversion factor 1.06 7.0 50%

Average pH 6.90 7.1 45%

% H2S 56% 7.2 39%

H2S Released 0 lbs/year to canal 7.3 34%

H2S Treated 246,732 lbs/year 7.4 29%

7.5 24%

Biogas Residual Sulfur 7.6 20%

TRS 0.17 lb/hr (CEMS) 7.7 17%

Annual Hours 8,760.00 hours 7.8 14%

Destruction Efficiency 98.00 % 7.9 12%

Conversion factor 1.06 8.0 10%

H2S Generated 1,489.20 lbs 8.1 8%

H2S Released 29.78 lbs 8.2 7%

8.3 5%

8.4 4%

Blood Drying 13.57 lbs/year 8.5 4%

Blood Centr/Coag 61.58 lbs/year 8.6 3%

Blood H2S Generated/Released 75.15 lbs/year 8.7 3%

8.8 2%

Biogas System lbs Sulfur Removed 8.9 2%

Jan 7175.96 9.0 1%

Feb 15768.71 9.1 0.1%

Mar 12207.46 9.2 0.01%

Apr 11107.4

May 11385.23

June 9002.73

July 9066.12

Aug 10825.52

Final Eff = Non 

Detect
Sept 8034.63

Oct 8298.61

Nov 10742.87

Dec 7104.19

Total lbs Sulfur 120719.43 lbs

Total H2S Generated 128324.7541 lbs

H2S Treated 128324.7541 lbs

373,375.721993922

Total H2S Generated 376,621.070846172

H2S Stack Releases 104.93

H2S Discharge Tri Canal 3,350

H2S Treated 369,920.787993922

Fugitive Releases 3245.348852
om Figure 2
Logansport CY 2013

Anaerobic Influent Data

No. Date Dissolved 

S- (mg/L)

Flow 

(MGD) pH (s.u.) % H2S (fig. 2)

H2S 

(lbs/D)

1 5/30/2013 5.0 1.83 8.1 8.0% 6.5

2 5/31/2013 8.7 1.98 7.8 14.0% 21.4

3 11/13/2013 3.1 1.62 7.5 24.0% 10.7

4 11/14/2013 4.7 1.77 8.0 10.0% 7.4

5 11/15/2013 2.7 2.02 7.8 14.0% 6.8

6 11/18/2013 3.1 1.23 8.4 4.0% 1.4

7 11/19/2013 2.7 1.36 8.6 3.0% 1.0

8

Averages 4.3 1.687 8.0 7.9 lbs/ day

Estimated H2S Already present 2,868 lbs/ year

Anaerobic Lagoon Data

SO4 In No. Date D- S- (MGD) Ana Eff 

pH % H2S H2S lbs

1 5/30/2013

2 5/31/2013

79 3 11/13/2013 26.4 1.62 6.9 62.0% 234.8

120 4 11/14/2013 40.1 1.77 7.4 34.0% 213.7

110 5 11/15/2013 36.7 2.02 6.9 62.0% 407.6

58 6 11/18/2013 19.4 1.23 6.9 56.0% 118.2

58 7 11/19/2013 19.4 1.36 7.1 50.0% 116.7

8

85.0 Averages 28.4 1.600 7.0 218.2 lbs/ day

Estimated Available for H2S Production 79,644 lbs/ year

Anaerobic Effluent Data

SO4 Out No. Date D- S- (MGD) pH % H2S H2S lbs

1 5/30/2013

2 5/31/2013

0.0 3 11/13/2013 0.0 1.62 6.9 62.0% 0.0

0.0 4 11/14/2013 0.0 1.77 7.4 34.0% 0.0

0.0 5 11/15/2013 0.0 2.02 6.9 62.0% 0.0

0.0 6 11/18/2013 0.0 1.23 6.9 56.0% 0.0

0.0 7 11/19/2013 0.0 1.36 7.1 50.0% 0.0

8

0.0 Averages 0.0 1.600 7.0 0.0 lbs/ day

Estimated SO4 not Converted to H2S 0 lbs/ year
Anaerobic Effluent Data

No. Date D- S- (MGD) pH % H2S H2S lbs

1 5/30/2013

2 5/31/2013

3 11/13/2013 2.3 1.62 6.9 62.0% 20.5

4 11/14/2013 2.3 1.77 7.4 34.0% 12.3

5 11/15/2013 1.8 2.02 6.9 62.0% 20.0

6 11/18/2013 0.5 1.23 6.9 56.0% 3.1

7 11/19/2013 1.6 1.36 7.1 50.0% 9.6

8

Averages 1.7 1.600 7.0 13.1 lbs/ day

Estimated H2S Treated 4,777 lbs/ year

Effluent Data

No. Date D- S- (MGD) pH % H2S H2S lbs

1 5/30/2013

2 5/31/2013

3 11/13/2013 0.5 1.62 6.0 92.0% 6.6

4 11/14/2013 0.5 1.77 6.1 91.0% 7.1

5 11/15/2013 0.5 2.02 5.5 97.0% 8.7

6 11/18/2013 0.5 1.23 8.1 10.0% 0.5

7 11/19/2013 0.5 1.36 6.2 86.0% 5.2

8

Averages 0.5 1.600 6.4 5.6 lbs/ day

Estimated H2S in effluent to city 2,056 lbs/ year

Estimated Available for H2S Production 79,644 lbs/ year

Estimated SO4 not Converted to H2S 0 lbs/ year

Estimated H2S Produced 79,644 lbs/ year

Estimated H2S Produced 79,644 lbs/ year

Estimated H2S Already present 2,868 lbs/ year

Total H2S in Anaerobic 82,513 lbs/ year

Total H2S in Anaerobic 82,513 lbs/ year

H2S in Ana effl (to treatment / release) 4,777 lbs/ year

H2S Fugutive Air Releases 77,736 lbs/ year

H2S in Ana effl (to treatment / release) 4,777 lbs/ year

H2S Release in Effluent to City 2,056 lbs/ year

H2S Treated 2,721 lbs/ year
Legend:

Input cells

Calculation Cells

Output Cell
WWTP Descriptions.xlsx

Columbus

Wastewater treatment steps Hillsdale Junction Lexington Logansport

Anaerobic lagoon (covered) X X

Anaerobic lagoon (uncovered) X X

Biogas handling X X

Facultative lagoon X

Anoxic process X X

Aeration process X X X

Secondary clarification X X X

Chlorination X X X

Dechlorination X X X

Discharge to stream X X X

Discharge to municipality X