Project No.: 0172.07.029.030 DISTRIBUTION 

Page _1_ of __1_

Project Name: Steam Electric Rulemaking 

TELEPHONE CALL RECORD 

 Outgoing Call 

Date: 12/02/09 Time: 2:30 pm EST 

Company Name: Reliant Energy 

 Conemaugh Power Plant 

 

Contact Name: Rich Beer 

Phone No.:(724) 235-4596 

Name: Lydia Lambert and TJ Finseth Eastern Research Group

GENERAL SUBJECT : FGD Systems and FGD Wastewater Treatment Systems Operation and Verification 

 

TOPICS DISCUSSED AND ACTION TAKEN 

On Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 2:20 PM I attempted to contact Mr. Rich Beer. I left Mr. Beer a message 

explaining that I was calling to confirm the operation of the FGD systems and FGD wastewater treatment 

system at the Conemaugh power plant. I made contact with Mr. Beer at 2:30 PM on December 2, 2009 when he 

returned my phone call. Some information discussed during the call is not included in this document because it 

was identified as confidential business information. 

Mr. Beer confirmed that Units 1 and 2 operate a total of five limestone forced oxidation FGD systems, which 

includes two FGD scrubbers for each unit and one redundant scrubber. 

Mr. Beer confirmed that dibasic acid (DBA) is added to the FGD systems. Mr. Beer stated that the plant 

switched to adipic acid for a period of time because DBA was becoming increasing expensive and was not costeffective anymore. Mr. Beer stated that the plant may switch back to using DBA in the future as the price has 

been decreasing. Mr. Beer stated that he does not know which additive they will be using between April and 

November 2010. 

Mr. Beer confirmed that the plant does not have plans to install any new units in 2010. 

Mr. Beer stated that Units 1 and 2 do not operate SCRs and SNCRs. Mr. Beer stated that the units only operate 

low NOx burners. 

Mr. Beer confirmed that the FGD wastewater treatment system consists of the following treatment steps: 

 Surge tank; 

 Industrial waste treatment system (hydrated lime addition); 

 Primary clarifier (ferric chloride, sodium sulfate, and polymer addition); 

 Secondary clarifier 

 pH adjustment sump (carbon dioxide addition); 

 Sequencing batch reactors (dipotassium phosphate and defoaming agent addition); 

 Clearwell or holding tank; and 

 Sand filters. 

Mr. Beer explained that FGD wastewater treatment system began operating in 1995 when the Unit 1 FGD 

system began operating. 
Mr. Beer explained that Graver Equipment is the company that built the FGD wastewater treatment system. 

Mr. Beer confirmed that the FGD wastewater treatment system ultimately discharges into the Conemaugh 

River. 

Mr. Beer explained that the FGD wastewater treatment system is trying to optimize the removal of metals and 

organic acids (e.g., BOD). 

Mr. Beer explained that the FGD wastewater treatment system is achieving the pollutant concentration levels 

required in the plant’s NPDES permit. These limits include: 

 Beryllium (average: 0.008 mg/L, maximum: 0.06 mg/L); 

 Copper (average: 0.045 mg/L, maximum: 0.09 mg/L); 

 Lead (average: 0.1 mg/L, maximum: 0.2 mg/L); 

 Mercury (average: 0.004 mg/L, maximum: 0.008 mg/L); and 

 Selenium (average: 2.8 mg/L, maximum: 5.6 mg/L) 

Mr. Beer stated the limits are set on the FGD wastewater treatment system effluent, which is an internal 

monitoring point. 

Mr. Beer stated that the plant is planning to make changes to the operation of the FGD wastewater treatment 

system. Mr. Beer explained that they have a consent decree that requires that they make changes to the system 

by February 2011. Mr. Beer stated that the plant is still assessing the changes that need to be made, and 

therefore cannot currently disclose specific information regarding the changes. 

Mr. Beer confirmed that the FGD wastewater treatment system only treats FGD wastewater. 

Mr. Beer explained that the typical flow of the wastewater treatment system is around 180 gallons per minute 

(gpm). 

Mr. Beer confirmed that the FGD wastewater treatment system operates continuously. However, the treatment 

system discharges in batch mode. Mr. Beer explained that the sequencing batch reactors are a batch operation 

that discharges for 45 minutes every 3 to 3.5 hours.