Technical Memorandum 

TO: Brenda Shine, Refining and Chemicals Group, SPPD 

 

FROM: Eric Goehl, Environmental Protection Specialist 

Refining and Chemicals Group, SPPD (E143-01)

DATE: May 29, 2012

SUBJECT: Summary of Wastewater Emission Source Test Reports

I. Purpose 

 The objective of this document is to provide a summary of the wastewater emission 

source test reports received by the EPA from the 2011 Information Collection Request (ICR) of 

the Petroleum Refinery industry. 

II. Background 

On April 1, 2011, the EPA sent an ICR to facilities in the U.S. petroleum refining 

industry. The ICR was comprehensive and designed to collect information on processing 

characteristics, crude slate characteristics, emissions inventories and source testing to bolster our 

current data and fill known data gaps. The ICR had four components: (1) a questionnaire on 

processes and controls to be completed by all petroleum refineries (Component 1); (2) an 

emissions inventory to be developed by all petroleum refineries using the emissions estimation 

protocol developed for this effort (Component 2); (3) distillation feed sampling and analysis to 

be conducted by all petroleum refineries (Component 3); and (4) emissions source testing to be 

completed in accordance with an EPA-approved protocol for specific sources at specific 

petroleum refineries (Component 4). 

Component 4 of the ICR requested source testing for twelve different types of emission 

sources or units: fluid catalytic cracking units (FCCU), thermal catalytic cracking units, catalytic 

reforming units, sulfur recovery units, delayed coking units, fluid coking units, hydrocracking 

units, hydrogen plants, asphalt blowing units, fuel gas systems, cooling water systems, and 

wastewater treatment systems. This memorandum summarizes the results of the wastewater 
treatment system source tests. A similar memorandum is available for the other emission sources 

requested to be tested as a result of this ICR. 

Facilities often claimed specific process information as CBI, and included that 

information in the CBI version of the emission source test report stored in the EPA’s CBI office 

in Research Triangle Park, NC. This memorandum summarizes and presents only non-CBI data. 

III. Source-specific Testing Program

Below is a list of facilities required to test their wastewater treatment systems: 

• Motiva Enterprises – Convent, LA (LA3C0620, the non-CBI portions of the test report 

are summarized in this memorandum.) 

• ConocoPhillips – Belle Chasse, LA (LA3C0690) 

• Valero – Memphis, TN (TN2A1060, did not submit) 

• Exxon Mobil Oil – Beaumont, TX (TX3B1170, did not submit) 

• Flint Hills Resources – Corpus Christi, TX (TX3B1180, submitted data for West 

Refinery only, as approved by EPA.) 

 Owners or operators of the wastewater treatment systems at these facilities were 

requested to collect three wastewater samples: a sample from the influent stream to the 

biological treatment unit; a sample from within the biological treatment unit; and a sample from 

the effluent stream. Facility TX3B1180 performed two tests; the influent of the first test was the 

influent wastewater and the influent of the second test was filter backwash. Each wastewater 

sample was requested to be analyzed for: 

• Speciated volatile organic hazardous air pollutants (HAP); 

• Speciated semi-volatile organic HAP; 

• Aldehydes; 

• Sulfide (as S); 

• BOD5; and 

• COD. 

Each facility was also requested to do a well-mixed assessment of the biological treatment unit 

and provide compound specific biodegradation rates for benzene (as the sole substrate) and for 

benzene, toluene, xylene, and naphthalene at equal concentrations. 

2 
 Additional detail of the source testing requirements for the wastewater treatment systems 

can be found at can be found at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/petref/petrefpg.html. 

As the wastewater sampling and biological testing methods are not currently supported 

by the EPA Electronic Reporting Tool (ERT), the facility was requested to report the results in 

the Refinery Testing Supplement, a Microsoft® Excel spreadsheet. After completing the 

Refinery Testing Supplement, the refineries were also asked to submit an electronic copy of the 

emission test report, preferably in PDF format. 

IV. Results 

A summary of the non-CBI test results for wastewater treatment systems are provided in 

Tables 1 through 4. Only three reports were submitted; Facility LA3C0690 performed the testing 

on June 2, 2011; Facility LA3C0620 performed the testing on June 15, 2011; and Facility 

TX3B1180 performed the testing on August 1, 2011. Table 1 summarizes the conditions in the 

biological treatment unit during the test and the results of the well-mixed assessment. Table 1 

contains only partial data for Facility LA3C0620 because some of the data elements in the table 

are CBI for this facility. Table 2 presents the biodegradation rates for Facility LA3C0690 and 

Table 3 presents the biodegradation rates for Facility TX3B1180. The biodegradation rates for 

Facility LA3C0620 are not presented because they have been claimed as CBI by the facility. 

Table 4 presents the concentration data for each of the tests and again, some of the data elements 

in the table are CBI for Facility LA3C0620 and are therefore not included. Facility LA3C0690 

only submitted the Refinery Testing Supplement; no test report was provided by which to verify 

the summary data submitted for this facility. A limited review of the source test reports 

submitted for Facilities LA3C0620 and TX3B1180 was performed; no revisions to the summary 

data were made as a result of this review. 

 

3 
Table 1. Conditions in Biological Treatment Unit during Test 

Facility ID 

Number 

General 

Description 

Meets 

def of 

EBU? 

Wellmixed 

Table 

1 

Wellmixed 

Table 

2 

Average 

flow rate 

(m3/s) pH 

Wastewater 

temperature 

(deg, F) 

VSSd in 

biological 

treatment 

unit 

(g/L) 

Total air 

flow rate to 

diffused 

aerators 

(scfm at 

68°F) 

LA3C0620 

Staged Activated 

Sludge Treatment 

Unita Y N Y CBI CBI CBI CBI CBI 

LA3C0620 

Aeration Basins 

with Surface 

Aeratorsa Y N Y CBI CBI CBI CBI CBI 

LA3C0690 

Diffused 

Aeration Tkb Y Y Y 0.08 6.8 101 2.45 1358 

TX3B1180 

Submerged 

Aeration 

Activated Sludge 

Unitc Y N N 0.0355 7.62 98 840 4545 

TX3B1180 

Submerged 

Aeration 

Activated Sludge 

Unitc Y N N 0.00355 7.45 94 840 4545 a Dimensions of units are CBI.

b Biological treatment unit is circular with a diameter of 100 feet and a height of 25 feet. No surface aeration. 

c Biological treatment unit is rectangular with a length of 130 feet, width of 65 feet and a height of 12 feet. No surface aeration. 

d

 Volatile suspended solids. 

Table 2. Fraction Biodegraded Determination for Facility LA3C0690 

Compound F_bio 

First-order biorate, 

k1 (L/gMLVSS-hr) 

Benzene Only Spike 

Benzene 0.9952 9.901 

Multi-compound Spike 

Benzene 0.9952 9.877 

Toluene 0.9920 6.380 

Xylene 0.9860 3.729 

Naphthalene 0.9949 4.691 

4 
Table 3. Fraction Biodegraded Determination for Facility TX3B1180 

Compound F_bio 

First-order biorate, 

k1 (L/gMLVSS-hr) 

Benzene Only Spike 

Benzene Less Than Reporting Limit 2.99 

Multi-compound Spike 

Benzene Less Than Reporting Limit 0.58 

Toluene Less Than Reporting Limit 0.34 

Xylene Less Than Reporting Limit Unable to Estimate 

Naphthalene Less Than Reporting Limit 0.39 

Table 4. Test Concentrationsa

Facility ID 

Number Pollutant Name Pollutant Class 

Test 

Method 

Influent 

Concentration 

Value 

Concentration 

within Biounit 

Value 

Effluent 

Concentration 

Value 

Units 

mg/L or ug/L 

LA3C0620b Benzene SW8260B CBI CBI <0.0005 mg/L 

LA3C0620b Xylenes SW8260B CBI CBI <0.001 mg/L 

LA3C0620b Toluene SW8270D CBI CBI <0.0005 mg/L 

LA3C0620b Naphthalene SW8260B/ 

SW8270D CBI CBI <0.001 mg/L 

LA3C0620b Chemical Oxygen 

Demand E410.4 CBI CBI 92.57 mg/L 

LA3C0620b

Formaldehyde SW8315A CBI CBI 0.03 mg/L 

LA3C0620b

Sulfide M4500-S CBI CBI 0.81 mg/L 

LA3C0620b Biological Oxygen 

Demand 

SM5210B CBI CBI 126.67 mg/L 

LA3C0620c

Benzene SW8260B CBI CBI <0.0005 mg/L 

LA3C0620c

Xylenes SW8260B CBI CBI <0.001 mg/L 

LA3C0620c

Toluene SW8270D CBI CBI <0.0005 mg/L 

LA3C0620c

Naphthalene SW8260B/ 

SW8270D CBI CBI 0.05 mg/L 

LA3C0620c Chemical Oxygen 

Demand E410.4 CBI CBI 68.33 mg/L 

LA3C0620c

Formaldehyde SW8315A CBI CBI 0.04 mg/L 

LA3C0620c

Sulfide M4500-S CBI CBI 0.65 mg/L 

LA3C0620c Biological Oxygen 

Demand 

SM5210B CBI CBI 103.67 mg/L 

LA3C0690 Benzene Volatile 

Organic HAP 8260B 2,980 2,720 <5 ug/L 

LA3C0690 Xylenes Volatile 

Organic HAP 8260B 1,810 1,580 <5 ug/L 

LA3C0690 Toluene Volatile 

Organic HAP 8260B 1,900 1,640 <5 ug/L 

5 
Facility ID 

Number Pollutant Name Pollutant Class 

Test 

Method 

Influent 

Concentration 

Value 

Concentration 

within Biounit 

Value 

Units Effluent 

Concentration mg/L or ug/L 

Value 

LA3C0690 Napthalene 

SemiVolatile/NonVolatile 

Organic HAP 

8270D 230 200 <10 

ug/L 

LA3C0690 Acetone VOC 8260B 1,640 1,680 <25 ug/L 

LA3C0690 Methanol Volatile 

Organic HAP 8000 22,000 22,100 1,840 ug/L 

LA3C0690 Cresol 

SemiVolatile/NonVolatile 

Organic HAP 

8270D 6,000 5,200 14 

ug/L 

LA3C0690 2,4-

Dimethylphenol VOC 8260B 3,700 3,400 <10 ug/L 

LA3C0690 2-

Methylnaphthalene 

SemiVolatile/NonVolatile 

Organic HAP 

8270D 70 64 <10 

ug/L 

LA3C0690 Phenol 

SemiVolatile/NonVolatile 

Organic HAP 

8270D 5,700 4,400 16 

ug/L 

LA3C0690 Formaldehyde Volatile 

Organic HAP 8260B 150 420 26 ug/L 

LA3C0690 Acetaldehyde Volatile 

Organic HAP 8315A 22 91 <100 ug/L 

LA3C0690 Propanal VOC 8260B 6 <50 <50 ug/L 

LA3C0690 Sulfide (as S) Surrogate 6,000 4,400 <100 ug/L 

LA3C0690 BOD5 Surrogate 511 559 95 mg/L 

LA3C0690 COD Surrogate 1,230 1,190 1,180 mg/L 

TX3B1180d Benzene Volatile 

Organic HAP 8260B <2.8 <0.14 <0.14 ug/L 

TX3B1180d Xylenes Volatile 

Organic HAP 8260B 37 0.85 0.90 ug/L 

TX3B1180d Toluene Volatile 

Organic HAP 8260B <6.0 0.84 0.68 ug/L 

TX3B1180d Naphthalene 

SemiVolatile/NonVolatile 

Organic HAP 

8260B <4.0 <0.20 <2.0 

ug/L 

TX3B1180d Acetone VOC 8260B 2,200 <5 5.1 ug/L 

TX3B1180d Methyl t-butyl 

ether 

Volatile 

Organic HAP 8260B 51 8.3 4.6 ug/L 

TX3B1180d Aniline Volatile 

Organic HAP 8270C 190 <7.9 <7.9 ug/L 

TX3B1180d 2-

Methylnaphthalene 

SemiVolatile/NonVolatile 

Organic HAP 

8270D 5.6 <1.1 <1.1 

ug/L 

TX3B1180d Sulfide (as S) Surrogate SM 4500-

S2D 36 16 <13 ug/L 

TX3B1180d BOD5 Surrogate SM 5210B 52 <2.0 <2.0 mg/L 

6 
7 

Facility ID 

Number Pollutant Name Pollutant Class 

Test 

Method 

Influent 

Concentration 

Value 

Concentration 

within Biounit 

Value 

Effluent 

Concentration 

Value 

Units 

mg/L or ug/L 

TX3B1180d COD Surrogate HACH 

8000 110 54 53 mg/L 

TX3B1180e Benzene Volatile 

Organic HAP 8260B <0.14 <0.14 <0.14 ug/L 

TX3B1180e Xylenes Volatile 

Organic HAP 8260B 1.3 0.85 0.90 ug/L 

TX3B1180e Toluene Volatile 

Organic HAP 8260B 1.9 0.55 0.68 ug/L 

TX3B1180e Naphthalene 

SemiVolatile/NonVolatile 

Organic HAP 

8260B <0.2 <2.0 <2.0 

ug/L 

TX3B1180e Acetone VOC 8260B 7.9 <5 5.1 ug/L 

TX3B1180e Methyl t-butyl 

ether 

Volatile 

Organic HAP 8260B 3.6 7 4.6 ug/L 

TX3B1180e Aniline Volatile 

Organic HAP 8270C <8.3 <7.9 <7.9 ug/L 

TX3B1180e 2-

Methylnaphthalene 

SemiVolatile/NonVolatile 

Organic HAP 

8270D <1.1 <1.1 <1.1 

ug/L 

TX3B1180e Sulfide (as S) Surrogate SM 4500-

S2D 43 18 <13 ug/L 

TX3B1180e BOD5 Surrogate SM 5210B <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 mg/L 

TX3B1180e COD Surrogate HACH 

8000 52 50 53 mg/L 

a

 All data reported for benzene, xylene, toluene and naphthalene. Other compounds only listed if concentrations above detection

limits. 

b

 Staged Activated Sludge Treatment Unit. 

c Aeration Basins with Surface Aerators. 

d

 Influent is Influent Wastewater. Basin is 10 feet from influent side. 

e

 Influent is Filter Backwash. Basin is 10 feet from Filter Backwash side.