Oxy Petrochemicals, Inc.

Year Submitted: 2003

Process: Wastewater Treatment

Industry: Chemical Manufacturing

Wastes Reduced: Algae

Substance: Copper

Location: Corpus Christi, Nueces County TX

No. of employees: 310

Contact: Michael Mudrock

Phone: (512) 242-8098

Description:

In 1991, a copper discharge limitation was added to the facility's wastewater permit. An initial analysis of the wastewater showed the levels of copper present were much higher than permitted. OxyChem determined that the plant water supplier (City of Corpus Christi) was dosing the water with copper sulfate for algae control

P2 Application:

OxyChem and the City of Corpus Christi Water Department worked together over a period of more than eight months during

Environmental Benefits:

The substitution source reduced copper from not only OxyChem's water but other industrial customers of the City of Corpus Christi. Total copper releases to the environment were reduced.

Details of Reductions

Additional Information :

OxyChem avoided the expense of designing, installing and operating a water pretreatment facility for its process water. In addition, the water for copper removal would have created additional solid waste.

Source: TCEQ