Public Notice: Hydrodec of North America, LLC
This serves as a public notice of Proposed PCB Alternative Treatment and Commercial Storage Approval for the Hydrodec of North America, LLC, facility located at 2021 Steinway Boulevard SE, Canton, Ohio.
On this page:
- Background
- Facility, Repository and Contact Information
- Important Dates
- Supporting Documents
- Comments
Background
Hydrodec of North America, LLC (Hydrodec) would be allowed to continue operating as an alternative treatment and commercial polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) storage facility under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) if a proposed approval is granted from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Hydrodec processes/refines both PCB and non-PCB used naphthenic-based transformer oil, also known as mineral oil dielectric fluid (MODEF), into a transformer oil product. Hydrodec collects and transports the transformer oils from power utilities, electrical maintenance companies, used oil collectors and other sources. Hydrodec treats PCBs in oil using its proprietary catalytic hydrogenation system (CHS), referred to as the PCB treatment system. The PCB treatment system refines used oils and organic chemicals. The final products (from the destruction of organic contaminants) include ethane, methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, water, biphenyl polymers and hydrogen chloride.
EPA issued an approval for alternative treatment and storage of PCBs to Hydrodec in 2012. In December 2013, there was a fire at Hydrodec which destroyed their PCB treatment system. Hydrodec rebuilt their PCB treatment system to different specifications to prevent similar damage to the system in the future.
EPA received a demonstration test plan and application from Hydrodec in June 2016 for an approval renewal for their rebuilt PCB treatment system. EPA reviewed and approved the Demonstration Test Plan. Hydrodec then conducted a demonstration test from September 20 to 22, 2016 with EPA representatives present to witness the demonstration test and collect samples during the demonstration of the system and process.
The purpose of the demonstration test was to determine whether Hydrodec can achieve EPA’s performance standard of less than 2 parts per million (ppm) PCBs. During the demonstration test, Hydrodec successfully demonstrated treatment of PCBs to less than 2 ppm. Additionally, Hydrodec successfully demonstrated they could accurately and precisely analyze the PCBs and the performance of the treatment system, with data in close agreement with the data collected by EPA. Consequently, these data were used to determine the draft operating conditions for the draft operating approval for alternative treatment.
The approval would also allow Hydrodec to commercially store up to 16,400 gallons of PCB oil in bulk storage tanks, 900 gallons in process tanks and drums, and 880 gallons of PCB waste at various levels in approved storage tanks, totes and drums.
EPA has determined that the operation of the process does not pose unreasonable risk to health or the environment.
Before a final decision is made, EPA took comments from the public on the proposed approval for Hydrodec located at 2021 Steinway Boulevard SE, Canton, Ohio.
The draft PCB alternative treatment and commercial storage approval was open for public comment for 45 days from October 30 to December 15, 2017. Copies of the draft PCB alternative treatment and commercial storage approval and supporting documents (i.e., Hydrodec application) are located at the Stark County Library as well as posted online (see below). Comments are being accepted on the draft approval, not the supporting documents. EPA considered requests to hold a public meeting, but no one requested one.
Facility, Repository and Contact Information
General Facility Information
| City: | Canton |
|---|---|
| State: | Ohio |
| County: | Stark |
| EPA ID#: | OHR000143263 |
| Alias(es): | N/A |
Repository Information
| Name: | Stark Library |
|---|---|
| Street Address: | 715 Market Avenue N |
| City/State: | Canton, Ohio 44702 |
| Opening Hours: |
9 a.m. - 8 p.m. (Mon - Thu) 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Fri) 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Sat) CLOSED (Sun) |
Contact Information
EPA Public Affairs Specialist:
Rafael P. Gonzalez
Gonzalez.rafaelp@epa.gov
Phone: 800-621-8431, Ext. 60269
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., weekdays
Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) Project Manager:
Lisa Graczyk
Graczyk.lisa@epa.gov
Phone: 312-353-3219
Fax: 312-692-2027
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., weekdays
Important Dates
- October 30 to December 15, 2017 – The public comment period is now closed
Supporting Documents
Below are the supporting documents upon which the Draft PCB Alternative Treatment and Commercial Storage Approval is based.
- EPA 2017 Draft Approval to Treat and Commercially Store PCBs, 08/30/2017
- PCB Storage Permit Application, 06/16/2017
- PCB Alternative Treatment Permit Application, 06/16/2017
- PCB Demonstration Test Report, 05/15/2017
- Mechanical Integrity Testing Program, 02/13/2017
- Letter from EPA to Hydrodec (Approval of Demonstration Test Plan), 09/16/2016
- Demonstration Test Plan, 6/15/2016