Terra honored for improving Tulsa air quality

Tulsa, Okla.-Terra Industries has been honored by Tulsa and Indian Nations Council officials for playing a major role in improving air quality and assisting the city in meeting its ozone reduction commitments with EPA. Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor and Indian Nations Council of Government’s John Selph were joined March 13 by Terra Vice President of Manufacturing Richard Sanders and local business and industry representatives at a special gathering to announce Terra’s voluntary effort to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from its Tulsa nitrogen facility by approximately 425 tons per year. Terra Nitrogen is installing ultra low NOx burner technology to an existing ammonia reformer, reducing NOx emissions by approximately 60 percent at a projected cost of $2 million. “Cleaner air is on the horizon for the Tulsa area thanks to efforts of Terra Nitrogen,” said Mayor Taylor. “We congratulate them for this significant contribution to our air quality.” Selph added, “The Tulsa area has a rich history of achieving air quality standards through voluntary and cooperative efforts. Although Tulsa currently meets the federal ozone standard, we can’t be sure we will continue to meet the standard and remain off the ‘dirty air list’ without aggressive commitments such as the remarkable contribution Terra Nitrogen brings to the air shed today.” Terra Nitrogen, a subsidiary of Terra Industries located just east of the Port of Catoosa, is the largest nitrogen fertilizer producer in the U.S. Terra spokesman Joe Ewing told Green Markets that the new burner designs available today reduce NOx emissions through improved fuel mixing, which lowers the flame temperature. This is associated with the primary reformer burners in the ammonia plants where natural gas is burned for fuel. “Terra is honored by this recognition from the Tulsa area community,” said Ewing, VP for investor relations and human resources. “We are pleased to continue our ongoing efforts to improve air quality and look forward to continuing our close relationship with Tulsa.”