Monsanto plans to invest $65 million into its Soda Spring elemental phosphorus plant as a means of upgrading its air quality control system. The company’s source of phosphate ore for the plant comes from the South Rasmussen Mine in Caribou County, which could be depleted within 18 months.
An environmental impact statement remains pending on the Blackfoot Bridge Mine, which would replace the South Rasmussen ore.
Like the J.R. Simplot Co. and Agrium Inc., Monsanto has mined phosphate in Southeast Idaho for decades. The Simplot and Agrium rock is used to manufacture phosphate fertilizers. Elemental phosphorus made at Monsanto’s Soda Springs plant, which runs three large electric furnaces, is used in the production of Roundup herbicide.
Monsanto officials hope to break ground on the thermal oxidizer and scrubbing system within 45 to 60 days. The system should be operating within 20 months. It is Monsanto’s largest capital expenditure in the Soda Springs plant since the 1960s. Officials say the investment’s scope shows the company’s long-term commitment to the region.
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) welcomed Monsanto’s announcement.
“IDEQ is very pleased that the thermal oxidizer and air scrubbing system will be installed at the Soda Springs plant. This system will reduce particulate emissions and reduce the plant’s impact on visibility,” said Thomas Edwards, IDEQ regional air manager. “This is a significant investment in state-of-the-art pollution control technology.”
Monsanto spokesman Trent Clark said the Soda Springs plant is already one of the cleanest, most environmentally sound phosphorus production plants in the world.
Most of Monsanto’s carbon monoxide is recycled in the plant’s processes, but some of it is burned off in three flares. Under the new system, that extra carbon monoxide will be routed to the thermal oxidizer, where it will be superheated in a burn chamber and captured, eliminating the emissions.
Installation of the new technology is the result of suggestions made during Monsanto’s 10-year permitting process. Monsanto Project Process Engineer Brian Kemmerer said it is the best available control technology for the furnaces. Clark said Monsanto employees learn to measure the opacity of the sky based on smoke emissions.
Several new employees will be hired to incorporate the new system into the plant’s integrated computer system. About 400 are employed at the Soda Springs plant.