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Title 40

Displaying title 40, up to date as of 10/06/2026. Title 40 was last amended 10/02/2026.
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Subpart U—Primary Nickel and Cobalt Subcategory

Source:

50 FR 38359, Sept. 20, 1985, unless otherwise noted.

§ 421.230 Applicability: Description of the primary nickel and cobalt subcategory.

The provisions of this subpart are applicable to discharges resulting from the production of nickel or cobalt by primary nickel and cobalt facilities processing ore concentrate raw materials.

§ 421.231 Specialized definitions.

For the purpose of this subpart the general definitions, abbreviations, and methods of analysis set forth in 40 CFR part 401 shall apply to this subpart.

§ 421.232 Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available.

Except as provided in 40 CFR 125.30 through 125.32, any existing point source subject to this subpart shall achieve the following effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable technology currently available:

(a) Raw Material dust control.

BPT Limitations for the Primary Nickel and Cobalt Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of copper, nickel, and cobalt in the crushed raw material
Copper 0.146 0.077
Nickel 0.148 0.098
Ammonia (as N) 10.260 4.512
Cobalt 0.016 0.007
Total suspended solids 3.157 1.502
pH (1) (1)
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

(b) Nickel wash water.

BPT Limitations for the Primary Nickel and Cobalt Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of nickel powder washed
Copper 0.064 0.034
Nickel 0.065 0.043
Ammonia (as N) 4.515 1.985
Cobalt 0.007 0.003
Total suspended solids 1.389 0.660
pH (1) (1)
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

(c) Nickel reduction decant.

BPT Limitations for the Primary Nickel and Cobalt Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of nickel produced
Copper 24.120 12.700
Nickel 24.370 16.120
Ammonia (as N) 1,692.000 743.900
Cobalt 2.666 1.143
Total suspended solids 520.500 247.600
pH (1) (1)
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

(d) Cobalt reduction decant.

BPT Limitations for the Primary Nickel and Cobalt Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of cobalt produced
Copper 40.660 21.400
Nickel 41.080 27.180
Ammonia (as N) 2,852.000 1,254.000
Cobalt 4.494 1.926
Total suspended solids 877.300 417.300
pH (1) (1)
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

§ 421.233 Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable.

Except as provided in 40 CFR 125.30 through 125.32, any existing point source subject to this subpart shall achieve the following effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable:

(a) Raw material dust control.

BAT Limitations for the Primary Nickel and Cobalt Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of copper, nickel, and cobalt in the crushed raw material
Copper 0.099 0.047
Nickel 0.042 0.028
Ammonia (as N) 10.260 4.512
Cobalt 0.011 0.005

(b) Nickel wash water.

BAT Limitations for the Primary Nickel and Cobalt Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of nickel powder washed
Copper 0.043 0.021
Nickel 0.019 0.013
Ammonia (as N) 4.515 1.985
Cobalt 0.005 0.002

(c) Nickel reduction decant.

BAT Limitations for the Primary Nickel and Cobalt Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of nickel produced
Copper 16.250 7.744
Nickel 6.982 4.697
Ammonia (as N) 1,692.000 743.900
Cobalt 1.777 0.889

(d) Cobalt reduction decant.

BAT Limitations for the Primary Nickel and Cobalt Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of cobalt produced
Copper 27.390 13.050
Nickel 11.770 7.917
Ammonia (as N) 2,852.000 1,254.000
Cobalt 2.996 1.498

[50 FR 38359, Sept. 20, 1985; 50 FR 41144, Oct. 9, 1985]

§ 421.234 Standards of performance for new sources.

Any new source subject to this subpart shall achieve the following new source performance standards:

(a) Raw Material Dust Control.

NSPS for the Primary Nickel and Cobalt Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of copper, nickel, and cobalt in the crushed raw material
Copper 0.099 0.047
Nickel 0.042 0.028
Ammonia (as N) 10.260 4.512
Cobalt 0.011 0.005
Total suspended solids 1.155 0.924
pH 1 1
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

(b) Nickel wash water.

NSPS for the Primary Nickel and Cobalt Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of nickel powder washed
Copper 0.043 0.021
Nickel 0.019 0.013
Ammonia (as N) 4.515 1.985
Cobalt 0.005 0.002
Total suspended solids 0.508 0.406
pH 1 1
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

(c) Nickel reduction decant.

NSPS for the Primary Nickel and Cobalt Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of nickel produced
Copper 16.250 7.744
Nickel 6.982 4.697
Ammonia (as N) 1,692.000 743.900
Cobalt 1.777 0.889
Total suspended solids 190.400 152.300
pH 1 1
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

(d) Cobalt reduction decant.

NSPS for the Primary Nickel and Cobalt Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of cobalt produced
Copper 27.390 13.050
Nickel 11.770 7.917
Ammonia (as N) 2,852.000 1,254.000
Cobalt 2.996 1.498
Total suspended solids 321.000 256.800
pH 1 1
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

§ 421.235 [Reserved]

§ 421.236 Pretreatment standards for new sources.

Except as provided in 40 CFR 403.7, any new source subject to this subpart which introduces pollutants into a publicly owned treatment works must comply with a 40 CFR part 403 and achieve the following pretreatment standards for new sources. The mass of wastewater pollutants in primary nickel and cobalt process wastewater introduced into a POTW shall not exceed the following values:

(a) Raw material dust control.

PSNS for the Primary Nickel and Cobalt Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of copper, nickel, and cobalt in the crushed raw material
Copper 0.099 0.047
Nickel 0.042 0.028
Ammonia (as N) 10.260 4.512
Cobalt 0.011 0.005

(b) Nickel wash water.

PSNS for the Primary Nickel and Cobalt Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of nickel powder washed
Copper 0.043 0.021
Nickel 0.019 0.013
Ammonia (as N) 4.515 1.985
Cobalt 0.005 0.002

(c) Nickel reduction decant.

PSNS for the Primary Nickel and Cobalt Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) nickel produced
Copper 16.250 7.744
Nickel 6.982 4.697
Ammonia (as N) 1,692.000 743.900
Cobalt 1.777 0.889

(d) Cobalt reduction decant.

PSNS for the Primary Nickel and Cobalt Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of cobalt produced
Copper 27.390 13.050
Nickel 11.770 7.917
Ammonia (as N) 2,852.000 1,254.000
Cobalt 2.996 1.498

§ 421.237 [Reserved]