81_FR_23557 81 FR 23480 - Notice of Final Approval for the Operation of a Pressure-Assisted Multi-Point Ground Flare at Occidental Chemical Corporation

81 FR 23480 - Notice of Final Approval for the Operation of a Pressure-Assisted Multi-Point Ground Flare at Occidental Chemical Corporation

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 77 (April 21, 2016)

Page Range23480-23488
FR Document2016-08911

This notice announces our approval of the Alternative Means of Emission Limitation (AMEL) request for the operation of a multi-point ground flare (MPGF) at Occidental Chemical Corporation's (OCC) ethylene plant in Ingleside, Texas. This approval notice specifies the operating conditions and monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements for demonstrating compliance with the AMEL request that this facility must follow. In addition, this notice finalizes a framework that facilities can follow to help expedite and streamline approval of future AMEL requests for pressure-assisted MPGF.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 77 (Thursday, April 21, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 77 (Thursday, April 21, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23480-23488]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08911]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-0738; FRL-9945-15-OAR]


Notice of Final Approval for the Operation of a Pressure-Assisted 
Multi-Point Ground Flare at Occidental Chemical Corporation

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice; final approval.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces our approval of the Alternative Means of 
Emission Limitation (AMEL) request for the operation of a multi-point 
ground flare (MPGF) at Occidental Chemical Corporation's (OCC) ethylene 
plant in Ingleside, Texas. This approval notice specifies the operating 
conditions and monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements 
for demonstrating compliance with the AMEL request that this facility 
must follow. In addition, this notice finalizes a framework that 
facilities can follow to help expedite and streamline approval of 
future AMEL requests for pressure-assisted MPGF.

DATES: The AMEL request for the MPGF at OCC's ethylene plant in 
Ingleside, Texas, is approved and in effect on April 21, 2016.

ADDRESSES: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a 
docket for this action under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-0738. All 
documents in the docket are listed on the http://www.regulations.gov 
Web site. Although listed in the index, some information is not 
publicly available, e.g., confidential business information (CBI) or 
other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain 
other material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the 
Internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. 
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically 
through http://www.regulations.gov, or in hard copy at the EPA Docket 
Center, EPA WJC West Building, Room Number 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. 
NW., Washington, DC. The Public Reading Room hours of operation are 
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), Monday through 
Friday. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566-
1744, and the telephone number for the Air Docket is (202) 566-1742.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions about this final action, 
contact Mr. Andrew Bouchard, Sector Policies and Programs Division 
(E143-01), Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS), U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 
27711; telephone number: (919) 541-4036; fax number: (919) 541-0246; 
and email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Acronyms and Abbreviations

    We use multiple acronyms and terms in this notice. While this list 
may not be exhaustive, to ease the reading of this notice and for 
reference purposes, the EPA defines the following terms and acronyms 
here:

AMEL alternative means of emission limitation
Btu/scf British thermal units per standard cubic foot
CBI confidential business information
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
Eqn equation
FR Federal Register
GC gas chromatograph
HAP hazardous air pollutants
LFL lower flammability limit
LFLcz combustion zone lower flammability limit
MPGF multi-point ground flare
NESHAP national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants
NHV net heating value
NHVcz combustion zone net heating value
NSPS new source performance standards
OAQPS Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
OCC Occidental Chemical Corporation
PS Performance Specification
QA quality assurance
QC quality control
VOC volatile organic compounds

    Organization of This Document. The information in this notice is 
organized as follows:

I. Background
    A. Summary
    B. Regulatory Flare Requirements and OCC's AMEL Request
II. Summary of Public Comments on OCC's AMEL Request and the 
Framework for Streamlining Approval of Future Pressure-Assisted MPGF 
AMEL Requests
    A. OCC's AMEL Request
    B. Framework for Streamlining Approval of Future Pressure-
Assisted MPGF AMEL Requests
III. Final Notice of Approval of OCC's AMEL Request and Required 
Operating Conditions
IV. Final Framework for Streamlining Approval of Future Pressure-
Assisted MPGF AMEL Requests

I. Background

A. Summary

    On August 31, 2015, the EPA published an initial notification in 
the Federal Register (FR) acknowledging receipt of an AMEL approval 
request for the operation of an MPGF at OCC's ethylene plant in 
Ingleside, Texas, (see 80 FR 52426, August 31, 2015). This initial 
notification solicited comment on all aspects of the AMEL request and 
the resulting alternative operating conditions that are necessary to 
achieve a reduction in emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) 
and organic hazardous air pollutants (HAP) at least equivalent to the 
reduction in emissions required by various standards in 40 CFR parts 
60, 61, and 63 that apply to emission sources that would be controlled 
by these pressure-assisted

[[Page 23481]]

MPGF. These standards point to the operating requirements for flares in 
the General Provisions to parts 60 and 63, respectively, to comply with 
the emission reduction requirements. Because pressure-assisted MPGF 
cannot meet the velocity requirements in the General Provisions, OCC 
requested an AMEL. This action provides a summary of the comments 
received as part of the public review process, our responses to those 
comments, and our approval of the AMEL request received from OCC for 
use of a pressure-assisted MPGF at their Ingleside, Texas, ethylene 
plant, along with the operating conditions they must follow for 
demonstrating compliance with the AMEL request.
    Additionally, the August 31, 2015, FR initial notification also 
solicited comment on a framework for streamlining future MPGF AMEL 
requests that we anticipate, when followed, would afford the Agency the 
ability to review and approve future AMEL requests for MPGF in a more 
efficient and expeditious manner. This action provides a summary of 
comments received on the framework as part of the public review 
process, our responses to those comments, and finalizes a framework for 
streamlining future pressure-assisted MPGF AMEL requests. We note that 
future AMEL requests would still require a notice and an opportunity 
for the public to comment.

B. Regulatory Flare Requirements and OCC's AMEL Request

    OCC submitted an AMEL request to the EPA on December 16, 2014, 
seeking to operate an MPGF for use during limited high-pressure 
maintenance, startup, and shutdown events, as well as emergency 
situations at their ethylene plant in Ingleside, Texas. In their 
request, OCC cited various regulatory requirements in 40 CFR parts 60, 
61, and 63 that will apply to the flare waste gas streams that will be 
collected and routed to their pressure-assisted MPGF. OCC sought such 
an AMEL request because their MPGF is not designed to operate below the 
maximum permitted velocity requirements for flares in the General 
Provisions of 40 CFR parts 60 and 63. OCC provided information that the 
MPGF they propose to use will achieve a reduction in emissions at least 
equivalent to the reduction in emissions for flares complying with 
these General Provisions requirements (for further background 
information on the regulatory flare requirements and a facility's 
ability to request an AMEL, see 80 FR 52427-52428, August 31, 2015).

II. Summary of Public Comments on OCC's AMEL Request and the Framework 
for Streamlining Approval of Future Pressure-Assisted MPGF AMEL 
Requests

    This section contains a summary of major comments and responses, 
and rationale for the approved MPGF operating conditions and 
monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements necessary to 
ensure the MPGF will achieve a reduction in emissions of HAP and VOC at 
least equivalent to the reduction in emissions of other traditional 
flare systems complying with the requirements in 40 CFR 60.18(b) and 40 
CFR 63.11(b). This section also contains a summary of the major 
comments and responses received on the framework for streamlining 
approval of future MPGF AMEL requests and our rationale for finalizing 
this framework.

A. OCC's AMEL Request

    Comment: Commenters stated that the LFLcz equation (i.e., Eqn. 2 in 
Section III below) should be revised so that the calculated LFLvg is 
expressed in volume percent rather than in volume fraction.
    Response: While the equation is mathematically correct with respect 
to calculating LFLvg in volume fraction, we agree with the commenters 
that it should be revised to reflect the same units as the compliance 
metric of LFLvg in volume percent. Since multiplying the volume 
fraction term by 100 will yield a result in units of volume percent, we 
have updated Eqn. 2 in Section III to reflect this consistency change.
    Comment: Commenters stated that the calibration requirements in 
Table 2 of Section III of this notice require OCC to monitor net 
heating value by gas chromatograph (GC) and follow the procedure in 
Performance Specification (PS) 9 of 40 CFR part 60, appendix B, and 
that these requirements require a daily mid-level calibration check and 
that the EPA should change them from a daily basis to a weekly basis. 
Commenters stated that a weekly calibration should be allowed because 
operating conditions in Table 2 in Section III(1)(f) of this notice 
only allow the time needed to perform a daily calibration, along with 
other maintenance periods and instrument adjustments, to not exceed 5 
percent and that a daily calibration will lead to a built-in loss of 
monitor downtime of almost 5 percent since it requires 1 hour in a 24-
hour day (e.g., 4.2 percent of the time). Commenters also requested 
that this monitor downtime should be calculated on a rolling 12-month 
basis for compliance purposes and that the EPA clarify that the 
calibration and maintenance procedures conducted when the flare is not 
receiving regulated material be excluded from the monitor downtime 
calculation.
    Response: The requirement to perform a daily mid-level calibration 
check for a GC is codified in the procedure of PS 9 of 40 CFR part 60, 
appendix B, and Table 2 of Section III in this notice already provides 
some relief with respect to the amount of analysis needed (i.e., a 
single daily mid-level calibration check can be used (rather than 
triplicate analysis)) for the calibration checks on a GC. The AMEL does 
not require monitoring with a GC, but rather allows for the use of 
either a GC or a calorimeter to demonstrate compliance with the 
monitoring and operating requirements. Given that OCC's MPGF will 
handle both planned maintenance, startup and shutdown events as well as 
potential emergency situations, a monitoring system used to demonstrate 
compliance for this AMEL must be capable of producing a reliable result 
instantaneously, and the more frequent (i.e., daily) calibrations 
required in PS 9 provides a high level of assurance that the GC reading 
will be both precise and accurate. Thus, we are not changing the 
requirement within PS 9 to allow less frequent (i.e., weekly) 
calibration checks for a GC. We do understand that monitoring equipment 
can break down or need maintenance from time to time to continue to 
perform reliably. Therefore, to provide flexibility that ensures the GC 
is maintained properly, we are clarifying that calibration and 
maintenance procedures conducted when the flare is not receiving 
regulated material are excluded from the monitor downtime calculation. 
Also, we are clarifying that monitor downtime to perform calibration 
and maintenance procedures may not exceed 5 percent of the time when 
the flare is receiving regulated material, calculated on an annual, 
non-rolling average basis as OCC further clarified in their comments on 
the AMEL request during a conference call with the EPA (see memorandum, 
``Meeting Record for January 12, 2016, Meeting Between the U.S. EPA and 
Occidental Chemical Corporation,'' at Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-
0738).
    Comment: Commenters stated that the EPA should include a provision 
in the final AMEL to allow a small percentage of downtime (i.e., 5 
percent of the time the flare is receiving regulated material) for 
video camera maintenance and repair/replacement. One commenter asked 
for the EPA to add language to

[[Page 23482]]

clarify that the video camera requirement for monitoring visible 
emissions applies only when the flare is receiving regulated material.
    Response: Given that the MPGFs approved in earlier AMELs, as well 
as OCC's MPGF, are all back-up control devices, we are clarifying that 
the video camera requirement for monitoring visible emissions applies 
only when the flare is receiving regulated material. Furthermore, while 
we realize that MPGFs have sufficiently tall fences built around them 
primarily for safety, their design does pose a potential challenge with 
respect to allowing a person on the ground to monitor the MPGFs for 
visible emissions. Given that the AMEL requests we have approved to 
date from The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) and ExxonMobil Chemical 
Company (ExxonMobil) (see 80 FR 52426, August 31, 2015), as well as 
this AMEL approved for OCC, all allow for permitted use of MPGF only in 
cases of maintenance, startup, shutdown, and emergency situations and 
not on a continuous basis, the time when the MPGF is not in operation 
should be sufficient for video camera maintenance and repair/
replacement to occur. Therefore, we are not including a provision to 
allow any downtime for video camera maintenance and repair/replacement 
when the MPGF is receiving regulated material.
    Comment: A few commenters suggested that the EPA clarify the 
language in the referenced operating conditions in Section III(2) of 
this notice which states: ``Each stage of MPGF burners must have at 
least two pilots with a continuously lit pilot flame.'' Specifically, 
commenters requested that the EPA clarify that while each stage of the 
MPGF is equipped with a minimum of two pilots, that only one 
continuously lit pilot flame is needed when the stage is in operation.
    Response: We disagree that it is necessary to change the operating 
conditions language in Section III(2) as suggested by the commenters, 
and we believe the requirements for the OCC AMEL approval should be 
consistent with the previous AMEL operating conditions published for 
both Dow and ExxonMobil (see 80 FR 52426, August 31, 2015). The 
operating conditions in Section III(2) and reporting requirements in 
Section III(6) of this notice are clear that the MPGF system should be 
equipped with a minimum of two pilots per stage and that a flame must 
be present at all times the stage is in use and burning regulated 
material. In addition, a complete loss of pilot flame for more than 1 
minute in a 15-minute period is an excess emission that must be 
reported.
    Comment: One commenter requested that the EPA clarify the language 
with respect to requiring ``records'' in the excess emissions reporting 
requirements and suggested replacing the term with ``periods.''
    Response: We disagree with changing the terminology ``records'' to 
``periods'' in the excess emissions reporting requirements. Section 
III(6)(c) of the operating conditions below are clear that we are not 
requiring reporting of all records that an owner or operator may keep 
or that they may be required to keep as a condition of AMEL approval 
for a given MPGF, but rather, that the owner or operator must report 
the specific information in the excess emissions report.

B. Framework for Streamlining Approval of Future Pressure-Assisted MPGF 
AMEL Requests

    Comment: One commenter stated that the framework for streamlining 
approval of future MPGF AMEL requests should not require information 
unrelated to a burner equivalency determination, information that has 
already been submitted to other parts of the Agency for permitting 
purposes, or proprietary MPGF burner design information. Specifically, 
the commenter stated that the EPA should remove the following 
information from the framework that owners or operators seeking 
approval of an MPGF AMEL are required to submit:
     Details of the overall emissions control scheme: Section 
IV(1)(b).
     MPGF capacity and operation (including number of rows 
(stages), number of burners and pilots per stage and staging curve): 
Section IV(1)(b).
     MPGF burner size and design: Section IV(1)(c) and (1)(d).
     Cross-light testing: Section IV(5) in its entirety.
     Flaring reduction considerations: Section IV(6)(a).
    Another commenter stated that at Section IV(3)(a)(ii), for an 
engineering evaluation demonstration, once a burner of a specific type, 
size, and geometry has been tested on a waste gas, that burner can be 
considered to be proven stable and smokeless for that waste gas only. 
Further, the commenter states that engineering assessment and 
extrapolation should only be permitted under the framework where burner 
design and waste gas are the same as tested because any deviation in 
burner design or waste gas could lead to significant changes in 
stability or smokeless capacity.
    Response: First, we note that the objective of the framework is to 
provide the regulated community with a clear and concise understanding 
of the minimum information that must be provided to the Agency so that 
we can adequately evaluate an MPGF AMEL request. The information listed 
in the framework is necessary to evaluate whether an MPGF operates 
properly and controls emissions of regulated material at least 
equivalent to applicable regulations. Hence, information related to 
details of the overall emissions control scheme, MPGF capacity, 
operation and burner size, cross-light testing, and flaring reduction 
considerations are all important and necessary information to 
adequately make an equivalency determination. Therefore, we are not 
removing them from the framework.
    Second, with respect to submitting information that may have been 
developed and submitted already for permitting purposes, we note that 
this framework is designed to help streamline and expedite future 
approvals of MPGF AMEL requests. If an owner or operator does not 
submit the information set forth in the framework, additional time and 
resources will have to be spent to evaluate the AMEL request.
    Lastly, with respect to concerns about MPGF burner design and the 
potential for some of the information to be proprietary (e.g., 
geometry, tip drillings, and hole size), we note that the MPGF burner 
tests conducted to date indicate that flare head design (along with 
waste gas composition) can influence flame stability, which is one of 
the more important factors affecting performance of the MPGF that the 
Agency must consider in whether to approve an AMEL request and agree 
with the commenter that flare stability is affected by burner design/
waste gas combination tested (see 80 FR 8023, February 13, 2015, for 
more details). To the extent the owner, operator or flare vendor/
manufacturer considers this information to be CBI, they should note 
that in their MPGF AMEL request, and we will provide details on our CBI 
policy and procedures on how they should submit this information to the 
Agency after the AMEL request has been received. At a minimum, 
facilities should note the flare vendor and burner model name.
    Comment: One commenter recommended that the framework allow flare 
vendors/manufacturers and owners or operators to determine and document 
the most appropriate burner testing durations (e.g., 5-minute screening 
test to determine flameout followed by three 15-minute tests at other 
more stable points). Another commenter suggested that for the sole 
purpose of flame

[[Page 23483]]

stability evaluation, 3 to 5 minutes is sufficient for a testing 
duration.
    One commenter suggested that the specific requirements of the flare 
flame stability tests be enumerated in Section IV(4)(b) below since it 
references back to performance test information in Section IV(3)(a)(i).
    Response: After consideration of the comments received during the 
comment period as well as the supplemental technical information 
received after the close of the comment period (see memorandum, 
``Meeting Record for January 7, 2016, Meeting Between the U.S. EPA and 
Zeeco,'' at Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-0738), we agree with the 
commenters that the duration of the MPGF stability test runs in Section 
IV(4)(c) can be shortened from 15 minutes, but disagree with the 
commenters that we should allow flare vendors/manufacturers and owners 
or operators to determine and document the most appropriate burner 
testing durations. In reviewing the available test data on an MPGF 
where unstable test runs with constant conditions were observed, a few 
runs were aborted in 4 minutes or less due to instability (see 
memorandum, ``Review of Available Test Data on Multipoint Ground 
Flares,'' at Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-0738-0002). The commenters 
have suggested that the instability was related to the changing and 
decreasing heat content and composition of the fuel gas stream as the 
fuel gas mixture was being produced for the trial flare run. If the 
demonstration had instead relied upon a constant gas mixture that could 
have been produced in a mix tank, rather than an online mixer, than the 
demonstration of stability could have been done over a shorter 
duration. In addition, when correlating back the MPGF stability testing 
duration to the averaging time for a monitoring system like a GC that 
can be used to demonstrate compliance with the operating conditions 
laid out in Section III below, the total testing time of the three runs 
should tie back to the time it takes for one GC analysis cycle to occur 
(e.g., 15 minutes in duration). Therefore, based on these reasons, as 
well as in order to minimize emissions from the MPGF stability testing 
requirements, we are finalizing in Section IV(4)(c) that the duration 
of each individual MPGF stability test run must be a minimum of 5 
minutes in duration rather than the longer period of 15 minutes in 
duration that was in the initial framework.
    Regarding the comment to enumerate the performance test information 
in Section IV(4)(b) rather than cross-referencing to Section 
IV(3)(a)(i), we disagree that the change is necessary.
    Comment: One commenter stated that in lieu of using a generic 
olefin gas or an olefinic gas mixture for purposes of the destruction 
efficiency/combustion efficiency performance demonstration specified in 
the framework, the framework should require the performance test to be 
based only on waste gas representative of the proposed flaring 
application, in conjunction with the specific burner type proposed for 
use.
    Response: As discussed in Section IV(3)(a), the framework provides 
the owner or operator with the option to test the MPGF using a 
representative waste gas or a waste gas, such as an olefin gas or 
olefinic gas mixture, that will challenge the performance and smokeless 
capacity of the MPGF. Since MPGF testing is occurring prior to plant 
construction and startup, sufficient representative waste gas may not 
be available to satisfy the testing requirements specified. Therefore, 
we allow olefin gas or olefinic gas mixtures to be considered since 
they represent the olefins industry where the MPGF installations are 
being used and since they have been shown to challenge MPGF 
performance. For this reason, we disagree with the commenter that we 
should amend this requirement in the framework.
    Comment: A few commenters suggested that the EPA allow the AMEL 
framework to provide approval for alternate proposed combustion 
parameters or on-line monitoring requirements and technology.
    One commenter suggested that the framework should provide success 
criteria for submittal and that a clear articulation of the criteria 
the Agency will use to promptly approve an AMEL request is needed.
    Response: As laid out in Section IV (7) below, sources should 
consider all the information laid out in their AMEL application and 
make recommendations on the type of monitoring and operating conditions 
necessary for the MPGF to demonstrate equivalent reductions in 
emissions as compared to flares complying with the requirements at 40 
CFR 60.18 and 40 CFR 63.11. Additionally, we note that while the 
framework should provide the regulated community a blueprint for the 
minimum information the Agency needs to review and eventually finalize 
an MPGF AMEL request, the Clean Air Act requires us to provide the 
public with notice and opportunity to comment on the AMEL (see 80 FR 
8023, February 13, 2015, and 80 FR 52426, August 31, 2015, for more 
details) and consider this input before any AMEL request can be 
formally finalized. Because of this statutory requirement, we cannot 
provide any additional language for the regulated community with 
respect to promptly approving an AMEL request without first considering 
public comments regardless of whether or not all the information 
submitted to the Agency exactly follows the framework in Section IV 
below.
    Comment: One commenter suggested that the framework should specify 
that cross-light testing is only required when every burner in the MPGF 
does not have a continuous pilot.
    Another commenter agreed with the cross-light testing specified in 
the framework.
    Response: An MPGF can have hundreds of burners and, when seeking an 
approval of an AMEL request, the owner or operator must demonstrate 
that the system can be operated with a flame present at all times when 
regulated material is routed to the flare and that the burners will 
light and combust this regulated material. To date, the AMEL requests 
for MPGF systems we have approved indicate that cross lighting will be 
used to light the vast majority of individual burners within a given 
stage, which is why this testing requirement is specified in the 
framework. If a future MPGF design will not use cross lighting, the 
owner or operator must demonstrate through testing how the burners 
within a stage will be lit to combust regulated material. Because this 
would be a different design from the MPGF that informed our development 
of the framework, different requirements from those specified in 
Section IV (5) below for the pilot flames and pilot monitoring systems 
may be required for such an MPGF system and these should be conveyed in 
the AMEL request.
    Comment: One commenter suggested that a mechanism similar to the 
``Framework for Streamlining Approval for Future Pressure-Assisted MPGF 
AMEL'' should also be made available for elevated flares that use 
pressure-assisted burners.
    Response: While we understand the commenter's suggestion that the 
Agency clearly prescribe a path forward for evaluating non-MPGF 
pressure-assisted flare designs that may not be able to comply with the 
flare requirements of 40 CFR 60.18(b) or 40 CFR 63.11(b), this request 
is beyond the scope of both OCC's MPGF AMEL request and the framework 
for pressure-assisted MPGF.

III. Final Notice of Approval of OCC's AMEL Request and Required 
Operating Conditions

    Based on information the EPA received from OCC and the comments

[[Page 23484]]

received through the public comment period, we are approving OCC's 
request for an AMEL and establishing operating requirements for the 
pressure-assisted MPGF at OCC's Ingleside, Texas, ethylene plant. The 
operating conditions for OCC's MPGF that will achieve a reduction in 
emissions at least equivalent to the reduction in emissions being 
controlled by a steam-assisted, air-assisted, or non-assisted flare 
complying with the requirements of either 40 CFR 63.11(b) or 40 CFR 
60.18(b) are as follows:
    (1) The MPGF system must be designed and operated such that the 
combustion zone gas net heating value (NHVcz) is greater than or equal 
to 800 British thermal units per standard cubic foot (Btu/scf) or the 
combustion zone gas lower flammability limit (LFLcz) is less than or 
equal to 6.5 percent by volume. Owners or operators must demonstrate 
compliance with the NHVcz or LFLcz metric by continuously complying 
with a 15-minute block average. Owners or operators must calculate and 
monitor for the NHVcz or LFLcz according to the following:
a) Calculation of NHVcz
    (i) The owner or operator shall determine NHVcz from compositional 
analysis data by using the following equation:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN21AP16.000


Where:

NHVvg = Net heating value of flare vent gas, Btu/scf. Flare vent gas 
means all gas found just prior to the MPGF. This gas includes all 
flare waste gas (i.e., gas from facility operations that is directed 
to a flare for the purpose of disposing of the gas), flare sweep 
gas, flare purge gas and flare supplemental gas, but does not 
include pilot gas.
i = Individual component in flare vent gas.
n = Number of components in flare vent gas.
xi = Concentration of component i in flare vent gas, volume 
fraction.
NHVi = Net heating value of component i determined as the heat of 
combustion where the net enthalpy per mole of offgas is based on 
combustion at 25 degrees Celsius ([deg]C) and 1 atmosphere (or 
constant pressure) with water in the gaseous state from values 
published in the literature, and then the values converted to a 
volumetric basis using 20 [deg]C for ``standard temperature.'' Table 
1 summarizes component properties including net heating values.

    (ii) For MPGF, NHVvg = NHVcz.
(b) Calculation of LFLcz
    (i) The owner or operator shall determine LFLcz from compositional 
analysis data by using the following equation:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN21AP16.001


Where:

LFLvg = Lower flammability limit of flare vent gas, volume percent 
(vol %).
n = Number of components in the vent gas.
i = Individual component in the vent gas.
[chi]i = Concentration of component i in the vent gas, vol %.
LFLi = Lower flammability limit of component i as determined using 
values published by the U.S. Bureau of Mines (Zabetakis, 1965), vol 
%. All inerts, including nitrogen, are assumed to have an infinite 
LFL (e.g., LFLN2 = [infin], so that [chi]N2/LFLN2 = 0). LFL values 
for common flare vent gas components are provided in Table 1.

    (ii) For MPGF, LFLvg = LFLcz.
    (c) The operator of an MPGF system shall install, operate, 
calibrate, and maintain a monitoring system capable of continuously 
measuring flare vent gas flow rate.
    (d) The operator shall install, operate, calibrate, and maintain a 
monitoring system capable of continuously measuring (i.e., at least 
once every 15 minutes), calculating, and recording the individual 
component concentrations present in the flare vent gas or the owner or 
operator shall install, operate, calibrate, and maintain a monitoring 
system capable of continuously measuring, calculating, and recording 
NHVvg.
    (e) For each measurement produced by the monitoring system, the 
operator shall determine the 15-minute block average as the arithmetic 
average of all measurements made by the monitoring system within the 
15-minute period.
    (f) The operator must follow the calibration and maintenance 
procedures according to Table 2. Maintenance periods, instrument 
adjustments, or checks to maintain precision and accuracy and zero and 
span adjustments may not exceed 5 percent of the time the flare is 
receiving regulated material.

                                    Table 1--Individual Component Properties
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   NHVi (British
                                                     Molecular      MWi (pounds    thermal units   LFLi (volume
                    Component                         formula       per pound-     per standard         %)
                                                                       mole)        cubic foot)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acetylene.......................................            C2H2           26.04           1,404             2.5
Benzene.........................................            C6H6           78.11           3,591             1.3
1,2-Butadiene...................................            C4H6           54.09           2,794             2.0
1,3-Butadiene...................................            C4H6           54.09           2,690             2.0
iso-Butane......................................           C4H10           58.12           2,957             1.8
n-Butane........................................           C4H10           58.12           2,968             1.8
cis-Butene......................................            C4H8           56.11           2,830             1.6

[[Page 23485]]

 
iso-Butene......................................            C4H8           56.11           2,928             1.8
trans-Butene....................................            C4H8           56.11           2,826             1.7
Carbon Dioxide..................................             CO2           44.01               0         [infin]
Carbon Monoxide.................................              CO           28.01             316            12.5
Cyclopropane....................................            C3H6           42.08           2,185             2.4
Ethane..........................................            C2H6           30.07           1,595             3.0
Ethylene........................................            C2H4           28.05           1,477             2.7
Hydrogen........................................              H2            2.02             274             4.0
Hydrogen Sulfide................................             H2S           34.08             587             4.0
Methane.........................................             CH4           16.04             896             5.0
Methyl-Acetylene................................            C3H4           40.06           2,088             1.7
Nitrogen........................................              N2           28.01               0         [infin]
Oxygen..........................................              O2           32.00               0         [infin]
Pentane+ (C5+)..................................           C5H12           72.15           3,655             1.4
Propadiene......................................            C3H4           40.06           2,066            2.16
Propane.........................................            C3H8           44.10           2,281             2.1
Propylene.......................................            C3H6           42.08           2,150             2.4
Water...........................................             H2O           18.02               0         [infin]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


             Table 2--Accuracy and Calibration Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Accuracy             Calibration
          Parameter               requirements          requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flare Vent Gas Flow Rate....  20        Performance
                               percent of flow       evaluation
                               rate at velocities    biennially (every 2
                               ranging from 0.1 to   years) and
                               1 foot per second.    following any
                              5          period of more than
                               percent of flow       24 hours throughout
                               rate at velocities    which the flow rate
                               greater than 1 foot   exceeded the
                               per second.           maximum rated flow
                                                     rate of the sensor,
                                                     or the data
                                                     recorder was off
                                                     scale. Checks of
                                                     all mechanical
                                                     connections for
                                                     leakage monthly.
                                                     Visual inspections
                                                     and checks of
                                                     system operation
                                                     every 3 months,
                                                     unless the system
                                                     has a redundant
                                                     flow sensor.
                                                    Select a
                                                     representative
                                                     measurement
                                                     location where
                                                     swirling flow or
                                                     abnormal velocity
                                                     distributions due
                                                     to upstream and
                                                     downstream
                                                     disturbances at the
                                                     point of
                                                     measurement are
                                                     minimized.
Pressure....................  5         Review pressure
                               percent over the      sensor readings at
                               normal range          least once a week
                               measured or 0.12      for straight-line
                               kilopascals (0.5      (unchanging)
                               inches of water       pressure and
                               column), whichever    perform corrective
                               is greater.           action to ensure
                                                     proper pressure
                                                     sensor operation if
                                                     blockage is
                                                     indicated.
                                                    Performance
                                                     evaluation annually
                                                     and following any
                                                     period of more than
                                                     24 hours throughout
                                                     which the pressure
                                                     exceeded the
                                                     maximum rated
                                                     pressure of the
                                                     sensor, or the data
                                                     recorder was off
                                                     scale. Checks of
                                                     all mechanical
                                                     connections for
                                                     leakage monthly.
                                                     Visual inspection
                                                     of all components
                                                     for integrity,
                                                     oxidation and
                                                     galvanic corrosion
                                                     every 3 months,
                                                     unless the system
                                                     has a redundant
                                                     pressure sensor.
                                                    Select a
                                                     representative
                                                     measurement
                                                     location that
                                                     minimizes or
                                                     eliminates
                                                     pulsating pressure,
                                                     vibration, and
                                                     internal and
                                                     external corrosion.
Net Heating Value by          2         Calibration
 Calorimeter.                  percent of span.      requirements should
                                                     follow
                                                     manufacturer's
                                                     recommendations at
                                                     a minimum.
                                                    Temperature control
                                                     (heated and/or
                                                     cooled as
                                                     necessary) the
                                                     sampling system to
                                                     ensure proper year-
                                                     round operation.
                                                    Where feasible,
                                                     select a sampling
                                                     location at least 2
                                                     equivalent
                                                     diameters
                                                     downstream from and
                                                     0.5 equivalent
                                                     diameters upstream
                                                     from the nearest
                                                     disturbance. Select
                                                     the sampling
                                                     location at least 2
                                                     equivalent duct
                                                     diameters from the
                                                     nearest control
                                                     device, point of
                                                     pollutant
                                                     generation, air in-
                                                     leakages, or other
                                                     point at which a
                                                     change in the
                                                     pollutant
                                                     concentration or
                                                     emission rate
                                                     occurs.

[[Page 23486]]

 
Net Heating Value by Gas      As specified in PS 9  Follow the procedure
 Chromatograph.                of 40 CFR part 60,    in PS 9 of 40 CFR
                               appendix B.           part 60, appendix
                                                     B, except that a
                                                     single daily mid-
                                                     level calibration
                                                     check can be used
                                                     (rather than
                                                     triplicate
                                                     analysis), the
                                                     multi-point
                                                     calibration can be
                                                     conducted quarterly
                                                     (rather than
                                                     monthly), and the
                                                     sampling line
                                                     temperature must be
                                                     maintained at a
                                                     minimum temperature
                                                     of 60 [deg]C
                                                     (rather than 120
                                                     [deg]C).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) The MPGF system shall be operated with a flame present at all 
times when in use. Each stage of MPGF burners must have at least two 
pilots with a continuously lit pilot flame. The pilot flame(s) must be 
continuously monitored by a thermocouple or any other equivalent device 
used to detect the presence of a flame. The time, date, and duration of 
any complete loss of pilot flame on any stage of MPGF burners must be 
recorded. Each monitoring device must be maintained or replaced at a 
frequency in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
    (3) The MPGF system shall be operated with no visible emissions 
except for periods not to exceed a total of 5 minutes during any 2 
consecutive hours. A video camera that is capable of continuously 
recording (i.e., at least one frame every 15 seconds with time and date 
stamps) images of the flare flame and a reasonable distance above the 
flare flame at an angle suitable for visible emissions observations 
must be used to demonstrate compliance with this requirement. The owner 
or operator must provide real-time video surveillance camera output to 
the control room or other continuously manned location where the video 
camera images may be viewed at any time.
    (4) The operator of an MPGF system shall install and operate 
pressure monitor(s) on the main flare header, as well as a valve 
position indicator monitoring system for each staging valve to ensure 
that the MPGF operates within the range of tested conditions or within 
the range of the manufacturer's specifications. The pressure monitor 
shall meet the requirements in Table 2. Maintenance periods, instrument 
adjustments or checks to maintain precision and accuracy, and zero and 
span adjustments may not exceed 5 percent of the time the flare is 
receiving regulated material.
    (5) Recordkeeping Requirements.
    (a) All data must be recorded and maintained for a minimum of 3 
years or for as long as applicable rule subpart(s) specify flare 
records should be kept, whichever is more stringent.
    (6) Reporting Requirements.
    (a) The information specified in Section III (6)(b) and (c) below 
should be reported in the timeline specified by the applicable rule 
subpart(s) for which the MPGF will control emissions.
    (b) Owners or operators should include the following information in 
their initial Notification of Compliance status report:
    (i) Specify flare design as a pressure-assisted MPGF.
    (ii) All visible emission readings, NHVcz and/or LFLcz 
determinations, and flow rate measurements. For MPGF, exit velocity 
determinations do not need to be reported as the maximum permitted 
velocity requirements in the General Provisions at 40 CFR 60.18 and 40 
CFR 63.11 are not applicable.
    (iii) All periods during the compliance determination when a 
complete loss of pilot flame on any stage of MPGF burners occurs.
    (iv) All periods during the compliance determination when the 
pressure monitor(s) on the main flare header show the MPGF burners 
operating outside the range of tested conditions or outside the range 
of the manufacturer's specifications.
    (v) All periods during the compliance determination when the 
staging valve position indicator monitoring system indicates a stage of 
the MPGF should not be in operation and is or when a stage of the MPGF 
should be in operation and is not.
    (c) The owner or operator shall notify the Administrator of periods 
of excess emissions in their Periodic Reports. These periods of excess 
emissions shall include:
    (i) Records of each 15-minute block during which there was at least 
1 minute when regulated material was routed to the MPGF and a complete 
loss of pilot flame on a stage of burners occurred.
    (ii) Records of visible emissions events that are time and date 
stamped and exceed more than 5 minutes in any 2-hour consecutive 
period.
    (iii) Records of each 15-minute block period for which an 
applicable combustion zone operating limit (i.e., NHVcz or LFLcz) is 
not met for the MPGF when regulated material is being combusted in the 
flare. Indicate the date and time for each period, the NHVcz and/or 
LFLcz operating parameter for the period and the type of monitoring 
system used to determine compliance with the operating parameters 
(e.g., gas chromatograph or calorimeter).
    (iv) Records of when the pressure monitor(s) on the main flare 
header show the MPGF burners are operating outside the range of tested 
conditions or outside the range of the manufacturer's specifications. 
Indicate the date and time for each period, the pressure measurement, 
the stage(s) and number of MPGF burners affected and the range of 
tested conditions or manufacturer's specifications.
    (v) Records of when the staging valve position indicator monitoring 
system indicates a stage of the MPGF should not be in operation and is 
or when a stage of the MPGF should be in operation and is not. Indicate 
the date and time for each period, whether the stage was supposed to be 
open, but was closed or vice versa, and the stage(s) and number of MPGF 
burners affected.

IV. Final Framework for Streamlining Approval of Future Pressure-
Assisted MPGF AMEL Requests

    We are finalizing a framework that sources may use to submit an 
AMEL request to the EPA in order to use an MPGF as control devices to 
comply with new source performance standards (NSPS) and national 
emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) under 40 CFR 
parts 60, 61, and 63. At a minimum, sources considering use of an MPGF 
as an emissions control technology should provide the EPA with the 
following information in its AMEL request when demonstrating MPGF 
equivalency:
    (1) Project Scope and Background.
    (a) Size and scope of plant, products produced, location of 
facility, and the MPGF proximity, if less than 2 miles, to the local 
community and schools.
    (b) Details of overall emissions control scheme (e.g., low pressure 
control scenario and high pressure control

[[Page 23487]]

scenario), MPGF capacity and operation (including number of rows 
(stages), number of burners and pilots per stage and staging curve), 
and how the MPGF will be used (e.g., controls routine flows, only 
controls flows during periods of startup, shutdown, maintenance, 
emergencies).
    (c) Details of typical and/or anticipated waste gas compositions 
and profiles to be routed to the MPGF for control.
    (d) MPGF burner design including type, geometry, and size.
    (e) Anticipated date of startup.
    (2) Regulatory Applicability.
    (a) Detailed list or table of applicable NESHAP and/or NSPS, 
applicable standards that allow use of flares, and authority that 
allows the owner or operator to request an AMEL.
    (3) Destruction Efficiency/Combustion Efficiency Performance 
Demonstration.
    (a) Sources must provide a performance demonstration to the Agency 
that the MPGF pressure-assisted burner being proposed for use will 
achieve a level of control at least equivalent to the most stringent 
level of control required by the underlying standards (e.g., 98-percent 
destruction efficiency or better). Facilities can elect to do a 
performance test that includes a minimum of three test runs under the 
most challenging conditions (e.g., highest operating pressure and/or 
sonic velocity conditions) using passive Fourier transform infrared 
spectroscopy (PFTIR) testing, extractive sampling or rely on an 
engineering assessment. Sources must test using fuel representative of 
the type of waste gas the MPGF will typically burn or substitute a 
waste gas such as an olefin gas or olefinic gas mixture that will 
challenge the MPGF to achieve a high destruction efficiency 
smokelessly.
    (i) If a performance test is conducted on the burners, a test 
report must be submitted to the Agency which includes at a minimum: A 
description of the testing, a protocol describing the test methodology 
used, associated test method quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) 
parameters, raw field and laboratory data sheets, summary data report 
sheets, calibration standards, calibration curves, completed visible 
emissions observation forms, a calculation of the average destruction 
efficiency and combustion efficiency over the course of each test, the 
date, time and duration of the test, the waste gas composition and 
NHVcz and/or LFLcz the gas tested, the flowrate (at standard 
conditions) and velocity of the waste gas, the MPGF burner tip 
pressure, waste gas temperature, meteorological conditions (e.g., 
ambient temperature, barometric pressure, wind speed and direction and 
relative humidity), and whether there were any observed flare 
flameouts.
    (ii) If an engineering assessment is done, sources must provide to 
the Agency a demonstration that a proper level of destruction/
combustion efficiency was obtained through prior performance testing 
for a similar equivalent burner type design. To support an equivalent 
burner assessment of destruction/combustion efficiency, sources must 
discuss and provide information related to design principles of burner 
type, burner size, burner geometry, air-fuel mixing, and the combustion 
principles associated with this burner that will assure smokeless 
operation under a variety of operating conditions. Similarly, sources 
must also provide details outlining why all of these factors, in 
concert with the waste gas that was tested in the supporting reference 
materials, support the conclusion that the MPGF burners being proposed 
for use by the source will achieve at least an equivalent level of 
destruction efficiency as required by the underlying applicable 
regulations.
    (4) MPGF Stability Testing.
    (a) The operation of an MPGF with a stable, lit flame is of 
paramount importance to continuously ensuring good flare performance; 
therefore, any source wishing to demonstrate equivalency for purposes 
of using these types of installations must conduct a stability 
performance test. Since flare tip design and waste gas composition have 
significant impact on the range of stable operation, sources should use 
a representative waste gas the MPGF will typically burn or a waste gas, 
such as an olefin or olefinic mixture, that will challenge the MPGF to 
perform at a high level with a stable flame as well as challenge its 
ability to achieve smokeless operation.
    (b) Sources should first design and carry out a performance test to 
determine the point of flare flame instability and flameout for the 
MPGF burner and waste gas composition chosen to be tested. Successful, 
initial demonstration of stability is achieved when there is a stable, 
lit flame for a minimum of 5 minutes at consistent flow and waste gas 
composition. It is recommended, although not required, that sources 
determine the point of instability at sonic flow conditions or at the 
highest operating pressure anticipated. Any data which demonstrate 
instability and complete loss of flame prior to the 5-minute period 
must be reported along with the initial stable flame demonstration. 
Along with destruction efficiency and combustion efficiency, the data 
elements laid out in Section IV(3)(a)(i) above should also be reported.
    (c) Using the results from Section IV(4)(b) above as a starting 
point, sources must perform a minimum of three replicate tests at both 
the minimum and maximum operating conditions on at least one MPGF 
burner at or above the NHVcz or at or below the LFLcz determined in 
Section IV(4)(b). If more than one burner is tested, the spacing 
between the burners must be representative of the projected 
installation. Each test must be a minimum of 5 minutes in duration with 
constant flow and composition for the three runs at minimum conditions, 
and the three runs at the maximum conditions. The data and data 
elements mentioned in Section IV(4)(b) must also be reported.
    (5) MPGF Cross-light Testing.
    (a) Sources must design and carry out a performance test to 
successfully demonstrate that cross lighting of the MPGF burners will 
occur over the range of operating conditions (e.g., operating pressure 
and/or velocity (Mach) condition) for which the burners will be used. 
Sources may use the NHVcz and/or LFLcz established in Section IV(4) 
above and perform a minimum of three replicate runs at each of the 
operating conditions. Sources must cross-light a minimum of three 
burners and the spacing between the burners and location of the pilot 
flame must be representative of the projected installation. At a 
minimum, sources must report the following: A description of the 
testing, a protocol describing the test methodology used, associated 
test method QA/QC parameters, the waste gas composition and NHVcz and/
or LFLcz of the gas tested, the velocity (or Mach speed ratio) of the 
waste gas tested, the MPGF burner tip pressure, the time, length, and 
duration of the test, records of whether a successful cross-light was 
observed over all of the burners and the length of time it took for the 
burners to cross-light, records of maintaining a stable flame after a 
successful cross-light and the duration for which this was observed, 
records of any smoking events during the cross-light, waste gas 
temperature, meteorological conditions (e.g., ambient temperature, 
barometric pressure, wind speed and direction, and relative humidity), 
and whether there were any observed flare flameouts.
    (6) Flaring Reduction Considerations.
    (a) Sources must make a demonstration, considering MPGF use, on 
whether additional flare reduction measures, including flare gas 
recovery, should be used and implemented.

[[Page 23488]]

    (7) MPGF Monitoring and Operating Conditions.
    (a) Based on the results of the criteria mentioned above in this 
section, sources must make recommendations to the Agency on the type of 
monitoring and operating conditions necessary for the MPGF to 
demonstrate equivalent reductions in emissions as compared to flares 
complying with the requirements at 40 CFR 60.18 and 40 CFR 63.11, 
taking into consideration a control scheme designed to handle highly 
variable flows and waste gas compositions.
    We anticipate this framework will enable the Agency to review and 
approve future AMEL requests for MPGF installations in a more 
expeditious timeframe. We note, however, that future AMEL requests are 
still subject to public notice and comment.

    Dated: April 11, 2016.
Janet G. McCabe,
Acting Assistant Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2016-08911 Filed 4-20-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                  23480                         Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 77 / Thursday, April 21, 2016 / Notices

                                                     Filed Date: 4/15/16.                                 SUMMARY:   This notice announces our                  EPA defines the following terms and
                                                     Accession Number: 20160415–5256.                     approval of the Alternative Means of                  acronyms here:
                                                     Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 5/6/16.                      Emission Limitation (AMEL) request for                AMEL alternative means of emission
                                                     Docket Numbers: ER16–1437–000.                       the operation of a multi-point ground                   limitation
                                                     Applicants: 62SK 8ME LLC.                            flare (MPGF) at Occidental Chemical                   Btu/scf British thermal units per standard
                                                     Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing: CO–               Corporation’s (OCC) ethylene plant in                   cubic foot
                                                  TENANCY AND SHARED FACILITIES                           Ingleside, Texas. This approval notice                CBI confidential business information
                                                                                                          specifies the operating conditions and                CFR Code of Federal Regulations
                                                  Normal to be effective 6/7/2016.                                                                              EPA Environmental Protection Agency
                                                     Filed Date: 4/15/16.                                 monitoring, recordkeeping, and
                                                                                                                                                                Eqn equation
                                                     Accession Number: 20160415–5263.                     reporting requirements for                            FR Federal Register
                                                     Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 5/6/16.                      demonstrating compliance with the                     GC gas chromatograph
                                                                                                          AMEL request that this facility must                  HAP hazardous air pollutants
                                                     Take notice that the Commission
                                                                                                          follow. In addition, this notice finalizes            LFL lower flammability limit
                                                  received the following electric securities                                                                    LFLcz combustion zone lower flammability
                                                                                                          a framework that facilities can follow to
                                                  filings:                                                                                                        limit
                                                                                                          help expedite and streamline approval
                                                     Docket Numbers: ES16–28–000.                         of future AMEL requests for pressure-                 MPGF multi-point ground flare
                                                     Applicants: American Transmission                                                                          NESHAP national emission standards for
                                                                                                          assisted MPGF.                                          hazardous air pollutants
                                                  Company LLC, ATC Management Inc.                        DATES: The AMEL request for the MPGF
                                                     Description: Application under                                                                             NHV net heating value
                                                                                                          at OCC’s ethylene plant in Ingleside,                 NHVcz combustion zone net heating value
                                                  Section 204 of the Federal Power Act for                Texas, is approved and in effect on                   NSPS new source performance standards
                                                  Authorization to Issue Securities of                    April 21, 2016.                                       OAQPS Office of Air Quality Planning and
                                                  American Transmission Company LLC.                                                                              Standards
                                                                                                          ADDRESSES: The Environmental
                                                     Filed Date: 4/15/16.                                                                                       OCC Occidental Chemical Corporation
                                                     Accession Number: 20160415–5178.                     Protection Agency (EPA) has established               PS Performance Specification
                                                     Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 5/6/16.                      a docket for this action under Docket ID              QA quality assurance
                                                                                                          No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2014–0738. All                         QC quality control
                                                     The filings are accessible in the                    documents in the docket are listed on                 VOC volatile organic compounds
                                                  Commission’s eLibrary system by                         the http://www.regulations.gov Web
                                                  clicking on the links or querying the                                                                           Organization of This Document. The
                                                                                                          site. Although listed in the index, some              information in this notice is organized
                                                  docket number.                                          information is not publicly available,
                                                     Any person desiring to intervene or                                                                        as follows:
                                                                                                          e.g., confidential business information
                                                  protest in any of the above proceedings                 (CBI) or other information whose                      I. Background
                                                  must file in accordance with Rules 211                                                                           A. Summary
                                                                                                          disclosure is restricted by statute.                     B. Regulatory Flare Requirements and
                                                  and 214 of the Commission’s                             Certain other material, such as
                                                  Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and                                                                                     OCC’s AMEL Request
                                                                                                          copyrighted material, is not placed on                II. Summary of Public Comments on OCC’s
                                                  385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern                 the Internet and will be publicly                           AMEL Request and the Framework for
                                                  time on the specified comment date.                     available only in hard copy form.                           Streamlining Approval of Future
                                                  Protests may be considered, but                         Publicly available docket materials are                     Pressure-Assisted MPGF AMEL Requests
                                                  intervention is necessary to become a                   available either electronically through                  A. OCC’s AMEL Request
                                                  party to the proceeding.                                http://www.regulations.gov, or in hard                   B. Framework for Streamlining Approval of
                                                     eFiling is encouraged. More detailed                                                                             Future Pressure-Assisted MPGF AMEL
                                                                                                          copy at the EPA Docket Center, EPA                          Requests
                                                  information relating to filing                          WJC West Building, Room Number
                                                  requirements, interventions, protests,                                                                        III. Final Notice of Approval of OCC’s AMEL
                                                                                                          3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW.,                           Request and Required Operating
                                                  service, and qualifying facilities filings              Washington, DC. The Public Reading                          Conditions
                                                  can be found at: http://www.ferc.gov/                   Room hours of operation are 8:30 a.m.                 IV. Final Framework for Streamlining
                                                  docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For                 to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time                          Approval of Future Pressure-Assisted
                                                  other information, call (866) 208–3676                  (EST), Monday through Friday. The                           MPGF AMEL Requests
                                                  (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659.              telephone number for the Public                       I. Background
                                                    Dated: April 15, 2016.                                Reading Room is (202) 566–1744, and
                                                  Kimberly D. Bose,                                       the telephone number for the Air Docket               A. Summary
                                                  Secretary.                                              is (202) 566–1742.                                       On August 31, 2015, the EPA
                                                  [FR Doc. 2016–09225 Filed 4–20–16; 8:45 am]             FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For                  published an initial notification in the
                                                  BILLING CODE 6717–01–P                                  questions about this final action, contact            Federal Register (FR) acknowledging
                                                                                                          Mr. Andrew Bouchard, Sector Policies                  receipt of an AMEL approval request for
                                                                                                          and Programs Division (E143–01), Office               the operation of an MPGF at OCC’s
                                                                                                          of Air Quality Planning and Standards                 ethylene plant in Ingleside, Texas, (see
                                                  ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                                                                                          (OAQPS), U.S. Environmental                           80 FR 52426, August 31, 2015). This
                                                  AGENCY
                                                                                                          Protection Agency, Research Triangle                  initial notification solicited comment on
                                                  [EPA–HQ–OAR–2014–0738; FRL–9945–15–                     Park, North Carolina 27711; telephone                 all aspects of the AMEL request and the
                                                  OAR]                                                    number: (919) 541–4036; fax number:                   resulting alternative operating
                                                                                                          (919) 541–0246; and email address:                    conditions that are necessary to achieve
                                                  Notice of Final Approval for the                                                                              a reduction in emissions of volatile
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                          bouchard.andrew@epa.gov.
                                                  Operation of a Pressure-Assisted                                                                              organic compounds (VOC) and organic
                                                                                                          SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                  Multi-Point Ground Flare at Occidental                                                                        hazardous air pollutants (HAP) at least
                                                  Chemical Corporation                                    Acronyms and Abbreviations                            equivalent to the reduction in emissions
                                                  AGENCY: Environmental Protection                          We use multiple acronyms and terms                  required by various standards in 40 CFR
                                                  Agency (EPA).                                           in this notice. While this list may not be            parts 60, 61, and 63 that apply to
                                                                                                          exhaustive, to ease the reading of this               emission sources that would be
                                                  ACTION: Notice; final approval.
                                                                                                          notice and for reference purposes, the                controlled by these pressure-assisted


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   13:27 Apr 20, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00025   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\21APN1.SGM   21APN1


                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 77 / Thursday, April 21, 2016 / Notices                                            23481

                                                  MPGF. These standards point to the                      II. Summary of Public Comments on                     for compliance purposes and that the
                                                  operating requirements for flares in the                OCC’s AMEL Request and the                            EPA clarify that the calibration and
                                                  General Provisions to parts 60 and 63,                  Framework for Streamlining Approval                   maintenance procedures conducted
                                                  respectively, to comply with the                        of Future Pressure-Assisted MPGF                      when the flare is not receiving regulated
                                                  emission reduction requirements.                        AMEL Requests                                         material be excluded from the monitor
                                                  Because pressure-assisted MPGF cannot                     This section contains a summary of                  downtime calculation.
                                                  meet the velocity requirements in the                                                                            Response: The requirement to perform
                                                                                                          major comments and responses, and
                                                  General Provisions, OCC requested an                                                                          a daily mid-level calibration check for a
                                                                                                          rationale for the approved MPGF
                                                  AMEL. This action provides a summary                                                                          GC is codified in the procedure of PS 9
                                                                                                          operating conditions and monitoring,
                                                  of the comments received as part of the                                                                       of 40 CFR part 60, appendix B, and
                                                                                                          recordkeeping, and reporting
                                                                                                                                                                Table 2 of Section III in this notice
                                                  public review process, our responses to                 requirements necessary to ensure the
                                                                                                                                                                already provides some relief with
                                                  those comments, and our approval of                     MPGF will achieve a reduction in
                                                                                                                                                                respect to the amount of analysis
                                                  the AMEL request received from OCC                      emissions of HAP and VOC at least                     needed (i.e., a single daily mid-level
                                                  for use of a pressure-assisted MPGF at                  equivalent to the reduction in emissions              calibration check can be used (rather
                                                  their Ingleside, Texas, ethylene plant,                 of other traditional flare systems                    than triplicate analysis)) for the
                                                  along with the operating conditions they                complying with the requirements in 40                 calibration checks on a GC. The AMEL
                                                  must follow for demonstrating                           CFR 60.18(b) and 40 CFR 63.11(b). This                does not require monitoring with a GC,
                                                  compliance with the AMEL request.                       section also contains a summary of the                but rather allows for the use of either a
                                                                                                          major comments and responses received                 GC or a calorimeter to demonstrate
                                                     Additionally, the August 31, 2015, FR
                                                                                                          on the framework for streamlining                     compliance with the monitoring and
                                                  initial notification also solicited
                                                                                                          approval of future MPGF AMEL                          operating requirements. Given that
                                                  comment on a framework for
                                                                                                          requests and our rationale for finalizing             OCC’s MPGF will handle both planned
                                                  streamlining future MPGF AMEL                           this framework.
                                                  requests that we anticipate, when                                                                             maintenance, startup and shutdown
                                                  followed, would afford the Agency the                   A. OCC’s AMEL Request                                 events as well as potential emergency
                                                  ability to review and approve future                                                                          situations, a monitoring system used to
                                                                                                            Comment: Commenters stated that the
                                                  AMEL requests for MPGF in a more                                                                              demonstrate compliance for this AMEL
                                                                                                          LFLcz equation (i.e., Eqn. 2 in Section III           must be capable of producing a reliable
                                                  efficient and expeditious manner. This                  below) should be revised so that the
                                                  action provides a summary of comments                                                                         result instantaneously, and the more
                                                                                                          calculated LFLvg is expressed in volume               frequent (i.e., daily) calibrations
                                                  received on the framework as part of the                percent rather than in volume fraction.               required in PS 9 provides a high level
                                                  public review process, our responses to                   Response: While the equation is                     of assurance that the GC reading will be
                                                  those comments, and finalizes a                         mathematically correct with respect to                both precise and accurate. Thus, we are
                                                  framework for streamlining future                       calculating LFLvg in volume fraction, we              not changing the requirement within PS
                                                  pressure-assisted MPGF AMEL requests.                   agree with the commenters that it                     9 to allow less frequent (i.e., weekly)
                                                  We note that future AMEL requests                       should be revised to reflect the same                 calibration checks for a GC. We do
                                                  would still require a notice and an                     units as the compliance metric of LFLvg               understand that monitoring equipment
                                                  opportunity for the public to comment.                  in volume percent. Since multiplying                  can break down or need maintenance
                                                                                                          the volume fraction term by 100 will                  from time to time to continue to perform
                                                  B. Regulatory Flare Requirements and                    yield a result in units of volume
                                                  OCC’s AMEL Request                                                                                            reliably. Therefore, to provide flexibility
                                                                                                          percent, we have updated Eqn. 2 in                    that ensures the GC is maintained
                                                    OCC submitted an AMEL request to                      Section III to reflect this consistency               properly, we are clarifying that
                                                                                                          change.                                               calibration and maintenance procedures
                                                  the EPA on December 16, 2014, seeking
                                                                                                            Comment: Commenters stated that the                 conducted when the flare is not
                                                  to operate an MPGF for use during
                                                                                                          calibration requirements in Table 2 of                receiving regulated material are
                                                  limited high-pressure maintenance,
                                                                                                          Section III of this notice require OCC to             excluded from the monitor downtime
                                                  startup, and shutdown events, as well as
                                                                                                          monitor net heating value by gas                      calculation. Also, we are clarifying that
                                                  emergency situations at their ethylene                  chromatograph (GC) and follow the
                                                  plant in Ingleside, Texas. In their                                                                           monitor downtime to perform
                                                                                                          procedure in Performance Specification                calibration and maintenance procedures
                                                  request, OCC cited various regulatory                   (PS) 9 of 40 CFR part 60, appendix B,
                                                  requirements in 40 CFR parts 60, 61,                                                                          may not exceed 5 percent of the time
                                                                                                          and that these requirements require a                 when the flare is receiving regulated
                                                  and 63 that will apply to the flare waste               daily mid-level calibration check and
                                                  gas streams that will be collected and                                                                        material, calculated on an annual, non-
                                                                                                          that the EPA should change them from                  rolling average basis as OCC further
                                                  routed to their pressure-assisted MPGF.                 a daily basis to a weekly basis.                      clarified in their comments on the
                                                  OCC sought such an AMEL request                         Commenters stated that a weekly                       AMEL request during a conference call
                                                  because their MPGF is not designed to                   calibration should be allowed because                 with the EPA (see memorandum,
                                                  operate below the maximum permitted                     operating conditions in Table 2 in                    ‘‘Meeting Record for January 12, 2016,
                                                  velocity requirements for flares in the                 Section III(1)(f) of this notice only allow           Meeting Between the U.S. EPA and
                                                  General Provisions of 40 CFR parts 60                   the time needed to perform a daily                    Occidental Chemical Corporation,’’ at
                                                  and 63. OCC provided information that                   calibration, along with other                         Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2014–
                                                  the MPGF they propose to use will                       maintenance periods and instrument                    0738).
                                                  achieve a reduction in emissions at least               adjustments, to not exceed 5 percent                     Comment: Commenters stated that the
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                                                  equivalent to the reduction in emissions                and that a daily calibration will lead to             EPA should include a provision in the
                                                  for flares complying with these General                 a built-in loss of monitor downtime of                final AMEL to allow a small percentage
                                                  Provisions requirements (for further                    almost 5 percent since it requires 1 hour             of downtime (i.e., 5 percent of the time
                                                  background information on the                           in a 24-hour day (e.g., 4.2 percent of the            the flare is receiving regulated material)
                                                  regulatory flare requirements and a                     time). Commenters also requested that                 for video camera maintenance and
                                                  facility’s ability to request an AMEL, see              this monitor downtime should be                       repair/replacement. One commenter
                                                  80 FR 52427–52428, August 31, 2015).                    calculated on a rolling 12-month basis                asked for the EPA to add language to


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                                                  23482                         Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 77 / Thursday, April 21, 2016 / Notices

                                                  clarify that the video camera                           minute period is an excess emission that              the regulated community with a clear
                                                  requirement for monitoring visible                      must be reported.                                     and concise understanding of the
                                                  emissions applies only when the flare is                   Comment: One commenter requested                   minimum information that must be
                                                  receiving regulated material.                           that the EPA clarify the language with                provided to the Agency so that we can
                                                     Response: Given that the MPGFs                       respect to requiring ‘‘records’’ in the               adequately evaluate an MPGF AMEL
                                                  approved in earlier AMELs, as well as                   excess emissions reporting requirements               request. The information listed in the
                                                  OCC’s MPGF, are all back-up control                     and suggested replacing the term with                 framework is necessary to evaluate
                                                  devices, we are clarifying that the video               ‘‘periods.’’                                          whether an MPGF operates properly and
                                                  camera requirement for monitoring                          Response: We disagree with changing                controls emissions of regulated material
                                                  visible emissions applies only when the                 the terminology ‘‘records’’ to ‘‘periods’’            at least equivalent to applicable
                                                  flare is receiving regulated material.                  in the excess emissions reporting                     regulations. Hence, information related
                                                  Furthermore, while we realize that                      requirements. Section III(6)(c) of the                to details of the overall emissions
                                                  MPGFs have sufficiently tall fences built               operating conditions below are clear                  control scheme, MPGF capacity,
                                                  around them primarily for safety, their                 that we are not requiring reporting of all            operation and burner size, cross-light
                                                  design does pose a potential challenge                  records that an owner or operator may                 testing, and flaring reduction
                                                  with respect to allowing a person on the                keep or that they may be required to                  considerations are all important and
                                                  ground to monitor the MPGFs for visible                 keep as a condition of AMEL approval                  necessary information to adequately
                                                  emissions. Given that the AMEL                          for a given MPGF, but rather, that the                make an equivalency determination.
                                                  requests we have approved to date from                  owner or operator must report the                     Therefore, we are not removing them
                                                  The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) and                      specific information in the excess                    from the framework.
                                                  ExxonMobil Chemical Company                             emissions report.                                        Second, with respect to submitting
                                                  (ExxonMobil) (see 80 FR 52426, August                                                                         information that may have been
                                                                                                          B. Framework for Streamlining                         developed and submitted already for
                                                  31, 2015), as well as this AMEL                         Approval of Future Pressure-Assisted
                                                  approved for OCC, all allow for                                                                               permitting purposes, we note that this
                                                                                                          MPGF AMEL Requests                                    framework is designed to help
                                                  permitted use of MPGF only in cases of
                                                  maintenance, startup, shutdown, and                        Comment: One commenter stated that                 streamline and expedite future
                                                  emergency situations and not on a                       the framework for streamlining approval               approvals of MPGF AMEL requests. If
                                                  continuous basis, the time when the                     of future MPGF AMEL requests should                   an owner or operator does not submit
                                                  MPGF is not in operation should be                      not require information unrelated to a                the information set forth in the
                                                  sufficient for video camera maintenance                 burner equivalency determination,                     framework, additional time and
                                                                                                          information that has already been                     resources will have to be spent to
                                                  and repair/replacement to occur.
                                                                                                          submitted to other parts of the Agency                evaluate the AMEL request.
                                                  Therefore, we are not including a
                                                                                                          for permitting purposes, or proprietary                  Lastly, with respect to concerns about
                                                  provision to allow any downtime for                                                                           MPGF burner design and the potential
                                                  video camera maintenance and repair/                    MPGF burner design information.
                                                                                                          Specifically, the commenter stated that               for some of the information to be
                                                  replacement when the MPGF is                                                                                  proprietary (e.g., geometry, tip drillings,
                                                  receiving regulated material.                           the EPA should remove the following
                                                                                                          information from the framework that                   and hole size), we note that the MPGF
                                                     Comment: A few commenters                                                                                  burner tests conducted to date indicate
                                                                                                          owners or operators seeking approval of
                                                  suggested that the EPA clarify the                                                                            that flare head design (along with waste
                                                                                                          an MPGF AMEL are required to submit:
                                                  language in the referenced operating
                                                                                                             • Details of the overall emissions                 gas composition) can influence flame
                                                  conditions in Section III(2) of this notice                                                                   stability, which is one of the more
                                                                                                          control scheme: Section IV(1)(b).
                                                  which states: ‘‘Each stage of MPGF                         • MPGF capacity and operation                      important factors affecting performance
                                                  burners must have at least two pilots                   (including number of rows (stages),                   of the MPGF that the Agency must
                                                  with a continuously lit pilot flame.’’                  number of burners and pilots per stage                consider in whether to approve an
                                                  Specifically, commenters requested that                 and staging curve): Section IV(1)(b).                 AMEL request and agree with the
                                                  the EPA clarify that while each stage of                   • MPGF burner size and design:                     commenter that flare stability is affected
                                                  the MPGF is equipped with a minimum                     Section IV(1)(c) and (1)(d).                          by burner design/waste gas combination
                                                  of two pilots, that only one                               • Cross-light testing: Section IV(5) in            tested (see 80 FR 8023, February 13,
                                                  continuously lit pilot flame is needed                  its entirety.                                         2015, for more details). To the extent the
                                                  when the stage is in operation.                            • Flaring reduction considerations:                owner, operator or flare vendor/
                                                     Response: We disagree that it is                     Section IV(6)(a).                                     manufacturer considers this information
                                                  necessary to change the operating                          Another commenter stated that at                   to be CBI, they should note that in their
                                                  conditions language in Section III(2) as                Section IV(3)(a)(ii), for an engineering              MPGF AMEL request, and we will
                                                  suggested by the commenters, and we                     evaluation demonstration, once a burner               provide details on our CBI policy and
                                                  believe the requirements for the OCC                    of a specific type, size, and geometry                procedures on how they should submit
                                                  AMEL approval should be consistent                      has been tested on a waste gas, that                  this information to the Agency after the
                                                  with the previous AMEL operating                        burner can be considered to be proven                 AMEL request has been received. At a
                                                  conditions published for both Dow and                   stable and smokeless for that waste gas               minimum, facilities should note the
                                                  ExxonMobil (see 80 FR 52426, August                     only. Further, the commenter states that              flare vendor and burner model name.
                                                  31, 2015). The operating conditions in                  engineering assessment and                               Comment: One commenter
                                                  Section III(2) and reporting                            extrapolation should only be permitted                recommended that the framework allow
                                                  requirements in Section III(6) of this                                                                        flare vendors/manufacturers and owners
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                                                                                                          under the framework where burner
                                                  notice are clear that the MPGF system                   design and waste gas are the same as                  or operators to determine and document
                                                  should be equipped with a minimum of                    tested because any deviation in burner                the most appropriate burner testing
                                                  two pilots per stage and that a flame                   design or waste gas could lead to                     durations (e.g., 5-minute screening test
                                                  must be present at all times the stage is               significant changes in stability or                   to determine flameout followed by three
                                                  in use and burning regulated material.                  smokeless capacity.                                   15-minute tests at other more stable
                                                  In addition, a complete loss of pilot                      Response: First, we note that the                  points). Another commenter suggested
                                                  flame for more than 1 minute in a 15-                   objective of the framework is to provide              that for the sole purpose of flame


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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 77 / Thursday, April 21, 2016 / Notices                                           23483

                                                  stability evaluation, 3 to 5 minutes is                    Comment: One commenter stated that                 statutory requirement, we cannot
                                                  sufficient for a testing duration.                      in lieu of using a generic olefin gas or              provide any additional language for the
                                                     One commenter suggested that the                     an olefinic gas mixture for purposes of               regulated community with respect to
                                                  specific requirements of the flare flame                the destruction efficiency/combustion                 promptly approving an AMEL request
                                                  stability tests be enumerated in Section                efficiency performance demonstration                  without first considering public
                                                  IV(4)(b) below since it references back to              specified in the framework, the                       comments regardless of whether or not
                                                  performance test information in Section                 framework should require the                          all the information submitted to the
                                                  IV(3)(a)(i).                                            performance test to be based only on                  Agency exactly follows the framework
                                                     Response: After consideration of the                 waste gas representative of the proposed              in Section IV below.
                                                  comments received during the comment                    flaring application, in conjunction with                 Comment: One commenter suggested
                                                  period as well as the supplemental                      the specific burner type proposed for                 that the framework should specify that
                                                  technical information received after the                use.                                                  cross-light testing is only required when
                                                  close of the comment period (see                           Response: As discussed in Section                  every burner in the MPGF does not have
                                                  memorandum, ‘‘Meeting Record for                        IV(3)(a), the framework provides the                  a continuous pilot.
                                                  January 7, 2016, Meeting Between the                    owner or operator with the option to test                Another commenter agreed with the
                                                  U.S. EPA and Zeeco,’’ at Docket ID No.                  the MPGF using a representative waste                 cross-light testing specified in the
                                                  EPA–HQ–OAR–2014–0738), we agree                         gas or a waste gas, such as an olefin gas             framework.
                                                  with the commenters that the duration                   or olefinic gas mixture, that will                       Response: An MPGF can have
                                                  of the MPGF stability test runs in                      challenge the performance and                         hundreds of burners and, when seeking
                                                  Section IV(4)(c) can be shortened from                  smokeless capacity of the MPGF. Since                 an approval of an AMEL request, the
                                                  15 minutes, but disagree with the                       MPGF testing is occurring prior to plant              owner or operator must demonstrate
                                                  commenters that we should allow flare                   construction and startup, sufficient                  that the system can be operated with a
                                                  vendors/manufacturers and owners or                     representative waste gas may not be                   flame present at all times when
                                                  operators to determine and document                     available to satisfy the testing                      regulated material is routed to the flare
                                                  the most appropriate burner testing                     requirements specified. Therefore, we                 and that the burners will light and
                                                  durations. In reviewing the available                   allow olefin gas or olefinic gas mixtures             combust this regulated material. To
                                                  test data on an MPGF where unstable                     to be considered since they represent                 date, the AMEL requests for MPGF
                                                  test runs with constant conditions were                 the olefins industry where the MPGF                   systems we have approved indicate that
                                                  observed, a few runs were aborted in 4                  installations are being used and since                cross lighting will be used to light the
                                                  minutes or less due to instability (see                 they have been shown to challenge                     vast majority of individual burners
                                                  memorandum, ‘‘Review of Available                       MPGF performance. For this reason, we                 within a given stage, which is why this
                                                  Test Data on Multipoint Ground Flares,’’                disagree with the commenter that we                   testing requirement is specified in the
                                                  at Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2014–                       should amend this requirement in the                  framework. If a future MPGF design will
                                                  0738–0002). The commenters have                         framework.                                            not use cross lighting, the owner or
                                                  suggested that the instability was related                 Comment: A few commenters                          operator must demonstrate through
                                                  to the changing and decreasing heat                     suggested that the EPA allow the AMEL                 testing how the burners within a stage
                                                  content and composition of the fuel gas                 framework to provide approval for                     will be lit to combust regulated material.
                                                  stream as the fuel gas mixture was being                alternate proposed combustion                         Because this would be a different design
                                                  produced for the trial flare run. If the                parameters or on-line monitoring                      from the MPGF that informed our
                                                  demonstration had instead relied upon                   requirements and technology.                          development of the framework, different
                                                  a constant gas mixture that could have                     One commenter suggested that the                   requirements from those specified in
                                                  been produced in a mix tank, rather                     framework should provide success                      Section IV (5) below for the pilot flames
                                                  than an online mixer, than the                          criteria for submittal and that a clear               and pilot monitoring systems may be
                                                  demonstration of stability could have                   articulation of the criteria the Agency               required for such an MPGF system and
                                                  been done over a shorter duration. In                   will use to promptly approve an AMEL                  these should be conveyed in the AMEL
                                                  addition, when correlating back the                     request is needed.                                    request.
                                                  MPGF stability testing duration to the                     Response: As laid out in Section IV                   Comment: One commenter suggested
                                                  averaging time for a monitoring system                  (7) below, sources should consider all                that a mechanism similar to the
                                                  like a GC that can be used to                           the information laid out in their AMEL                ‘‘Framework for Streamlining Approval
                                                  demonstrate compliance with the                         application and make recommendations                  for Future Pressure-Assisted MPGF
                                                  operating conditions laid out in Section                on the type of monitoring and operating               AMEL’’ should also be made available
                                                  III below, the total testing time of the                conditions necessary for the MPGF to                  for elevated flares that use pressure-
                                                  three runs should tie back to the time it               demonstrate equivalent reductions in                  assisted burners.
                                                  takes for one GC analysis cycle to occur                emissions as compared to flares                          Response: While we understand the
                                                  (e.g., 15 minutes in duration). Therefore,              complying with the requirements at 40                 commenter’s suggestion that the Agency
                                                  based on these reasons, as well as in                   CFR 60.18 and 40 CFR 63.11.                           clearly prescribe a path forward for
                                                  order to minimize emissions from the                    Additionally, we note that while the                  evaluating non-MPGF pressure-assisted
                                                  MPGF stability testing requirements, we                 framework should provide the regulated                flare designs that may not be able to
                                                  are finalizing in Section IV(4)(c) that the             community a blueprint for the                         comply with the flare requirements of
                                                  duration of each individual MPGF                        minimum information the Agency needs                  40 CFR 60.18(b) or 40 CFR 63.11(b), this
                                                  stability test run must be a minimum of                 to review and eventually finalize an                  request is beyond the scope of both
                                                                                                          MPGF AMEL request, the Clean Air Act
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  5 minutes in duration rather than the                                                                         OCC’s MPGF AMEL request and the
                                                  longer period of 15 minutes in duration                 requires us to provide the public with                framework for pressure-assisted MPGF.
                                                  that was in the initial framework.                      notice and opportunity to comment on
                                                     Regarding the comment to enumerate                   the AMEL (see 80 FR 8023, February 13,                III. Final Notice of Approval of OCC’s
                                                  the performance test information in                     2015, and 80 FR 52426, August 31,                     AMEL Request and Required Operating
                                                  Section IV(4)(b) rather than cross-                     2015, for more details) and consider this             Conditions
                                                  referencing to Section IV(3)(a)(i), we                  input before any AMEL request can be                     Based on information the EPA
                                                  disagree that the change is necessary.                  formally finalized. Because of this                   received from OCC and the comments


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                                                  23484                                    Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 77 / Thursday, April 21, 2016 / Notices

                                                  received through the public comment                                       63.11(b) or 40 CFR 60.18(b) are as                            or LFLcz metric by continuously
                                                  period, we are approving OCC’s request                                    follows:                                                      complying with a 15-minute block
                                                  for an AMEL and establishing operating                                      (1) The MPGF system must be                                 average. Owners or operators must
                                                  requirements for the pressure-assisted                                    designed and operated such that the                           calculate and monitor for the NHVcz or
                                                  MPGF at OCC’s Ingleside, Texas,                                           combustion zone gas net heating value                         LFLcz according to the following:
                                                  ethylene plant. The operating                                             (NHVcz) is greater than or equal to 800
                                                  conditions for OCC’s MPGF that will                                       British thermal units per standard cubic                      a) Calculation of NHVcz
                                                  achieve a reduction in emissions at least                                 foot (Btu/scf) or the combustion zone
                                                                                                                            gas lower flammability limit (LFLcz) is                         (i) The owner or operator shall
                                                  equivalent to the reduction in emissions
                                                  being controlled by a steam-assisted, air-                                less than or equal to 6.5 percent by                          determine NHVcz from compositional
                                                  assisted, or non-assisted flare complying                                 volume. Owners or operators must                              analysis data by using the following
                                                  with the requirements of either 40 CFR                                    demonstrate compliance with the NHVcz                         equation:




                                                  Where:                                                                    n = Number of components in flare vent gas.                        °C for ‘‘standard temperature.’’ Table 1
                                                  NHVvg = Net heating value of flare vent gas,                              xi = Concentration of component i in flare                         summarizes component properties
                                                       Btu/scf. Flare vent gas means all gas                                     vent gas, volume fraction.                                    including net heating values.
                                                                                                                            NHVi = Net heating value of component i
                                                       found just prior to the MPGF. This gas
                                                                                                                                 determined as the heat of combustion                        (ii) For MPGF, NHVvg = NHVcz.
                                                       includes all flare waste gas (i.e., gas from                              where the net enthalpy per mole of
                                                       facility operations that is directed to a                                 offgas is based on combustion at 25                      (b) Calculation of LFLcz
                                                       flare for the purpose of disposing of the                                 degrees Celsius (°C) and 1 atmosphere
                                                       gas), flare sweep gas, flare purge gas and                                (or constant pressure) with water in the                   (i) The owner or operator shall
                                                       flare supplemental gas, but does not                                      gaseous state from values published in                   determine LFLcz from compositional
                                                       include pilot gas.                                                        the literature, and then the values                      analysis data by using the following
                                                  i = Individual component in flare vent gas.                                    converted to a volumetric basis using 20                 equation:




                                                  Where:                                                                       (c) The operator of an MPGF system                         measuring, calculating, and recording
                                                  LFLvg = Lower flammability limit of flare vent                            shall install, operate, calibrate, and                        NHVvg.
                                                       gas, volume percent (vol %).                                         maintain a monitoring system capable of                          (e) For each measurement produced
                                                  n = Number of components in the vent gas.                                 continuously measuring flare vent gas                         by the monitoring system, the operator
                                                  i = Individual component in the vent gas.                                                                                               shall determine the 15-minute block
                                                  ci = Concentration of component i in the vent
                                                                                                                            flow rate.
                                                                                                                                                                                          average as the arithmetic average of all
                                                       gas, vol %.                                                             (d) The operator shall install, operate,
                                                  LFLi = Lower flammability limit of
                                                                                                                                                                                          measurements made by the monitoring
                                                                                                                            calibrate, and maintain a monitoring
                                                       component i as determined using values                                                                                             system within the 15-minute period.
                                                                                                                            system capable of continuously                                   (f) The operator must follow the
                                                       published by the U.S. Bureau of Mines
                                                                                                                            measuring (i.e., at least once every 15                       calibration and maintenance procedures
                                                       (Zabetakis, 1965), vol %. All inerts,
                                                       including nitrogen, are assumed to have                              minutes), calculating, and recording the                      according to Table 2. Maintenance
                                                       an infinite LFL (e.g., LFLN2 = ∞, so that                            individual component concentrations                           periods, instrument adjustments, or
                                                       cN2/LFLN2 = 0). LFL values for common                                present in the flare vent gas or the                          checks to maintain precision and
                                                       flare vent gas components are provided                               owner or operator shall install, operate,                     accuracy and zero and span adjustments
                                                       in Table 1.                                                          calibrate, and maintain a monitoring                          may not exceed 5 percent of the time the
                                                     (ii) For MPGF, LFLvg = LFLcz.                                          system capable of continuously                                flare is receiving regulated material.

                                                                                                                    TABLE 1—INDIVIDUAL COMPONENT PROPERTIES
                                                                                                                                                                                                                NHVi
                                                                                                                                                                                            MWi                (British
                                                                                                                                                                        Molecular                                               LFLi
                                                                                                  Component                                                                              (pounds per        thermal units
                                                                                                                                                                         formula                                            (volume %)
                                                                                                                                                                                         pound-mole)        per standard
                                                                                                                                                                                                             cubic foot)
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  Acetylene .........................................................................................................            C2H2              26.04            1,404             2.5
                                                  Benzene ...........................................................................................................            C6H6              78.11            3,591             1.3
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            EN21AP16.001</GPH>




                                                  1,2-Butadiene ...................................................................................................              C4H6              54.09            2,794             2.0
                                                  1,3-Butadiene ...................................................................................................              C4H6              54.09            2,690             2.0
                                                  iso-Butane ........................................................................................................           C4H10              58.12            2,957             1.8
                                                  n-Butane ..........................................................................................................           C4H10              58.12            2,968             1.8
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            EN21AP16.000</GPH>




                                                  cis-Butene ........................................................................................................            C4H8              56.11            2,830             1.6



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                                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 77 / Thursday, April 21, 2016 / Notices                                                                  23485

                                                                                                          TABLE 1—INDIVIDUAL COMPONENT PROPERTIES—Continued
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  NHVi
                                                                                                                                                                                              MWi                (British
                                                                                                                                                                          Molecular                                                 LFLi
                                                                                                   Component                                                                               (pounds per        thermal units
                                                                                                                                                                           formula                                              (volume %)
                                                                                                                                                                                           pound-mole)        per standard
                                                                                                                                                                                                               cubic foot)

                                                  iso-Butene ........................................................................................................              C4H8              56.11            2,928              1.8
                                                  trans-Butene ....................................................................................................                C4H8              56.11            2,826              1.7
                                                  Carbon Dioxide ................................................................................................                  CO2               44.01                0                ∞
                                                  Carbon Monoxide ............................................................................................                      CO               28.01              316             12.5
                                                  Cyclopropane ...................................................................................................                 C3H6              42.08            2,185              2.4
                                                  Ethane ..............................................................................................................            C2H6              30.07            1,595              3.0
                                                  Ethylene ...........................................................................................................             C2H4              28.05            1,477              2.7
                                                  Hydrogen .........................................................................................................                 H2               2.02              274              4.0
                                                  Hydrogen Sulfide .............................................................................................                    H2S              34.08              587              4.0
                                                  Methane ...........................................................................................................               CH4              16.04              896              5.0
                                                  Methyl-Acetylene .............................................................................................                   C3H4              40.06            2,088              1.7
                                                  Nitrogen ...........................................................................................................               N2              28.01                0                ∞
                                                  Oxygen .............................................................................................................               O2              32.00                0                ∞
                                                  Pentane+ (C5+) ...............................................................................................                  C5H12              72.15            3,655              1.4
                                                  Propadiene .......................................................................................................               C3H4              40.06            2,066             2.16
                                                  Propane ...........................................................................................................              C3H8              44.10            2,281              2.1
                                                  Propylene .........................................................................................................              C3H6              42.08            2,150              2.4
                                                  Water ...............................................................................................................            H2O               18.02                0                ∞


                                                                                                              TABLE 2—ACCURACY AND CALIBRATION REQUIREMENTS
                                                                Parameter                                                  Accuracy requirements                                                     Calibration requirements

                                                  Flare Vent Gas Flow Rate ...                    ±20 percent of flow rate at velocities ranging from 0.1                           Performance evaluation biennially (every 2 years) and
                                                                                                    to 1 foot per second.                                                             following any period of more than 24 hours through-
                                                                                                  ±5 percent of flow rate at velocities greater than 1 foot                           out which the flow rate exceeded the maximum rated
                                                                                                    per second.                                                                       flow rate of the sensor, or the data recorder was off
                                                                                                                                                                                      scale. Checks of all mechanical connections for leak-
                                                                                                                                                                                      age monthly. Visual inspections and checks of sys-
                                                                                                                                                                                      tem operation every 3 months, unless the system
                                                                                                                                                                                      has a redundant flow sensor.
                                                                                                                                                                                    Select a representative measurement location where
                                                                                                                                                                                      swirling flow or abnormal velocity distributions due to
                                                                                                                                                                                      upstream and downstream disturbances at the point
                                                                                                                                                                                      of measurement are minimized.
                                                  Pressure ...............................        ±5 percent over the normal range measured or 0.12                                 Review pressure sensor readings at least once a week
                                                                                                    kilopascals (0.5 inches of water column), whichever                               for straight-line (unchanging) pressure and perform
                                                                                                    is greater.                                                                       corrective action to ensure proper pressure sensor
                                                                                                                                                                                      operation if blockage is indicated.
                                                                                                                                                                                    Performance evaluation annually and following any pe-
                                                                                                                                                                                      riod of more than 24 hours throughout which the
                                                                                                                                                                                      pressure exceeded the maximum rated pressure of
                                                                                                                                                                                      the sensor, or the data recorder was off scale.
                                                                                                                                                                                      Checks of all mechanical connections for leakage
                                                                                                                                                                                      monthly. Visual inspection of all components for in-
                                                                                                                                                                                      tegrity, oxidation and galvanic corrosion every 3
                                                                                                                                                                                      months, unless the system has a redundant pressure
                                                                                                                                                                                      sensor.
                                                                                                                                                                                    Select a representative measurement location that mini-
                                                                                                                                                                                      mizes or eliminates pulsating pressure, vibration, and
                                                                                                                                                                                      internal and external corrosion.
                                                  Net Heating Value by Calo-                      ±2 percent of span ..........................................................     Calibration requirements should follow manufacturer’s
                                                    rimeter.                                                                                                                          recommendations at a minimum.
                                                                                                                                                                                    Temperature control (heated and/or cooled as nec-
                                                                                                                                                                                      essary) the sampling system to ensure proper year-
                                                                                                                                                                                      round operation.
                                                                                                                                                                                    Where feasible, select a sampling location at least 2
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                                                                                                                                                                                      equivalent diameters downstream from and 0.5
                                                                                                                                                                                      equivalent diameters upstream from the nearest dis-
                                                                                                                                                                                      turbance. Select the sampling location at least 2
                                                                                                                                                                                      equivalent duct diameters from the nearest control
                                                                                                                                                                                      device, point of pollutant generation, air in-leakages,
                                                                                                                                                                                      or other point at which a change in the pollutant con-
                                                                                                                                                                                      centration or emission rate occurs.




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                                                  23486                         Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 77 / Thursday, April 21, 2016 / Notices

                                                                                        TABLE 2—ACCURACY AND CALIBRATION REQUIREMENTS—Continued
                                                            Parameter                                     Accuracy requirements                                           Calibration requirements

                                                  Net Heating Value by Gas              As specified in PS 9 of 40 CFR part 60, appendix B .....         Follow the procedure in PS 9 of 40 CFR part 60, ap-
                                                    Chromatograph.                                                                                         pendix B, except that a single daily mid-level calibra-
                                                                                                                                                           tion check can be used (rather than triplicate anal-
                                                                                                                                                           ysis), the multi-point calibration can be conducted
                                                                                                                                                           quarterly (rather than monthly), and the sampling line
                                                                                                                                                           temperature must be maintained at a minimum tem-
                                                                                                                                                           perature of 60 °C (rather than 120 °C).



                                                     (2) The MPGF system shall be                             (6) Reporting Requirements.                         NHVcz or LFLcz) is not met for the MPGF
                                                  operated with a flame present at all                        (a) The information specified in                    when regulated material is being
                                                  times when in use. Each stage of MPGF                    Section III (6)(b) and (c) below should                combusted in the flare. Indicate the date
                                                  burners must have at least two pilots                    be reported in the timeline specified by               and time for each period, the NHVcz
                                                  with a continuously lit pilot flame. The                 the applicable rule subpart(s) for which               and/or LFLcz operating parameter for the
                                                  pilot flame(s) must be continuously                      the MPGF will control emissions.                       period and the type of monitoring
                                                  monitored by a thermocouple or any                          (b) Owners or operators should                      system used to determine compliance
                                                  other equivalent device used to detect                   include the following information in                   with the operating parameters (e.g., gas
                                                  the presence of a flame. The time, date,                 their initial Notification of Compliance               chromatograph or calorimeter).
                                                  and duration of any complete loss of                     status report:                                           (iv) Records of when the pressure
                                                  pilot flame on any stage of MPGF                            (i) Specify flare design as a pressure-             monitor(s) on the main flare header
                                                  burners must be recorded. Each                           assisted MPGF.                                         show the MPGF burners are operating
                                                  monitoring device must be maintained                        (ii) All visible emission readings,                 outside the range of tested conditions or
                                                  or replaced at a frequency in accordance                 NHVcz and/or LFLcz determinations, and                 outside the range of the manufacturer’s
                                                  with the manufacturer’s specifications.                  flow rate measurements. For MPGF, exit                 specifications. Indicate the date and
                                                     (3) The MPGF system shall be                          velocity determinations do not need to                 time for each period, the pressure
                                                  operated with no visible emissions                       be reported as the maximum permitted                   measurement, the stage(s) and number
                                                  except for periods not to exceed a total                 velocity requirements in the General                   of MPGF burners affected and the range
                                                  of 5 minutes during any 2 consecutive                    Provisions at 40 CFR 60.18 and 40 CFR                  of tested conditions or manufacturer’s
                                                  hours. A video camera that is capable of                 63.11 are not applicable.                              specifications.
                                                  continuously recording (i.e., at least one                  (iii) All periods during the                          (v) Records of when the staging valve
                                                  frame every 15 seconds with time and                     compliance determination when a                        position indicator monitoring system
                                                  date stamps) images of the flare flame                   complete loss of pilot flame on any stage              indicates a stage of the MPGF should
                                                  and a reasonable distance above the                      of MPGF burners occurs.                                not be in operation and is or when a
                                                  flare flame at an angle suitable for                        (iv) All periods during the compliance              stage of the MPGF should be in
                                                  visible emissions observations must be                   determination when the pressure                        operation and is not. Indicate the date
                                                  used to demonstrate compliance with                      monitor(s) on the main flare header                    and time for each period, whether the
                                                  this requirement. The owner or operator                  show the MPGF burners operating                        stage was supposed to be open, but was
                                                  must provide real-time video                             outside the range of tested conditions or              closed or vice versa, and the stage(s) and
                                                  surveillance camera output to the                        outside the range of the manufacturer’s                number of MPGF burners affected.
                                                  control room or other continuously                       specifications.
                                                                                                              (v) All periods during the compliance               IV. Final Framework for Streamlining
                                                  manned location where the video
                                                                                                           determination when the staging valve                   Approval of Future Pressure-Assisted
                                                  camera images may be viewed at any
                                                                                                           position indicator monitoring system                   MPGF AMEL Requests
                                                  time.
                                                     (4) The operator of an MPGF system                    indicates a stage of the MPGF should                     We are finalizing a framework that
                                                  shall install and operate pressure                       not be in operation and is or when a                   sources may use to submit an AMEL
                                                  monitor(s) on the main flare header, as                  stage of the MPGF should be in                         request to the EPA in order to use an
                                                  well as a valve position indicator                       operation and is not.                                  MPGF as control devices to comply with
                                                  monitoring system for each staging                          (c) The owner or operator shall notify              new source performance standards
                                                  valve to ensure that the MPGF operates                   the Administrator of periods of excess                 (NSPS) and national emission standards
                                                  within the range of tested conditions or                 emissions in their Periodic Reports.                   for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP)
                                                  within the range of the manufacturer’s                   These periods of excess emissions shall                under 40 CFR parts 60, 61, and 63. At
                                                  specifications. The pressure monitor                     include:                                               a minimum, sources considering use of
                                                  shall meet the requirements in Table 2.                     (i) Records of each 15-minute block                 an MPGF as an emissions control
                                                  Maintenance periods, instrument                          during which there was at least 1                      technology should provide the EPA
                                                  adjustments or checks to maintain                        minute when regulated material was                     with the following information in its
                                                  precision and accuracy, and zero and                     routed to the MPGF and a complete loss                 AMEL request when demonstrating
                                                  span adjustments may not exceed 5                        of pilot flame on a stage of burners                   MPGF equivalency:
                                                                                                           occurred.                                                (1) Project Scope and Background.
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                                                  percent of the time the flare is receiving
                                                  regulated material.                                         (ii) Records of visible emissions                     (a) Size and scope of plant, products
                                                     (5) Recordkeeping Requirements.                       events that are time and date stamped                  produced, location of facility, and the
                                                     (a) All data must be recorded and                     and exceed more than 5 minutes in any                  MPGF proximity, if less than 2 miles, to
                                                  maintained for a minimum of 3 years or                   2-hour consecutive period.                             the local community and schools.
                                                  for as long as applicable rule subpart(s)                   (iii) Records of each 15-minute block                 (b) Details of overall emissions control
                                                  specify flare records should be kept,                    period for which an applicable                         scheme (e.g., low pressure control
                                                  whichever is more stringent.                             combustion zone operating limit (i.e.,                 scenario and high pressure control


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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 77 / Thursday, April 21, 2016 / Notices                                            23487

                                                  scenario), MPGF capacity and operation                  barometric pressure, wind speed and                   combustion efficiency, the data
                                                  (including number of rows (stages),                     direction and relative humidity), and                 elements laid out in Section IV(3)(a)(i)
                                                  number of burners and pilots per stage                  whether there were any observed flare                 above should also be reported.
                                                  and staging curve), and how the MPGF                    flameouts.                                               (c) Using the results from Section
                                                  will be used (e.g., controls routine                       (ii) If an engineering assessment is               IV(4)(b) above as a starting point,
                                                  flows, only controls flows during                       done, sources must provide to the                     sources must perform a minimum of
                                                  periods of startup, shutdown,                           Agency a demonstration that a proper                  three replicate tests at both the
                                                  maintenance, emergencies).                              level of destruction/combustion                       minimum and maximum operating
                                                     (c) Details of typical and/or                        efficiency was obtained through prior                 conditions on at least one MPGF burner
                                                  anticipated waste gas compositions and                  performance testing for a similar                     at or above the NHVcz or at or below the
                                                  profiles to be routed to the MPGF for                   equivalent burner type design. To                     LFLcz determined in Section IV(4)(b). If
                                                  control.                                                support an equivalent burner                          more than one burner is tested, the
                                                     (d) MPGF burner design including                     assessment of destruction/combustion                  spacing between the burners must be
                                                  type, geometry, and size.                               efficiency, sources must discuss and                  representative of the projected
                                                     (e) Anticipated date of startup.                     provide information related to design                 installation. Each test must be a
                                                     (2) Regulatory Applicability.                        principles of burner type, burner size,
                                                     (a) Detailed list or table of applicable                                                                   minimum of 5 minutes in duration with
                                                                                                          burner geometry, air-fuel mixing, and                 constant flow and composition for the
                                                  NESHAP and/or NSPS, applicable                          the combustion principles associated
                                                  standards that allow use of flares, and                                                                       three runs at minimum conditions, and
                                                                                                          with this burner that will assure                     the three runs at the maximum
                                                  authority that allows the owner or                      smokeless operation under a variety of
                                                  operator to request an AMEL.                                                                                  conditions. The data and data elements
                                                                                                          operating conditions. Similarly, sources              mentioned in Section IV(4)(b) must also
                                                     (3) Destruction Efficiency/Combustion                must also provide details outlining why
                                                  Efficiency Performance Demonstration.                                                                         be reported.
                                                                                                          all of these factors, in concert with the                (5) MPGF Cross-light Testing.
                                                     (a) Sources must provide a                           waste gas that was tested in the
                                                  performance demonstration to the                                                                                 (a) Sources must design and carry out
                                                                                                          supporting reference materials, support               a performance test to successfully
                                                  Agency that the MPGF pressure-assisted                  the conclusion that the MPGF burners
                                                  burner being proposed for use will                                                                            demonstrate that cross lighting of the
                                                                                                          being proposed for use by the source
                                                  achieve a level of control at least                                                                           MPGF burners will occur over the range
                                                                                                          will achieve at least an equivalent level
                                                  equivalent to the most stringent level of                                                                     of operating conditions (e.g., operating
                                                                                                          of destruction efficiency as required by
                                                  control required by the underlying                                                                            pressure and/or velocity (Mach)
                                                                                                          the underlying applicable regulations.
                                                  standards (e.g., 98-percent destruction                    (4) MPGF Stability Testing.                        condition) for which the burners will be
                                                  efficiency or better). Facilities can elect                (a) The operation of an MPGF with a                used. Sources may use the NHVcz and/
                                                  to do a performance test that includes a                stable, lit flame is of paramount                     or LFLcz established in Section IV(4)
                                                  minimum of three test runs under the                    importance to continuously ensuring                   above and perform a minimum of three
                                                  most challenging conditions (e.g.,                      good flare performance; therefore, any                replicate runs at each of the operating
                                                  highest operating pressure and/or sonic                 source wishing to demonstrate                         conditions. Sources must cross-light a
                                                  velocity conditions) using passive                      equivalency for purposes of using these               minimum of three burners and the
                                                  Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy                 types of installations must conduct a                 spacing between the burners and
                                                  (PFTIR) testing, extractive sampling or                 stability performance test. Since flare tip           location of the pilot flame must be
                                                  rely on an engineering assessment.                      design and waste gas composition have                 representative of the projected
                                                  Sources must test using fuel                            significant impact on the range of stable             installation. At a minimum, sources
                                                  representative of the type of waste gas                 operation, sources should use a                       must report the following: A description
                                                  the MPGF will typically burn or                         representative waste gas the MPGF will                of the testing, a protocol describing the
                                                  substitute a waste gas such as an olefin                typically burn or a waste gas, such as an             test methodology used, associated test
                                                  gas or olefinic gas mixture that will                   olefin or olefinic mixture, that will                 method QA/QC parameters, the waste
                                                  challenge the MPGF to achieve a high                    challenge the MPGF to perform at a high               gas composition and NHVcz and/or LFLcz
                                                  destruction efficiency smokelessly.                     level with a stable flame as well as                  of the gas tested, the velocity (or Mach
                                                     (i) If a performance test is conducted               challenge its ability to achieve                      speed ratio) of the waste gas tested, the
                                                  on the burners, a test report must be                   smokeless operation.                                  MPGF burner tip pressure, the time,
                                                  submitted to the Agency which includes                     (b) Sources should first design and                length, and duration of the test, records
                                                  at a minimum: A description of the                      carry out a performance test to                       of whether a successful cross-light was
                                                  testing, a protocol describing the test                 determine the point of flare flame                    observed over all of the burners and the
                                                  methodology used, associated test                       instability and flameout for the MPGF                 length of time it took for the burners to
                                                  method quality assurance/quality                        burner and waste gas composition                      cross-light, records of maintaining a
                                                  control (QA/QC) parameters, raw field                   chosen to be tested. Successful, initial              stable flame after a successful cross-light
                                                  and laboratory data sheets, summary                     demonstration of stability is achieved                and the duration for which this was
                                                  data report sheets, calibration standards,              when there is a stable, lit flame for a               observed, records of any smoking events
                                                  calibration curves, completed visible                   minimum of 5 minutes at consistent                    during the cross-light, waste gas
                                                  emissions observation forms, a                          flow and waste gas composition. It is                 temperature, meteorological conditions
                                                  calculation of the average destruction                  recommended, although not required,                   (e.g., ambient temperature, barometric
                                                  efficiency and combustion efficiency                    that sources determine the point of                   pressure, wind speed and direction, and
                                                  over the course of each test, the date,                 instability at sonic flow conditions or at            relative humidity), and whether there
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  time and duration of the test, the waste                the highest operating pressure                        were any observed flare flameouts.
                                                  gas composition and NHVcz and/or LFLcz                  anticipated. Any data which                              (6) Flaring Reduction Considerations.
                                                  the gas tested, the flowrate (at standard               demonstrate instability and complete                     (a) Sources must make a
                                                  conditions) and velocity of the waste                   loss of flame prior to the 5-minute                   demonstration, considering MPGF use,
                                                  gas, the MPGF burner tip pressure,                      period must be reported along with the                on whether additional flare reduction
                                                  waste gas temperature, meteorological                   initial stable flame demonstration.                   measures, including flare gas recovery,
                                                  conditions (e.g., ambient temperature,                  Along with destruction efficiency and                 should be used and implemented.


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                                                  23488                         Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 77 / Thursday, April 21, 2016 / Notices

                                                     (7) MPGF Monitoring and Operating                    accessible as needed for coordination of              you for clarification, EPA may not be
                                                  Conditions.                                             environmental response activities. This               able to consider your comment.
                                                     (a) Based on the results of the criteria             information may include individuals’                  Electronic files should avoid the use of
                                                  mentioned above in this section, sources                contact information, information related              special characters, any form of
                                                  must make recommendations to the                        to their address or place of residence,               encryption, and be free of any defects or
                                                  Agency on the type of monitoring and                    correspondence, and related                           viruses. For additional information
                                                  operating conditions necessary for the                  information collected in the course of                about EPA’s public docket visit the EPA
                                                  MPGF to demonstrate equivalent                          sampling and cleanup work.                            Docket Center homepage at http://
                                                  reductions in emissions as compared to                  DATES: Persons wishing to comment on                  www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
                                                  flares complying with the requirements                  this system of records notice must do so                 Docket: All documents in the docket
                                                  at 40 CFR 60.18 and 40 CFR 63.11,                       by May 31, 2016. If no comments are                   are listed in the www.regulations.gov
                                                  taking into consideration a control                     received, the system of records notice                index. Although listed in the index,
                                                  scheme designed to handle highly                        will become effective by May 31, 2016.                some information is not publicly
                                                  variable flows and waste gas                            ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
                                                                                                                                                                available, e.g., CBI or other information
                                                  compositions.                                           identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–                   for which disclosure is restricted by
                                                     We anticipate this framework will                    2016–0100, by one of the following                    statute. Certain other material, such as
                                                  enable the Agency to review and                         methods:                                              copyrighted material, will be publicly
                                                  approve future AMEL requests for                           www.regulations.gov: Follow the                    available only in hard copy. Publicly
                                                  MPGF installations in a more                            online instructions for submitting                    available docket materials are available
                                                  expeditious timeframe. We note,                         comments.                                             either electronically in
                                                  however, that future AMEL requests are                     Email: oei.docket@epa.gov.                         www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
                                                  still subject to public notice and                         Fax: 202–566–1752.                                 the OEI Docket, EPA/DC, EPA West
                                                  comment.                                                   Mail: OEI Docket, Environmental                    Building, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution
                                                    Dated: April 11, 2016.                                Protection Agency, Mailcode: 2822T,                   Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The Public
                                                  Janet G. McCabe,                                        1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.,                           Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to
                                                                                                          Washington, DC 20460.                                 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
                                                  Acting Assistant Administrator.
                                                                                                             Hand Delivery: OEI Docket, EPA/DC,                 excluding legal holidays. The telephone
                                                  [FR Doc. 2016–08911 Filed 4–20–16; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                          EPA West Building, Room 3334, 1301                    number for the Public Reading Room is
                                                  BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                                                                        (202) 566–1744, and the telephone
                                                                                                          Constitution Ave. NW., Washington,
                                                                                                          DC. Such deliveries are only accepted                 number for the OEI Docket is (202) 566–
                                                                                                          during the Docket’s normal hours of                   1752.
                                                  ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                                                                                          operation, and special arrangements                   FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                  AGENCY
                                                                                                          should be made for deliveries of boxed                Terrence Ferguson, Office of Land and
                                                  [FRL–9945–38–OEI]                                       information.                                          Emergency Management (OLEM), Office
                                                                                                             Instructions: Direct your comments to              of Superfund Remediation and
                                                  Privacy Act of 1974; System of                                                                                Technology Information (OSRTI), Mail
                                                                                                          Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OEI–2016–
                                                  Records                                                                                                       Code 5202T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave.
                                                                                                          0100. EPA’s policy is that all comments
                                                  AGENCY: U.S. Environmental Protection                   received will be included in the public               NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone
                                                  Agency (EPA).                                           docket without change and may be                      number (202) 566–0370.
                                                  ACTION: Notice of new Privacy Act                       made available online at                              SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S.
                                                  system of records.                                      www.regulations.gov, including any                    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
                                                                                                          personal information provided, unless                 is creating a Privacy Act system of
                                                  SUMMARY:    The U.S. Environmental                      the comment includes information                      records to allow the agency to maintain
                                                  Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Office of                   claimed to be Confidential Business                   records that are necessary to conduct
                                                  Land and Emergency Management is                        Information (CBI) or other information                environmental assessments at
                                                  giving notice that it proposes to create                for which disclosure is restricted by                 residential properties in order to
                                                  a new system of records pursuant to the                 statute. Do not submit information that               respond to emergency situations and
                                                  provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5                you consider to be CBI or otherwise                   during environmental assessment
                                                  U.S.C. 552a). This system of records                    protected through www.regulations.gov.                activities conducted by EPA under
                                                  contains information of individuals                     The www.regulations.gov Web site is an                many different programs including
                                                  which is collected in the course of                     ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which                    Superfund, the Resource Conservation
                                                  response and environmental assessment                   means EPA will not know your identity                 and Recovery Act (RCRA), and the Safe
                                                  actions, including actions taken under a                or contact information unless you                     Drinking Water Act (SDWA). This
                                                  variety of EPA authorities. The                         provide it in the body of your comment.               system of records promotes
                                                  information maintained under this                       If you send an email comment directly                 transparency, efficiency, and improved
                                                  SORN is needed to support EPA’s                         to EPA without going through                          environmental and health outcomes by
                                                  decision making process on what                         www.regulations.gov your email address                encompassing all records associated
                                                  actions may be necessary to address                     will be automatically captured and                    with EPA residential assessment work,
                                                  potential environmental impacts at                      included as part of the comment that is               including the database repositories,
                                                  residential properties, including                       placed in the public docket and made                  field documentation, and analytical
                                                  necessary remediation activities. This                  available on the Internet. If you submit              reports. Over the course of these
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                                                  information is collected to ensure an                   an electronic comment, EPA                            assessments EPA is often required to
                                                  appropriate and cohesive response to                    recommends that you include your                      support or work closely with state and
                                                  situations requiring EPA response                       name and other contact information in                 local agencies or federal agencies in
                                                  activities and to protect the health and                the body of your comment and with any                 responses to evaluate the health and
                                                  welfare of residents potentially affected               disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA                     welfare of affected communities. EPA’s
                                                  by an environmental or public health                    cannot read your comment due to                       environmental assessment activities at
                                                  emergency, and maintained so to be                      technical difficulties and cannot contact             residential properties include:


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Document Created: 2016-04-21 01:17:30
Document Modified: 2016-04-21 01:17:30
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice; final approval.
DatesThe AMEL request for the MPGF at OCC's ethylene plant in Ingleside, Texas, is approved and in effect on April 21, 2016.
ContactFor questions about this final action, contact Mr. Andrew Bouchard, Sector Policies and Programs Division (E143-01), Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711; telephone number: (919) 541-4036; fax number: (919) 541-0246;
FR Citation81 FR 23480 

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