82 FR 27822 - Notice of Final Approval for an Alternative Means of Emission Limitation at Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 116 (June 19, 2017)

Page Range27822-27827
FR Document2017-12688

This notice announces our approval of the Alternative Means of Emission Limitation (AMEL) request from Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP (CP Chem) under the Clean Air Act (CAA) to operate a multi- point ground flare (MPGF) at their ethylene plant in Baytown, Texas, and to operate an MPGF at their polyethylene plant in Old Ocean, Texas. This approval notice specifies the operating conditions and monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements that these facilities must follow to demonstrate compliance with the approved AMEL.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 116 (Monday, June 19, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 116 (Monday, June 19, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27822-27827]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12688]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-0738; FRL-9963-44-OAR]


Notice of Final Approval for an Alternative Means of Emission 
Limitation at Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice; final approval.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice announces our approval of the Alternative Means of 
Emission Limitation (AMEL) request from Chevron Phillips Chemical 
Company LP (CP Chem) under the Clean Air Act (CAA) to operate a multi-
point ground flare (MPGF) at their ethylene plant in Baytown, Texas, 
and to operate an MPGF at their polyethylene plant in Old Ocean, Texas. 
This approval notice specifies the operating conditions and monitoring, 
recordkeeping, and reporting requirements that these facilities must 
follow to demonstrate compliance with the approved AMEL.

DATES: The approval of the AMEL request for the MPGF at CP Chem's 
ethylene plant in Baytown, Texas, and the MPGF at CP Chem's 
polyethylene plant in Old Ocean, Texas, is effective on June 19, 2017.

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) 541-3470; 
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
CAA Clean Air Act
CBI confidential business information
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CP Chem Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
Eqn equation
HAP hazardous air pollutants
HP high pressure
LFL lower flammability limit
LFLcz lower flammability limit of combustion zone gas
LFLvg lower flammability limit of flare vent gas
MPGF multi-point ground flare
NESHAP national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants
NHV net heating value
NHVcz net heating value of combustion zone gas
NHVvg net heating value of flare vent gas
NSPS new source performance standards
OAQPS Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
scf standard cubic feet
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 CP Chem's AMEL Request
II. Summary of Public Comments on CP Chem's AMEL Request
III. Final Notice of Approval of CP Chem's AMEL Request and Required 
Operating Conditions

I. Background

A. Summary

    In a Federal Register notice dated April 4, 2017, the EPA provided 
public notice and solicited comment on CP Chem's AMEL request under the 
CAA for the operation of an MPGF at an ethylene plant in Baytown, 
Texas, and for the operation of an MPGF at a polyethylene plant in Old 
Ocean, Texas (see 82 FR 16392).\1\ This action solicited comment on all 
aspects of the AMEL request, including the operating conditions 
specified in that action 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 MPGFs. These 
standards incorporate the design and operating requirements for flares 
in the General Provisions to parts 60 and 63 as part of the emission 
reduction requirements. Because the two proposed MPGFs cannot meet the 
velocity requirements in these General

[[Page 27823]]

Provisions, CP Chem requested an AMEL. In its request, CP Chem 
demonstrates that the proposed AMEL for each of the two facilities 
would achieve at least equivalent emissions reductions as flares that 
meet the standards in the General Provisions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The MPGFs at both the ethylene plant and polyethylene plant 
will utilize pressure-assisted burners on all the high pressure (HP) 
stages; however, the first two stages on the MPGF at the 
polyethylene plant will also be steam-assisted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This action provides a summary of the comments received as part of 
the public review process, our response to those comments, and our 
approval of the AMEL request received from CP Chem for use of MPGFs at 
both their ethylene plant in Baytown, Texas, and polyethylene plant in 
Old Ocean, Texas, along with the operating conditions they must follow 
for demonstrating compliance with the approved AMEL.

B. Regulatory Flare Requirements and CP Chem's AMEL Request

    CP Chem submitted a complete MPGF AMEL request, following the MPGF 
AMEL framework that was published in the Federal Register (see 81 FR 
23480, April 21, 2016), to the EPA on November 28, 2016. CP Chem sought 
an AMEL to operate an MPGF for use during limited HP maintenance, 
startup, and shutdown events, as well as during upset events at their 
ethylene plant in Baytown, Texas. In addition, CP Chem sought an AMEL 
to operate an MPGF during certain routine operations (i.e., the first 
two stages only), as well as during periods of maintenance, startup, 
shutdown, and upset at their polyethylene plant in Old Ocean, Texas. In 
its request, CP Chem cited various regulatory requirements in 40 CFR 
parts 60, 61, and 63 that will apply to the flare vent gas streams that 
will be collected and routed to their MPGFs at each of these two 
plants. See Table 1 for a list of regulations, by subparts, that CP 
Chem has identified as applicable to the two plants described above. 
These new source performance standards (NSPS) and national emissions 
standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) require that flares 
subject to these subparts meet the flare design and operating 
requirements in the General Provisions of part 60 and 63, respectively 
(i.e., 40 CFR 60.18(b) and 63.11(b)). CP Chem is requesting that the 
EPA approve the AMEL to be used by each of the two plants for complying 
with the flare requirements in the relevant subparts as specified in 
Table 1.

   Table 1--Summary of Applicable Rules that May Apply to Vent Streams Controlled by Multi-Point Ground Flares
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       Rule citation from
Applicable rules with vent streams      CP chem          CP chem        Title 40 CFR that      Provisions for
    going to control device(s)       ethylene plant    polyethylene    allow for use of a   alternative means of
                                                          plant               flare          emission limitation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSPS Subpart VV...................  ...............               X   60.482-10(d)........  60.484(a)-(f).
NSPS Subpart VVa..................               X   ...............  60.482-10a(d).......  60.484a(a)-(f).
NSPS Subpart DDD..................  ...............               X   60.562-1(a)(1)(i)(C)  CAA section
                                                                                             111(h)(3).
NSPS Subpart NNN..................               X   ...............  60.662(b)...........  CAA section
                                                                                             111(h)(3).
NSPS Subpart RRR..................               X   ...............  60.702(b)...........  CAA section
                                                                                             111(h)(3).
NESHAP Subpart FF.................               X   ...............  61.349(a)(2)........  61.353(a); also see
                                                                                             61.12(d).
NESHAP Subpart SS.................               X   ...............  63.982(b)...........  CAA section
                                                                                             112(h)(3).
NESHAP Subpart UU.................               X   ...............  63.1034.............  63.1021(a)-(d).
NESHAP Subpart XX.................               X   ...............  63.1091.............  63.1097(b)(1).
                                                                      * Note--This subpart
                                                                       cross-references to
                                                                       NESHAP subpart FF
                                                                       above.
NESHAP Subpart YY.................               X   ...............  Table 7 to Sec.       63.1113.
                                                                       63.1103(e) cross-
                                                                       references to
                                                                       NESHAP subpart SS
                                                                       above.
NESHAP Subpart FFFF...............  ...............               X   63.2450(e)(2).......  63.2545(b)(1); also
                                                                                             see 63.6(g).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The provisions in each NSPS and NESHAP cited in Table 1 that ensure 
flares meet certain specific requirements when used to satisfy the 
requirements of the NSPS or NESHAP were established as work practice 
standards pursuant to CAA sections 111(h)(1) or 112(h)(1). For 
standards established according to these provisions, CAA sections 
111(h)(3) and 112(h)(3) allow the EPA to permit the use of an AMEL by a 
source if, after notice and opportunity for comment,\2\ it is 
established to the Administrator's satisfaction that such AMEL will 
achieve emission reduction at least equivalent to the reduction 
required under the CAA section 111(h)(1) or 112(h)(1) standard. As 
noted in Table 1, many of the NSPS and NESHAP in the table above also 
include specific regulatory provisions allowing sources to request an 
AMEL.
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    \2\ CAA section 111(h)(3) specifically requires that the EPA 
provide an opportunity for a public hearing. The EPA provided an 
opportunity for a public hearing in the April 4, 2017, Federal 
Register action. However, no public hearing was requested.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    CP Chem sought such an AMEL request because their MPGFs are not 
designed to operate below the maximum permitted velocity requirements 
for flares in the General Provisions of 40 CFR parts 60 and 63. CP Chem 
provided information that the MPGFs 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 82 
FR 16392-16399, April 4, 2017).

II. Summary of Public Comments on CP Chem's AMEL Request

    The EPA received eight public comments on this action. The public 
comments received fell into one of the following three bins: (1) 
General support for CP Chem's AMEL request, (2) general opposition to 
CP Chem's AMEL request, and (3) general comments outside the scope of 
the action. None of the comments raised issues or otherwise mentioned 
any specific aspect of the MPGFs (including any operating condition) 
proposed for either of the two plants or the EPA's authority to approve 
these AMEL under the CAA. None of the commenters who opposed the EPA's 
proposal to approve the AMEL with the operating conditions specified in 
the April 4, 2017, action asserted that the EPA lacked authority to 
approve the AMEL or that the AMEL would not achieve at least equivalent

[[Page 27824]]

emissions reductions as flares that meet the standards in the General 
Provisions. Additionally, the one commenter who generally opposed CP 
Chem's AMEL request did not provide any substantive reason for why they 
opposed the request, other than to note that existing regulations 
should be followed. Therefore, no changes have been made to the 
operating conditions specified in the April 4, 2017, action.

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

    Based on information the EPA received from CP Chem and the comments 
received through the public comment period, we are approving CP Chem's 
request for an AMEL and establishing operating requirements for the 
MPGF at CP Chem's ethylene plant in Baytown, Texas, and the MPGF at CP 
Chem's polyethylene plant in Old Ocean, Texas. The operating conditions 
for CP Chem'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 for all HP stages at CP Chem's ethylene 
plant and for all HP stages excluding stage 1 and 2 for CP Chem's 
polyethylene plant must be designed and operated such that the net 
heating value of the combustion zone gas (NHVcz) is greater than or 
equal to 800 British thermal units per standard cubic foot (Btu/scf) or 
lower flammability limit of the combustion zone gas (LFLcz) is less 
than or equal to 6.5 percent by volume. The MPGF system for HP stages 1 
and 2 of CP Chem's polyethlene plant must be designed and operated such 
that the NHVcz is greater than or equal to 600 Btu/scf or the LFLcz is 
less than or equal to 8.0 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 the net heating value of 
flare vent gas (NHVvg) by following the requirements of (1)(d)-(1)(e) 
below. If an owner or operator elects to use 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, NHVvg shall be calculated 
using the following equation:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN19JN17.000

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 
2 summarizes component properties including net heating values.
    (ii) For all MPGF HP stages at CP Chem's ethylene plant and for all 
MPGF HP stages, excluding stage 1 and 2 for CP Chem's polyethylene 
plant, NHVvg = NHVcz.
    (iii) For HP stages 1 and 2 of CP Chem's polyethlene plant MPGF, 
NHVcz shall be calculated using the following equation:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN19JN17.001

Where:

NHVcz = Net heating value of combustion zone gas, Btu/scf.
NHVvg = Net heating value of flare vent gas for the 15-minute block 
period as determined according to (1)(a)(i) above, Btu/scf.
Qvg = Cumulative volumetric flow of flare vent gas during the 15-
minute block period, standard cubic feet (scf).
Qs = Cumulative volumetric flow of total assist steam during the 15-
minute block period, scf.

    (b) Calculation of LFLcz
    (i) The owner or operator shall determine LFLcz from compositional 
analysis data by using the following equation:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN19JN17.002


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.
Xi = 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 XN2/LFLN2 = 0). LFL values for 
common flare vent gas components are provided in Table 2.

    (ii) For all MPGF HP stages at CP Chem's ethylene plant and for all 
MPGF HP stages, excluding stages 1 and 2 for CP Chem's polyethylene 
plant, LFLvg = LFLcz.
    (iii) For HP stages 1 and 2 of CP Chem's polyethlene plant MPGF, 
LFLcz shall be calculated using the following equation:

[[Page 27825]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN19JN17.003

Where:

LFLcz = Lower flammability limit of combustion zone gas, vol %.
LFLvg = Lower flammability limit of flare vent gas, vol %.
Qvg = Cumulative volumetric flow of flare vent gas during the 15-
minute block period, scf.
Qs = Cumulative volumetric flow of total assist steam during the 15-
minute block period, scf.

    (c) The operator of an MPGF system shall install, operate, 
calibrate, and maintain a monitoring system capable of continuously 
measuring the volumetric flow rate of flare vent gas (Qvg) and the 
volumetric flow rate of total assist steam (Qs).
    (i) The flow rate monitoring systems must be able to correct for 
the temperature and pressure of the system and output parameters in 
standard conditions (i.e., a temperature of 20 [deg]C (68 [deg]F) and a 
pressure of 1 atmosphere).
    (ii) Mass flow monitors may be used for determining volumetric flow 
rate of flare vent gas provided the molecular weight of the flare vent 
gas is determined using compositional analysis so that the mass flow 
rate can be converted to volumetric flow at standard conditions using 
the following equation:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN19JN17.004

Where:

Qvol = Volumetric flow rate, scf per second.
Qmass = Mass flow rate, pounds per second.
385.3 = Conversion factor, scf per pound-mole.
MWt = Molecular weight of the gas at the flow monitoring location, 
pounds per pound-mole.

    (iii) Mass flow monitors may be used for determining volumetric 
flow rate of total assist steam. Use Equation 5 to convert mass flow 
rates to volumetric flow rates. Use a molecular weight of 18 pounds per 
pound-mole for total assist steam.
    (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 (in Btu/scf).
    (e) For each measurement produced by the monitoring system used to 
comply with (1)(d) above, 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 3. 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 2--Individual Component Properties
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   NHV (British
                                                                  MW (pounds per   thermal units
               Component                    Molecular formula       pound-mole)    per standard   LFL (volume %)
                                                                                    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
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]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 27826]]


             Table 3--Accuracy and Calibration Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Accuracy           Calibration
           Parameter               requirements         requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flare Vent Gas Flow Rate......  20     Performance
                                 percent of flow    evaluation
                                 rate at            biennially (every 2
                                 velocities         years) and following
                                 ranging from 0.1   any period of more
                                 to 1 foot per      than 24 hours
                                 second.            throughout which the
                                5       flow rate exceeded
                                 percent of flow    the maximum rated
                                 rate at            flow rate of the
                                 velocities         sensor, or the data
                                 greater than 1     recorder was off
                                 foot per second.   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.
Flow Rate for All Flows Other   5      Conduct a flow sensor
 Than Flare Vent Gas.            percent over the   calibration check at
                                 normal range of    least biennially
                                 flow measured or   (every two years);
                                 1.9 liters per     conduct a
                                 minute (0.5        calibration check
                                 gallons per        following any period
                                 minute),           of more than 24
                                 whichever is       hours throughout
                                 greater, for       which the flow rate
                                 liquid flow.       exceeded the
                                                    manufacturer's
                                                    specified maximum
                                                    rated flow rate or
                                                    install a new flow
                                                    sensor.
                                5      At least quarterly,
                                 percent over the   inspect all
                                 normal range of    components for
                                 flow measured or   leakage, unless the
                                 280 liters per     continuous parameter
                                 minute (10 cubic   monitoring system
                                 feet per           has a redundant flow
                                 minute),           sensor.
                                 whichever is
                                 greater, for gas
                                 flow.
                                5      Record the results of
                                 percent over the   each calibration
                                 normal range       check and
                                 measured for       inspection.
                                 mass flow.        Locate the flow
                                                    sensor(s) and other
                                                    necessary equipment
                                                    (such as
                                                    straightening vanes)
                                                    in a position that
                                                    provides
                                                    representative flow;
                                                    reduce swirling flow
                                                    or abnormal velocity
                                                    distributions due to
                                                    upstream and
                                                    downstream
                                                    disturbances.
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 perform
                                 column),           corrective action to
                                 whichever is       ensure proper
                                 greater.           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.
Net Heating Value by Gas        As specified in    Follow the procedure
 Chromatograph.                  Performance        in PS 9 of 40 CFR
                                 Specification      part 60, appendix B,
                                 (PS) 9 of 40 CFR   except that a single
                                 part 60,           daily mid-level
                                 appendix B.        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 burner on HP stages 1 and 2 of CP Chem's 
polyethylene plant MPGF must have a pilot with a continuously lit pilot 
flame. Additionally, each HP stage of CP Chem's ethylene plant MPGF and 
all HP stages, excluding stages 1 and 2 for CP Chem's polyethylene 
plant MPGF, must have at least two pilots with a continuously lit pilot 
flame. Each pilot flame 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 of the individual MPGF burners on HP stages 1 and 2 of CP 
Chem's polyethylene plant MPGF, on any of the HP stages of CP Chem's 
ethylene plant MPGF, and on any of the HP stages, excluding stages 1 
and 2 of CP Chem's polyethylene plant MPGF, 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 capable of monitoring and 
recording the position 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

[[Page 27827]]

pressure monitor shall meet the requirements in Table 3. 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 required under applicable rule subpart(s), 
whichever is longer.
    (6) Reporting Requirements.
    (a) The information specified in sections III (6)(b) and (c) of 
this document below must be reported in the timeline specified by the 
applicable rule subpart(s) for which the MPGF will control emissions.
    (b) Owners or operators shall include the following information in 
their initial Notification of Compliance status report:
    (i) Specify flare design as a pressure-assisted MPGF. CP Chem's 
polyethylene plant shall also clearly note that HP stages 1 and 2 are 
also steam-assisted.
    (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(b) and 
40 CFR 63.11(b) are not applicable.
    (iii) All periods during the compliance determination when a 
complete loss of pilot flame on any stage of MPGF burners occurs, and, 
for HP stages 1 and 2 of CP Chem's polyethylene plant MPGF, all periods 
during the compliance determination when a complete loss of pilot flame 
on an individual burner 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 for all HP stages of CP Chem's 
ethylene plant MPGF and for all HP stages excluding stages 1 and 2 of 
CP Chem's polyethylene plant MPGF 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, and, for HP stages 
1 and 2 of CP Chem's polyethylene plant MPGF, 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 an 
individual burner occurred.
    (ii) Records of visible emissions events (including the time and 
date stamp) that 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). For CP Chem's polyethylene 
plant MPGF, also indicate which HP stages were in use.
    (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.

    Dated: June 1, 2017.
Stephen Page,
Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.
[FR Doc. 2017-12688 Filed 6-16-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


Current View
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 approval of the AMEL request for the MPGF at CP Chem's ethylene plant in Baytown, Texas, and the MPGF at CP Chem's polyethylene plant in Old Ocean, Texas, is effective on June 19, 2017.
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) 541-3470;
FR Citation82 FR 27822 

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