[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 248 (Wednesday, December 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-31745]
[Federal Register: December 28, 1994]
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40 CFR Part 60
[AD-FRL-5128-5]
Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources: Industrial-
Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating Units; Kentucky
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed revision of rule.
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SUMMARY: New source performance standards (NSPS) limiting emissions of
nitrogen oxides (NOX) from industrial-commercial-institutional
steam generating units capable of combusting more than 100 million Btu
per hour were proposed on June 19, 1984 and were promulgated on
November 25, 1986. These standards limit NOX emissions from the
combustion of fossil fuels, as well as the combustion of fossil fuels
with other fuels or wastes. The standards include provisions for
facility-specific NOX standards for steam generating units which
simultaneously combust fossil fuel and chemical byproduct waste(s)
under certain conditions. This action proposes to approve a facility-
specific NOX standard for a steam generating unit which
simultaneously combusts fossil fuel and chemical byproduct waste at the
Rohm & Haas Kentucky Plant located in Louisville, Kentucky.
DATES: Comments. Comments on the proposed revision must be received by
January 27, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Comments. Comments on the proposed revision should be
submitted (in duplicate, if possible) to: The Air and Radiation Docket
and Information Center, 401 M Street, SW., Washington, DC 20460,
attention Docket Number A-94-49.
Docket. Docket Number A-94-49, containing supporting information
used in developing the proposed revision, is available for public
inspection and copying between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday (except for government holidays) at The Air and
Radiation Docket and Information Center, 401 M Street, SW., Washington,
DC 20460. A reasonable fee may be charged for copying.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. George Smith at (919) 541-1549,
Standards Development Branch, Emission Standards Division (MD-13), U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
27711.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Combustion is one means for disposal of chemical by-product wastes.
Combustion in a flare or an incinerator is effective, in terms of
disposal of the waste, but provides no additional benefit. Combustion
in a steam generating unit, on the other hand, provides the benefit of
energy recovery, thereby reducing overall energy consumption and
conserving energy resources.
Depending on the composition of the waste, however, combustion of
chemical by-product waste may be an emission source of toxic air
pollutants. For this reason, steam generating units are a source
category scheduled for regulation by national emissions standards for
hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) under section 112 of the Clean Air
Act by November 15, 2000.
Currently, any steam generating unit which commenced construction,
modification, or reconstruction after June 19, 1984 and is capable of
combusting greater than 100 million Btu per hour of fossil fuel or a
combination of fossil fuel with other fuels or wastes is subject to
NSPS. These NSPS are codified under 40 CFR Part 60 as Subpart Db and
include emission limits for NOX.
These NSPS allow for two different NOX emission limits for
steam generating units that combust either natural gas or distillate
oil, depending on whether the steam generating unit has a low heat
release rate or high heat release rate. A low heat release rate is
defined in the NSPS as being 70,000 Btu/hour-cubic foot or less; a high
heat release rate is greater than 70,000 Btu/hour-cubic foot. The
NOX emission limit for low heat release rate steam generating
units that combust either natural gas or distillate oil is 0.1 pounds
per million Btu and for high heat release rate units it is 0.2 pounds
per million Btu.
The objective of the NSPS is to limit NOX emissions from the
combustion of fossil fuel. For steam generating units combusting by-
product waste, the requirements of the NSPS vary depending on the
operation of the steam generating units.
During periods when only fossil fuel is combusted, the steam
generating unit must comply with the NOX emission limits in the
NSPS for fossil fuel. During periods when only by-product waste is
combusted, the steam generating unit may be subject to other
requirements or regulations which limit NOX emissions, but it is
not subject to NOX emission limits under the NSPS. In addition, if
the steam generating unit is subject to Federally enforceable permit
conditions limiting the amount of fossil fuel combusted in the steam
generating unit to an annual capacity factor of 10 percent or less, the
steam generating unit is not subject to NOX emission limits under
the NSPS, when it simultaneously combusts fossil fuel and by-product
waste.
With the exception noted above, during periods when fossil fuel and
by-product waste is simultaneously combusted in a steam generating
unit, the unit must generally comply with NOX emission limits
under Sec. 60.44b(e) of the NSPS. Under Sec. 60.44b(e) the applicable
NOX emission limit depends on the nature of the by-product waste
combusted. In some situations, however, ``facility specific'' NOX
emission limits developed under Sec. 60.44b(f) may apply. The order for
determining which NOX emission limit applies is as follows.
A steam generating unit simultaneously combusting fossil fuel and
by-product waste is expected to comply with the NOX emission limit
under Sec. 60.44b(e); only in a few situations may NOX emission
limits developed under Sec. 60.44b(f) apply. Section 60.44b(e) includes
an equation to determine the NOX emission limit applicable to a
steam generating unit when it simultaneously combusts fossil fuel and
by-product waste.
In essence, if the by-product waste is gaseous in nature and it is
combusted with natural gas or distillate oil, the equation in
Sec. 60.44b(e) subjects the steam generating unit to the NOX
emission rate for natural gas or distillate oil, which are the same
under the NSPS. If the by-product waste is liquid in nature and it is
combusted with residual oil, the equation subjects the steam generating
unit to the NOX emission limit for residual oil. The heat input to
the steam generating unit released by combustion of both the natural
gas, distillate oil or residual oil, as well as the heat input released
from combustion of the by-product waste, are used to determine
compliance with the NOX emission limit.
Finally, if the by-product waste is gaseous in nature or liquid in
nature and is combusted with natural gas, distillate oil, residual oil,
or coal, the equation subjects the steam generating unit to an NOX
emission limit derived from the NOX emission limits for natural
gas, distillate oil, residual oil, and coal. This NOX emission
limit depends on the relative heat input to the steam generating unit
provided by combustion of the gaseous and/or liquid by-product waste,
natural gas, distillate oil, residual oil, and/or coal.
As mentioned above, the objective of the NSPS is to limit NOX
emissions from the combustion of fossil fuel. Consequently, in
determining compliance with the NOX emission limits, NOX
introduced into the steam generating unit with the combustion air or
the fuel may be subtracted from NOX emissions released from the
steam generating unit in determining compliance with the NOX
emission limits under the NSPS. Such situations may arise where the
exhaust from a gas turbine is used as a source of preheated combustion
air to a steam generating unit. The gas turbine exhaust will contain
NOX (which may be subject to the NOX emission limits in the
NSPS applicable to gas turbines) and this NOX may be subtracted
from the NOX released from the steam generating unit, in
determining compliance with the NSPS applicable to steam generating
units. Similarly, NOX contained in a by-product waste may be
subtracted from the NOX released by the steam generating unit in
determining compliance with the NSPS when the steam generating unit
simultaneously combusts fossil fuel and by-product waste.
Only where a steam generating unit which simultaneously combusts
fossil fuel and by-product waste is unable to comply with the NOX
emission limit determined under Sec. 60.44b(e), might a facility
specific NOX emission limit under Sec. 60.44b(f) apply. This
section permits a steam generating unit to petition the Administrator
for a facility specific NOX emission limit. A facility specific
NOX emission limit will be proposed and promulgated by the
Administrator for the steam generating unit, however, only where the
petition is judged to be complete.
To be considered complete, a petition for a facility-specific
NOX standard under Sec. 60.44b(f) consists of three components.
The first component is a demonstration that the steam generating unit
is able to comply with the NOX emission limit for fossil fuel when
combusting fossil fuel alone. The purposes of this provision are to
ensure that the steam generating unit has installed best demonstrated
NOX control technology, to identify the NOX control
technology installed, and to identify the manner in which this
technology is operated to achieve compliance with the NOX emission
limit for fossil fuel.
The second component of a complete petition is a demonstration that
this NOX control technology does not enable compliance with the
NOX emission limit for fossil fuel when the steam generating unit
simultaneously combusts fossil fuel with chemical byproduct waste under
the same conditions used to demonstrate compliance on fossil fuel
alone. In addition, this component of the petition must identify what
unique and specific properties of the chemical byproduct waste(s) are
responsible for preventing the steam generating unit from complying
with the NOX emission limit for fossil fuel.
The third component of a complete petition consists of data and or
analysis to support a facility-specific NOX standard for the steam
generating unit when it simultaneously combusts fossil fuel and
chemical byproduct waste and operates the NOX control technology
in the same manner it would be operated in to demonstrate and maintain
compliance with the NOX emission limit for fossil fuel, if only
fossil fuel were combusted. This component of the petition must
identify the NOX emission limit(s) and/or operating parameter
limits, and appropriate testing, monitoring, reporting and
recordkeeping requirements which will ensure operation of the NOX
control technology and minimize NOX emissions at all times.
Upon receipt of a complete petition, the Administrator will propose
a facility-specific NOX standard for the steam generating unit
when it simultaneously combusts chemical byproduct waste with fossil
fuel. The NOX standard will include the NOX emission limit(s)
and/or operating parameter limit(s) to ensure operation of the NOX
control technology at all times, as well as appropriate testing,
monitoring, reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Rohm & Haas Petition
Rohm and Haas Kentucky Incorporated (Rohm & Haas) of Louisville,
Kentucky has submitted a petition for a facility-specific NOX
standard under Sec. 60.44b(f) of Subpart Db. The facility-specific
standard would apply to a steam generating unit referred to by Rohm &
Haas as Boiler No. 100. This steam generating unit has a heat input
capacity of approximately 250 million Btu/hour and simultaneously
combusts the fossil fuels natural gas and distillate oil with the
chemical byproduct wastes of methyl methacrylate.
Boiler No. 100 has a heat release rate of greater than 70,000 Btu/
hour-cubic foot, and is therefore a high heat release rate steam
generating unit. Because Boiler No. 100 combusts natural gas and
distillate oil, its applicable NOX emission limit is the high heat
release rate NOX emission limit for natural gas and distillate oil
of 0.2 pounds per million Btu.
The merits of the Rohm & Haas petition are discussed below in terms
of the components of a complete petition for a facility-specific
NOX standard under Sec. 60.44b(f) of Subpart Db.
Component One: Fossil Fuel Compliance
As discussed above, the first component of a complete petition is a
demonstration that the steam generating unit is able to comply with the
NOX emission limit for fossil fuel when combusting fossil fuel
alone. This ensures the steam generating unit has installed best
demonstrated NOX control technology, identifies the NOX
control technology, and identifies the manner in which the NOX
control technology is operated to demonstrate compliance.
Section 60.44b(f) states that the owner or operator must conduct a
30-day performance test with the steam generating unit combusting
fossil fuel alone to demonstrate compliance with the NOX emission
limit for fossil fuel. Rohm & Haas has submitted the results of a 30-
day performance test demonstrating compliance with the NOX
emission limit in Subpart Db when combusting fossil fuel alone. The 30-
day performance test showed the NOX emissions to be 0.1 pounds per
million Btu. This is less than the 0.2 pounds per million Btu emission
limit specified in Subpart Db. The test results also identified the
NOX control technology as a combination of low-NOX burners
and flue gas recirculation. The low-NOX burners were operated with
their air ratio control damper tee handles at a minimum of 5 inches out
of the boiler to ensure minimal NOX formation by the low-NOX
burner. The flue gas recirculation line was operated at a minimum of 10
percent open as indicated by its valve opening position indicator to
further minimize the formation of NOX.
The Administrator considers the above data and information
submitted by Rohm & Haas sufficient to satisfy the criteria of
component one of a complete petition.
Component Two: Fossil Fuel/Waste Noncompliance
As discussed above, the second component of a complete petition is
a demonstration that the steam generating unit's NOX control
technology does not enable compliance with the NOX emission limit
for fossil fuel when the steam generating unit simultaneously combusts
fossil fuel with chemical byproduct waste under the same conditions
used to demonstrate compliance on fossil fuel alone. This component of
the petition must also identify the unique and specific properties of
the chemical byproduct waste(s) which prevent the steam generating unit
from complying with the NOX emission limit for fossil fuel. Rohm &
Haas has submitted data and information that demonstrates that Boiler
No. 100 can not comply with the NOX emission limit for fossil fuel
(natural gas and distillate oil) of 0.2 pounds per million Btu, when
simultaneously combusting fossil fuel and chemical byproduct waste, and
when employing the same NOX emission controls in the same manner
as they were employed when Rohm & Haas demonstrated compliance with the
NOX emission limit for fossil fuel alone.
Rohm & Haas has shown that the properties of the chemical byproduct
waste cause Boiler No. 100 to exceed the NOX emission limit for
combusting fossil fuel alone. The chemical byproduct waste has an
average nitrogen content of approximately 1.7 percent by weight.
Moreover, Rohm & Haas has submitted to the Administrator the test
results of NOX emissions from Boiler No. 100, when it had
simultaneously combusted fossil fuel and chemical byproduct waste. Rohm
& Haas has submitted data that demonstrates that the NOX emission
limit that Boiler No. 100 can comply with when simultaneously
combusting fossil fuel and chemical byproduct waste is 1.1 pounds per
million Btu. The NOX control technology was the same combination
of low-NOX burners and flue gas recirculation used to demonstrate
compliance for fossil fuel alone. The low-NOX burners again were
operated with their air ratio control damper tee handles at a minimum
of 5 inches out of the boiler. The flue gas recirculation line again
was operated at a minimum of 10 percent open as indicated by its valve
opening position indicator.
Although Rohm & Haas' Boiler No. 100 will employ low-NOX
burners and flue gas recirculation to reduce NOX emissions, these
emissions will still be above the 0.2 pounds per million limit
specified in Subpart Db. The data and information provided by Rohm &
Haas demonstrates to the Administrator's satisfaction that the NOX
control technology installed and operated in a manner to achieve
compliance with the NOX emission limit for fossil fuel, if fossil
fuel alone were combusted in the unit, is unable to achieve compliance
with the fossil fuel NOX emission limit when a mixture of chemical
byproduct waste and fossil fuel is combusted in the unit. It also
indicates the reason is the high level of nitrogen contained in the
chemical byproduct wastes.
The Administrator considers the above data and information
submitted by Rohm & Haas sufficient to satisfy the criteria of
component two of a complete petition.
Component Three: Facility Specific NOX Standard
As discussed above, the third component of a complete petition is
data and/or analysis to support a facility-specific NOX standard
for the steam generating unit when it simultaneously combusts fossil
fuel and chemical byproduct waste and operates the NOX control
technology in the manner it would be operated in to demonstrate and
maintain compliance with the NOX emission limit for fossil fuel,
if only fossil fuel were combusted in the unit. This component of the
petition must identify the NOX emission limit(s) and/or operating
parameter limits, and appropriate testing, monitoring, reporting and
recordkeeping requirements to ensure operation of the NOX control
technology at all times.
As discussed above, the data and information supplied by Rohm &
Haas indicates:
1. Low-NOX burners and flue gas recirculation are the
technologies installed to comply with the NOX emission limit for
fossil fuel.
2. When combusting fossil fuel alone, the low-NOX burners and
flue gas recirculation will ensure compliance with the NOX
emission limit of 0.2 pounds per million Btu, when the low-NOX
burners are operated with their air ratio control damper tee handles at
a minimum of 5 inches out of the boiler and the flue gas recirculation
line is operated at a minimum of 10 percent open as indicated by its
valve opening position indicator.
3. When simultaneously combusting fossil fuel and chemical
byproduct waste, the low-NOX burners and flue gas recirculation
will limit NOX emissions to 1.1 pounds per million Btu or less,
when the low-NOX burners are operated with their air ratio control
damper tee handles at a minimum of 5 inches out of the boiler and the
flue gas recirculation line is operated at a minimum of 10 percent open
as indicated by its valve opening position indicator.
The information supplied by Rohm & Haas also indicates NOX
emissions, as well as the settings of the low-NOX burner air ratio
control damper tee handles and flue gas recirculation line valve
opening position indicator, will be continuously measured and monitored
to ensure operation of the NOX control technologies in the manner
they would be operated in to demonstrate and maintain compliance with
the NOX emission limit for fossil fuel, if only fossil fuel were
combusted.
The Administrator considers the above data and information
submitted by Rohm & Haas sufficient to satisfy the criteria of
component three of a complete petition.
Proposed Facility-Specific NOX Standard
The Administrator considers the petition from Rohm & Haas complete
and proposes that a facility-specific NOX standard for the steam
generating unit. The NOX standard for Rohm & Haas' Boiler No. 100
when it simultaneously combusts fossil fuel with chemical byproduct
waste is proposed at 1.1 pounds per million Btu. A continuous NOX
monitor shall be used to monitor compliance with the NOX emission
limit in accordance with the requirements of Subpart Db. In addition,
the low-NOX burners shall be operated with the air ratio control
damper tee handle at a minimum of 5 inches out of the boiler, and the
flue gas recirculation line shall be operated at a minimum of 10
percent open as indicated by its valve opening position indicator.
Administrative Requirements
Executive Order 12866
Under Executive Order 12866 {58 FR 51735, (October 4, 1993)}, the
Agency must determine whether the regulatory action is ``significant''
and therefore subject to OMB review and the requirements of the
Executive Order. The Order defines ``significant regulatory action'' as
one that is likely to result in a rule that may:
1. Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or
adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the
economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public
health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or
communities;
2. Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an
action taken or planned by another agency;
3. Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants,
user fee, or lan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients
thereof; or
4. Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal
mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in
the Executive Order.
This rule was classified ``non-significant'' under Executive Order
12866 and, therefore was not reviewed by the Office of Management and
Budget.
Paperwork Reduction Act
The information collection requirements of the previously
promulgated NSPS under 40 CFR Part 60, Subpart Db were submitted to and
approved by the Office Of Management and Budget. A copy of this
Information Collection Request (ICR) document (OMB control number 2060-
0135) may be obtained from Sandy Farmer, Information Policy Branch (PM-
223Y); U.S. Environmental Production Agency; 401 M Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20460, or by calling (202) 260-2740. Today's changes to
the NSPS do not affect the information collection burden estimates made
previously. The information that is required to be collected for this
facility specific NOX standard is the same as for all other
affected facilities subject to these NSPS. Therefore, the ICR has not
been revised.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 requires the identification
of potentially adverse impacts of federal regulations upon small
business entities. The Act specifically requires the completion of a
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis in those instances where small business
impacts are possible. Because this rulemaking imposes no adverse
economic impacts, a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis has not been
prepared.
Pursuant to the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 605(b), I hereby certify
that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small business entities.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 60
Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure,
Air pollution control, Cement industry, Coal, Electric power plants,
Gasoline, Heaters, Intergovernmental relations, Natural gas, Nitrogen
dioxide, Petroleum, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Steel,
Waste treatment and disposal.
Dated: December 20, 1994.
Carol M. Browner,
Administrator.
Title 40, chapter I, part 60, of the Code of Federal Regulations is
proposed to be amended as follows:
PART 60--STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE FOR NEW STATIONARY SOURCES
Subpart Db--Standards of Performance for Industrial-Commercial-
Institutional Steam Generating Units
1. The authority citation for part 60 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401--7601.
2. Section 60.49b is amended by adding paragraph (t) to read as
follows:
Sec. 60.49b Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
* * * * *
(t) Facility specific nitrogen oxides standard for Rohm and Haas
Kentucky Incorporated's Boiler No. 100 located in Louisville, Kentucky:
(1) Definitions.--Air ratio control damper is defined as the part
of the low nitrogen oxides burner that is adjusted to control the split
of total combustion air delivered to the reducing and oxidation
portions of the combustion flame.
Flue gas recirculation line is defined as the part of Boiler No.
100 that recirculates a portion of the boiler flue gas back into the
combustion air.
(2) Standard for nitrogen oxides. (i) When fossil fuel alone is
combusted, the nitrogen oxides emission limit for fossil fuel in
Sec. 60.44b(a) applies.
(ii) When fossil fuel and chemical byproduct waste are
simultaneously combusted, the nitrogen oxides emission limit is 473 ng/
J (1.1 lb/million Btu), and the air ratio control damper tee handle
shall be at a minimum of 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) out of the boiler,
and the flue gas recirculation line shall be operated at a minimum of
10 percent open as indicated by its valve opening position indicator.
(3) Emission monitoring for nitrogen oxides. (i) The air ratio
control damper tee handle setting and the flue gas recirculation line
valve opening position indicator setting shall be recorded during each
8-hour operating shift.
(ii) The nitrogen oxides emission limit shall be determined by the
compliance and performance test methods and procedures for nitrogen
oxides in Sec. 60.46b.
(iii) The monitoring of the nitrogen oxides emission limit shall be
performed in accordance with Sec. 60.48b.
(4) Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. (i) The owner or
operator of Boiler No. 100 shall submit a report on any excursions from
the limits required by paragraph (b)(2) of this section to the
Administrator with the quarterly report required by Sec. 60.49b(i).
(ii) The owner or operator of Boiler No. 100 shall keep records of
the monitoring required by paragraph (b)(3) of this section for a
period of 2 years following the date of such record.
(iii) The owner of operator of Boiler No. 100 shall perform all the
applicable reporting and recordkeeping requirements of Sec. 60.49b.
[FR Doc. 94-31745 Filed 12-27-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P