Regulatory Text: 
Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 33 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, Part III Air (LAC 33:III)

Chapter 21.  Control of Emission of Organic Compounds

Subchapter A.  General

Section 2109.  Oil/Water - Separation.
As approved by EPA July 5, 2011 (76 FR 38977) effective August 4, 2011 (LAd34) LA021.
Regulations.gov docket EPA-R06-OAR-2007-0924

Unless otherwise indicated, paragraphs are as previously approved by EPA 05/05/94 (59 FR 23166) effective 06/06/94 (LAc60) and 07/25/96 (61 FR 38591) effective 08/26/96 (LAc64).


   A.  Oil/Water - Separation. Single or multiple compartment volatile organic compound water separators which receive effluent water from any equipment processing, refining, treating, storing, or handling volatile organic compounds shall be equipped with one of the following vapor loss control devices properly installed, in good working order and in operation:

       1.  a container having all openings sealed and totally enclosed liquid contents. All gauging and sampling devices will be gas-tight except when gauging or sampling is taking place.

       2.  a container equipped with a floating roof, consisting of a pontoon type, double deck type roof, or internal floating cover which rests or floats on the surface of the contents and is equipped with a closure seal or seals to close the space between the roof edge and container wall. All gauging and sampling devices will be gas-tight except when gauging or sampling is taking place.

       3.  a container equipped with a vapor disposal system capable of processing such organic vapors and gases so as to limit their emission to the atmosphere to the same extent as LAC 33:III.2109.A.1 and 2 and with all container gauging and sampling devices gas-tight except when gauging or sampling is taking place.

       4.  other equivalent equipment or means as may be approved by the administrative authority*.

   B.  Exemptions from LAC 33:III.2109.A

       1.  Volatile organic compound water separators used exclusively in conjunction with the production of crude oil or condensate are exempt from the provisions of LAC 33:III.2109.A.

       2.  Any single or multiple compartment volatile organic compound water separator which separates less than 200 gallons (757 liters) a day of materials containing volatile organic compounds.

       3.  Any single or multiple compartment volatile organic compound water separator which separates materials having a true vapor pressure of volatile organic compounds less than 0.5 psia (3.4 kPa).

       4.  Except for the parishes of Ascension, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, and West Baton Rouge, any single- or multiple-compartment volatile organic compound water separator emitting 100 tons per year or less of regulated hydrocarbons (uncontrolled) is exempt from the provisions of LAC 33:III.2109.A.

       5.  Any facility may choose to reduce the flow of volatile organic compounds to the oil-water separator by process or equipment modifications at the source(s) as an alternate to the requirements of LAC 33:III.2109.A.  Such alternate means of compliance must be shown to result in a reduction of VOC emissions at least as great as would result from application of the measures specified in LAC 33:III.2109.A.

   C.  Compliance.  Compliance with LAC 33:III.2109.A shall be determined by monthly visual inspections or by use of one of the following test methods where appropriate:

AQ145   §2109.C.1 to C.4;LAd34;LA021.02;AQ145;LR 22:1212p7-8 (12/20/1996)
      1. Test Methods 1-4 (40 CFR part 60, appendix A, as 
incorporated by reference at LAC 33:III.3003) 
for determining flow rates, as necessary;
      2. Test Method 18 (40 CFR part 60, appendix A, as 
incorporated by reference at LAC 33:III.3003) 
for measuring gaseous organic compound emissions by gas 
chromatographic analysis;
      3. Test Method 21 (40 CFR part 60, appendix A, as 
incorporated by reference at LAC 33:III:3003) 
for determination of volatile organic compound leaks;
      4. Test Method 25 (40 CFR part 60, appendix A, as 
incorporated by reference at LAC 33:III.3003) 
for determining total gaseous nonmethane organic emissions as carbon;

       5.  determination of true vapor pressure using ASTM Test Method D323-82 for the measurement of Reid vapor pressure, adjusted for actual storage temperature in accordance with API Publication 2517, Third Edition, 1989; or

       6.  additional performance test procedures, or equivalent test methods, approved by the administrative authority*.

   D.  Recordkeeping.  The owner/operator of any single or multiple compartment volatile organic compound water separator shall maintain records to verify compliance with or exemption from LAC 33:III.2109.  The records shall be maintained for at least two years and will include but not be limited to the following:

       1.  results of the monthly visual inspections and the results of other tests performed in accordance with LAC 33:III.2109.C;

       2.  measurement of the volume and true vapor pressure of the volatile organic compound(s) recovered by the separator to demonstrate continuous compliance with the criteria for exempted facilities;

       3.  the date and reason for any maintenance and repair of the applicable control devices.