An official website of the United States government.

This is not the current EPA website. To navigate to the current EPA website, please go to www.epa.gov. This website is historical material reflecting the EPA website as it existed on January 19, 2021. This website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work. More information »

Texas SIP: 30 TAC 115.131-115.139: Water Separation; SIP effective 1999.03.29 TXc105 to 2008.03.27

Regulatory Text: 
Chapter 115.  Control of Air Pollution from Volatile Organic Compounds.

SUBCHAPTER B : GENERAL VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND SOURCES

[B:3]  WATER SEPARATION 

Outline:
          §115.131.  Emission Specifications.
          §115.132.  Control Requirements.
          §115.133.  Alternate Control Requirements.
          §115.135.  Testing Requirements.
          §115.136.  Monitoring and Recordkeeping Requirements.
          §115.137.  Exemptions.
          §115.139.  Counties and Compliance Schedules.


§115.131.  Emission Specifications .

105F  (a)  For all persons in the Beaumont/Port Arthur, Dallas/ Fort Worth, El Paso, and Houston/ Galveston areas as defined in §115.10 of this title (relating to Definitions), any volatile organic compound (VOC) water separator equipped with a vapor recovery system in order to comply with §115.132(a) of this title (relating to Control Requirements) shall reduce emissions such that the true partial pressure of the VOC in vent gases to the atmosphere will not exceed a level of 0.5 psia (3.4 kPa).

88C   (b)  For all persons in Gregg, Nueces, and Victoria Counties, any VOC water separator equipped with a vapor recovery system in order to comply with §115.132(b) of this title (relating to Control Requirements) shall reduce emissions such that the partial pressure of the VOC in vent gases to the atmosphere will not exceed a level of 1.5 psia (10.3 kPa).

105F  (c)  For all persons in Aransas, Bexar, Calhoun, Matagorda, San Patricio, and Travis Counties, any VOC water separator equipped with a vapor recovery system in order to comply with §115.132(c) of this title shall reduce emissions such that the true partial pressure of the VOC in vent gases to the atmosphere will not exceed a level of 1.5 psia (10.3 kPa).

*************************end 115.131*************************

§115.132.  Control Requirements .

88C   (a)  For the Beaumont/Port Arthur, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, and Houston/Galveston areas, no person shall use any single or multiple compartment volatile organic compound (VOC) water separator which separates materials containing VOC obtained from any equipment which is processing, refining, treating, storing, or handling VOC, unless each compartment is controlled in one of the following ways:

105P       (1)  the compartment totally encloses the liquid contents and has all openings (such as roof seals and access doors) sealed such that the separator can hold a vacuum or pressure without emissions to the atmosphere, except through a pressure relief valve.  All gauging and sampling devices shall be vapor-tight except during gauging or sampling.  The pressure relief valve must be designed to open only as necessary to allow proper operation, and must be set at the maximum possible pressure necessary for proper operation, but such that the valve will not vent continuously;

77A        (2)  the compartment is equipped with a floating roof or internal floating cover which will rest on the surface of the contents and be equipped with a closure seal or seals to close the space between the roof edge and tank wall.  All gauging and sampling devices shall be vapor-tight, except during gauging or sampling; or

77A        (3)  the compartment is equipped with a vapor recovery system which satisfies the provisions of §115.131(a) of this title (relating to Emission Specifications).

104E       (4)  any water separator that becomes subject to the provisions of paragraphs (1), (2), or (3) of this subsection by exceeding provisions of §115.137(a) of this title (relating to Exemptions) will remain subject to the provisions of this subsection, even if throughput or emissions later fall below the exemption limits unless and until emissions are reduced to at or below the controlled emissions level existing before implementation of the project by which throughput or emission rate was reduced to less than the applicable exemption limits in §115.137(a) of this title; and

105P            (A)  the project by which throughput or emission rate was reduced is authorized by any permit or permit amendment or standard permit or standard exemption required by Chapter 116 or Chapter 106 of this title (relating to Control of Air Pollution by Permits for New Construction or Modification; and Exemptions from Permitting).  If a standard exemption is available for the project, compliance with this subsection must be maintained for 30 days after the filing of documentation of compliance with that standard exemption; or

105P            (B)  if authorization by permit, permit amendment, standard permit, or standard exemption is not required for the project, the owner/operator has given the executive director 30 days' notice of the project in writing.

88C   (b)  For Gregg, Nueces, and Victoria Counties, no person shall use any single or multiple compartment VOC water separator which separates materials containing VOC obtained from any equipment which is processing, refining, treating, storing, or handling VOC, unless each compartment is controlled in one of the following ways:

105P       (1)  the compartment totally encloses the liquid contents and has all openings (such as roof seals and access doors) sealed such that the separator can hold a vacuum or pressure without emissions to the atmosphere, except through a pressure relief valve.  All gauging and sampling devices shall be vapor-tight except during gauging or sampling.  The pressure relief valve must be designed to open only as necessary to allow proper operation, and must be set at the maximum possible pressure necessary for proper operation, but such that the valve will not vent continuously;

88C        (2)  the compartment is equipped with a floating roof or internal floating cover which will rest on the surface of the contents and be equipped with a closure seal or seals to close the space between the roof or cover edge and tank wall.  All gauging and sampling devices shall be vapor-tight, except during gauging or sampling; or

88C        (3)  the compartment is equipped with a vapor recovery system which satisfies the provisions of §115.131(b) of this title.

105P  (c)  For Aransas, Bexar, Calhoun, Matagorda, San Patricio, and Travis Counties, no person shall use any single or multiple compartment VOC water separator which separates materials containing VOC obtained from any equipment which is processing, refining, treating, storing, or handling VOC, unless each compartment is controlled in one of the following ways:

105P       (1)  the compartment totally encloses the liquid contents and has all openings (such as roof seals and access doors) sealed such that the separator can hold a vacuum or pressure without emissions to the atmosphere, except through a pressure relief valve.  All gauging and sampling devices shall be vapor-tight except during gauging or sampling.  The pressure relief valve must be designed to open only as necessary to allow proper operation, and must be set at the maximum possible pressure necessary for proper operation, but such that the valve will not vent continuously;

77A        (2)  the compartment is equipped with a floating roof or internal floating cover which will rest on the surface of the contents and be equipped with a closure seal or seals to close the space between the roof or cover edge and tank wall.  All gauging and sampling devices shall be vapor-tight, except during gauging or sampling; or

88C        (3)  the compartment is equipped with a vapor recovery system which satisfies the provisions of §115.131(c) of this title (relating to Emissions Specifications).

*************************end 115.133*************************

§115.133.  Alternate Control Requirements .

105F  (a)  For all persons in the Beaumont/Port Arthur, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, and Houston/ Galveston areas, alternate methods of demonstrating and documenting continuous compliance with the applicable control requirements or exemption criteria in this section may be approved by the Executive Director in accordance with §115.910 of this title (relating to Availability of Alternate Means of Control) if emission reductions are demonstrated to be substantially equivalent.

105F  (b)  For all persons in Gregg, Nueces, and Victoria Counties, alternate methods of demonstrating and documenting continuous compliance with the applicable control requirements or exemption criteria in this section may be approved by the Executive Director in accordance with §115.910 of this title if emission reductions are demonstrated to be substantially equivalent.

105F  (c)  For all persons in Aransas, Bexar, Calhoun, Matagorda, San Patricio, and Travis Counties, alternate methods of demonstrating and documenting continuous compliance with the applicable control requirements or exemption criteria in this section may be approved by the Executive Director in accordance with §115.910 of this title if emission reductions are demonstrated to be substantially equivalent.

*************************end 115.133*************************

§115.135.  Testing Requirements .

105F  (a)  For the Beaumont/Port Arthur, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, and Houston/Galveston areas, compliance with §115.131(a), §115.132(a), and §115.137 of this title (relating to Emission Specifications; Control Requirements; and Exemptions) shall be determined by applying the following test methods, as appropriate:

77A        (1)  Test Methods 1-4 (40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 60, Appendix A) for determining flow rate, as necessary;

77A        (2)  Test Method 18 (40 CFR 60, Appendix A) for determining gaseous organic compound emissions by gas chromatography;

77A        (3)  Test Method 25 (40 CFR 60, Appendix A) for determining total gaseous nonmethane organic emissions as carbon;
77A        (4)  Test Methods 25A or 25B (40 CFR 60, Appendix A) for determining total gaseous organic concentrations using flame ionization or nondispersive infrared analysis;

105F       (5)  determination of true vapor pressure at actual storage temperature using American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) Test Methods D323, D2879, D4953, D5190, or D5191; using API Publication 2517, Third Edition, 1989 or standard reference texts to convert from Reid vapor pressure to true vapor pressure, where applicable;

77A        (6)  minor modifications to these test methods approved by the Executive Director.

105F  (b)  For Gregg, Nueces, and Victoria Counties, compliance with §115.131(b), §115.132(b), and §115.137(b) of this title shall be determined by applying the following test methods, as appropriate:

88C        (1)  Test Methods 1-4 (40 CFR 60, Appendix A) for determining flow rate, as necessary;

88C        (2)  Test Method 18 (40 CFR 60, Appendix A) for determining gaseous organic compound emissions by gas chromatography;

88C        (3)  Test Method 25 (40 CFR 60, Appendix A) for determining total gaseous nonmethane organic emissions as carbon;

88C        (4)  Test Methods 25A or 25B (40 CFR 60, Appendix A) for determining total gaseous organic concentrations using flame ionization or nondispersive infrared analysis;

105F       (5)  determination of true vapor pressure at actual storage temperature using ASTM Test Methods D323, D2879, D4953, D5190, or D5191; and using API Publication 2517, Third Edition, 1989 or standard reference texts to convert from Reid vapor pressure to true vapor pressure, where applicable; or

88C        (6)  minor modifications to these test methods approved by the Executive Director.

*************************end 115.135*************************

§115.136.  Monitoring and Recordkeeping Requirements .

88C   (a)  For the Beaumont/Port Arthur, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, and Houston/Galveston areas, the following recordkeeping requirements shall apply.

88C        (1)  Any person who operates a single or multiple compartment volatile organic compound (VOC) water separator without the controls specified in §115.132(a) of this title (relating to Control Requirements) shall maintain complete and up-to-date records sufficient to demonstrate continuous compliance with the applicable exemption criteria including, but not limited to, the names and true vapor pressures of all such materials stored, processed, or handled at the affected property, and any other necessary operational information.

88C        (2)  Affected persons shall install and maintain monitors to continuously measure and record operational parameters of any emission control device installed to meet applicable control requirements.  Such records must be sufficient to demonstrate proper functioning of those devices to design specifications, including:

88C             (A)  the exhaust gas temperature immediately downstream of any direct-flame incinerator;

88C             (B)  the gas temperature immediately upstream and downstream of any catalytic incinerator or chiller;

88C             (C)  the VOC concentration of any carbon adsorption system exhaust gas to determine if breakthrough has occurred; and

88C             (D)  the dates and reasons for any maintenance and repair of the required control devices and the estimated quantity and duration of VOC emissions during such activities.

88C        (3)  Affected persons shall maintain the results of any testing conducted in accordance with the provisions specified in §115.135(a) of this title (relating to Testing Requirements).

105P       (4)  All records shall be maintained at the affected facility for at least two years and be made available upon request to representatives of the executive director, United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or any local air pollution control agency having jurisdiction in the area.

88F   (b)  For Gregg, Nueces, and Victoria Counties, the following recordkeeping requirements shall apply.

88F        (1)  Any person who operates a single or multiple compartment VOC water separator without the controls specified in §115.132(b) of this title shall maintain complete and up-to-date records sufficient to demonstrate continuous compliance with the applicable exemption criteria including, but not limited to, the names and true vapor pressures of all such materials stored, processed, or handled at the affected property, and any other necessary operational information.

88F        (2)  In Victoria County, affected persons shall install and maintain monitors to continuously measure and record operational parameters of any emission control device installed to meet applicable control requirements.  Such records must be sufficient to demonstrate proper functioning of those devices to design specifications, including:

88F             (A)  the exhaust gas temperature immediately downstream of any direct-flame incinerator;

88F             (B)  the gas temperature immediately upstream and downstream of any catalytic incinerator or chiller;

88F             (C)  the exhaust gas VOC concentration of any carbon adsorption system, as defined in §115.10 of this title (relating to Definitions), to determine if breakthrough has occurred; and

88F             (D)  the dates and reasons for any maintenance and repair of the required control devices and the estimated quantity and duration of VOC emissions during such activities.

88F        (3)  Affected persons shall maintain the results of any testing conducted in accordance with the provisions specified in §115.135(b) of this title (relating to Testing Requirements).

105P       (4)  All records shall be maintained at the affected facility for at least two years and be made available upon request to representatives of the executive director, EPA, or any local air pollution control agency having jurisdiction in the area.

*************************end 115.136*************************

§115.137.  Exemptions .

88C   (a)  For the Beaumont/Port Arthur, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, and Houston/ Galveston areas, the following exemptions shall apply.

105F       (1)  Any volatile organic compound (VOC) water separator used exclusively in conjunction with the production of crude oil or condensate is exempt from §115.132(a) of this title (relating to Control Requirements) if the emissions from the separator have a combined weight of VOC equal to or less than 100 pounds (45.4 kg) in any continuous 24-hour period.  When emissions from multiple sources (including, but not limited to, VOC water separators, treaters, storage tanks, and saltwater disposal tanks) are routed through a common vent, the calculation of VOC emissions for purposes of this exemption shall be based upon the total of all emission sources which are routed to the common vent.  It is unacceptable to disconnect any of the multiple sources routed through a common vent for purposes of complying with this exemption.

105F       (2)  Any single or multiple compartment VOC water separator which separates materials having a true vapor pressure of VOC less than 0.5 psia (3.4 kPa) obtained from any equipment is exempt from §115.132(a) of this title.

105P       (3)  Any single or multiple compartment VOC water separator which is designed solely to capture stormwater, spills, or exterior surface cleanup waters is exempt from this undesignated head (relating to Water Separation), provided that the separator is fully covered.  These separators are not required to be equipped with pressure/vacuum vents or vapor recovery systems.

88C   (b)  For Gregg, Nueces, and Victoria Counties, the following exemptions shall apply:

88C        (1)  VOC water separators used exclusively in conjunction with the production of crude oil or condensate are exempt from §115.132(b) of this title (relating to Control Requirements).

88C        (2)  Any single or multiple compartment VOC water separator which separates less than 200 gallons (757 liters) a day of materials containing VOC obtained from any equipment is exempt from §115.132(b) of this title (relating to Control Requirements).

88C        (3)  Any single or multiple compartment VOC water separator which separates materials having a true vapor pressure of VOC less than 1.5 psia (10.3 kPa) obtained from any equipment is exempt from §115.132(b) of this title (relating to Control Requirements).

88C        (4)  In Gregg County, any single or multiple compartment VOC water separator which separates materials obtained from any equipment in a facility other than a petroleum refinery is exempt from §115.132(b) of this title (relating to Control Requirements).

105P       (5)  Any single or multiple compartment VOC water separator which is designed solely to capture stormwater, spills, or exterior surface cleanup waters is exempt from this undesignated head (relating to Water Separation), provided that the separator is fully covered.  These separators are not required to be equipped with pressure/vacuum vents or vapor recovery systems.

105P  (c)  For Aransas, Bexar, Calhoun, Matagorda, San Patricio, and Travis Counties, the following exemptions shall apply:
88C        (1)  VOC water separators used exclusively in conjunction with the production of crude oil or condensate are exempt from §115.132(c) of this title (relating to Control Requirements).

88C        (2)  Any single or multiple compartment VOC water separator which separates less than 200 gallons (757 liters) a day of materials containing VOC obtained from any equipment is exempt from §115.132(c) of this title (relating to Control Requirements).

88C        (3)  Any single or multiple compartment VOC water separator which separates materials having a true vapor pressure of VOC less than 1.5 psia (10.3 kPa) obtained from any equipment is exempt from §115.132(c) of this title (relating to Control Requirements).

105P       (4)  Any single or multiple compartment VOC water separator which is designed solely to capture stormwater, spills, or exterior surface cleanup waters is exempt from this undesignated head (relating to Water Separation), provided that the separator is fully covered.  These separators are not required to be equipped with pressure/vacuum vents or vapor recovery systems.

*************************end 115.137*************************

§115.139.  Counties and Compliance Schedules .

105F  All affected persons in Aransas, Bexar, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Fort Bend, Galveston, Gregg, Hardin, Harris, Jefferson, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nueces, Orange, San Patricio, Tarrant, Travis, Victoria, and Waller Counties shall continue to comply with this undesignated head (relating to Water Separation) as required by §115.930 of this title (relating to Compliance Dates).

***********************end 115.139*************************
**************end tx 115.131 to 115.139*********e93v**95m**