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

SUBCHAPTER F : MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIAL SOURCES

[F:4]  DEGASSING OR CLEANING OF STATIONARY, MARINE, AND TRANSPORT VESSELS 

Outline:
          §115.541.  Emission Specifications.
          §115.542.  Control Requirements.
          §115.543.  Alternate Control Requirements.
          §115.544.  Inspection Requirements.
          §115.545.  Approved Test Methods.
          §115.546.  Monitoring and Recordkeeping Requirements.
          §115.547.  Exemptions.
          §115.549.  Counties and Compliance Schedules.


§115.541.  Emission Specifications.

104E  (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), the following emission specifications shall apply to degassing during or in preparation of cleaning.

104B       (1)  For all stationary volatile organic compound (VOC) storage tanks with a nominal storage capacity of 1,000,000 gallons or more:

104B            (A)  No person shall permit VOC emissions with a vapor space partial pressure greater than or equal to 0.5 pounds per square inch absolute (psia) (3.4 Kpa) under actual storage conditions unless the vapors are processed by a vapor control system;

104B            (B)  The vapor control system shall maintain a control efficiency of at least 90%;

104B            (C)  When conducting degassing or cleaning operations, no avoidable liquid or gaseous leaks, as detected by sight or sound, shall originate from the degassing or cleaning operations; and

104B            (D)  The intentional bypassing of a vapor control device used during degassing or cleaning is prohibited.  Any visible VOC leak originating from the vapor control device or other associated product recovery device shall be repaired as soon as practical.

104B       (2)  For all VOC transport vessels, as defined in §115.10 of this title, with a nominal storage capacity of 8,000 gallons or more:

104B            (A)  No person shall permit VOC emissions with a vapor space partial pressure greater than or equal to 0.5 psia (3.4 Kpa) under actual storage conditions unless the vapors are processed by a vapor control system;

104B            (B)  The vapor control system shall maintain a control efficiency of at least 90%;

105K            (C)  When conducting degassing or cleaning operations, no avoidable liquid or gaseous leaks, as detected by sight or sound, shall originate from the degassing or cleaning operations;

104B            (D)  The intentional bypassing of a vapor control device used during degassing or cleaning is prohibited.  Any visible VOC leak originating from the vapor control device or other associated product recovery device shall be repaired as soon as practical; and

105K            (E)  All transport vessels, as defined in §115.10 of this title, shall be kept vapor-tight at all times until the VOC vapors remaining in the vessel are discharged to a vapor control system.


105K  (b)  For all persons in the Beaumont/Port Arthur and Houston/Galveston areas, the following emission specifications shall apply to degassing during or in preparation of cleaning for all marine vessels, as defined in §115.10 of this title, with a nominal storage capacity of 10,000 barrels (420,000 gallons) or more and contain VOCs.

104E       (1)  No person shall degas or clean a tank that carried a VOC with a vapor partial pressure greater than or equal to 0.5 pounds per square inch absolute (3.4 kPa) unless the vapors are processed by a vapor control system.

104E       (2)  The vapor control system shall maintain a control efficiency of at least 90%.

104E       (3)  When conducting degassing or cleaning operations, no avoidable liquid or gaseous leaks, as detected by sight or sound, shall originate from the degassing or cleaning operations.

104E       (4)  The intentional bypassing of a vapor control device used during degassing or cleaning is prohibited.  Any visible VOC leak originating from the vapor control device or other associated product recovery device shall be repaired as soon as possible.

105K       (5)  All marine vessels, as defined in §115.10 of this title, containing VOCs shall have all cargo tank closures properly secured, or maintain a negative pressure within the tank when a closure is opened, and shall have all pressure/vacuum relief valves operating within certified limits as specified by classification society or flag state until the vapors are discharged to a vapor control system if the vessel is degassed or cleaned.

********************* end 115.541 ***********************

§115.542.  Control Requirements.

104E  (a)  For all persons in the Beaumont/Port Arthur, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, and Houston/Galveston areas, the following control requirements shall apply to stationary storage tanks and transport vessels.

105K       (1)  No person shall permit the degassing or cleaning of volatile organic compounds (VOC) a stationary storage tank or  transport vessel unless the vapors are processed by a vapor control system.

105K       (2)  When degassing or cleaning is effected through the hatches of a transport vessel with a loading arm equipped with a vapor collection adapter, then pneumatic, hydraulic, or other mechanical means shall be provided to force a vapor-tight seal between the adapter and the hatch.  A means shall be provided to minimize liquid drainage from the degassing or cleaning device when it is removed from the hatch of any transport vessel or to accomplish drainage before such removal.

104B       (3)  When degassing or cleaning is effected through the hatches or manways of stationary VOC storage tanks, all lines shall be equipped with fittings which make vapor-tight connections and which are closed when disconnected; or equipped to permit residual VOC in the line to discharge into a recovery or disposal system after degassing or cleaning is complete.
104B       (4)  Degassing and cleaning equipment shall be designed and operated to prevent avoidable VOC leaks.

105K       (5)  Vapors shall be routed to the control device until a turnover of at least four vapor space volumes has occurred, or four turnovers of the vapor space under a floating roof, or the partial vapor pressure is less than 0.5 psia (19,000 ppmw, or 34,000 ppmv expressed as methane).  After one of these conditions has been satisfied, the storage vessel may be vented to the atmosphere for the remainder of the degassing or cleaning process.


105K  (b)  For all persons in the Beaumont/Port Arthur and Houston/Galveston areas, the following control requirements shall apply to marine vessels:

105K       (1)  No person shall permit the degassing or cleaning of a marine vessel containing VOCs unless the vapors are processed by a vapor control system.

105K       (2)  When degassing or cleaning is effected through the hatches of a marine vessel containing VOCs with a loading arm equipped with a vapor collection adapter, then pneumatic, hydraulic, or other mechanical means shall be provided to force a vapor-tight seal between the adapter and the hatch, or a negative pressure inside the cargo tank shall be maintained.  A means shall be provided to minimize liquid drainage from the degassing or cleaning device and line when they are removed from the hatch of any marine transport vessel containing VOCs or to accomplish drainage before such removal.

104B       (3)  Degassing and cleaning equipment must be designed and operated to prevent avoidable VOC leaks.

105K       (4)  Vapors shall be routed to the control device until the marine vessel is stripped liquid-free and a turnover of at least four vapor space volumes has occurred, the partial vapor pressure is less than 0.5 psia (19,000 ppmv, or 34,000 ppmv expressed as methane), or the concentration of VOC is less than 20% of lower explosion limit.   After one of these conditions has been satisfied, the marine vessel may be vented to the atmosphere for the remainder of the degassing or cleaning process.

********************* end 115.542 ***********************

§115.543.  Alternate Control Requirements.

105K  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 undesignated head 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.

********************* end 115.543 ***********************

§115.544.  Inspection Requirements.

104E  For all persons in the Beaumont/Port Arthur, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, and Houston/Galveston areas, the following inspection requirements shall apply.

104B       (1)  Inspection for visible liquid leaks, visible fumes, or significant odors resulting from volatile organic compound (VOC) transfer operations shall be conducted during each degassing or cleaning operation by the owner or operator of the VOC degassing and cleaning facility; and

104B       (2)  VOC degassing or cleaning through the affected transfer lines shall be discontinued when a leak is observed and the leak cannot be repaired within a reasonable length of time.  The intentional bypassing of a vapor control device during cleaning or degassing is prohibited.

********************* end 115.544 ***********************

§115.545.  Approved Test Methods.

104E  For the Beaumont/Port Arthur, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, and Houston/Galveston areas, compliance with §115.541 and §115.542 of this title (relating to Emission Specifications and Control Requirements) shall be determined by applying the following test methods, as appropriate:

104B       (1)  Test Methods 1-4 (40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 60, Appendix A) for determining flow rates;

104B       (2)  Test Method 18 (40 CFR 60, Appendix A) for determining gaseous organic compound emissions by gas chromatography;

104B       (3)  Test Method 25 (40 CFR 60, Appendix A) for determining total gaseous nonmethane organic emissions as carbon;

104B       (4)  Test Methods 25A or 25B (40 CFR 60, Appendix A) for determining total gaseous organic concentrations using flame ionization or nondispersive infrared analysis;

104B       (5)  additional test procedures described in 40 CFR 60.503 b, c, and d, for determining compliance for bulk gasoline terminals;

104B       (6)  Test Method 21 (40 CFR 60, Appendix A) for determining volatile organic compound leaks;

104B       (7)  determination of true vapor pressure using ASTM Test Method D323-89, D2879, D4953, D5190, or D5191 for the measurement of Reid vapor pressure, adjusted for actual storage temperature in accordance with API Publication 2517, Third Edition, 1989;

104B       (8)  Test Method 27 (40 CFR 60, Appendix A) for determining tank-truck leaks;

104B       (9)  determination of cargo tank pressurization method described in 40CFR61.304(f); or

104B       (10)  minor modifications to these test methods approved by the Executive Director.

********************* end 115.545 ***********************

§115.546.  Monitoring and Recordkeeping Requirements.

104E  For facilities in the Beaumont/Port Arthur, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, and Houston/Galveston areas affected by §115.541 and §115.542 of this title (relating to Emission Specifications and Control Requirements), the owner or operator of any volatile organic compound (VOC) degassing or cleaning facility shall maintain the following information at the facility for at least two years and shall make such information available upon request to representatives of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, U.S.  Environmental Protection Agency, or any local air pollution control agency having jurisdiction in the area:

104B       (1)  For vessel degassing or cleaning operations:

105K            (A)  a record of the type and number of all transport vessels, stationary VOC storage tanks, and marine vessels which are degassed or cleaned at the affected facility; 

104B            (B)  the chemical name and estimated liquid quantity of VOC contained in each vessel prior to degassing or cleaning; and

104B            (C)  the chemical name and estimated liquid quantity of VOC removed from each vessel.

104B       (2)  For vapor control systems:

104B            (A)  continuous monitoring and recording of the exhaust gas temperature immediately downstream of a direct-flame incinerator;

104B            (B)  continuous monitoring and recording of the inlet and outlet gas temperature of a catalytic incinerator;

104B            (C)  continuous monitoring and recording of the exhaust gas VOC concentration for carbon adsorption systems that contain facilities to regenerate the carbon bed directly, as defined in §115.10 of this title (relating to Definitions); or periodic monitoring of the exhaust gas VOC as specified by 40 CFR 61.354(d), of any carbon adsorption system that does not regenerate the carbon bed directly, to determine breakthrough; and

104B            (D)  the date and reason for any maintenance and repair of the required control devices and the estimated quantity and duration of VOC emissions during such activities.

104B       (3)  The results of any leak inspection and repair conducted in accordance with the provisions specified in §115.544 of this title (relating to Inspection Requirements).

104B       (4)  The results of any testing conducted in accordance with the provisions specified in §115.545 of this title (relating to Approved Test Methods).

********************* end 115.546 ***********************

§115.547.  Exemptions.

105K  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), the following exemptions apply.

105B       (1)  Degassing or cleaning any vessel with a vapor space partial pressure less than 0.5 pounds per square inch absolute (3.4 Kpa) of volatile organic compound (VOC) under actual storage conditions is exempt from the requirements of this undesignated head.

105K       (2)  Degassing or cleaning any transport vessel with a nominal storage capacity of less than 8,000 gallons, or any stationary VOC storage tank with a nominal storage capacity of less than 1,000,000 gallons, or any marine vessel with a nominal storage capacity of less than 10,000 barrels (420,000 gallons), is exempt from the requirements of this undesignated head.

104B       (3)  Any stationary VOC storage tank during preventative maintenance, roof repair, primary seal inspection, or removal and installation of a secondary seal, if product is not moved in or out of the storage tank, emissions are minimized, and the repair is completed within seven calendar days.

105K       (4)  Any marine vessel which has sustained damage which prevents a cargo tanks opening from being properly secured, the onboard vapor recovery system to be inoperative, or the pressure/vacuum relief valves from operating within certified limits as specified by classification society or flag state is exempt from §115.541(3) and §115.542(b) of this title (relating to Emission Specification and Control Requirements); however, all reasonable measures will be taken to minimize VOC emissions.

104E       (5)  Any oceangoing, self-propelled marine vessel is exempt from the degassing or cleaning requirements of this undesignated head.

********************* end 115.547 ***********************

§115.549.  Counties and Compliance Schedules.

105K  (a)  All affected persons in the Brazoria, Chambers, El Paso, Fort Bend, Galveston, Hardin, Harris, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, Orange, and Waller Counties shall be in compliance with this undesignated head (relating to Degassing or Cleaning of Stationary, Marine, and Transport Vessels) as soon as practicable, but no later than November 15, 1996.

105K  (b)  All affected persons in Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant Counties shall be in compliance with this undesignated head as soon as practicable, but no later than one year, after the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) publishes notification in the Texas Register of its determination that this contingency rule is necessary as a result of failure to attain the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for ozone by the attainment deadline or failure to demonstrate reasonable further progress as set forth in the 1990 Amendments to the Federal Clean Air Act (FCAA), §172(c)(9).

105K    (c)  All affected persons in El Paso County shall be in compliance with this undesignated head as soon as practicable, but no later than one year, after the TNRCC publishes notification in the Texas Register of its determination that this contingency rule is necessary as a result of failure to attain the NAAQS for ozone by the attainment deadline or failure to demonstrate reasonable further progress as set forth in the 1990 Amendments to the FCAA, §172(c)(9).

********************* end 115.549 *************************
*************** end tx 115.541 to 115.549 ********e93v**95m**