Standards of Performance for Coal Preparation and Processing Plants, 25304-25327 [E9-11912]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 100 / Wednesday, May 27, 2009 / Proposed Rules
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 60
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2008–0260; FRL–8908–7]
RIN 2060–AO57
Standards of Performance for Coal
Preparation and Processing Plants
AGENCY: Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Supplemental proposal.
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SUMMARY: EPA is proposing a
supplemental action to the proposed
amendments to the new source
performance standards for coal
preparation and processing plants
published on April 28, 2008. The 2008
proposal, among other things, proposed
to revise the particulate matter and
opacity standards for thermal dryers,
pneumatic coal cleaning equipment,
and coal handling equipment located at
coal preparation and processing plants.
This supplemental action proposes to
revise the particulate matter emissions
and opacity limits included in the
original proposal for thermal dryers,
pneumatic coal-cleaning equipment,
and coal handling equipment. It also
proposes to expand the applicability of
the thermal dryer standards so that the
proposed standards for thermal dryers
would apply to both direct contact and
indirect contact thermal dryers drying
all coal ranks and pneumatic coalcleaning equipment cleaning all coal
ranks. In addition, it proposes to
establish a sulfur dioxide emission limit
and a combined nitrogen oxide and
carbon monoxide emissions limit for
thermal dryers. We are also proposing to
amend the definition of coal for
purposes of subpart Y to include
petroleum coke and coal refuse. Finally,
it proposes to establish work practice
standards to control coal dust emissions
from open storage piles and roadways
associated with coal preparation and
processing plants.
DATES: Comments. Comments must be
received on or before July 13, 2009. If
anyone contacts EPA by June 8, 2009
requesting to speak at a public hearing,
EPA will hold a public hearing on June
11, 2009. Under the Paperwork
Reduction Act, comments on the
information collection provisions must
NAICS 1
Category
Industry .......................................................
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be received by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) on or
before June 26, 2009.
Because, under the terms of a consent
decree, the final action must be signed
not later than September 26, 2009, EPA
will not grant requests for extensions
beyond these dates.
ADDRESSES: Comments. Submit your
comments, identified by Docket ID No.
EPA–HQ–OAR–2008–0260, by one of
the following methods:
• https://www.regulations.gov. Follow
the on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
• E-mail: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov.
• By Facsimile: (202) 566–1741.
• Mail: Air and Radiation Docket,
U.S. EPA, Mail Code 6102T, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460.
Please include a total of two copies.
In addition, please mail a copy of your
comments on the information collection
provisions to the Office of Information
and Regulatory Affairs, Office of
Management and Budget (OMB), Attn:
Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street,
NW., Washington, DC 20503. EPA
requests a separate copy also be sent to
the contact person identified below (see
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
• Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center,
Docket ID Number EPA–HQ–OAR–
2008–0260, EPA West Building, 1301
Constitution Ave., NW., Room 3334,
Washington, DC, 20004. Such deliveries
are accepted only during the Docket’s
normal hours of operation, and special
arrangements should be made for
deliveries of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2008–
0260. EPA’s policy is that all comments
received will be included in the public
docket without change and may be
made available online at https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided, unless
the comment includes information
claimed to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Do not submit information that you
consider to be CBI or otherwise
protected through regulations.gov or email. The https://www.regulations.gov
Web site is an ‘‘anonymous access’’
system, which means EPA will not
know your identity or contact
information unless you provide it in the
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body of your comment. If you send an
e-mail comment directly to EPA without
going through https://
www.regulations.gov, your e-mail
address will be automatically captured
and included as part of the comment
that is placed in the public docket and
made available on the Internet. If you
submit an electronic comment, EPA
recommends that you include your
name and other contact information in
the body of your comment and with any
disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA
cannot read your comment due to
technical difficulties and cannot contact
you for clarification, EPA may not be
able to consider your comment.
Electronic files should avoid the use of
special characters, any form of
encryption, and be free of any defects or
viruses. For additional information
about EPA’s public docket visit the EPA
Docket Center homepage at https://
www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
Docket: All documents in the docket
are listed in the https://
www.regulations.gov index. Although
listed in the index, some information is
not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other
information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Certain other
material, such as copyrighted material,
will be publicly available only in hard
copy. Publicly available docket
materials are available either
electronically in https://
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
the Air and Radiation Docket EPA/DC,
EPA West, Room 3334, 1301
Constitution Ave., NW., Washington,
DC. The Public Reading Room is open
from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday, excluding legal
holidays. The telephone number for the
Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744,
and the telephone number for the Air
and Radiation Docket is (202) 566–1742.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Mary Johnson, Energy Strategies Group,
Sector Policies and Programs Division
(D243–01), U.S. EPA, Research Triangle
Park, NC 27711, telephone number (919)
541–5025, facsimile number (919) 541–
5450, electronic mail (e-mail) address:
johnson.mary@epa.gov.
Regulated
Entities. Entities potentially affected by
this proposed action include, but are not
limited to, the following:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Examples of regulated entities
Bituminous Coal and Lignite Surface Mining.
Bituminous Coal Underground Mining.
Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation.
Anthracite Mining.
Support Activities for Coal Mining.
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 100 / Wednesday, May 27, 2009 / Proposed Rules
NAICS 1
Category
322121
324199
325110
327310
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Federal Government ..................................
State/local/tribal government ......................
1 North
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Examples of regulated entities
Paper (except Newsprint) Mills.
All other petroleum and coal products manufacturing.
Petrochemical Manufacturing.
Cement Manufacturing.
Iron and Steel Mills.
Fossil fuel-fired electric utility steam generating units owned by the Federal Government.
Fossil fuel-fired electric utility steam generating units owned by municipalities. Fossil
fuel-fired electric steam generating units in Indian Country.
American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code.
This table is not intended to be
exhaustive, but rather provides a guide
for readers regarding entities likely to be
regulated by the proposed rule. This
table lists categories of entities that may
have coal preparation and processing
plants regulated by this proposed rule.
To determine whether your facility is
regulated by the proposed rule, you
should examine the applicability
criteria in § 60.250 and the definitions
in § 60.251. If you have any questions
regarding the applicability of the
proposed rule to a particular entity,
contact the person listed in the
preceding FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section.
WorldWide Web (WWW). Following
the Administrator’s signature, a copy of
the proposed amendments will be
posted on the Technology Transfer
Network’s (TTN) policy and guidance
page for newly proposed or promulgated
rules at https://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg.
The TTN provides information and
technology exchange in various areas of
air pollution control.
Public Hearing. If anyone contacts
EPA by June 8, 2009 requesting to speak
at a public hearing, EPA will hold a
public hearing on June 11, 2009. If a
public hearing is held, it will be held at
10 a.m. at the EPA Facility Complex in
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
or at an alternate site nearby. Contact
Mrs. Pamela Garrett at 919–541–7966 to
request a hearing, to request to speak at
a public hearing, to determine if a
hearing will be held, or to determine the
hearing location.
Outline. The information presented in
this preamble is organized as follows:
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I. Background
II. Summary of Proposed Amendments
A. Affected Facilities
B. PM and Opacity Limits for Thermal
Dryers
C. SO2, NOX, and CO Emission Limits for
Thermal Dryers
D. PM and Opacity Limits for Pneumatic
Coal-Cleaning Equipment, Coal
Processing and Conveying Equipment,
Coal Storage Systems, and Transfer and
Loading Systems
E. Emissions Monitoring Requirements
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F. Opacity Monitoring Requirements for
Pneumatic Coal-Cleaning Equipment,
Coal Processing and Conveying
Equipment, Coal Storage Systems, and
Transfer and Loading Systems
G. Electronic Reporting
H. Addition of Petroleum Coke and Coal
Refuse to the Definition of Coal
I. Additional Amendments
III. Rationale for the Proposed Amendments
A. Additional Affected Facilities
B. Selection of Thermal Dryer PM and
Opacity Emissions Limits
C. Selection of Thermal Dryer SO2, NOX,
and CO Emissions Limits
D. Selection of Pneumatic Coal-Cleaning
Equipment, Coal Processing and
Conveying Equipment, Coal Storage
Systems, and Transfer and Loading
System PM and Opacity Limits
E. Selection of Monitoring Requirements
F. Selection of Opacity Monitoring
Requirements for Pneumatic CoalCleaning Equipment, Coal Processing
and Conveying Equipment, Coal Storage
Systems, and Transfer and Loading
Systems
G. Required Electronic Reporting
H. Addition of Petroleum Coke and Coal
Refuse to the Definition of Coal
I. Additional Amendments
J. Emissions Reductions
IV. Modification and Reconstruction
Provisions
V. Summary of Costs, Environmental, Energy,
and Economic Impacts
VI. Request for Comment
VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Planning and Review
B. Paper Reduction Act
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
and Coordination With Indian Tribal
Governments
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
and Safety Risks
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions
Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use
I. National Technology Transfer
Advancement Act
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions
to Address Environmental Justice in
Minority Populations and Low-Income
Populations
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I. Background
On April 28, 2008 (73 FR 22901), we
proposed amendments to the New
Source Performance Standards (NSPS)
for Coal Preparation and Processing
Plants (40 CFR part 60, subpart Y). The
Federal Register action for that original
proposal included additional
background information on the coal
preparation NSPS. That information is
not repeated in this action. EPA
received numerous comments in
response to the April 2008 proposal.
After reviewing those comments and
considering additional data, EPA
decided to publish this supplemental
proposal which contains proposed
emission limits and monitoring
requirements that differ from those in
the original action and proposes to
apply those requirements to additional
affected facilities.
II. Summary of Proposed Amendments
In this supplemental action, we are
proposing to establish emissions
standards for both direct contact and
indirect thermal dryers and pneumatic
coal-cleaning equipment that process all
coal ranks. We are also proposing to
establish work practice standards to
control coal dust emissions from open
storage piles and roadways associated
with coal preparation and processing
plants. In addition, we are proposing to
establish a sulfur dioxide (SO2)
emission limit and a combined nitrogen
oxide (NOX) and carbon monoxide (CO)
emissions limit for thermal dryers.
Finally, we are proposing particulate
matter (PM) emission limits, opacity
limits, and monitoring requirements
that differ from those included in the
April 2008 proposal. For all standards
proposed in the April 2008 proposed
rule, this supplemental proposal will
not change the applicability date for
determining whether a source
constitutes a ‘‘new source’’ subject to
the final version of such standards. All
standards originally included in the
April 2008 proposed rule, regardless of
whether the level of the standard is
modified in this supplemental proposal
or in an eventual final rule, apply to
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sources constructed, modified, or
reconstructed after April 28, 2008.
Standards, such as the SO2 and
combined NOX and CO standards,
proposed for the first time in this
supplemental proposal, apply to all
sources constructed, modified, or
reconstructed after May 27, 2009. A
summary of the proposed amendments
is presented below.
A. Affected Facilities
The existing NSPS for coal
preparation and processing plants in 40
CFR part 60, subpart Y establishes
emission limits for the following
affected facilities located at coal
preparation and processing plants
which process more than 181
megagrams (Mg) (200 tons) of coal per
day: thermal dryers, pneumatic coalcleaning equipment (air tables), coal
processing and conveying equipment
(including breakers and crushers), coal
storage systems, and transfer and
loading systems. The terms ‘‘thermal
dryer’’ and ‘‘pneumatic coal-cleaning
equipment’’ are defined to include only
facilities that process bituminous coal
and ‘‘coal storage system’’ is defined to
exclude open storage piles.
In the April 2008 proposal, we did not
propose any revisions to these
provisions. Several commenters
suggested that standards should also be
developed for indirect thermal dryers,
thermal dryers drying all coal ranks,
open storage piles, and coal dust
associated with roadways associated
with coal preparation and processing
plants. Commenters said EPA’s original
rationale for limiting the applicability
for thermal dryers was a lack of
emissions data and thermal dryers, and
pneumatic coal-cleaning equipment
processing non-bituminous coals did
not exist and that these reasons are no
longer valid. Commenters said indirect
thermal dryers and direct contact
thermal dryers ‘‘upgrading’’
subbituminous and lignite will become
more common in the future. Even
though power plant emissions might be
decreased, if emissions standards are
not established on the pre-combustion
process, they argued, there is no
environmental benefit and potential net
degradation to air quality from coal
‘‘upgrading.’’
For open storage piles and roadways,
commenters pointed out that both are
significant sources of PM emissions for
which control technology is available.
One commenter pointed out that
enclosures, wind fences and other
barriers, and wet or chemical
suppression are available control
technologies. Potential controls for coal
road dust include tire or truck wash
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systems, sweeper trucks, and wet
suppression.
Based on our review of public
comments and subsequent analysis, we
are proposing to amend the definition of
thermal dryer for units constructed after
May 27, 2009 to include both direct and
indirect dryers drying all coal ranks. We
are also proposing to amend the
definition of pneumatic coal-cleaning
equipment for units constructed after
May 27, 2009 to include pneumatic
coal-cleaning equipment cleaning all
coal ranks. In addition, we are
proposing to establish work practice
standards that apply to open storage
piles and roads associated with a coal
preparation plant constructed after May
27, 2009.
B. PM and Opacity Limits for Thermal
Dryers
In the April 2008 proposed rule, we
proposed a PM standard of 0.046 grams
per dry standard cubic meter (g/dscm)
(0.020 grains per dry standard cubic foot
(gr/dscf)) and proposed to retain the
existing 1976 rule’s opacity limit of less
than 20 percent for thermal dryers
constructed, modified, or reconstructed
after April 28, 2008. We received
comments that the PM limit would be
prohibitively expensive for modified
and reconstructed units to achieve, but
that the limit should be lower for new
units and should be based on the use of
a fabric filter (baghouse).
Based on our review of public
comments and subsequent analysis, we
are now proposing to revise our April
2008 proposal regarding PM and opacity
standards for thermal dryers. We are
now proposing separate standards for
new, reconstructed, and modified units.
We are proposing to revise the limits for
new units constructed after April 28,
2008, to 0.023 g/dscm (0.010 gr/dscf) of
PM and an opacity limit of less than 10
percent. We are proposing to revise the
PM limit for units reconstructed after
April 28, 2008, to 0.045 g/dscm (0.020
gr/dscf) and proposing to maintain the
existing 1976 rule’s opacity limit of less
than 20 percent. For units modified after
April 28, 2008, we are proposing to
maintain the existing 1976 rule’s PM
limit of 0.070 g/dscm (0.031 gr/dscf) and
the existing 1976 rule’s opacity limit of
less than 20 percent.
C. SO2, NOX, and CO Emission Limits
for Thermal Dryers
The existing NSPS does not limit
emissions of SO2, NOX, or CO from coal
preparation facilities, and in the April
2008 proposed rule, we did not propose
to add limits for these pollutants. A
commenter suggested that standards
should be established for each pollutant
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because thermal dryers emit these
pollutants and can cause or contribute
significantly to air pollution which may
reasonably be anticipated to endanger
public health or welfare. The
commenter also said using AP–42
emission factors, a 2,000 ton/hr coal
thermal dryer would emit 12,000 tons/
yr SO2 and 1,400 tons/yr NOX, and
because cost-effective controls exist the
EPA should base requirements on the
use of those controls.
Based on our review of public
comments and subsequent analysis, for
owners/operators of thermal dryers
constructed, modified, or reconstructed
after May 27, 2009 we are proposing to
add the following emissions limits: for
new, reconstructed, and modified units,
an SO2 limit of 85 nanograms per Joule
(ng/J) (0.20 pounds per million British
thermal units (lb/MMBtu)), or 50
percent reduction of potential SO2
emissions and no more than 520 ng/J;
for new units, a combined NOX and CO
limit of 280 ng/J (0.65 lb/MMBtu); for
reconstructed units and modified units,
a combined NOX and CO limit of 430
ng/J (1.0 lb/MMBtu).
D. PM and Opacity Limits for Pneumatic
Coal-Cleaning Equipment, Coal
Processing and Conveying Equipment,
Coal Storage Systems, and Transfer and
Loading Systems
The original 1976 rulemaking treated
each coal processing and conveying
equipment, coal storage systems, and
transfer and loading systems operation
as a separate affected facility. However,
it grouped them together for the purpose
of establishing a single emissions
standard. This was done because all of
the affected facilities could use similar
control devices and achieve comparable
emissions rates. We have concluded that
this is still an appropriate approach.
While each operation is a separate
affected facility, all are either fugitive
sources or point sources of PM and
similar control equipment can be used
on each affected facility resulting in
comparable emissions. If additional data
is submitted during the comment period
that justifies different opacity limits for
different coal handling operations, we
will consider that approach in the final
rule.
The original 1976 rulemaking did not
include a PM limit for coal processing
and conveying equipment, coal storage
systems, and transfer and loading
systems. However, the original
rulemaking included an opacity limit of
less than 20 percent for all of these
affected facilities. For pneumatic coal
cleaning equipment, the original
rulemaking included both a PM limit of
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0.040 g/dscm (0.017 gr/dscf) and an
opacity limit of less than 10 percent.
In the April 2008 proposed rule, we
proposed a PM limit of 0.011 g/dscm
(0.0050 gr/dscf) and an opacity limit of
less than 5 percent for pneumatic coalcleaning equipment and coal processing
and conveying equipment, coal storage
systems, and transfer and loading
systems processing subbituminous and
lignite coals that commenced
construction, reconstruction, or
modification after April 28, 2008. We
proposed the same limit for both
pneumatic coal-cleaning equipment and
coal handling operations because we
determined that the best demonstrated
technology (BDT) for both was a fabric
filter. In addition, we proposed to
establish a requirement that coal
handling equipment processing
subbituminous and lignite coals must be
vented to a control device. Multiple
commenters challenged the requirement
that coal handling equipment
processing subbituminous and lignite
coals must vent to a control device, and
the levels of the PM and opacity limits.
Based on our review of public
comments and subsequent analysis, we
have concluded it is not appropriate to
require coal handling equipment
processing subbituminous and lignite
coals be vented to a control device. In
addition, after further analysis, we are
proposing to revise the PM emission
limits for pneumatic coal-cleaning
equipment and mechanically vented
coal handling equipment processing all
coal ranks constructed, modified, or
reconstructed after April 28, 2008, to
0.023 g/dscm (0.010 gr/dscf). In
addition, we are proposing to revise the
opacity standard to no greater than 5
percent for all pneumatic coal-cleaning
equipment, coal processing and
conveying equipment, coal storage
systems, and transfer and loading
systems that commenced construction,
reconstruction, or modification after
April 28, 2008.
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E. Emissions Monitoring Requirements
In the April 2008 proposed rule, we
proposed to require initial and annual
performance tests for all new thermal
dryers, pneumatic coal-cleaning
equipment, and subbituminous and
lignite coal handling equipment vented
to a control device. Commenters
suggested that annual performance
testing is unduly burdensome for
subpart Y affected facilities and
suggested either eliminating PM
performance testing completely for coal
handling equipment or tiered testing
requirements depending on the results
of the most recent performance test.
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Based on our review of public
comments and further analysis, we are
proposing to amend the testing
requirements as follows: first, owners/
operators of an affected facility with
design potential emissions rates,
considering controls, of 1.0 Mg (1.1
tons) per year or less would be required
to perform an initial performance test;
however, annual performance testing
would not be required as long as the
design emissions rate is less than or
equal to the applicable emissions limit
(confirmed by the initial performance
test), the manufacturer’s recommended
maintenance procedures are followed,
and the unit operates without
significant visible emissions. In
addition, for owners/operators with
similar, separate affected facilities using
identical control equipment with design
potential emissions rates, considering
controls, of 10 Mg (11 tons) per year or
less, we are proposing to allow the
permitting authority to authorize a
single test as adequate demonstration
for up to four other similar, separate
affected facilities as long the following
conditions are met: (1) The design
emissions rate is less than or equal to
the applicable emissions limit; (2) the
individual performance test is 90
percent or less of the applicable
standard; (3) the manufacturer’s
recommended maintenance procedures
are followed for each control device; (4)
each of the affected facilities operates
without significant visible emissions;
and (5) each affected facility conducts a
performance test at least once every 5
years. Finally, we are proposing that
owners/operators of affected facilities
are only required to conduct
performance testing every 24 months, as
opposed to every 12 months, if the most
recent performance test shows the
affected facility emits at 50 percent or
less of the applicable standard.
In the April 2008 proposal, we did not
propose to require the use of PM
continuous emission monitoring
systems (CEMS), but added specific
language directly to the regulatory text
that allowed owners/operators to elect
to use PM CEMS and provided
incentives for them to do so by
proposing to eliminate the opacity
standard for owner/operators of affected
facilities using a PM CEMS.
Commenters suggested that by having
the specific language directly in the
regulatory text, we were encouraging
State permitting authorities to require
the use of PM CEMS, and that the costs
are not justified for this source category.
Other commenters suggested we require
the use of PM CEMS for all units.
Based on our review of public
comments and further analysis, we are
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no longer proposing to include the PM
CEMS-specific language in the
regulatory text. Non-fugitive sources at
coal preparation plants are generally not
significant sources of PM emissions.
Further, we are not aware of any
application of PM CEMS to comparable
emissions sources in the United States,
and we have concluded that it is
unlikely that an owner/operator of a
coal preparation plant would elect to
install PM CEMS. In addition, owners/
operators continue to have the option to
request site-specific approval for the use
of PM CEMS as an alternate monitoring
technique.
In the April 2008 proposed rule, we
proposed to require bag leak detection
systems for owners/operators of thermal
dryers and pneumatic-coal cleaning
equipment, if the dryer or equipment
uses a fabric filter installed after April
28, 2008. Based on further analysis, we
are proposing to require a bag leak
detection system for owners/operators
of any subpart Y affected facilities with
fabric filters, if the filter has a design
controlled potential emissions rate of 25
Mg (28 tons) or more. For this source
category, the variable operation of fabric
filters makes the likely actual emissions
much less than the potential emissions
rate and the added expense of a bag leak
detection system for smaller sources is
not justified. This requirement would
apply to facilities constructed, modified,
or reconstructed after April 28, 2008.
F. Opacity Monitoring Requirements for
Pneumatic Coal-Cleaning Equipment,
Coal Processing and Conveying
Equipment, Coal Storage Systems, and
Transfer and Loading Systems
In the April 2008 proposed rule, we
proposed the following PM monitoring
requirements. Each affected facility
would be required to perform an initial
EPA Method 9 of appendix A–4 of 40
CFR part 60 performance test. Following
the initial compliance test, three 1-hour
EPA Method 22 of appendix A–7 of 40
CFR part 60 observations would be
required for each affected facility at
least once per calendar month that the
coal preparation plant operates. If the
sum of visible emissions exceeded 5
percent of the observation period, the
owner/operator would be required to
conduct a Method 9 performance test
within 24 hours. Commenters suggested
that three 1-hour observations are
unduly burdensome and suggested that
it would be appropriate to include a
provision allowing for corrective action
prior to requiring a Method 9
performance test. In addition, a
commenter suggested adding a
provision for the use of a continuous
opacity monitoring system (COMS) as
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an alternative to the Method 9 and
Method 22 approach.
Based on our review of public
comments and further analysis, we are
proposing to change the April 2008
proposed opacity monitoring
requirements for pneumatic coalcleaning and coal handling equipment.
First, we are proposing to allow the use
of a COMS as an alternative to all other
opacity monitoring requirements.
Second, we are proposing to allow an
owner/operator of an affected facility to
decrease the observation period for a
Method 9 performance test from 3 hours
to 60 minutes if, during the initial 60
minutes of the observation of a Method
9 performance test, all the 6-minute
averages are less than or equal to 3
percent and all the individual 15-second
observations are less than or equal to 20
percent. Third, we are proposing to base
the frequency of visible emissions
monitoring on the results of the highest
individual 15-second opacity observed
during the most recent performance test.
Owners/operators of affected facilities
where the maximum 15-second opacity
reading is greater than 5 percent would
be required to conduct weekly Method
9 performance testing; owners/operators
of affected facilities where the
maximum 15-second opacity reading is
5 percent would be required to conduct
monthly Method 9 performance testing;
and owners/operators of affected
facilities with no visible emissions
would be required to conduct quarterly
Method 9 performance testing.
As an alternative, owners/operators of
affected facilities where the maximum
6-minute opacity reading from the most
recent Method 9 performance test is less
than or equal to 3 percent could elect to
use either Method 22 or a digital opacity
monitoring system in lieu of subsequent
Method 9 performance testing. The
April 2008 proposal would have
required a total of three 1-hour
observations monthly. We have
concluded that for sources with low
opacity, it is more protective to the
environment and minimizes burden to
industry to increase the frequency of
opacity observations, but to decrease the
length of each observation. When a
control device is operating properly
there should be minimal visible
emissions and a 1-hour observation
would not provide any significant
additional useful information than a 10
minute observation. In addition, by
requiring more frequent observations we
are decreasing the time period before a
malfunctioning piece of control
equipment is identified. Therefore, we
have concluded it is appropriate to
decrease the length of each observation
to a minimum of 10 minutes, but to
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increase the frequency to daily
observations.
Further, we are proposing to base
monitoring requirements for affected
facilities, in part, on recent observations
of visible emissions from the facilities.
If no visible emissions are observed for
7 consecutive operating days,
observations could be reduced to once
every 7 operating days. If an owner/
operator of an affected facility observes
visible emissions in excess of 5 percent
during any observation and is unable to
take corrective action, they would be
required to conduct a Method 9
performance test with the previously
specified frequency. Finally, to maintain
consistency in the operation of the
digital opacity monitoring system, the
EPA Administrator would approve
opacity monitoring plans for owners/
operators that elect to use the digital
opacity monitoring system to detect the
presence of visible emissions.
G. Electronic Reporting
We are proposing to take a step to
improve data accessibility. We are
proposing to require owners/operators
of affected facilities at coal preparation
plants to submit an electronic copy of
all performance test reports to an EPA
electronic data base (WebFIRE). Data
entry requires access to the Internet and
is expected to be completed by the stack
testing company as part of the work that
they are contracted to perform. This
option would be required as of July 1,
2011. For performance tests not
accepted by WebFIRE, we are proposing
to require owner/operators to mail
summary results directly to EPA.
H. Addition of Petroleum Coke and Coal
Refuse to the Definition of Coal
We are proposing to amend the
definition of coal for purposes of
subpart Y to include petroleum coke
and coal refuse. The amended definition
will be used to make applicability
determinations for all facilities
constructed, reconstructed, or modified
after May 27, 2009. This change
indicates our determination that the
subpart Y regulations should apply to
affected facilities that prepare and
process these non-traditional materials
that are processed like coal.
I. Additional Amendments
We are also proposing several
additional amendments. First, we are
proposing to change the title of subpart
Y from Coal Preparation Plants to Coal
Preparation and Processing Plants. In
addition, we are proposing to amend the
definitions for bituminous coal, coal,
coal storage system, pneumatic coalcleaning equipment, and thermal dryer;
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to add definitions for anthracite, bag
leak detection system, design controlled
potential emissions rate, lignite,
mechanical vent, operating day,
potential combustion concentration, and
subbituminous coal; and to delete the
definition for cyclonic flow. Finally, we
are proposing to exempt units that have
been out of operation for at least 60 days
prior to the time of the required
performance test from conducting the
required performance test until 30 days
after the facility is brought back into
operation.
III. Rationale for the Proposed
Amendments
A. Additional Affected Facilities
The existing NSPS for coal
preparation and processing plants
establishes PM and opacity limits for
thermal dryers that dry bituminous coal
where the exhaust gas comes in direct
contact with the coal (direct contact
thermal dryers). Thermal dryers that dry
non-bituminous coals, and dryers that
reduce the moisture content of the coal
through indirect heating using a heat
transfer medium, are not presently
subject to any emission standards. In the
April 2008 proposal, we proposed to
amend the PM limit for direct contact
thermal dryers drying bituminous coal,
but did not propose to establish
standards for other thermal dryers. We
received comments suggesting that we
include indirect thermal dryers and
thermal dryers drying all coal ranks as
affected facilities. In addition,
commenters suggested we include limits
for other criteria pollutants emitted from
thermal dryers.
Based on our review of public
comments and subsequent analysis, in
this supplemental proposal we are
proposing emission standards that
would apply to thermal dryers drying
all ranks of coals and to both direct
contact and indirect thermal dryers. We
are proposing to amend the PM and
opacity standards and to add both an
SO2 standard and a combined NOX–CO
standard for thermal dryers.
For indirect thermal dryers, the
affected facility will include the heat
source for the thermal dryer unless that
heat source is subject to a boiler NSPS
(e.g., subpart Da, Db, or Dc). Indirect
thermal dryers use a heat transfer
medium to supply heat and blow air
over the coal to evaporate the water. The
high moisture content air is vented
through a stack and the dryer exhaust
contains entrained PM. If the source of
heat (the source of combustion or
furnace) is subject to a boiler NSPS
(subpart Da, Db, or Dc) then the furnace
and the associated emissions would not
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be part of the subpart Y affected facility.
However, if the source of heat is not
subject to a boiler NSPS, then the heat
source and the associated emissions are
part of the subpart Y affected facility.
In situations where the heat source is
part of the subpart Y affected facility
and the exhaust is combined with the
dryer exhaust in a single stack, the
combined exhaust stack will contain all
of the applicable pollutants (i.e., PM,
SO2, NOX, and CO) and all of the testing
requirements would apply. However, in
situations where the heat source is part
of the subpart Y affected facility and the
exhaust is not combined with the dryer
exhaust, the subpart Y requirements
would apply differently to the dryer
exhaust stack and the combustion
exhaust stack. The only applicable
pollutant in the dryer exhaust would be
PM. Therefore, the only performance
test that would be required on the dryer
exhaust would be for PM. However, all
of the requirements of subpart Y,
including the PM, SO2, and NOX–CO
standards, would apply to the
combustion exhaust stack and all of the
testing requirements would apply.
In situations where the heat source is
not part of the subpart Y affected facility
because it is a unit covered by a steam
generating NSPS (e.g., 40 CFR part 60
subparts Da, Db, or Dc), the only
applicable pollutant contained in the
thermal dryer stack exhaust would be
PM. Because the thermal dryer stack
exhaust would not contain SO2, NOX, or
CO, the SO2 and combined NOX–CO
testing requirements would not apply.
We are proposing to establish
standards that apply to direct contact
and indirect thermal dryers drying all
coal ranks of coal because the control
technologies commonly used on thermal
dryers—venturi scrubbers and fabric
filters—control PM equally well
regardless of the source of PM, and we
have concluded that all coal thermal
dryers using similar control
technologies can achieve comparable
emissions rates. In addition, subpart Y
was originally promulgated in 1976 and
additional pollution control
technologies have become available
since then.
Open storage piles and dust
associated with roadways are
potentially significant sources of
fugitive PM emissions. These sources
are integral parts of coal preparation
plants, located on contiguous or
adjacent property, and under common
control. Although part of the coal
preparation plant and, thus, contained
within the source category listed in
1976, the existing subpart Y regulations
do not set standards for emissions from
open storage piles or from coal dust
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from roadways. In the April 2008
proposal, we requested comment on
including requirements for open storage
piles. We received comments both in
support of and opposed to including
requirements for open storage piles. In
addition, we received comments in
support of including requirements for
the coal dust disturbed by, or released
from, vehicle tires as vehicles move
within the coal preparation plant. Based
on our review of public comments and
subsequent analysis, we have concluded
that both open storage piles and vehicle
tires are significant sources of potential
fugitive PM emissions; however, neither
operation lends itself to an emissions
standard. Therefore, in this
supplemental proposal we are
proposing to establish work practice
standards instead of an opacity or PM
limit for these types of affected
facilities.
B. Selection of Thermal Dryer PM and
Opacity Emissions Limits
In the April 2008 proposal, we
proposed to revise the PM limit for
thermal dryers that dry bituminous coal
from 0.070 g/dscm (0.031 gr/dscf) to
0.046 g/dscm (0.020 gr/dscf). We
received comments that achieving this
limit would be prohibitively expensive
for modified and reconstructed units,
but that the limit should be lower for
new units.
Based on our review of public
comments and subsequent analysis, in
this supplemental proposal we are
proposing separate PM limits for new,
reconstructed, and modified units. As
discussed in the Thermal Dryer Memo
in Docket EPA–HQ–OAR–2008–0260,
the physical layout of existing thermal
dryers makes it more expensive to
reduce emissions from existing dryers
than from new or reconstructed units.
Therefore, we are proposing to maintain
the PM limit for modified facilities at
the existing 1976 limit of 0.070 g/dscm
(0.031 gr/dscf). We continue to be
interested in additional performance
test data and information on the ability
of modified units to achieve additional
PM reductions beyond the present limit
and are also considering establishing a
lower PM standard between 0.045 g/
dscm (0.020 gr/dscf) and 0.070 g/dscm
(0.031 gr/dscf) for the final rule. We
specifically request comment on all this
range of possible standards, including
0.045 g/dscm (0.020 gr/dscf).
Because reconstructed facilities could
take design options into account during
the reconstruction process, we are
proposing a PM limit of 0.045 g/dscm
(0.020 gr/dscf) for reconstructed
facilities. This level of control has been
demonstrated to be consistently
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achievable at several existing facilities,
and we have concluded that a
reconstructed facility could design a PM
control strategy based on conventional
wet scrubbing that could achieve this
emissions rate at all evaporative load
rates.
As described in Thermal Dryer Memo
in Docket EPA–HQ–OAR–2008–0260,
new thermal dryers would likely be
designed as either a coal-fired
recirculation thermal dryer or an
indirect thermal dryer. We have
determined that BDT for controlling PM
emissions from these types of dryers is
a fabric filter. Data collected to date
demonstrates that fabric filters on such
facilities can achieve emission rates of
0.004 to 0.0031 gr/dscf. As explained
below, based on these data and recent
permit limits for new thermal dryers
using a baghouse, we are proposing a
PM limit of 0.023 g/dscm (0.010 gr/dscf)
and less than 10 percent opacity for new
facilities. This limit would provide an
adequate compliance margin for new
units and is lower than the limit of
0.046 g/dscm (0.020 gr/dscf) in the April
2008 proposal. The April 2008 proposed
limit, however, would have applied to
new, reconstructed and modified
facilities.
It is important to note that although
the standard is based on the use of a
fabric filter, a new facility would not be
required to use any specific control
technology. Our analysis demonstrates
that a new facility could use a oncethrough dryer design and achieve the
proposed standard using a wet scrubber
to control PM emissions. We identified
two wet-control approaches that an
owner/operator of a new facility could
use to achieve this limit. The first
approach is to use a high-energy venturi
scrubber. We analyzed the incremental
cost effectiveness of the increased
pressure drop necessary to achieve the
proposed PM limit for a model thermal
dryer (see Thermal Dryer Memo in
Docket EPA–HQ–OAR–2008–0260). The
incremental control cost of using
venturi scrubbers ranged from $3,100/
ton for an emission level of 0.020 gr/
dscf to $16,000/ton for an emission level
of 0.0050 gr/dscf.
Based on this analysis, we concluded
that an emissions rate of 0.023 g/dscm
(0.010 gr/dscf) would be cost effective
for a new thermal dryer using a highenergy venturi scrubber to control PM
emissions, even in the absence of a
baghouse or electrostatic precipitator
(ESP). We recognize that no recent coalfired thermal dryer has been constructed
and that this level of control has not yet
been demonstrated on a subpart Y
affected facility with wet controls. This
level of control, however, has been
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demonstrated at comparable, recently
constructed facilities (see Thermal Dryer
Memo in Docket EPA–HQ–OAR–2008–
0260). A venturi scrubber, moreover, is
not the only wet control strategy an
owner/operator could use to control PM
emissions. To decrease power
requirements, a low pressure tray
scrubber could be used to remove the
majority of the PM emissions, and then
either a wet ESP or cloud chamber
could be used to remove the remaining
fine PM. Both a wet ESP and cloud
chamber have demonstrated an ability
to control PM emissions to below 0.023
g/dscm (0.010 gr/dscf). Thus, although
wet scrubbing is not considered BDT for
controlling PM emissions from new
thermal dryers, the proposed level of
PM control would be achievable using
wet control approaches, such as a wet
scrubber.
C. Selection of Thermal Dryer SO2, NOX,
and CO Emissions Limits
SO2 emissions from a thermal dryer
are a function of the sulfur content of
the fuel burned in the dryer. However,
measured SO2 emissions are often less
than what would be theoretically
predicted based on the sulfur in the fuel
burned assuming all of the sulfur in the
fuel is emitted as SO2. There are two
possible reasons for this discrepancy:
Either SO2 emissions are reduced by the
wet scrubber installed to control PM or
a portion of the S02 is adsorbed as
sulfuric acid into the pores of the coal
being dried (due to the reaction of the
SO2 with oxygen in the flue gas).
Emissions data for SO2 controls from
coal-fired thermal dryers are limited,
and at this time it is not possible for us
to determine the full extent to which
each mechanism is reducing emissions.
Based on the emissions data from other
sources using venturi scrubbers
primarily for PM control, it appears that
the majority of SO2 control occurs as a
co-benefit of the wet scrubber. The
measurements of SO2 emissions from
thermal dryers with wet scrubbers
collected for this review range from 0.02
to 1.9 lb/MMBtu and, for the sources
reporting removal efficiencies, overall
control efficiencies range from 50 to 98
percent.
Existing facilities presently use two
techniques to specifically control SO2
emissions. The first approach is to spray
a caustic solution (e.g., sodium
hydroxide, NaOH) on the coal before it
enters the drying chamber. The caustic
reacts with the SO2 in the drying
chamber and forms a salt (sodium
sulfate, Na2SO4) that is collected in the
PM control device. The other approach
is to add caustic directly to the wet
scrubber fluid and control SO2 along
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with PM. Wet scrubbers designed
specifically for SO2 control are able to
achieve greater than 95 percent
reduction. However, the wet scrubbers
used on existing thermal dryers are
designed for PM control and not
specifically for SO2 control. Therefore,
high levels of SO2 control are likely to
be difficult to achieve without redesign
of the scrubber (e.g., different
construction materials to handle the
corrosion resulting from use of the
caustic solution, scaling deposits, and
plugging of liquid lines). Nonetheless, if
scaling deposit and plugging of liquid
lines were a concern, an owner/operator
using a wet scrubber to control SO2
could switch to newer scrubbing agents
with a higher solubility, such as calcium
magnesium acetate. Based on the
performance of one existing facility and
analysis of other venturi scrubbers used
to control SO2 emissions, we have
concluded an existing thermal dryer
with a wet scrubber could achieve 90
percent reduction without a significant
redesign.
As discussed previously, we have
concluded that BDT for controlling PM
from a new thermal dryer is a fabric
filter. PM has historically been the
primary pollutant of concern for subpart
Y affected facilities. Therefore, in
analyzing BDT for SO2 control, we
considered the incremental cost of
controls to reduce SO2 emissions from
thermal dryers with fabric filters.
Adding a wet scrubber for the sole
purpose of controlling SO2 emissions
beyond 50 percent control (i.e., to
achieve an additional 40 percent
control) has an incremental cost of over
$5,000/ton of SO2 controlled (see
Thermal Dryer Memo in Docket EPA–
HQ–OAR–2008–0260). This high cost is
partially due to the fact that most
thermal dryers are not typically large,
ranging from 100 to 200 MMBtu/hr, and
are not major sources of SO2 emissions;
these factors result in the fixed costs of
scrubbing units being high for smaller
facilities. In addition to the high costs,
facilities with wet scrubbers must
dispose of the scrubber sludge. For these
reasons, we have concluded that wet
scrubbers are not a cost-effective control
technology, and are not BDT for this
source category.
For a lower cost option, we evaluated
the use of dry sorbent injection or
spraying caustic on the coal prior to the
drying chamber. The caustic approach is
presently used at one facility, and the
salt produced is removed by the PM
control device. We do not have detailed
information on the contribution of each
mechanism on overall SO2 control.
However, if we assume the same
absolute amounts, in lb/MMBtu, are
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controlled by absorption onto the coal
and as a co-benefit of the venturi
scrubber, as described in the Thermal
Dryer Memo in Docket EPA–HQ–OAR–
2008–0260, the caustic spray is
achieving approximately 50 percent
reduction in theoretical SO2 emissions.
We have not identified any facilities
which apply sorbent injection to a
thermal dryer, but it has been applied to
industrial and utility boilers, and the
technology is directly transferable to
coal-fired thermal dryers. Various
companies supply calcium- and
sodium-based sorbent reagents, and the
technology can be used at any facility
with injection locations, sufficient
residence time, and a suitable
temperature range. A new thermal dryer
could be designed to include an
injection site into the combustion gases
above the burners and prior to the
drying chamber. An advantage of using
sorbent injection in combination with a
baghouse is that the sorbent forms a
cake on the bags and increases SO2
control. Sorbent SO2 control efficiencies
vary between 30 and 60 percent for
calcium-based agents and can be as high
as 90 percent for sodium-based agents.
Higher levels of control have been
achieved in boilers with sorbent
injection, but this control has not been
applied to thermal dryers and we have
concluded that 50 percent would be a
reasonable expectation. Higher percent
reductions would be technically
achievable with the addition of more
sorbent, but incremental costs would
increase. The cost per ton of SO2
controlled using sorbent injection is
approximately $1,000 per ton and is
considered cost effective for this source
category.
For the reasons described above, we
have concluded that dry sorbent
injection into the thermal dryer and
spraying caustic onto the coal prior to
the thermal dryer are both BDT for SO2
reduction from new, modified, and
reconstructed thermal dryers. Also for
the reasons described above, we have
concluded that a 50 percent SO2
reduction is the standard that can be
achieved by the application of BDT for
controlling SO2 emissions to a thermal
dryer. This standard reflects the degree
of emissions reduction achievable by
the technology available and provides
an adequate compliance margin for both
sorbent injection into the thermal dryer
and caustic spraying onto the coal prior
to the drying chamber.
We are also proposing to establish a
maximum emission rate of 520 ng/J (1.2
lb/MMBtu). We believe it is appropriate
to establish this upper limit, in addition
to the 50 percent reduction requirement,
because control is easier and more cost-
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effective at high pollutant
concentrations. Adding a wet scrubber
to strictly control SO2 emissions for
thermal dryers with an actual stack
emissions rate of 520 ng/J (1.2 lb/
MMBtu) or more has an incremental
cost of less than $3,000/ton of SO2
controlled and is considered costeffective for this source category.
Finally, our analysis also
demonstrates that facilities with lower
SO2 emission rates may not be able to
consistently achieve design rate percent
reduction efficiencies because control is
more technically difficult at lower
pollutant concentrations. For this reason
we are setting a lower, alternate limit of
85 ng/J (0.20 lb/MMBtu). A source that
can meet the lower alternate limit does
not also need to demonstrate that it is
reducing SO2 emissions by a specified
percent. This approach is consistent
with the approach used in the NSPS for
steam generating units, 40 CFR part 60,
subparts Da, Db, and Dc. We continue
to be interested in additional SO2
performance test data from thermal
dryers and comparable facilities using
caustic sprays, sorbent injection, and
scrubbers to control SO2 emissions and
are currently considering an SO2
percent reduction requirement of
between 50 and 90 percent for the final
rule.
We are also proposing to add a
combined NOX and CO emission limit
for thermal dryers. As explained below,
we have determined that advanced
combustion controls are BDT for both
NOX and CO emissions from thermal
dryers. Such controls can achieve both
low NOX and CO emissions. In addition,
the pollutant emissions rates are related.
NOX reduction techniques that rely on
delayed combustion and lower
combustion temperatures tend to
increase incomplete combustion and
result in a corresponding increase in CO
and volatile organic compound (VOC)
emissions. To account for variability in
combustion properties and to provide
additional compliance strategy options
for the regulated community, while still
providing an equivalent level of
environmental protection, we are
proposing to establish a combined NOX
and CO limit. The combined limit for
modified and reconstructed units would
be 520 ng/J (1.0 lb/MMBtu). This level
has been demonstrated as being
achievable for existing units (see
Thermal Dryer Memo in Docket EPA–
HQ–OAR–2008–0260). The combined
limit for new sources would be 280 ng/
J (0.65 lb/MMBtu). For new units, we
evaluated what emission limits could be
achieved by application of BDT for both
NOX and CO, and relied on this
evaluation to develop the combined
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standard. We have previously
established combined emissions limits
for pollutants that are inversely related
in the NSPS for stationary compression
ignition internal combustion engines, 40
CFR part 60, subpart IIII.
We continue to be interested in
additional NOX and CO performance
test data from thermal dryers and
comparable facilities using combustion
controls to control both NOX and CO
emissions and are also considering, and
requesting comment on, a combined
limit of between 390 ng/J (0.90 lb/
MMBtu) and 470 ng/J (1.1 lb/MMBtu)
for modified and reconstructed units
and between 200 ng/J (0.47 lb/MMBtu)
and 300 ng/J (0.70 lb/MMBtu) for new
units. In addition, we are continuing to
consider separate limits and specifically
request comment on whether a
combined limit is appropriate.
To determine the NOX and CO
emission reductions achievable from the
application of BDT to thermal dryers,
we examined the nature of the
emissions, demonstrated control
technologies, and the removal
efficiencies of those technologies. NOX
emissions from coal thermal dryers
primarily occur via two mechanisms.
The main source, thermal NOX, is
formed when nitrogen and oxygen in
the combustion air react at high
temperatures. Fuel NOX is due to the
reaction of fuel-bound nitrogen
compounds with oxygen. NOX
emissions can be minimized through
two general control strategies:
combustion controls and postcombustion controls. Combustion
controls limit the formation of NOX,
whereas post-combustion controls
convert NOX to nitrogen and oxygen
prior to release to the atmosphere. We
are not presently aware of any coal-fired
thermal dryers that use post-combustion
controls.
Post-combustion controls include
selective catalytic reduction (SCR),
selective non-catalytic reduction
(SNCR), non-selective catalytic
reduction (NSCR), and catalytic
oxidation/absorption (SCONOX). For
reasons presented in the Thermal Dryer
Memo in Docket EPA–HQ–OAR–2008–
0260, none of these control options are
technically feasible control options for a
thermal dryer and they were not
evaluated as viable control technologies.
However, we continue to be interested
in additional information that would
indicate if SNCR could be successfully
integrated into a new thermal dryer and
specifically request comment on this
issue. At this time, we have determined
that combustion controls are the only
viable NOX controls identified that
could be used across the range of
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thermal dryers presently used in the
United States and, thus, we have
determined that combustion controls
constitute BDT for NOX emissions from
thermal dryers. Available combustion
controls include low NOX burners
(LNB), staged combustion, co-firing with
natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas
(LPG), and flue gas recirculation (FGR).
These control options are described in
the Thermal Dryer Memo in Docket
EPA–HQ–OAR–2008–0260.
The practical operating range of
existing thermal dryers is relatively
small, and redesign of the thermal dryer
would be required to obtain significant
NOX reductions. However, we have
identified several existing thermal
dryers that have demonstrated NOX
emissions of less than 0.60 lb/MMBtu.
Our analysis demonstrates that existing
facilities could achieve this limit
through combustion controls alone.
Our analysis demonstrates that new
thermal dryers could be constructed to
comply with a NOX limit of 170 ng/J
(0.40 lb/MMBtu). Although utility-size
units burning bituminous coal can
achieve NOX limits of less than 130 ng/
J (0.30 lb/MMBtu), NOX-reducing
technologies for smaller thermal dryers
are more limited. We reviewed permits
issued over the past decade and only
found NOX requirements for boilers less
than 250 MMBtu/hr for six new
comparable small coal-fired boilers.
Three were circulating fluidized bed
(CFB) boilers, a design that is not
generally used in dryers. Permit
conditions for the other three boilers
were 110, 170, and 300 ng/J (0.25, 0.40,
and 0.70 lb/MMBtu). The highest permit
limit had a corresponding low CO
standard, which could explain the
unusually high NOX standard. This NOX
emissions rate could be achieved for
either a new stoker or pulverized coalbased thermal dryer using combustion
controls alone. Furthermore, we
reviewed data developed by State
permitting authorities which list
combustion controls as able to cost
effectively achieve over 50 percent
reduction for coal-fired industrial
boilers from an uncontrolled emissions
rate of 300 ng/J (0.70 lb/MMBtu). The
cost per ton of NOX controlled using
combustion controls is less than $2,000
per ton and is considered cost effective
for this source category.
CO emissions are intermediate
products produced by the incomplete
combustion of hydrocarbons. The
emissions are formed in hot, oxygendepleted regions of the combustion
chamber and at the edges of the lean
flame zone where the temperature is
lower. Short residence times also
contribute to CO formation. During
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complete combustion, CO reacts with
various oxidants to form carbon dioxide
(CO2) through recombination reactions.
However, these recombination reactions
cannot proceed to completion if the
combustion temperature is low or there
is a deficient amount of oxidants in the
combustion gas. VOC emitted from
thermal dryers are a result of both
incomplete fuel combustion and volatile
matter released from the coal bed as it
is heated and dried.
Controls to minimize both CO and
VOC include thermal oxidation and
flaring, catalytic oxidation, catalytic
incineration, and good combustion
practices. For reasons presented in the
Thermal Dryer Memo in Docket EPA–
HQ–OAR–2008–0260, thermal oxidation
and flaring, catalytic oxidation, and
catalytic incineration are not technically
feasible control options for a thermal
dryer, and they were not evaluated as
viable control technologies. In addition,
high levels of excess air can be used to
control CO emissions and VOC
absorbers can be used to control VOC
emissions. However, high levels of
excess air increase NOX emissions and
the PM emissions in a thermal dryer
exhaust would plug the pores in the
absorber bed; therefore, such controls
are also not considered to be a viable
control techniques. For these reasons,
we conclude that good combustion
practices constitute BDT for CO
emissions from thermal dryers.
Good combustion practices limit the
formation of CO and VOC by providing
sufficient oxygen in the combustion
zone for complete combustion to occur.
Based on a review of CO emissions rates
from existing thermal dryers, we are
basing the combined NOX and CO limit
on a CO emissions rate of 190 ng/J (0.45
lb/MMBtu) for modified and
reconstructed thermal dryers. We have
identified several existing thermal
dryers that are achieving this emissions
rate with combustion controls alone.
Because we have not identified a
method for control of VOC emissions
beyond combustion controls, we are not
proposing a separate limit for VOC
emissions. However, by setting an
emissions limit that contains a CO
emissions rate, we are minimizing the
VOC emissions that result from
incomplete combustion. The VOC
emissions from the coal bed itself are
variable, and we concluded that we are
unable to set a standard that would be
achievable for variable coal types across
the country.
For new thermal dryers, we
concluded that a CO emissions rate of
110 ng/J (0.25 lb/MMBtu) is the
appropriate rate to use as part of the
basis for the combined NOX and CO
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limit. Although new utility-sized units
can reduce CO emissions to 0.15 lb/
MMBtu, technologies are more limited
for the smaller thermal dryers. However,
because new thermal dryers would
likely use a gas recirculation design,
both VOC and CO emissions would be
minimized. The exhaust gases would be
recirculated to the high temperatures of
the combustion chamber and would
oxidize some of the emissions to CO2
and water. Of the three non-CFB permits
for small coal-fired boilers, the
requirements over the past decade were
0.02, 0.21, 0.23 lb/MMBtu. We also
reviewed information on coal-fired
boilers developed for State permitting
agencies, and the basis limit for CO is
consistent with the values listed in
those references. In addition, we
reviewed the CO data collected for coalfired industrial boilers in support of the
Clean Air Act (CAA) section 112
maximum achievable technology
(MACT) standards. Of the 60 industrial
boilers with CO emissions listed in lb/
MMBtu, the average was 40 ng/J (0.095
lb/MMBtu), and the range was 0.1 to
230 ng/J (0.0002 to 0.54 lb/MMBtu). At
this time, we do not have the
corresponding NOX emissions data to
determine if the low CO emissions rates
have a corresponding high NOX
emissions rate. These data indicate that
92 percent of existing small coal-fired
boilers are achieving a rate of 110 ng/
J (0.25 lb/MMBtu) and 98 percent are
achieving a rate of 190 ng/J (0.45 lb/
MMBtu).
D. Selection of Pneumatic Coal-Cleaning
Equipment, Coal Processing and
Conveying Equipment, Coal Storage
Systems, and Transfer and Loading
System PM and Opacity Limits
We are proposing standards for a wide
variety of coal handling equipment. For
open storage piles and roadways, we are
proposing, consistent with CAA section
111(h), to establish work practice
standards. For other coal handling
equipment, including pneumatic coalcleaning equipment, coal processing
and conveying equipment, coal storage
systems, and transfer and loading
systems, we are establishing PM and/or
opacity emission limits.
1. Open Storage Piles and Roadways
CAA section 111(h) provides that if,
in the judgment of the Administrator, it
is not feasible to prescribe or enforce a
standard of performance, EPA may
among other things, promulgate work
practice, design, or equipment
standards. A determination that the
emissions from the sources cannot be
measured due to technological or
economic limitations may be used to
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support a determination that it is not
feasible to establish standards of
performance. It is difficult and
prohibitively expensive to measure
actual PM emissions from individual
open storage piles or roadways. Further,
the size of open storage piles and the
mobile nature of coal dust from vehicle
tires on roadways make the use of
Method 9 opacity observations
unreasonable in many situations. For
these reasons, the Administrator is
proposing to determine that it is not
feasible to establish an emissions
standard for open storage piles or the
coal dust associated with roadways.
This determination would support the
proposed work practice standards
outlined below.
Based on that proposed
determination, we are proposing to
establish the following work practice
standards for open storage piles and
coal dust from roadways. We propose to
require owners/operators of open
storage piles and roadways associated
with coal preparation plants to develop
and comply with a fugitive dust
emissions plan to control fugitive PM
emissions. These fugitive dust plans
would be required to contain the
elements described below.
For open storage piles, we are
proposing to require the fugitive dust
plan to prescribe the use of an
enclosure, chemical suppressants
(including encrusting agents), wet
suppression, a wind barrier, or a
vegetative cover to control emissions.
We are also proposing to require that
the fugitive dust plan include
procedures for limiting emissions from
all types of ‘‘coal processing and
conveying equipment’’ at a coal
preparation plant. Although the source
category listing covers the entire coal
preparation plant, we have not
previously established emission limits
for all facilities located at the plant.
Because open storage piles were not
previously considered affected facilities,
unloading and conveying operations to
an open storage pile were also not
regulated. Only unloading operations
that were directly loaded into receiving
equipment were subject to an opacity
limit. Because we are proposing to
include open storage piles as an affected
facility, the loading, unloading, and
conveying operations of open storage
piles would also be covered under the
fugitive dust emissions control plan, but
not subject to an opacity limit.
Open storage piles also include piles
of coal that have been loaded into
trucks, railcars, and/or ships. At this
time, we are not proposing to require
that the fugitive dust emissions control
plan address emissions from these piles.
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We identified two potential control
options for these piles: covers and
chemical encrusting agents. However,
we have determined it is not practical
to require these controls. First, the
majority of fugitive emissions occur
while the coal is in transit outside the
physical boundaries of the coal
preparation plant. The emissions from
the piles while they are at the coal
preparation plant have not been shown
to be significant. Second, it would not
be economically feasible to require end
users to cover the coal or spray chemical
suppressants as the coal arrives on the
property of the owner/operator and then
proceed to unload the coal.
We are also proposing to require that
the permitting authority approve the
fugitive dust plans required by this
subpart and to grant specific authority
to the permitting authority to approve
alternate technologies to control fugitive
emissions from open storage piles and
coal dust from roadways. The
permitting authority may approve the
use of such alternative technologies in
the fugitive dust plan if it has
determined that the approved
technology provides equivalent overall
environmental protection.
For roadways, we are proposing to
require that the fugitive dust plan
require the owner/operator to pave the
roads, wet the road surface, sweep up
excess coal dust, or install tire washes
to remove entrained dust to control PM
emissions. For roadways that do not
leave the property (e.g., haul roads at
coal mines), the owner/operator of the
coal preparation plant would not have
to include such requirements in the
fugitive dust plan because of the
particular impracticality of, for example,
paving roadways that are frequently rerouted.
2. Coal Handling Equipment
In the April 2008 proposal, we
concluded that a fabric filter was BDT
for controlling PM emissions from coalhandling equipment processing
subbituminous and lignite coals. That
determination provided the basis for the
proposed PM and opacity standards,
and also for our proposal requiring that
coal-handling equipment processing
subbituminous and lignite coals be
vented (i.e., connected to a duct or
stack) such that a PM performance test
could be conducted on the contained
exhaust gas stream. As discussed more
fully in the Coal Handling Memo in
Docket EPA–HQ–OAR–2008–0260,
multiple commenters disagreed with
our BDT determination for several
reasons. First, they noted that the use of
baghouses to collect subbituminous coal
dust presents potential safety concerns.
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For this reason alone, the commenters
argued that EPA should not use a
baghouse as the basis for the emissions
rate. Second, their comments noted that
although the use of baghouses
frequently results in low stack grain
loadings, the practice of returning the
collected dust to the conveyor belt may
cause potential problems with fine coal
dust emissions later in the coal handling
process, decreasing their overall
effectiveness. Finally, commenters
identified multiple State best available
control technology (BACT)
determinations that allow sources to
remove existing baghouses and replace
them with passive enclosure
containment systems (PECS), fogging
systems, or wet extraction scrubbers.
Neither PECS nor fogging systems can
be vented, so the requirement to
conduct a PM performance test conflicts
with such State BACT determinations.
Based on our review of public
comments and subsequent analysis, we
have concluded that a baghouse is not
the only technology that is BDT for coalhandling equipment used on
subbituminous and lignite coals.
Depending on the plant-specific
circumstances, all four technologies
(fabric filters, PECS, fogging systems,
and wet extraction scrubbers) can
control PM emissions equally well.
They all provide equivalent levels of
emissions reductions; in addition,
fogging systems, PECS, and the wet
extraction systems often have lower
costs than baghouses. For this reason,
we are no longer proposing to require
that all emissions from such facilities be
vented and are proposing PM and
opacity limits for coal-handling
operations based on the level of
reduction achievable by these four
technologies.
In the April 2008 proposal, we also
determined that the use of chemical
suppressants was BDT for coal-handling
equipment processing bituminous coal.
This determination also provided a
basis for the proposed PM and opacity
limits. Multiple commenters disagreed
with that determination, stating that wet
suppression is often used to control
fugitive PM from coal-handling
operations processing bituminous coal
and that this control approach results in
limited visible emissions from the
operation.
Based on our review of public
comments and subsequent analysis, we
have reaffirmed our determination that
BDT for coal-handling equipment
processing bituminous coal is the use of
chemical suppressants. The proposed
opacity limit is based on that BDT
determination. However, it is important
to note that although our BDT analysis
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identifies a specific technology as BDT,
the actual requirement in the rule is an
opacity limit, and an owner/operator
can use any combination of controls at
a particular site as long as it
demonstrates compliance with the
opacity limit. The owner/operator is not
obligated to use the specific technology
identified as BDT.
Since the April 2008 proposal, we
have performed an extensive datagathering effort for both PM
performance test data and opacity
observations (both Method 9 and
Method 22) on recently installed coalhandling equipment. This data
gathering is discussed in more detail in
the Coal Handling Memo in Docket
EPA–HQ–OAR–2008–0260.
In the April 2008 proposal, we
proposed to establish a PM limit of
0.011 g/dscm (0.0050 gr/dscf) for coalhandling equipment processing
subbituminous and lignite coals. We
also proposed to require that all such
equipment vent emissions such that
mass PM emissions from the facility
could be measured. Multiple
commenters disagreed with the PM
limit, saying that it is technically
difficult to achieve at some locations
and is more stringent than the BACT
determinations from multiple State
permitting authorities. In addition,
commenters suggested we collect more
PM emissions data specific to coal
handling operations.
As described earlier, we have
reconsidered our prior BDT
determination and are now proposing a
determination that any of four
technologies—fabric filters, PECS,
fogging systems, and wet extraction
scrubbers—may be BDT, and we are
establishing PM and opacity limits
consistent with that determination.
Only the fabric filter technology and wet
extraction scrubbers are typically
vented; PECS and fogging systems
technologies rely on reduced air flow
and as such could not be used if
emissions are vented. Requiring venting
of either PECS or fogging systems would
conflict with the design criteria of both
approaches. In this proposal, we are
proposing to establish both PM and
opacity limits that would apply to all
emissions that are vented, and an
opacity limit that would apply to all
emissions that are not vented.
Based on our review of public
comments and subsequent analysis, we
are proposing a change from the April
2008 proposed PM limit of 0.011 g/dscm
(0.0050 gr/dscf) to 0.023 g/dscm (0.010
gr/dscf). The PM performance test data
specific to coal-handling equipment
ranged from 0.001 to 0.011 gr/dscf.
Based on the performance test data, we
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have concluded that although 0.011 g/
dscm (0.0050 gr/dscf) has been shown to
be achievable, due to the limited data
set, we are not convinced that such a
limit would be achievable on a longterm basis for all affected facilities
across the country. However, we have
concluded that 0.023 g/dscm (0.010 gr/
dscf) is achievable for all sizes of
affected facilities and provides an
adequate compliance margin to be
consistently achievable on a long-term
basis for control technologies that are
vented through a stack. As shown in
docket entries EPA–HQ–OAR–2008–
0260–0003.1 (‘‘Discussion of Particulate
Matter Control Concepts for Coal
Handling NSPS’’) and -0035.1
(‘‘Comments of the Utility Air
Regulatory Group’’), this standard is
also consistent with the majority of
recently issued permits.
We continue to be interested in
additional performance test data from
recently installed fabric filters and wet
extraction scrubbers and are requesting
comment on a PM standard of 0.020 g/
dscm to 0.025 g/dscm (0.0090 gr/dscf to
0.011 gr/dscf) for the final rule. All the
PM performance test data collected for
this supplemental proposal show
emissions equal to or less than 0.025 g/
dscm (0.011 gr/dscf). However, the
source with the highest PM emissions
concentration has permit requirements
in lb/hr of PM emissions and the design
emissions rate of those fabric filters is
unclear. All of the other PM
performance test data, including the
individual tests runs, are below 0.020
g/dscm (0.0090 gr/dscf).
In the April 2008 proposal, we
proposed to amend the opacity limit for
coal-handling equipment from the
existing 1976 limit of less than 20
percent to less than 5 percent. Multiple
commenters opposed that proposal for
several reasons. First, the data used for
the proposal were largely based on data
collected from the nonmetallic minerals
processing industry. In addition,
commenters noted that because
individual Method 9 opacity
observations are made in increments of
5 percent, a less than 5 percent opacity
limit would mean that the presence of
any visible emissions would result in a
violation. Commenters asserted that it
would be difficult to guarantee that each
affected facility will operate with no
visible emissions at all times. Also,
because the proposed standard is based
on a 6-minute reading, there would be
no opportunity for an owner/operator to
fix a problem prior to being in violation
of the standard. Further, because
opacity from fugitive sources is more
difficult to measure than from point
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sources, they argued that the less than
5 percent limit was unreasonable.
It is important to note that the April
2008 proposed limit of less than 5
percent opacity is not the same as a no
visible emissions limit. A Method 9
performance test is conducted by taking
one or more sets of 24 observations at
15-second intervals over a 6-minute
period. Each observation is reported in
5 percent increments. The 6-minute
average is calculated by averaging all
observations made over the 6-minute
period. Thus, a 6-minute average based
on both 0 and 5 percent opacity
readings (or higher), would not exceed
the 5 percent standard as long as the
average is less than 5 percent. In
contrast, a ‘‘no visible emissions’’ limit
for a Method 9 performance test would
require all opacity readings to be 0
percent.
Nonetheless, based on our review of
public comments and subsequent
analysis, in this supplemental proposal
we are proposing to change the opacity
limit for all subpart Y coal-handling
facilities to no greater than 5 percent.
We gathered data on coal-handling
operations at 25 coal preparation plants,
and the reported highest 6-minute
average opacity reading was 5 percent
for a recently installed facility.
Therefore, we have concluded that this
is an appropriate opacity limit for new
sources.
We are also specifically requesting
comment on whether an opacity limit of
less than 10 percent is more appropriate
than a limit of no greater than 5 percent.
The data we collected were primarily
from initial compliance tests, and we
are requesting comment on whether the
5 percent limit is achievable on a longterm basis for all subpart Y coalhandling facilities under all operating
conditions, including windy dry
periods, and whether the limit provides
an adequate compliance margin. We are
also requesting comment on establishing
different opacity limits for each type of
coal-handling operation.
Finally, we are proposing to require
periodic Method 9 performance tests to
assure compliance with the no greater
than 5 percent standard. However, to
create an incentive for sources to
operate with minimal visible emissions
(visible emissions readings less than 5
percent of the time using Method 22)
whenever possible, we are proposing to
allow owners/operators of facilities with
the most recent Method 9 performance
test of 3 percent or less opacity to
qualify for reduced monitoring
requirements. Owners/operators of
affected facilities operating with
minimal visible emissions would be
able to elect to perform periodic short
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opacity observations using Method 22 as
an alternative to Method 9 performance
tests. Facilities with visible emissions
would have to perform periodic Method
9 performance tests and, therefore,
would have an incentive to operate
without visible emissions. We believe it
is important to provide these incentives
because the data we have gathered
suggest that many affected facilities
should be able to operate with zero
opacity much of the time if they are
being properly operated and
maintained.
E. Selection of Monitoring Requirements
In the April 2008 proposal, we
proposed to require initial and annual
PM performance testing for each subpart
Y affected facility with an emissions
limit. After further consideration, and
for the reasons explained below, we
have concluded that it would be more
appropriate to require testing every
other year of affected facilities operating
at 50 percent or less of the applicable
limit and reduced testing requirements
for facilities with relatively low
potential emissions.
Reducing the frequency of compliance
testing from annual to every other year
for owner/operators of affected facilities
operating at 50 percent or less of the
applicable limit both reduces
compliance costs and could provide
benefits to the environment by
recognizing the environmental benefit of
owners/operators installing controls
beyond what is required by the NSPS.
By reducing monitoring requirements,
we are recognizing the increased
environmental benefit of control
equipment that is both designed and
operated in such a manner to exceed the
new source performance requirements
and are incentivizing the development
of improved control technology. Also, if
an affected facility is tested as operating
well below the standard, there is less of
a chance of exceeding the limit.
For smaller facilities with lower
potential emissions, we have concluded
the cost of the testing proposed in the
April 2008 proposal is not justified by
the information that would be gained
from the testing. In addition, we are not
aware of an economically feasible way
to measure PM emissions from vent
filters. Vent filters are typically smaller
than 2,000 actual cubic feet per minute
(acfm), and the exemption for affected
facilities with potential emissions of
less than 1.0 Mg (1.1 tons) equates to
2,800 standard cubic feet per minute
(scfm) at a design emissions rate of
0.010 gr/dscf. Furthermore, smaller
baghouses often do not come equipped
with sampling access. It would cost
approximately $6,000 to add sampling
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ports and sampling platforms to each
baghouse. Considering that baghouse
operations are often intermittent,
potential emissions from deterioration
over time are expected to be low.
Instead of requiring annual performance
tests, we are proposing to require that
each baghouse be monitored for visible
emissions on an ongoing basis. We have
concluded that these visual observations
should detect significant problems such
as holes and tears in the filter medium
or if the filter becomes unseated. Under
these circumstances, visible emissions
will increase dramatically because part
of the exhaust gas is emitted directly to
the atmosphere without any emissions
reduction, resulting in readily apparent
visible emissions.
Similarly, for an owner/operator of up
to five affected facilities of the same
type using identical control equipment
with potential annual emissions of less
than 10 Mg each at a coal preparation
plant, we are proposing to allow a
performance test on a single affected
facility as a check on the compliance of
all of the affected facilities with the
emissions standard. We are allowing
this option only where performance test
results are 90 percent of the standard,
the design emissions rate of the control
device is less than or equal to the
applicable emission limit, and each
affected facility is tested at least once
every 5 years. The facilities must
perform the applicable ongoing
monitoring, and adhere to
manufacturer’s recommended
maintenance procedures. We concluded
that for these sources the test results at
one control device will likely be
representative of other similar control
devices, and that the additional
compliance costs associated with testing
each affected facility would not result in
significant emissions reductions.
We are proposing to require bag leak
detection systems for large baghouses.
We considered, but decided against,
requiring installation and use of a bag
leak detection system at each affected
facility using a fabric filter to control
PM. These detectors are useful and
effective for early detection of bag leaks;
however, the capital costs of a bag leak
detection system can be as much as
$24,000 and the annualized costs might
be as much as $7,000 (including capital
recovery). These costs are considered
unjustifiably high for smaller baghouses
with low potential emissions at subpart
Y affected facilities. Because potential
PM emissions from a bag leak are more
significant for larger baghouses, we are
proposing to require a bag leak detection
system for owners/operators of
baghouses with a potential annual
emissions rate of 25 Mg (28 tons) or
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more. This equates to a baghouse of
approximately 70,000 scfm with a
design emissions rate of 0.010 gr/dscf,
or 140,000 scfm with a design emissions
rate of 0.0050 gr/dscf.
F. Selection of Opacity Monitoring
Requirements for Pneumatic CoalCleaning Equipment, Coal Processing
and Conveying Equipment, Coal Storage
Systems, and Transfer and Loading
System
In the April 2008 proposal, we
proposed to require three 1-hour
Method 22 observations to monitor for
visible emissions at all coal-handling
affected facilities. With this approach an
owner/operator could perform the
initial readings on the first day of the
month and not perform a subsequent
observation for 30 days. When a control
device is operating properly there
should be minimal visible emissions
and a 1-hour observation would not
provide any significant additional
useful information than a 10-minute
observation. In addition, allowing
extended periods of operation between
observations could allow as much as 30
days before a malfunctioning piece of
control equipment is identified.
Therefore, we have concluded it is
appropriate to decrease the length of
each observation to a minimum of 10
minutes, but to increase the frequency
to daily observations. By taking more
frequent observations, we assure that
control equipment is consistently well
operated.
G. Required Electronic Reporting
We are also proposing to require
owners/operators to submit compliance
test data electronically to EPA.
Compliance test data are necessary for
compliance determinations and for EPA
to conduct 8-year reviews of CAA
section 111 standards. The data are also
used for many other purposes such as
developing emission factors and
determining annual emission rates. In
conducting 8-year reviews, EPA has
found it burdensome and timeconsuming to collect emission test data
because the data are often stored at
varied locations through differing
storage methods. One improvement in
recent years is the availability of stack
test reports in electronic format as a
replacement for paper copies. The
proposed option to submit source test
data electronically to EPA would not
require any additional performance
testing. In addition, when a facility
submits performance test data to
WebFIRE, there would be no additional
requirements for data compilation;
instead, we believe industry would
greatly benefit from improved emissions
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factors, fewer information requests, and
better regulation development as
discussed below. Because the
information that would be reported is
already required in the existing test
methods and is necessary to evaluate
conformance to the test method,
facilities would already be collecting
and compiling these data. One major
advantage of electing to submit source
test data through the Electronic
Reporting Tool (ERT), which was
developed with input from stack testing
companies (who already collect and
compile performance test data
electronically), is that it would provide
a standardized method to compile and
store all the documentation required by
this rule. Another important benefit of
submitting these data to EPA at the time
the source test is conducted is that it
will substantially reduce the effort
involved in data collection activities in
the future. Specifically, because we
would already have adequate source
category data to conduct NSPS reviews,
there would be fewer data collection
requests (e.g., letters issued under the
authority of CAA section 114). This
results in a reduced burden on both
affected facilities (in terms of reduced
manpower to respond to data collection
requests) and EPA (in terms of preparing
and distributing data collection
requests). Finally, another benefit of
electronic data submission is that these
data will greatly improve the overall
quality of existing and new emissions
factors by supplementing the pool of
emissions test data upon which a
particular emission factor is based, and
by ensuring that the data are more
representative of current industry
operational procedures. A common
complaint from industry and regulators
is that emissions factors are outdated or
not representative of a particular source
category. Additional performance tests
results would ensure that emissions
factors are updated more frequently and
are more accurate. In summary,
receiving the test data already collected
for other purposes and using them in
the emissions factors development
program will save industry, State/local/
tribal agencies, and EPA time and
money.
Data would be submitted
electronically to the EPA database
WebFIRE, which is a Web site accessible
through the EPA TTN. The WebFIRE
Web site was constructed to store
emissions test data for use in developing
emission factors. A description of the
WebFIRE database can be found at
https://cfpub.epa.gov/oarweb/
index.cfm?action=fire.main. The ERT is
an interface program that transmits the
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electronic report through EPA’s Central
Data Exchange (CDX) network for
storage in the WebFIRE database.
Although ERT is not the only electronic
interface that can be used to submit
source test data to the CDX for entry
into WebFIRE, it is the most
straightforward and easy way to submit
data. A description of the ERT can be
found at https://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/
ert/ert_tool.html. The ERT can be used
to document the conduct of stack tests
data for various pollutants, including
PM (EPA Method 5 in appendix A–3),
SO2 (EPA Method 6C in appendix A–4),
NOX (EPA Method 7E in appendix A–
4), CO (EPA Method 10 in appendix A–
4), cadmium (Cd) (EPA Method 29 in
appendix A–8), lead (Pb) (Method 29),
mercury (Hg) (Method 29), and
hydrogen chloride (HCl) (EPA Method
26A in appendix A–8). The ERT does
not currently accept opacity data or
CEMS data.
H. Addition of Petroleum Coke and Coal
Refuse to the Definition of Coal
Petroleum coke and coal refuse are
useful boiler fuels, have similar PM
emissions as primary coals, and the
same equipment is used to control PM
emissions from the handling of primary
coals, petroleum coke, and coal refuse.
Therefore, we are proposing to amend
the definition of coal in subpart Y to
include petroleum coke and coal refuse
(after May 27, 2009). The standards in
the original 1976 subpart Y were based
on data from coal preparation plants
processing bituminous coal at mines.
However, the original applicability of
subpart Y was intentionally broad, and
covered processing of all coal ranks and
coal processing at end-user locations
(owner/operators of boilers, coke ovens,
etc.), as the mechanical processing of
coal is the same regardless of location.
Petroleum coke, a carbonaceous
material, is a by-product residual from
the thermal cracking of heavy residual
oil during the petroleum refining
process. Petroleum coke has a superior
heating value and low ash content
compared to coal. However, depending
on the original crude feedstock, it may
contain greater concentrations of sulfur
and metals, making it less attractive as
a boiler fuel. Historically, petroleum
coke has been priced at a discount
compared to coal. Because of the
increased use of heavier crudes and
more efficient processing of refinery
residuals, U.S. and worldwide
production of petroleum coke is
increasing and is expected to continue
to grow.
Coal refuse, a by-product of coal
mining and cleaning operations, is
generally a high ash (non-combustible
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rock), low Btu material. It is costprohibitive to transport because of the
weight per amount of energy that can be
extracted, and is usually burned close to
the point of generation. Large volumes
of coal refuse began to accumulate at
mining sites when mining first began in
the Appalachians in the 1970s. Current
mining operations continue to generate
coal refuse; estimates show that up to 1
billion tons of coal refuse were
generated in 2007 alone. When subpart
Y was originally published in 1976,
there was no way to cost-effectively
dispose of coal refuse. Also, laws
requiring the stabilization and
reclamation of mining sites were not
established until the late 1970s, after
subpart Y was originally promulgated.
After the late 1970s, mining operations
began to process coal refuse. With the
development of fluidized beds, it is
burned for energy and is used for other
non-combustion products.
Petroleum coke can be interchanged
with primary coals in pulverized coal
boilers, fluidized beds, and stoker
boilers. Coal refuse can be substituted
for primary coals in fluidized beds and
stoker boilers. Petroleum coke and coal
refuse are burned in the same boilers as
primary coals at the coal preparation
plant and are processed alongside the
primary coals. The health impacts of PM
from petroleum coke and primary coals
are similar; coverage of petroleum coke
would therefore further protect public
health.
The approach proposed is consistent
with subparts Db and Dc, the large and
small industrial boiler NSPS. Both
subparts include petroleum coke and
coal refuse under the definition of coal.
Subpart Da, the utility boiler NSPS, was
published prior to the industrial boiler
NSPS, and only includes coal refuse in
the definition of coal. At the time
subpart Da was promulgated, petroleum
coke was not considered to be ‘‘created
for the purpose of creating useful heat’’
and hence was not used in the fossil
fuel capacity as it is today.
I. Additional Amendments
We are proposing to change the title
of subpart Y to more accurately reflect
the affected facilities subject to subpart
Y. The original applicability included
affected facilities that some in the
regulated community term ‘‘processing’’
facilities and would not call those
operations ‘‘preparation’’ even though
the original rulemaking used
‘‘preparation’’ more broadly. The
revision is strictly intended to clarify
the rule and not change the
applicability.
The definitional amendments and
additional amendments are intended to
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implement aspects of the rule discussed
earlier and to update the American
Society of Testing and Materials
(ASTM) test methods for the different
coal ranks. Also, because cyclonic flow
is not used in subpart Y, its removal
would not impact the rule.
We have concluded that it is not
appropriate or beneficial to the public
health to require an affected facility that
is not currently in operation to start up
to demonstrate compliance with the
NSPS. Commencing operation strictly
for the purposes of demonstrating
compliance is an unnecessary cost and
increases emissions.
J. Emissions Reductions
EPA believes that the proposed
amendments would not significantly
impact the overall compliance costs
estimated for the original proposal, $3
million, and would continue to have an
insignificant economic impact.
However, EPA acknowledges that the
overall emissions reductions that would
result from the proposed amendments
and associated costs of control are
difficult to quantify precisely in
advance.
For thermal dryers and pneumatic
coal-cleaning equipment, the proposed
amendments would significantly tighten
control requirements. Because these
controls apply to new sources not yet in
operation, it is difficult to quantify the
aggregated emissions reductions or costs
for those reductions in advance.
However, we anticipate that there will
be only a limited number of new
sources with thermal dryers or
pneumatic coal-cleaning equipment, so
the overall costs associated with the
proposed amendments will likewise be
limited. As to benefits, EPA believes
that the proposed amendments are
necessary because they would help to
protect the public health and the
environment by assuring that
appropriate controls would be installed
on future new thermal dryers and
pneumatic coal-cleaning equipment
should any be built.
The proposed pneumatic coalcleaning PM standard is 40 percent
lower than the existing standard. For
thermal dryers, the proposed PM
standard is one-third of the existing
limit. The proposed SO2 standard and
combined NOX-CO standard for these
sources would reduce emissions by 50
percent from current uncontrolled
levels. For the model thermal dryer used
in the costing analysis, this equates to
estimated annual reductions of 100 tons
each of PM and SO2 and 200 tons of
combined NOX and CO.
For coal handling operations, the
proposed amendments would reduce
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the current opacity standard from less
than 20 percent to no greater than 5
percent. The proposal would thus
reduce the opacity standard by 75
percent. Opacity is an indirect means to
address the presence of PM emissions
and not an actual direct measurement of
the mass of PM emissions. Thus, in
order to determine the precise amount
of PM reductions that would be
associated with this change in the
opacity standard, we would need actual
baseline PM emissions data at 20
percent opacity for a source, which are
not available. Without these data, it is
not possible for us to calculate the
precise amount of PM reductions
associated with the more stringent
opacity limit with a high degree of
certainty. We know, however, that
lowering opacity from an affected
facility generally results in a reduction
in PM emissions, provided particle
characteristics and size distribution
remain similar for that facility.
The existing subpart Y standards for
coal handling equipment include only
an opacity limit. The proposed
amendments would establish a new PM
standard of 0.023 g/dscm (0.010 gr/dscf)
that would apply to all sources that are
mechanically vented. At this time we,
only expect end users processing
bituminous coal to mechanically vent
affected facilities, and, thus, only these
facilities would be subject to the
proposed new PM limit. Under the
existing NSPS, affected facilities that are
mechanically vented would already
need to install some type of control
device to comply with the 20 percent
opacity limit. For coal handling
facilities that are mechanically vented,
EPA believes that a baghouse is the
lowest cost option. If we assume that in
the absence of the proposed revisions
such affected facilities would have
installed baghouses with an emissions
limit equivalent to that of the pneumatic
coal-cleaning equipment (0.040 g/dscm),
the proposed amendments reduce
emissions by an additional 40 percent.
For the model bituminous power plant
used in the costing analysis, this equates
to approximately 5 tons of PM
reductions annually.
Based on public comment on the
proposed amendments, we believe that
the majority of new coal handling
operations at mines are likely to be
fugitive dust sources because they do
not vent to a baghouse. In addition, end
user locations that process
subbituminous coal are moving toward
PECS and fogging systems and would
also be classified as fugitive dust
sources. In both cases, only the opacity
standard would apply. Thus, the
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aggregate costs of the new PM standard
would be limited.
Subpart Y has not been revised since
it was originally promulgated in 1976
and many States have more stringent
control requirements. We believe it is
appropriate to consider these existing
State requirements when determining
what is an appropriate baseline to
compare against the proposed
amendments. The majority of State
permitting authorities that have more
stringent control requirements require
controls and work practice standards
that maintain opacity well below 20
percent. In addition, any coal
preparation plant that is subject to New
Source Review (NSR) would also
already have control requirements
significantly more stringent than the
existing NSPS. Therefore, EPA believes
that additional costs resulting from the
proposed amendments should be
negligible for these affected facilities,
and recognizes that additional
emissions reductions from such sources
would be lower as well.
IV. Modification and Reconstruction
Provisions
Existing affected facilities at coal
preparation plants that are modified or
reconstructed after the date on which
standards applicable to the facility are
proposed are subject to the standard as
finalized. In revising the standards in
subpart Y, we have considered whether
existing facilities that are reconstructed
or modified will be able to achieve the
new standards. Where appropriate, we
have proposed different standards for
new, modified, and reconstructed
facilities. We are not proposing any
amendments to existing law regarding
how a facility would conduct the
modification and reconstruction
analysis.
V. Summary of Costs, Environmental,
Energy, and Economic Impacts
In setting NSPS, the CAA requires
EPA to consider alternative emission
control approaches, taking into account
the estimated costs and benefits, as well
as energy, solid waste, and other effects.
We request comment on whether we
have identified the appropriate
alternatives and whether the proposed
standards adequately take into
consideration the incremental effects in
terms of emission reductions, energy,
and other effects of these alternatives.
We will consider the available
information in developing the final rule.
The costs and environmental, energy,
and economic impacts are expressed as
incremental differences between the
impacts of coal preparation facilities
complying with the proposed
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25317
amendments and the current common
permitting authority requirements (i.e.,
baseline). We have concluded that the
supplemental proposal adds additional
compliance options and does not
increase control costs or recordkeeping
and reporting costs above those of the
April 2008 proposal. The April 2008
proposal economic impact analysis still
holds; the amendments would result in
minimal changes in prices and output
for the industries affected by the final
rule. The price increase for baseload
electricity, cement prices, coke prices,
and coal prices are insignificant.
VI. Request for Comment
We request comments on all aspects
of the proposed amendments to NSPS
subpart Y. All significant comments
received will be considered in the
development and selection of the final
rule. We specifically solicit comments
on additional amendments that are
under consideration. These potential
amendments are described below.
1. Control Technologies for Controlling
Emissions From Thermal Dryers
No new thermal dryers have been
installed at bituminous coal mines in
the past decade, and as described
previously, we have concluded that a
new thermal dryer would likely use gas
recirculation instead of a once-through
design. Although present coal-fired
thermal dryer designs use either stoker
or pulverized coal burners, we are
requesting comment on the cost and
whether it would be technically feasible
to use a fluidized bed design to generate
the heat for the drying process. We are
also requesting comment on whether
SNCR could be successfully applied at
a new thermal dryer for control of NOX
emissions. If either of these control
technologies is determined to be
possible for a new thermal dryer, we
will consider basing the combined NOX
and CO, and SO2 limits for new thermal
dryers on the use of these controls.
Fluidized beds use limestone injection
into the bed and can reduce potential
SO2 emissions by over 90 percent; SNCR
reduces NOX emissions by as much as
50 percent.
We are also requesting comment on
whether it would be appropriate to set
separate SO2 emissions standards for
new, reconstructed, and modified
thermal dryers depending on whether
the dryer is a once-through design. As
described earlier, once-though dryers
typically use scrubbers to control PM
emissions and could concurrently
control SO2 emissions by 90 percent or
more. If we decide to set separate
standards for once-through and
recirculation dryers, the once-through
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SO2 limit for new, reconstructed, and
modified thermal dryers would be
changed to 85 ng/J (0.20 lb/MMBtu), or
90 percent reduction in potential
emissions and 520 ng/J (1.2 lb/MMBtu).
The corresponding definition of a oncethrough thermal dryer would be a
thermal dryer that does not recirculate
any flue gas back to the furnace for
temperature tempering. We request
comment on this definition, as well as
the standard discussed above.
In addition, we are requesting
comment on establishing separate SO2
limits based on the heat input capacity
of the thermal dryer. For thermal dryers
with heat input capacities of 250
MMBtu/hr or greater the incremental
costs of scrubbers for the sole purpose
of reducing SO2 emissions is
approximately $3,500 per ton and is
considered cost effective for this source
category. If we decide to set separate
standards for larger thermal dryers, the
large thermal dryer SO2 limit for new,
reconstructed, and modified thermal
dryers would be changed to 85 ng/J
(0.20 lb/MMBtu), or 90 percent
reduction in potential emissions and
520 ng/J (1.2 lb/MMBtu).
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2. PM Standard
We are considering, and requesting
comment on, setting a more stringent
PM limit for operations with a high
volume of air vented from the affected
facility. Larger control devices are more
cost effective, and we are specifically
requesting comment on setting the PM
limit for coal handling and pneumatic
coal cleaning equipment operations
venting more than 2,000 dscm/min
(70,000 dscf/min) at 0.012 g/dscm
(0.0054 gr/dscf). Two-thirds of the post
1995 PM performance test results we
collected were below this limit, and
those that were not had a lb/hr limit and
not a concentration limit and the design
criteria for those fabric filters are
unknown.
3. Rear Truck Dumps
The physical size and operation
characteristics of rear truck dumps make
operation with low instantaneous
opacity difficult to achieve. Several
western subbituminous mining
operations that began operation in the
late 1970s and early 1980s originally
used enclosures and fabric filters to
control PM emissions from rear truck
dumps. It was the only viable
technology at the time, but while PM
and opacity emissions from the fabric
filter stack were relatively low, overall
capture and control were not as high.
With the advent of larger coal trucks
and stilling sheds, the State of Wyoming
has allowed for the replacement of
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enclosures that are vented to a fabric
filter with stilling sheds. Stilling sheds
provide a fairly high level of PM
control. However, the coal is dumped
rapidly and there are instantaneous
periods of high opacity even when the
6-minute opacity is low. The State of
Wyoming determines if the still shed is
working properly by averaging the
highest instantaneous 15-second opacity
of 10 truck dumps. As long as the
average instantaneous opacity is less
than 20 percent, the stilling shed is
determined to be operating properly. We
are requesting comment on whether
requiring an annual average
instantaneous opacity from 10 truck
dumps is appropriate as an alternate to
the Method 22 monitoring required for
other affected facilities.
4. Opacity Monitoring
A single coal preparation plant can
contain multiple similar affected
facilities using similar control
equipment configurations. To reduce
the burden of the rulemaking while still
maintaining an equivalent level of
environmental protection, we are
requesting comment on allowing the
permitting authority to approve a single
Method 22 observation as sufficient
monitoring for up to 4 other similar
affected facilities if the owner/operator
agrees to site-specific equipment
inspection and maintenance procedures
approved by the permitting authority. If
we include this approach in the final
rule, the owner/operator would have to
observe a different affected facility in
the group each week and would still be
required to conduct at least monthly
observations for each piece of
equipment.
5. Thermal Dryer Monitoring
We are requesting comment on
several of the monitoring requirements
for thermal dryers. First, owner/
operators of thermal dryers are required
to continuously monitor the
temperature of the gas stream at the exit
of the thermal dryer. We are requesting
comment on the utility of collecting this
information. If we determine this
requirement could be eliminated
without risk of a significant increase in
emissions, we will consider eliminating
this requirement.
Second, subpart Y requires owner/
operators of wet scrubbers to
continuously monitor the pressure drop
through the venturi constriction and the
water supply pressure. However, there
are no requirements specified in the rule
to maintain these values within a
specified range, nor requirements
regarding what averaging period should
be used when determining the
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appropriate value. We are considering,
and requesting comment on, adding
requirements that pressure drop and
water pressure be maintained at a
minimum of 90 percent of the values
recorded during the most recent
performance test, and that an operating
day average be used to determine the
values.
Next, we are requesting comment on
whether it is appropriate to replace the
water supply pressure monitoring
requirement with a requirement to
monitor and maintain the water flow
rate as determined from the most recent
performance test.
Finally, because we are adding
additional standards for thermal dryers
we are considering, and requesting
comment on, possible monitoring
requirements for SO2, NOX, and CO. We
request comment on requiring CEMS for
monitoring SO2, NOX, and CO
emissions. If we do require CEMS, we
would use the same numerical
emissions rate but the averaging period
would be 30 days. We also request
comment on alternative continuous
monitoring options. In the event we do
not require CEMS, we would require
other continuous monitoring and
require that the relevant parameters are
maintained within 10 percent of the
value recorded during the performance
test on an operating day average. With
regard to monitoring for SO2, we are
also considering, and requesting
comment on, whether pH and water
flow rate monitoring are appropriate for
owner/operators of thermal dryers with
a wet scrubber. In addition, for owner/
operators of thermal dryers without a
wet scrubber, we are considering, and
requesting comment on, whether
reagent injection flow rate and airflow
rate are the appropriate monitoring
parameters. For NOX and CO, we are
considering, and requesting comment
on, requiring an O2 monitor prior to
temperature tempering to verify that the
appropriate air-to-fuel ratio is
maintained.
6. Opacity Standard for Open Storage
Piles and Roadways
We are considering, and requesting
comment on, both the feasibility of
establishing an opacity standard for
open storage piles and roadways and
what opacity standard would be
appropriate.
7. Work Practice Standards for Haul
Roads
As an alternative to our proposal to
exempt an owner/operator of roadways
that do not leave the property of the
affected facility from work practice
standards directly, we request comment
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on whether permitting authorities
should be required to include other
fugitive dust prevention measures (e.g.,
wetting of the road surface, sweeping of
excess dust, tire washes) in the fugitive
dust plan for such roadways.
VII. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Planning and Review
Under Executive Order (EO) 12866
(58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), this
action is a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ because it may raise novel legal
or policy issues arising out of legal
mandates, the President’s priorities, or
the principles set forth in the EO.
Accordingly, EPA submitted this action
to the OMB for review under EO 12866,
and any changes made in response to
OMB recommendations have been
documented in the docket for this
action.
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B. Paperwork Reduction Act
The information collection
requirements associated with the April
2008 proposed rule have been submitted
for approval to the OMB under the
Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq. The Information Collection
Request (ICR) document prepared by
EPA has been assigned EPA ICR number
1062.10. Because this supplemental
proposal does not result in additional
recordkeeping and reporting
requirements, a new ICR document was
not prepared.
The proposed amendments to the
existing standards of performance for
Coal Preparation Plants would add new
monitoring, reporting, and
recordkeeping requirements. The
information would be used by EPA to
ensure that any new affected facilities
comply with the emission limits and
other requirements. Records and reports
would be necessary to enable EPA or
States to identify new affected facilities
that may not be in compliance with the
requirements. Based on reported
information, EPA would decide which
units and what records or processes
should be inspected.
The proposed amendments would not
require any notifications or reports
beyond those required by the General
Provisions. The recordkeeping
requirements require only the specific
information needed to determine
compliance. These recordkeeping and
reporting requirements are specifically
authorized by CAA section 114 (42
U.S.C. 7414). All information submitted
to EPA for which a claim of
confidentially is made will be
safeguarded according to EPA policies
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in 40 CFR part 2, subpart B,
Confidentially of Business Information.
The annual monitoring, reporting, and
recordkeeping burden for this collection
averaged over the first 3 years of this
ICR is estimated to total 32,664 labor
hours per year at an average annual cost
of $2,957,707. This estimate includes
performance testing, excess emission
reports, notifications, and
recordkeeping. There are no capital/
start-up costs or operational and
maintenance costs associated with the
monitoring requirements over the 3-year
period of the ICR. Burden is defined at
5 CFR 1320.3(b).
An agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, a collection of information
unless it displays a current valid OMB
control number. The OMB control
numbers for EPA’s regulations in 40
CFR are listed in 40 CFR part 9.
To comment on the Agency’s need for
this information, the accuracy of the
provided burden estimates, and any
suggested methods for minimizing
respondent burden, EPA has established
a public docket for this rule, which
includes this ICR, under Docket ID
number EPA–HQ–OAR–2008–0260.
Submit any comments related to the ICR
to EPA and OMB. See ADDRESSES
section at the beginning of this action
for where to submit comments to EPA.
Send comments to OMB at the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget, 725
17th Street, NW., Washington, DC
20503, Attention: Desk Office for EPA.
Because OMB is required to make a
decision concerning the ICR between 30
and 60 days after May 27, 2009, a
comment to OMB is best assured of
having its full effect if OMB receives it
by June 26, 2009. The final rule will
respond to any OMB or public
comments on the information collection
requirements contained in this proposal.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act
generally requires an agency to prepare
a regulatory flexibility analysis of any
rule subject to notice and comment
rulemaking requirements under the
Administrative Procedure Act or any
other statute unless the agency certifies
that the rule will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. Small entities
include small businesses, small
organizations, and small governmental
jurisdictions.
For purposes of assessing the impacts
of the proposed amendments on small
entities, small entity is defined as: (1) A
small business as defined by the Small
Business Administration’s regulations at
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13 CFR 121.201; (2) a small
governmental jurisdiction that is a
government of a city, county, town,
school district or special district with a
population of less than 50,000; and (3)
a small organization that is any not-forprofit enterprise which is independently
owned and operated and is not
dominant in its field.
After considering the economic
impacts of this proposed rule on small
entities, I certify that this action will not
have a significant economic impact on
a substantial number of small entities.
This proposed rule will not impose any
requirements on small entities.
We continue to be interested in the
potential impacts of the proposed rule
on small entities and welcome
comments on issues related to such
impacts.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
This rule does not contain a Federal
mandate that may result in expenditures
of $100 million or more for State, local,
and tribal governments, in the aggregate,
or the private sector in any one year.
The total annual control and monitoring
costs of the proposed amendments,
compared to a baseline of no control, at
year five is $2 million. Thus, this rule
is not subject to the requirements of
sections 202 or 205 of UMRA.
This rule is also not subject to the
requirements of section 203 of UMRA
because it contains no regulatory
requirements that might significantly or
uniquely affect small governments.
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
EO 13132, entitled ‘‘Federalism’’ (64
FR 43255, August 10, 1999), requires
EPA to develop an accountable process
to ensure ‘‘meaningful and timely input
by State and local officials in the
development of regulatory policies that
have federalism implications.’’ ‘‘Policies
that have federalism implications’’ is
defined in the EO to include regulations
that have ‘‘substantial direct effects on
the States, on the relationship between
the national government and the States,
or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government.’’
These proposed amendments do not
have federalism implications. They will
not have substantial direct effects on the
States, on the relationship between the
national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government, as specified in EO
13132. These proposed amendments
will not impose substantial direct
compliance costs on State or local
governments; they will not preempt
State law. Thus, EO 13132 does not
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apply to these proposed amendments. In
the spirit of EO 13132, and consistent
with EPA policy to promote
communications between EPA and State
and local governments, EPA specifically
solicits comment on these proposed
amendments from State and local
officials.
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
and Coordination With Indian Tribal
Governments
This action does not have tribal
implications, as specified in Executive
Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9,
2000). We are not aware of any coal
preparation facilities owned by an
Indian tribe. Thus, Executive Order
13175 does not apply to this action.
EPA specifically solicits additional
comment on this proposed action from
tribal officials.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
and Safety Risks
EPA interprets EO 13045 (62 FR
19885, April 23, 1997) as applying to
those regulatory actions that concern
health or safety risks, such that the
analysis required under section 5–501 of
the EO has the potential to influence the
regulation. This proposed action is not
subject to EO 13045 because it is based
solely on technology performance.
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions
Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use
This proposed action is not a
‘‘significant energy action’’ as defined in
EO 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001)
because it is not likely to have a
significant adverse effect on the supply,
distribution, or use of energy. Further,
we have concluded that this proposed
action is not likely to have any adverse
energy effects.
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I. National Technology Transfer
Advancement Act
Section 12(d) of the National
Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act of 1995 (‘‘NTTAA’’), Public Law No.
104–113 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) directs
EPA to use voluntary consensus
standards (VCS) in its regulatory
activities unless to do so would be
inconsistent with applicable law or
otherwise impractical. VCS are
technical standards (e.g., materials
specifications, test methods, sampling
procedures, and business practices) that
are developed or adopted by voluntary
consensus standards bodies. NTTAA
directs EPA to provide Congress,
through OMB, explanations when the
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Agency decides not to use available and
applicable VCS.
This proposed rulemaking involves
technical standards. EPA proposes to
use ASME PTC 19.10–1981, ‘‘Flue and
Exhaust Gas Analyses,’’ for its manual
methods of measuring the oxygen,
carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide or
nitrogen dioxide content of the exhaust
gas. These parts of ASME PTC 19.10–
1981 are acceptable alternatives to EPA
Method 3B of appendix A–2 and EPA
Methods 6, 6A, and 7 of appendix A–
4 of 40 CFR part 60. This standard is
available from the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Three
Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016–
5990.
EPA also proposes to use EPA
Methods 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2F, 2G,
3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 5B, 5D, 6, 6A, 6C, 7, 7E,
9, 10, 17, and 22 (40 CFR part 60,
appendices A–1 through A–7). While
the Agency has identified 20 VCS as
being potentially applicable, we do not
propose to use these standards in this
proposed rulemaking. The use of these
VCS would be impractical because they
do not meet the objectives of the
standards cited in this proposed rule.
The search and review results are in the
docket for this rule.
EPA welcomes comments on this
aspect of the proposed rulemaking and,
specifically, invites the public to
identify potentially-applicable VCS and
to explain why such standards should
be used in this regulation.
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal
Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations
EO 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16,
1994) establishes Federal executive
policy on environmental justice. Its
main provision directs Federal agencies,
to the greatest extent practical and
permitted by law, to make
environmental justice part of their
mission by identifying and addressing,
as appropriate, disproportionately high
and adverse human health or
environmental effects of their programs,
policies, and activities on minority
populations and low-income
populations in the United States.
EPA has determined that this
proposed rule will not have
disproportionately high adverse human
health or environmental effects on
minority or low-income populations
because it increases the level of
environmental protection for all affected
populations without having any
disproportionately high adverse human
health or environmental effects on any
populations, including any minority or
low-income population. The proposed
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amendments would assure that all new
coal preparation plants install
appropriate controls to limit health
impacts to nearby populations.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 60
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedure,
Air pollution control, Intergovernmental
relations, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Dated: May 15, 2009.
Lisa P. Jackson,
Administrator.
For the reasons stated in the
preamble, title 40, chapter I, part 60, of
the Code of the Federal Regulations is
proposed to be amended as follows:
PART 60—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 60
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq.
Subpart A—[Amended]
2. Section 60.17 is amended:
a. By revising paragraph (a)(13);
b. By removing paragraph (a)(14);
c. By redesignating paragraphs (a)(15)
through (a)(93) as paragraphs (a)(14)
through (a)(92); and
d. By revising paragraph (h)(4) to read
as follows.
§ 60.17
Incorporations by reference.
*
*
*
*
*
(a) * * *
(13) ASTM D388–77, 90, 91, 95, 98a,
99 (Reapproved 2004)ε1, Standard
Specification for Classification of Coals
by Rank, IBR approved for
§§ 60.24(h)(8), 60.41 of subpart D of this
part, 60.45(f)(4)(i), 60.45(f)(4)(ii),
60.45(f)(4)(vi), 60.41Da of subpart Da of
this part, 60.41b of subpart Db of this
part, 60.41c of subpart Dc of this part,
60.251 of subpart Y of this part, and
60.4102.
*
*
*
*
*
(h) * * *
(4) ANSI/ASME PTC 19.10–1981,
Flue and Exhaust Gas Analyses [part 10,
Instruments and Apparatus], IBR
approved for § 60.106(e)(2) of subpart J,
§§ 60.104a(d)(3), (d)(5), (d)(6), (h)(3),
(h)(4), (h)(5), (i)(3), (i)(4), (i)(5), (j)(3),
and (j)(4), 60.105a(d)(4), (f)(2), (f)(4),
(g)(2), and (g)(4), 60.106a(a)(1)(iii),
(a)(2)(iii), (a)(2)(v), (a)(2)(viii), (a)(3)(ii),
and (a)(3)(v), and 60.107a(a)(1)(ii),
(a)(1)(iv), (a)(2)(ii), (c)(2), (c)(4), and
(d)(2) of subpart Ja, § 60.257(b)(3) of
subpart Y, tables 1 and 3 of subpart
EEEE, tables 2 and 4 of subpart FFFF,
table 2 of subpart JJJJ, and
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§§ 60.4415(a)(2) and 60.4415(a)(3) of
subpart KKKK of this part.
*
*
*
*
*
Subpart Y—[Amended]
3. Part 60 is amended by revising
subpart Y to read as follows:
Subpart Y—Standards of Performance
for Coal Preparation and Processing
Plants
Sec.
60.250 Applicability and designation of
affected facility.
60.251 Definitions.
60.252 Standards for thermal dryers.
60.253 Standards for pneumatic coalcleaning equipment.
60.254 Standards for coal processing and
conveying equipment, coal storage
system, and coal transfer system
operations.
60.255 Performance tests and other
compliance requirements.
60.256 Continuous monitoring
requirements.
60.257 Test methods and procedures.
60.258 Reporting and recordkeeping.
§ 60.250 Applicability and designation of
affected facility.
(a) The provisions of this subpart are
applicable to any of the following
affected facilities in coal preparation
and processing plants which process
more than 181 megagrams (Mg) (200
tons) per day of coal: Thermal dryers,
pneumatic coal-cleaning equipment (air
tables), coal processing and conveying
equipment (including breakers and
crushers), coal storage systems, and
transfer and loading systems.
(b) Any affected facility under
paragraph (a) of this section that
commences construction,
reconstruction, or modification after
October 24, 1974, is subject to the
requirements of this subpart.
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§ 60.251
Definitions.
As used in this subpart, all terms not
defined herein have the meaning given
them in the Clean Air Act (Act) and in
subpart A of this part.
Anthracite means coal that is
classified as anthracite according to the
American Society of Testing and
Materials in ASTM D388 (incorporated
by reference, see § 60.17).
Bag leak detection system means a
system that is capable of continuously
monitoring relative particulate matter
(dust loadings) in the exhaust of a fabric
filter to detect bag leaks and other upset
conditions. A bag leak detection system
includes, but is not limited to, an
instrument that operates on
triboelectric, light scattering, light
transmittance, or other effect to
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continuously monitor relative
particulate matter loadings.
Bituminous coal means solid fossil
fuel classified as bituminous coal by
ASTM D388 (incorporated by referencesee § 60.17).
Coal for units constructed,
reconstructed, or modified on or before
May 27, 2009 means all solid fossil fuels
classified as anthracite, bituminous,
subbituminous, or lignite by ASTM
D388 (incorporated by reference-see
§ 60.17). For units constructed,
reconstructed, or modified after May 27,
2009, coal means all solid fossil fuels
classified as anthracite, bituminous,
subbituminous, or lignite by ASTM
D388 (incorporated by reference-see
§ 60.17), coal refuse, and petroleum
coke.
Coal preparation and processing
plant means any facility (excluding
underground mining operations) which
prepares coal by one or more of the
following processes: breaking, crushing,
screening, wet or dry cleaning, and
thermal drying.
Coal processing and conveying
equipment means any machinery used
to reduce the size of coal or to separate
coal from refuse, and the equipment
used to convey coal to or remove coal
and refuse from the machinery. This
includes, but is not limited to, breakers,
crushers, screens, and conveying
systems.
Coal refuse means debris product of
coal mining or coal preparation and
processing operations (e.g., culm, gob,
boney, slate dumps, etc.) containing
coal, matrix material, clay, and other
organic and inorganic material.
Coal storage system for units
constructed, reconstructed, or modified
on or before May 27, 2009 means any
facility used to store coal except for
open storage piles. For units
constructed, reconstructed, or modified
after May 27, 2009, coal storage system
means any facility used to store coal.
Design controlled potential PM
emissions rate means the theoretical
particulate matter (PM) emissions (Mg)
that would result from the operation of
a control device at its design emissions
rate (grams per dry standard cubic meter
(g/dscm)), multiplied by the maximum
design flow rate (dry standard cubic
meter per minute (dscm/min)),
multiplied by 60 (minutes per hour
(min/hr)), multiplied by 8,760 (hours
per year (hr/yr)), divided by 1,000,000
(megagrams per gram (Mg/g)).
Indirect thermal dryer means a
thermal dryer that reduces the moisture
content of coal through indirect heating
of the coal through contact with a heat
transfer medium. If the source of heat
(the source of combustion or furnace) is
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subject to either subpart Da, Db, or Dc
of this part then the furnace and the
associated emissions are not part of the
affected facility. However, if the source
of heat is not subject to either subpart
Da, Db, or Dc of this part, then the
furnace and the associated emissions are
part of the affected facility.
Lignite means coal that is classified as
lignite A or B according to the American
Society of Testing and Materials in
ASTM D388 (incorporated by reference,
see § 60.17).
Mechanical vent means a vent using
a powered mechanical drive (machine)
to induce air flow.
Operating day means a 24-hour
period between 12 midnight and the
following midnight during which and
coal is prepared or processed at any
time by the affected facility. It is not
necessary that coal be prepared or
processed the entire 24-hour period.
Petroleum Coke also known as
petcoke means a carbonization product
of high-boiling hydrocarbon fractions
obtained in petroleum processing
(heavy residues). Petroleum coke is
typically derived from oil refinery coker
units or other cracking processes.
Pneumatic coal-cleaning equipment
for units constructed, reconstructed, or
modified on or before May 27, 2009
means any facility which classifies
bituminous coal by size or separates
bituminous coal from refuse by
application of air stream(s). For units
constructed, reconstructed, or modified
after May 27, 2009, pneumatic coalcleaning equipment means any facility
which classifies coal by size or separates
coal from refuse by application of air
stream(s).
Potential combustion concentration
means the theoretical emissions
(nanograms per joule (ng/J) or pounds
per million British thermal units (lb/
MMBtu) heat input) that would result
from combustion of a fuel in an
uncleaned state without emission
control systems, as determined using
Method 19 of appendix A–7 of this part.
Subbituminous coal means coal that
is classified as subbituminous A, B, or
C according to the American Society of
Testing and Materials in ASTM D388
(incorporated by reference, see § 60.17).
Thermal dryer for units constructed,
reconstructed, or modified on or before
May 27, 2009 means any facility in
which the moisture content of
bituminous coal is reduced by contact
with a heated gas stream which is
exhausted to the atmosphere. For units
constructed, reconstructed, or modified
after May 27, 2009, thermal dryer means
any facility in which the moisture
content of coal is reduced by either
contact with a heated gas stream which
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is exhausted to the atmosphere or
through indirect heating of the coal
through contact with a heated heat
transfer medium.
Transfer and loading system means
any facility used to transfer and load
coal for shipment.
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§ 60.252
Standards for thermal dryers.
(a) On and after the date on which the
performance test is conducted or
required to be completed under § 60.8,
whichever date comes first, an owner or
operator of a thermal dryer constructed,
reconstructed, or modified on or before
April 28, 2008, subject to the provisions
of this subpart must meet the
requirements in paragraphs (a)(1) and
(a)(2) of this section.
(1) The owner or operator shall not
cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere from the thermal dryer any
gases which contain PM in excess of
0.070 g/dscm (0.031 grains per dry
standard cubic feet (gr/dscf)); and
(2) The owner or operator shall not
cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere from the thermal dryer any
gases which exhibit 20 percent opacity
or greater.
(b) On and after the date on which the
performance test is conducted or
required to be completed under § 60.8,
whichever date comes first, an owner or
operator of a thermal dryer constructed,
reconstructed, or modified after April
28, 2008, subject to the provisions of
this subpart must meet the applicable
standards for PM, sulfur dioxide (SO2),
and combined nitrogen oxides (NOX)
and carbon monoxide (CO) as specified
in paragraphs (b)(1) through (3) of this
section.
(1) The owner or operator must meet
the requirements for PM emissions in
paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (iii) of this
section, as applicable to the affected
facility.
(i) For each thermal dryer constructed
after April 28, 2008, the owner or
operator must meet the requirements of
(b)(1)(i)(A) and (b)(1)(i)(B).
(A) The owner or operator must not
cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere from the thermal dryer any
gases that contain PM in excess of 0.023
g/dscm (0.010 grains per dry standard
cubic feet (gr/dscf)); and
(B) The owner or operator must not
cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere from the thermal dryer any
gases that exhibit 10 percent opacity or
greater.
(ii) For each thermal dryer
reconstructed after April 28, 2008, the
owner or operator must meet the
requirements of paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(A)
and (b)(1)(ii)(B) of this section.
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(A) The owner or operator must not
cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere from the affected facility
any gases that contain PM in excess of
0.045 g/dscm (0.020 gr/dscf); and
(B) The owner or operator must not
cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere from the affected facility
any gases that exhibit 20 percent opacity
or greater.
(iii) For each thermal dryer modified
after April 28, 2008, the owner or
operator must meet the requirements of
paragraphs (b)(1)(iii)(A) and (b)(1)(iii)(B)
of this section.
(A) The owner or operator must not
cause to be discharged to the
atmosphere from the affected facility
any gases which contain PM in excess
of 0.070 g/dscm (0.031 gr/dscf); and
(B) The owner or operator must not
cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere from the affected facility
any gases which exhibit 20 percent
opacity or greater.
(2) For each thermal dryer
constructed, reconstructed, or modified
after May 27, 2009, the owner or
operator must meet the requirements for
SO2 emissions in either paragraph
(b)(2)(i) or (ii) of this section, except for
indirect thermal dryers where the
source of the heat is subject to either
subpart Da, Db, or Dc of this part.
(i) The owner or operator must not
cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere from the affected facility
any gases that contain SO2 in excess of
85 ng/J (0.20 lb/MMBtu) heat input; or
(ii) The owner or operator must not
cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere from the affected facility
any gases that either contain SO2 in
excess of 520 ng/J (1.20 lb/MMBtu) heat
input or exceed 50 percent of the
potential combustion concentration (i.e.,
achieve at least a 50 percent reduction
of the potential combustion
concentration and do not exceed a
maximum emissions rate of 1.2 lb/
MMBtu (520 ng/J)).
(3) The owner or operator must meet
the requirements for combined NOX and
CO emissions in paragraph (b)(3)(i) or
(ii) of this section, as applicable to the
affected facility, except for indirect
thermal dryers where the source of the
heat is subject to either subpart Da, Db,
or Dc of this part.
(i) For each thermal dryer constructed
after May 27, 2009, the owner or
operator must not cause to be
discharged into the atmosphere from the
affected facility any gases which contain
a combined concentration of NOX and
CO in excess of 280 ng/J (0.65 lb/
MMBtu) heat input.
(ii) For each thermal dryer
reconstructed or modified after May 27,
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2009, the owner or operator must not
cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere from the affected facility
any gases which contain combined
concentration of NOX and CO in excess
of 430 ng/J (1.0 lb/MMBtu) heat input.
§ 60.253 Standards for pneumatic coalcleaning equipment.
(a) On and after the date on which the
performance test is conducted or
required to be completed under § 60.8,
whichever date comes first, an owner or
operator of pneumatic coal-cleaning
equipment constructed, reconstructed,
or modified on or before April 28, 2008,
must meet the requirements of
paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this
section.
(1) The owner or operator must not
cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere from the pneumatic coalcleaning equipment any gases that
contain PM in excess of 0.040 g/dscm
(0.017 gr/dscf); and
(2) The owner or operator must not
cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere from the pneumatic coalcleaning equipment any gases that
exhibit 10 percent opacity or greater.
(b) On and after the date on which the
performance test is conducted or
required to be completed under § 60.8,
whichever date comes first, an owner or
operator of pneumatic coal-cleaning
equipment constructed, reconstructed,
or modified after April 28, 2008, must
meet the requirements in paragraphs
(b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section.
(1) The owner of operator must not
cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere from the pneumatic coalcleaning equipment any gases that
contain PM in excess of 0.023 g/dscm
(0.010 gr/dscf); and
(2) The owner or operator must not
cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere from the pneumatic coalcleaning equipment any gases that
exhibit greater than 5 percent opacity.
§ 60.254 Standards for coal processing
and conveying equipment, coal storage
system, and coal transfer system
operations.
(a) On and after the date on which the
performance test is conducted or
required to be completed under § 60.8,
whichever date comes first, an owner or
operator shall not cause to be
discharged into the atmosphere from
any coal processing and conveying
equipment, coal storage system, or coal
transfer and loading system processing
coal constructed, reconstructed, or
modified on or before April 28, 2008,
gases which exhibit 20 percent opacity
or greater.
(b) On and after the date on which the
performance test is conducted or
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required to be completed under § 60.8,
whichever date comes first, an owner or
operator of any coal processing and
conveying equipment, coal storage
system, or coal transfer and loading
system processing coal constructed,
reconstructed, or modified after April
28, 2008, must meet the requirements in
paragraphs (b)(1) through (3) of this
section, as applicable to the affected
facility.
(1) The owner or operator must not
cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere from the affected facility
any gases which exhibit greater than 5
percent opacity.
(2) The owner or operator must not
cause to be discharged into the
atmosphere from any mechanical vent at
the facility gases which contain
particulate matter in excess of 0.023 g/
dscm (0.010 gr/dscf).
(3) The owner or operator must
control fugitive coal dust emissions
from fugitive sources at the facility by
operating according to a written fugitive
emissions control plan that has been
approved by the permitting authority.
The fugitive emissions control plan
must address the fugitive emissions
sources specified in paragraph (b)(3)(i)
of this section, as applicable to the
affected facility, and include the
information specified in paragraph
(b)(3)(ii) of this section.
(i) The fugitive emissions control plan
must address each of the fugitive
emissions sources listed in paragraphs
(b)(3)(i)(A) through (C) of this section
that are located at the facility.
(A) Open storage piles used for
storage of coal.
(B) Roadways associated with and
within the same contiguous property as
the coal preparation and processing
plant.
(C) Other site-specific sources of
fugitive emissions that the
Administrator or permitting authority
determines need to be included in your
fugitive emissions control plan.
(ii) The fugitive emissions control
plan must describe the control measures
the owner or operator shall use to
minimize fugitive emissions from each
source addressed in the plan, and
explain how the measures are
applicable and appropriate for the site
conditions. For open storage piles, the
fugitive emissions plan must specify
how one or more of the following
control measures will be used to
minimize fugitive coal dust: locating the
source inside a partial enclosure,
installing and operating a water spray or
fogging system, applying appropriate
chemical dust suppression agents on the
source, use of a wind barrier, or use of
a vegetative cover. For roadways, the
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fugitive emissions plan must specify
how one or more of the following
control measures will be used to
minimize fugitive dust: paving,
sweeping excess coal dust, wetting of
the road surface, or tire washes. The
permitting authority may approve a
fugitive emissions plan that includes
control technologies other than those
specified above only if the owner or
operator has demonstrated to the
Administrator that the alternate control
technology will provide equivalent
overall environmental protection or if it
has determined to the Administrator
that it is either economically or
technically infeasible for the affected
facility to use the control options
specifically identified in this paragraph.
(iii) If the owner or operator of the
affected facility is part of a source which
is subject to title V permitting, then the
requirement for the owner or operator to
operate according to a written fugitive
emissions control plan which has been
approved by the permitting authority
must be incorporated into the title V
operating permit for the source.
Additionally, a copy of the fugitive
emissions control plan must be
submitted to the permitting authority 90
days prior to the compliance date for the
affected facility. Any revisions to the
fugitive emissions control plan are not
effective until approved by the
permitting authority. All of the
requirements in this paragraph are to be
specified in any title V permit which
covers the affected facility.
§ 60.255 Performance tests and other
compliance requirements.
(a) An owner or operator of each
affected facility that commenced
construction, reconstruction, or
modification on or before April 28,
2008, must conduct all performance
tests required by § 60.8 to demonstrate
compliance with the applicable
emission standards using the methods
identified in § 60.257.
(b) An owner or operator of each
affected facility that commenced
construction, reconstruction, or
modification after April 28, 2008, must
conduct performance tests according to
the requirements of § 60.8 and the
methods identified in § 60.257 to
demonstrate compliance with the
applicable emissions standards in this
subpart as specified in paragraphs (b)(1)
and (2) of this section.
(1) For each affected facility subject to
a PM, SO2, or combined NOX and CO
emissions standard, an initial
performance test must be performed
except as provided for in paragraph (d)
of this section. Thereafter, a new
performance test must be conducted
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according to the requirements in
paragraphs (b)(1)(i) and (ii) of this
section, as applicable.
(i) If the results of the most recent
performance test demonstrate that
emissions from the affected facility are
greater than 50 percent of the applicable
emissions standard, a new performance
test must be conducted within 12
calendar months of the date that the
previous performance test was required
to be completed.
(ii) If the results of the most recent
performance test demonstrate that
emissions from the affected facility are
50 percent or less of the applicable
emissions standard, a new performance
test must be conducted within 24
calendar months of the date that the
previous performance test was required
to be completed.
(iii) An owner or operator of an
affected facility that has not operated for
the 60 calendar days prior to the due
date of a performance test is not
required to perform the subsequent
performance test until 30 calendar days
after the next operating day.
(2) For each affected facility subject to
an opacity standard, an initial
performance test must be performed.
Thereafter, a new performance test must
be conducted according the
requirements in paragraphs (b)(2)(i)
through (iv) of this section, as
applicable, except as provided for in
paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section.
(i) If the maximum 15-second opacity
reading in the most recent performance
test is greater than 5 percent, a new
performance test must be conducted
within 7 operating days of the date that
the previous performance test was
required to be completed.
(ii) If the maximum 15-second opacity
reading in the most recent performance
test is 5 percent, a new performance test
must be conducted within 30 operating
days of the date that the previous
performance test was required to be
completed.
(iii) If no visible emissions are
observed in the most recent
performance test, a new performance
test must be conducted within 120
operating days of the date of the
previous performance test was required
to be completed.
(iv) An owner or operator of affected
facilities continuously monitoring
scrubber parameters as specified in
§ 60.256 is exempt from the
requirements in paragraphs (b)(2)(i)
through (iii) if opacity performance tests
are conducted concurrently (or within a
60-minute period) with PM performance
tests.
(c) An owner or operator of an
affected facility subject to a PM
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emission standard (other than a thermal
dryer) that uses a control device with a
design control potential PM emissions
rate of 1.0 Mg (1.1 tons) per year or less
is exempted from the requirements of
paragraphs (b)(1)(i) and (ii) of this
section provided that the owner or
operator meets all of the following
conditions specified in paragraphs (c)(1)
through (4) of this section. This
exemption does not apply to thermal
dryers.
(1) The design emissions limit is less
than or equal to the applicable PM
emissions standard and the results of
the most recent performance test were
less than or equal to the applicable
limit,
(2) The control device manufacturer’s
recommended maintenance procedures
are followed, and
(3) The monitoring requirements in
paragraphs (e) or (f) of this section are
followed.
(d) An owner or operator of a group
of up to five of the same type of affected
facilities that are subject to PM
emissions standards and use identical
control devices each with a design
potential PM emissions rate of 10 Mg
(11 tons) per year or less, the permitting
authority may allow the owner or
operator to use a single PM performance
test for one of the affected control
devices to demonstrate that the group of
affected facilities is in compliance with
the applicable emissions standards
provided that the owner or operator
meets all of the following conditions
specified in paragraphs (d)(1) through
(4) of this section.
(1) The design emissions limit for
each individual affected facility is less
than or equal to the applicable PM
emissions limit and the performance
test for each individual affected facility
is 90 percent or less of the applicable
PM standard;
(2) The manufacturer’s recommended
maintenance procedures are followed
for each control device;
(3) The monitoring requirements in
paragraph (e) or (f) of this section are
used for each affected facility; and
(4) A performance test is conducted
on each affected facility at least once
every 5 calendar years.
(e) As an alternative to meeting the
requirements in paragraph (b)(2)(i)
through (iii) of this section, an owner or
operator of an affected facility for which
the maximum 6-minute opacity reading
from the most recent Method 9 of
appendix A–4 of this part performance
test is less than 3 percent may elect to
comply with the requirements in
paragraph (e)(1) or (2) of this section.
(1) Monitor visible emissions from
each affected facility according to the
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requirements in either paragraph
(e)(1)(i) or (ii) of this section.
(i) Conduct daily observations each
operating day for a period of at least 10
minutes (during normal operation)
when the coal preparation and
processing plant is in operation using
EPA Method 22 of appendix A–7 of this
part and demonstrate that the sum of the
occurrences of any visible emissions is
not in excess of 5 percent of the
observation period (i.e., 30 seconds per
10-minute period). If the sum of the
occurrence of any visible emissions is
greater than 30 seconds during the
initial 10-minute observation,
immediately conduct a 30-minute
observation. If the sum of the
occurrence of visible emissions is
greater than 5 percent of the observation
period (i.e., 90 seconds per 30-minute
period) the owner or operator shall
either document and adjust the
operation of the facility and
demonstrate within 24 hours that the
sum of the occurrence of visible
emissions is equal to or less than 5
percent during a 30-minute observation
(i.e., 90 seconds) or conduct a new
Method 9 of appendix A–4 of this part
performance test within 30 calendar
days unless a waiver is granted by the
permitting authority.
(ii) If no visible emissions are
observed for 7 consecutive operating
days, observations can be reduced to
once every 7 operating days. If any
visible emissions are observed, daily
observations shall be resumed.
(2) Prepare a written site-specific
monitoring plan for a digital opacity
compliance system for approval by the
Administrator. The plan shall require
observations of at least one digital image
every 15 seconds for 10-minute periods
(during normal operation) every
operating day. An approvable
monitoring plan must include a
demonstration that the occurrences of
visible emissions are not in excess of 5
percent of the observation period. For
reference purposes in preparing the
monitoring plan, see OAQPS
‘‘Determination of Visible Emission
Opacity From Stationary Sources Using
Computer-Based Photographic Analysis
Systems.’’ This document is available
from the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (U.S. EPA); Office of Air Quality
and Planning Standards; Sector Policies
and Programs Division; Measurement
Group (D243–02), Research Triangle
Park, NC 27711. This document is also
available on the Technology Transfer
Network (TTN) under Emission
Measurement Center Preliminary
Methods. The monitoring plan approved
by the Administrator shall be
implemented by the owner or operator.
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(f) As an alternative to meeting the
requirements in paragraph (b)(2) of this
section, an owner or operator of an
affected facility subject to a visible
emissions standard under this subpart
may install, operate, and maintain a
continuous opacity monitoring system
(COMS). Each COMS used to comply
with provisions of this subpart must be
installed, calibrated, maintained, and
continuously operated according to the
requirements in paragraphs (f)(1) and (2)
of this section.
(1) The COMS must meet Performance
Specification 1 in 40 CFR part 60,
appendix B.
(2) The COMS must comply with the
quality assurance requirements in
paragraphs (f)(2)(i) through (v) of this
section.
(i) The owner or operator must
automatically (intrinsic to the opacity
monitor) check the zero and upscale
(span) calibration drifts at least once
daily. For particular COMS, the
acceptable range of zero and upscale
calibration materials is as defined in the
applicable version of Performance
Specification 1 in 40 CFR part 60,
appendix B.
(ii) The owner or operator must adjust
the zero and span whenever the 24-hour
zero drift or 24-hour span drift exceeds
4 percent opacity. The COMS must
allow for the amount of excess zero and
span drift measured at the 24-hour
interval checks to be recorded and
quantified. The optical surfaces exposed
to the effluent gases must be cleaned
prior to performing the zero and span
drift adjustments, except for systems
using automatic zero adjustments. For
systems using automatic zero
adjustments, the optical surfaces must
be cleaned when the cumulative
automatic zero compensation exceeds 4
percent opacity.
(iii) The owner or operator must apply
a method for producing a simulated zero
opacity condition and an upscale (span)
opacity condition using a certified
neutral density filter or other related
technique to produce a known
obscuration of the light beam. All
procedures applied must provide a
system check of the analyzer internal
optical surfaces and all electronic
circuitry including the lamp and
photodetector assembly.
(iv) Except during periods of system
breakdowns, repairs, calibration checks,
and zero and span adjustments, the
COMS must be in continuous operation
and must complete a minimum of one
cycle of sampling and analyzing for
each successive 10-second period and
one cycle of data recording for each
successive 6-minute period.
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(v) The owner or operator must
reduce all data from the COMS to 6minute averages. Six-minute opacity
averages must be calculated from 36 or
more data points equally spaced over
each 6-minute period. Data recorded
during periods of system breakdowns,
repairs, calibration checks, and zero and
span adjustments must not be included
in the data averages. An arithmetic or
integrated average of all data may be
used.
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§ 60.256 Continuous monitoring
requirements.
(a) The owner or operator of each
affected facility constructed,
reconstructed, or modified on or before
April 28, 2008, must meet the
monitoring requirements specified in
paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section,
as applicable to the affected facility.
(1) The owner or operator of any
thermal dryer shall install, calibrate,
maintain, and continuously operate
monitoring devices as follows:
(i) A monitoring device for the
measurement of the temperature of the
gas stream at the exit of the thermal
dryer on a continuous basis. The
monitoring device is to be certified by
the manufacturer to be accurate within
±1.7 °C (±3 °F).
(ii) For affected facilities that use wet
scrubber emission control equipment:
(A) A monitoring device for the
continuous measurement of the pressure
loss through the venturi constriction of
the control equipment. The monitoring
device is to be certified by the
manufacturer to be accurate within
±1 inch water gauge.
(B) A monitoring device for the
continuous measurement of the water
supply pressure to the control
equipment. The monitoring device is to
be certified by the manufacturer to be
accurate within ±5 percent of design
water supply pressure. The pressure
sensor or tap must be located close to
the water discharge point. The
Administrator shall have discretion to
grant requests for approval of alternative
monitoring locations.
(2) All monitoring devices under
paragraph (a) of this section are to be
recalibrated annually in accordance
with procedures under § 60.13(b).
(b) The owner or operator of each
affected facility constructed,
reconstructed, or modified after April
28, 2008, that has one or more
mechanical vents must install, calibrate,
maintain, and continuously operate the
monitoring devices specified in
paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section,
as applicable to the mechanical vent
and any control device installed on the
vent.
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(1) For mechanical vents with fabric
filters (baghouses) with the design
controlled potential PM emissions rate
of 25 Mg (28 tons) per year or more, a
bag leak detection system according to
the requirements in paragraph (c) of this
section.
(2) For mechanical vents with wet
scrubbers, monitoring devices according
to the requirements in paragraphs
(b)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section.
(i) A monitoring device for the
continuous measurement of the pressure
loss through the venturi constriction of
the control equipment. The monitoring
device is to be certified by the
manufacturer to be accurate within
±1 inch water gauge.
(ii) A monitoring device for the
continuous measurement of the water
supply pressure to the control
equipment. The monitoring device is to
be certified by the manufacturer to be
accurate within ±5 percent of design
water supply pressure. The pressure
sensor or tap must be located close to
the water discharge point.
(c) Each bag leak detection system
used to comply with provisions of this
subpart must be installed, calibrated,
maintained, and continuously operated
according to the requirements in
paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this
section.
(1) The bag leak detection system
must meet the specifications and
requirements in paragraphs (c)(1)(i)
through (viii) of this section.
(i) The bag leak detection system must
be certified by the manufacturer to be
capable of detecting PM emissions at
concentrations of 1 milligram per dry
standard cubic meter (mg/dscm)
(0.00044 grains per actual cubic foot
(gr/acf)) or less.
(ii) The bag leak detection system
sensor must provide output of relative
PM loadings. The owner or operator
shall continuously record the output
from the bag leak detection system using
electronic or other means (e.g., using a
strip chart recorder or a data logger).
(iii) The bag leak detection system
must be equipped with an alarm system
that will sound when the system detects
an increase in relative particulate
loading over the alarm set point
established according to paragraph
(c)(1)(iv) of this section, and the alarm
must be located such that it can be
heard by the appropriate plant
personnel.
(iv) In the initial adjustment of the bag
leak detection system, the owner or
operator must establish, at a minimum,
the baseline output by adjusting the
sensitivity (range) and the averaging
period of the device, the alarm set
points, and the alarm delay time.
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25325
(v) Following initial adjustment, the
owner or operator must not adjust the
averaging period, alarm set point, or
alarm delay time without approval from
the Administrator or permitting
authority except as provided in
paragraph (c)(2)(vi) of this section.
(vi) Once per quarter, the owner or
operator may adjust the sensitivity of
the bag leak detection system to account
for seasonal effects, including
temperature and humidity, according to
the procedures identified in the sitespecific monitoring plan required by
paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
(vii) The owner or operator must
install the bag leak detection sensor
downstream of the fabric filter.
(viii) Where multiple detectors are
required, the system’s instrumentation
and alarm may be shared among
detectors.
(2) The owner or operator must
develop and submit to the permitting
authority for approval a site-specific
monitoring plan for each bag leak
detection system. This plan must be
submitted to the permitting authority 90
days prior to the compliance date for the
affected facility. The owner or operator
must operate and maintain the bag leak
detection system according to the sitespecific monitoring plan at all times.
Each monitoring plan must describe the
items in paragraphs (c)(2)(i) through (vi)
of this section.
(i) Installation of the bag leak
detection system;
(ii) Initial and periodic adjustment of
the bag leak detection system, including
how the alarm set-point will be
established;
(iii) Operation of the bag leak
detection system, including quality
assurance procedures;
(iv) How the bag leak detection
system will be maintained, including a
routine maintenance schedule and spare
parts inventory list;
(v) How the bag leak detection system
output will be recorded and stored; and
(vi) Corrective action procedures as
specified in paragraph (c)(3) of this
section. In approving the site-specific
monitoring plan, the Administrator or
permitting authority may allow the
owner and operator more than 3 hours
to alleviate a specific condition that
causes an alarm if the owner or operator
identifies in the monitoring plan this
specific condition as one that could lead
to an alarm, adequately explains why it
is not feasible to alleviate this condition
within 3 hours of the time the alarm
occurs, and demonstrates that the
requested time will ensure alleviation of
this condition as expeditiously as
practicable.
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(3) For each bag leak detection
system, the owner or operator must
initiate procedures to determine the
cause of every alarm within 1 hour of
the alarm. Except as provided in
paragraph (c)(2)(vi) of this section, the
owner or operator must alleviate the
cause of the alarm within 3 hours of the
alarm by taking whatever corrective
action(s) are necessary. Corrective
actions may include, but are not limited
to the following:
(i) Inspecting the fabric filter for air
leaks, torn or broken bags or filter
media, or any other condition that may
cause an increase in PM emissions;
(ii) Sealing off defective bags or filter
media;
(iii) Replacing defective bags or filter
media or otherwise repairing the control
device;
(iv) Sealing off a defective fabric filter
compartment;
(v) Cleaning the bag leak detection
system probe or otherwise repairing the
bag leak detection system; or
(vi) Shutting down the process
producing the PM emissions.
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§ 60.257
Test methods and procedures.
(a) The owner or operator must
determine compliance with the
applicable opacity standards as
specified in paragraphs (a)(1) through
(4) of this section.
(1) Method 9 of appendix A–4 of this
part and the procedures in § 60.11 must
be used to determine opacity.
(2) To determine opacity for fugitive
emissions sources, the additional
requirements specified in paragraphs
(a)(2)(i) through (iii) of this section must
be used.
(i) The minimum distance between
the observer and the emission source
shall be 5.0 meters (16 feet), and the sun
shall be oriented in the 140-degree
sector of the back.
(ii) The observer shall select a
position that minimizes interference
from other fugitive emissions sources
and make observations such that the
line of vision is approximately
perpendicular to the plume and wind
direction.
(iii) The observer shall make opacity
observations at the point of greatest
opacity in that portion of the plume
where condensed water vapor is not
present. Water vapor is not considered
a visible emission.
(3) If during the initial 60 minutes of
the observation of a Method 9 of
appendix A–4 of this part performance
test all of the individual 15-second
observations are less than or equal to 20
percent and all of the resulting 6-minute
averages are less than or equal to 3
percent or half the applicable limit,
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whichever is greater, then the
observation period may be reduced from
3 hours to 60 minutes.
(4) A visible emissions observer may
conduct visible emission observations
for up to three fugitive, stack, or vent
emission points within a 15-second
interval if the following conditions
specified in paragraphs (a)(4)(i) through
(iii) of this section are met.
(i) No more than three emissions
points may be read concurrently.
(ii) All three emissions points must be
within a 70-degree viewing sector or
angle in front of the observer such that
the proper sun position can be
maintained for all three points.
(iii) If an opacity reading for any one
of the three emissions points is within
5 percent opacity from the applicable
standard (excluding readings of zero
opacity), then the observer must stop
taking readings for the other two points
and continue reading just that single
point.
(b) The owner or operator must
conduct all performance tests required
by § 60.8 to demonstrate compliance
with the applicable emissions standards
specified in § 60.252 according to the
requirements in § 60.8 using the
applicable test methods and procedures
in paragraphs (b)(1) through (8) of this
section.
(1) Method 1 or 1A of appendix A–4
of this part shall be used to select
sampling port locations and the number
of traverse points in each stack or duct.
Sampling sites must be located at the
outlet of the control device (or at the
outlet of the emissions source if no
control device is present) prior to any
releases to the atmosphere.
(2) Method 2, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2F, or 2G
of appendix A–4 of this part shall be
used to determine the volumetric flow
rate of the stack gas.
(3) Method 3, 3A, or 3B of appendix
A–4 of this part shall be used to
determine the dry molecular weight of
the stack gas. The owner or operator
may use ANSI/ASME PTC 19.10–1981,
‘‘Flue and Exhaust Gas Analyses’’
(incorporated by reference—see § 60.17)
as an alternative to EPA Method 3B of
appendix A–2 of this part.
(4) Method 4 of appendix A–4 of this
part shall be used to determine the
moisture content of the stack gas.
(5) Method 5, 5B or 5D of appendix
A–4 of this part or Method 17 of
appendix A–7 of this part shall be used
to determine the PM concentration as
follows:
(i) The sampling time and sample
volume for each run shall be at least 60
minutes and 0.85 dscm (30 dscf).
Sampling shall begin no less than 30
minutes after startup and shall
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terminate before shutdown procedures
begin. A minimum of three valid test
runs are needed to comprise a PM
performance test.
(ii) Method 5 of appendix A of this
part shall be used only to test emissions
from affected facilities without wet flue
gas desulfurization (FGD) systems.
(iii) Method 5B of appendix A of this
part is to be used only after wet FGD
systems.
(iv) Method 5D of appendix A–4 of
this part shall be used for positive
pressure fabric filters and other similar
applications (e.g., stub stacks and roof
vents).
(v) Method 17 of appendix A–6 of this
part may be used at facilities with or
without wet scrubber systems provided
the stack gas temperature does not
exceed a temperature of 160 °C (320 °F).
The procedures of sections 8.1 and 11.1
of Method 5B of appendix A–3 of this
part may be used in Method 17 of
appendix A–6 of this part only if it is
used after a wet FGD system. Do not use
Method 17 of appendix A–6 of this part
after wet FGD systems if the effluent is
saturated or laden with water droplets.
(6) Method 6, 6A, or 6C of appendix
A–4 of this part shall be used to
determine the SO2 concentration. A
minimum of three valid test runs are
needed to comprise an SO2 performance
test.
(7) Method 7 or 7E of appendix A–4
of this part shall be used to determine
the NOX concentration. A minimum of
three valid test runs are needed to
comprise an NOX performance test.
(8) Method 10 of appendix A–4 of this
part shall be used to determine the CO
concentration. A minimum of three
valid test runs are needed to comprise
a CO performance test. CO performance
tests are conducted concurrently (or
within a 30- to 60-minute period) with
NOX performance tests.
§ 60.258
Reporting and recordkeeping.
(a) The owner or operator of a coal
preparation and processing plant that
commenced construction,
reconstruction, or modification after
April 28, 2008, shall maintain in a
logbook (written or electronic) on-site
and make it available upon request. The
logbook shall record the following:
(1) The manufacturer’s recommended
maintenance procedures and the date
and time of any maintenance and
inspection activities and the results of
those activities. Any variance from
manufacturer recommendation, if any,
shall be noted.
(2) The date and time of periodic coal
preparation and processing plant
opacity observations noting those
sources with emissions above the action
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erowe on PROD1PC63 with PROPOSALS2
level (visible emissions in excess of 5
percent of the observation period) along
with corrective actions taken to reduce
visible emissions. Results from the
actions shall be noted.
(3) The amount and type of coal
processed each calendar month.
(4) The amount of chemical stabilizer
or water purchased for use in the coal
preparation and processing plant.
(5) Monthly certification that the dust
suppressant systems were operational
when any coal was processed and that
manufacturer’s recommendations were
followed for all control systems. Any
variance from the manufacturer’s
recommendations, if any, shall be noted.
(6) A copy of any applicable fugitive
dust emissions control plan and
monthly certification that the plan was
implemented as described. Any
variance from plan, if any, shall be
noted.
(7) For each bag leak detection
system, the owner or operator must keep
the records specified in paragraphs
(a)(7)(i) through (iii) of this section.
(i) Records of the bag leak detection
system output;
(ii) Records of bag leak detection
system adjustments, including the date
and time of the adjustment, the initial
bag leak detection system settings, and
the final bag leak detection settings; and
(iii) The date and time of all bag leak
detection system alarms, the time that
procedures to determine the cause of the
alarm were initiated, the cause of the
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alarm, an explanation of the actions
taken, the date and time the cause of the
alarm was alleviated, and whether the
cause of the alarm was alleviated within
3 hours of the alarm.
(8) A copy of any applicable
monitoring plan for a digital opacity
compliance system and monthly
certification that the plan was
implemented as described. Any
variance from plan, if any, shall be
noted.
(9) During a performance test of a wet
scrubber, and each operating day
thereafter, the owner or operator shall
record the measurements of both the
scrubber pressure loss and water supply
pressure.
(b) For the purpose of reports required
under § 60.7(c), any owner/operator
subject to the provisions of this subpart
shall report semiannually periods of
excess emissions as follows:
(1) The owner or operator of an
affected facility with a wet scrubber
shall submit semiannual reports to the
Administrator of occurrences when the
measurements of the scrubber pressure
loss and water supply pressure decrease
by more than 10 percent from the
average determined during the most
recent performance test.
(2) All 6-minute average opacities that
exceed the applicable standard.
(c) The owner or operator of an
affected facility shall submit the results
of initial performance tests to the
Administrator, consistent with the
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25327
provisions of § 60.8. The owner or
operator who elects to comply with the
reduced performance testing provisions
of §§ 60.255(c) or (d) shall include in the
performance test report identification of
each affected facility that will be subject
to the reduced testing, and the design
emissions limit of each associated
control device. The owner or operator
electing to comply with § 60.255(d)
shall also include information which
demonstrates that the control devices
are identical.
(d) After July 1, 2011, within 60 days
after the date of completing each
performance evaluation conducted to
demonstrate compliance with this
subpart, the owner or operator of the
affected facility must submit the test
data to EPA by successfully entering the
data electronically into EPA’s WebFIRE
data base available at https://
cfpub.epa.gov/oarweb/
index.cfm?action=fire.main. For
performance tests that cannot be entered
into WebFIRE (i.e., Method 9 of
appendix A–4 of this part opacity
performance tests) the owner or operator
of the affected facility must mail a
summary copy to United States
Environmental Protection Agency,
Energy Strategies Group, 109 TW
Alexander DR, mail code: D243–01,
RTP, NC 27711.
[FR Doc. E9–11912 Filed 5–26–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 27, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 25304-25327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-11912]
[[Page 25303]]
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Part II
Environmental Protection Agency
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40 CFR Part 60
Standards of Performance for Coal Preparation and Processing Plants;
Proposed Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 100 / Wednesday, May 27, 2009 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 25304]]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 60
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0260; FRL-8908-7]
RIN 2060-AO57
Standards of Performance for Coal Preparation and Processing
Plants
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Supplemental proposal.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: EPA is proposing a supplemental action to the proposed
amendments to the new source performance standards for coal preparation
and processing plants published on April 28, 2008. The 2008 proposal,
among other things, proposed to revise the particulate matter and
opacity standards for thermal dryers, pneumatic coal cleaning
equipment, and coal handling equipment located at coal preparation and
processing plants. This supplemental action proposes to revise the
particulate matter emissions and opacity limits included in the
original proposal for thermal dryers, pneumatic coal-cleaning
equipment, and coal handling equipment. It also proposes to expand the
applicability of the thermal dryer standards so that the proposed
standards for thermal dryers would apply to both direct contact and
indirect contact thermal dryers drying all coal ranks and pneumatic
coal-cleaning equipment cleaning all coal ranks. In addition, it
proposes to establish a sulfur dioxide emission limit and a combined
nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide emissions limit for thermal dryers.
We are also proposing to amend the definition of coal for purposes of
subpart Y to include petroleum coke and coal refuse. Finally, it
proposes to establish work practice standards to control coal dust
emissions from open storage piles and roadways associated with coal
preparation and processing plants.
DATES: Comments. Comments must be received on or before July 13, 2009.
If anyone contacts EPA by June 8, 2009 requesting to speak at a public
hearing, EPA will hold a public hearing on June 11, 2009. Under the
Paperwork Reduction Act, comments on the information collection
provisions must be received by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) on or before June 26, 2009.
Because, under the terms of a consent decree, the final action must
be signed not later than September 26, 2009, EPA will not grant
requests for extensions beyond these dates.
ADDRESSES: Comments. Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No.
EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0260, by one of the following methods:
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line
instructions for submitting comments.
E-mail: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov.
By Facsimile: (202) 566-1741.
Mail: Air and Radiation Docket, U.S. EPA, Mail Code 6102T,
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
Please include a total of two copies. In addition, please mail a
copy of your comments on the information collection provisions to the
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and
Budget (OMB), Attn: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20503. EPA requests a separate copy also be sent to the
contact person identified below (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center, Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-
OAR-2008-0260, EPA West Building, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Room
3334, Washington, DC, 20004. Such deliveries are accepted only during
the Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should
be made for deliveries of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2008-0260. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included
in the public docket without change and may be made available online at
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Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Mary Johnson, Energy Strategies
Group, Sector Policies and Programs Division (D243-01), U.S. EPA,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, telephone number (919) 541-5025,
facsimile number (919) 541-5450, electronic mail (e-mail) address:
johnson.mary@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulated Entities. Entities potentially
affected by this proposed action include, but are not limited to, the
following:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Examples of regulated
Category NAICS \1\ entities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industry......................... 212111 Bituminous Coal and
Lignite Surface Mining.
212112 Bituminous Coal
Underground Mining.
221112 Fossil Fuel Electric
Power Generation.
212113 Anthracite Mining.
213113 Support Activities for
Coal Mining.
[[Page 25305]]
322121 Paper (except Newsprint)
Mills.
324199 All other petroleum and
coal products
manufacturing.
325110 Petrochemical
Manufacturing.
327310 Cement Manufacturing.
331111 Iron and Steel Mills.
Federal Government............... 22112 Fossil fuel-fired
electric utility steam
generating units owned
by the Federal
Government.
State/local/tribal government.... 22112 Fossil fuel-fired
921150 electric utility steam
generating units owned
by municipalities.
Fossil fuel-fired
electric steam
generating units in
Indian Country.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code.
This table is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a
guide for readers regarding entities likely to be regulated by the
proposed rule. This table lists categories of entities that may have
coal preparation and processing plants regulated by this proposed rule.
To determine whether your facility is regulated by the proposed rule,
you should examine the applicability criteria in Sec. 60.250 and the
definitions in Sec. 60.251. If you have any questions regarding the
applicability of the proposed rule to a particular entity, contact the
person listed in the preceding FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
WorldWide Web (WWW). Following the Administrator's signature, a
copy of the proposed amendments will be posted on the Technology
Transfer Network's (TTN) policy and guidance page for newly proposed or
promulgated rules at https://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg. The TTN provides
information and technology exchange in various areas of air pollution
control.
Public Hearing. If anyone contacts EPA by June 8, 2009 requesting
to speak at a public hearing, EPA will hold a public hearing on June
11, 2009. If a public hearing is held, it will be held at 10 a.m. at
the EPA Facility Complex in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina or
at an alternate site nearby. Contact Mrs. Pamela Garrett at 919-541-
7966 to request a hearing, to request to speak at a public hearing, to
determine if a hearing will be held, or to determine the hearing
location.
Outline. The information presented in this preamble is organized as
follows:
I. Background
II. Summary of Proposed Amendments
A. Affected Facilities
B. PM and Opacity Limits for Thermal Dryers
C. SO2, NOX, and CO Emission Limits for
Thermal Dryers
D. PM and Opacity Limits for Pneumatic Coal-Cleaning Equipment,
Coal Processing and Conveying Equipment, Coal Storage Systems, and
Transfer and Loading Systems
E. Emissions Monitoring Requirements
F. Opacity Monitoring Requirements for Pneumatic Coal-Cleaning
Equipment, Coal Processing and Conveying Equipment, Coal Storage
Systems, and Transfer and Loading Systems
G. Electronic Reporting
H. Addition of Petroleum Coke and Coal Refuse to the Definition
of Coal
I. Additional Amendments
III. Rationale for the Proposed Amendments
A. Additional Affected Facilities
B. Selection of Thermal Dryer PM and Opacity Emissions Limits
C. Selection of Thermal Dryer SO2, NOX,
and CO Emissions Limits
D. Selection of Pneumatic Coal-Cleaning Equipment, Coal
Processing and Conveying Equipment, Coal Storage Systems, and
Transfer and Loading System PM and Opacity Limits
E. Selection of Monitoring Requirements
F. Selection of Opacity Monitoring Requirements for Pneumatic
Coal-Cleaning Equipment, Coal Processing and Conveying Equipment,
Coal Storage Systems, and Transfer and Loading Systems
G. Required Electronic Reporting
H. Addition of Petroleum Coke and Coal Refuse to the Definition
of Coal
I. Additional Amendments
J. Emissions Reductions
IV. Modification and Reconstruction Provisions
V. Summary of Costs, Environmental, Energy, and Economic Impacts
VI. Request for Comment
VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review
B. Paper Reduction Act
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With
Indian Tribal Governments
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From
Environmental Health and Safety Risks
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use
I. National Technology Transfer Advancement Act
J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions to Address
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income
Populations
I. Background
On April 28, 2008 (73 FR 22901), we proposed amendments to the New
Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for Coal Preparation and Processing
Plants (40 CFR part 60, subpart Y). The Federal Register action for
that original proposal included additional background information on
the coal preparation NSPS. That information is not repeated in this
action. EPA received numerous comments in response to the April 2008
proposal. After reviewing those comments and considering additional
data, EPA decided to publish this supplemental proposal which contains
proposed emission limits and monitoring requirements that differ from
those in the original action and proposes to apply those requirements
to additional affected facilities.
II. Summary of Proposed Amendments
In this supplemental action, we are proposing to establish
emissions standards for both direct contact and indirect thermal dryers
and pneumatic coal-cleaning equipment that process all coal ranks. We
are also proposing to establish work practice standards to control coal
dust emissions from open storage piles and roadways associated with
coal preparation and processing plants. In addition, we are proposing
to establish a sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission limit and a
combined nitrogen oxide (NOX) and carbon monoxide (CO)
emissions limit for thermal dryers. Finally, we are proposing
particulate matter (PM) emission limits, opacity limits, and monitoring
requirements that differ from those included in the April 2008
proposal. For all standards proposed in the April 2008 proposed rule,
this supplemental proposal will not change the applicability date for
determining whether a source constitutes a ``new source'' subject to
the final version of such standards. All standards originally included
in the April 2008 proposed rule, regardless of whether the level of the
standard is modified in this supplemental proposal or in an eventual
final rule, apply to
[[Page 25306]]
sources constructed, modified, or reconstructed after April 28, 2008.
Standards, such as the SO2 and combined NOX and
CO standards, proposed for the first time in this supplemental
proposal, apply to all sources constructed, modified, or reconstructed
after May 27, 2009. A summary of the proposed amendments is presented
below.
A. Affected Facilities
The existing NSPS for coal preparation and processing plants in 40
CFR part 60, subpart Y establishes emission limits for the following
affected facilities located at coal preparation and processing plants
which process more than 181 megagrams (Mg) (200 tons) of coal per day:
thermal dryers, pneumatic coal-cleaning equipment (air tables), coal
processing and conveying equipment (including breakers and crushers),
coal storage systems, and transfer and loading systems. The terms
``thermal dryer'' and ``pneumatic coal-cleaning equipment'' are defined
to include only facilities that process bituminous coal and ``coal
storage system'' is defined to exclude open storage piles.
In the April 2008 proposal, we did not propose any revisions to
these provisions. Several commenters suggested that standards should
also be developed for indirect thermal dryers, thermal dryers drying
all coal ranks, open storage piles, and coal dust associated with
roadways associated with coal preparation and processing plants.
Commenters said EPA's original rationale for limiting the applicability
for thermal dryers was a lack of emissions data and thermal dryers, and
pneumatic coal-cleaning equipment processing non-bituminous coals did
not exist and that these reasons are no longer valid. Commenters said
indirect thermal dryers and direct contact thermal dryers ``upgrading''
subbituminous and lignite will become more common in the future. Even
though power plant emissions might be decreased, if emissions standards
are not established on the pre-combustion process, they argued, there
is no environmental benefit and potential net degradation to air
quality from coal ``upgrading.''
For open storage piles and roadways, commenters pointed out that
both are significant sources of PM emissions for which control
technology is available. One commenter pointed out that enclosures,
wind fences and other barriers, and wet or chemical suppression are
available control technologies. Potential controls for coal road dust
include tire or truck wash systems, sweeper trucks, and wet
suppression.
Based on our review of public comments and subsequent analysis, we
are proposing to amend the definition of thermal dryer for units
constructed after May 27, 2009 to include both direct and indirect
dryers drying all coal ranks. We are also proposing to amend the
definition of pneumatic coal-cleaning equipment for units constructed
after May 27, 2009 to include pneumatic coal-cleaning equipment
cleaning all coal ranks. In addition, we are proposing to establish
work practice standards that apply to open storage piles and roads
associated with a coal preparation plant constructed after May 27,
2009.
B. PM and Opacity Limits for Thermal Dryers
In the April 2008 proposed rule, we proposed a PM standard of 0.046
grams per dry standard cubic meter (g/dscm) (0.020 grains per dry
standard cubic foot (gr/dscf)) and proposed to retain the existing 1976
rule's opacity limit of less than 20 percent for thermal dryers
constructed, modified, or reconstructed after April 28, 2008. We
received comments that the PM limit would be prohibitively expensive
for modified and reconstructed units to achieve, but that the limit
should be lower for new units and should be based on the use of a
fabric filter (baghouse).
Based on our review of public comments and subsequent analysis, we
are now proposing to revise our April 2008 proposal regarding PM and
opacity standards for thermal dryers. We are now proposing separate
standards for new, reconstructed, and modified units. We are proposing
to revise the limits for new units constructed after April 28, 2008, to
0.023 g/dscm (0.010 gr/dscf) of PM and an opacity limit of less than 10
percent. We are proposing to revise the PM limit for units
reconstructed after April 28, 2008, to 0.045 g/dscm (0.020 gr/dscf) and
proposing to maintain the existing 1976 rule's opacity limit of less
than 20 percent. For units modified after April 28, 2008, we are
proposing to maintain the existing 1976 rule's PM limit of 0.070 g/dscm
(0.031 gr/dscf) and the existing 1976 rule's opacity limit of less than
20 percent.
C. SO2, NOX, and CO Emission Limits for Thermal Dryers
The existing NSPS does not limit emissions of SO2,
NOX, or CO from coal preparation facilities, and in the
April 2008 proposed rule, we did not propose to add limits for these
pollutants. A commenter suggested that standards should be established
for each pollutant because thermal dryers emit these pollutants and can
cause or contribute significantly to air pollution which may reasonably
be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare. The commenter also
said using AP-42 emission factors, a 2,000 ton/hr coal thermal dryer
would emit 12,000 tons/yr SO2 and 1,400 tons/yr
NOX, and because cost-effective controls exist the EPA
should base requirements on the use of those controls.
Based on our review of public comments and subsequent analysis, for
owners/operators of thermal dryers constructed, modified, or
reconstructed after May 27, 2009 we are proposing to add the following
emissions limits: for new, reconstructed, and modified units, an
SO2 limit of 85 nanograms per Joule (ng/J) (0.20 pounds per
million British thermal units (lb/MMBtu)), or 50 percent reduction of
potential SO2 emissions and no more than 520 ng/J; for new
units, a combined NOX and CO limit of 280 ng/J (0.65 lb/
MMBtu); for reconstructed units and modified units, a combined
NOX and CO limit of 430 ng/J (1.0 lb/MMBtu).
D. PM and Opacity Limits for Pneumatic Coal-Cleaning Equipment, Coal
Processing and Conveying Equipment, Coal Storage Systems, and Transfer
and Loading Systems
The original 1976 rulemaking treated each coal processing and
conveying equipment, coal storage systems, and transfer and loading
systems operation as a separate affected facility. However, it grouped
them together for the purpose of establishing a single emissions
standard. This was done because all of the affected facilities could
use similar control devices and achieve comparable emissions rates. We
have concluded that this is still an appropriate approach. While each
operation is a separate affected facility, all are either fugitive
sources or point sources of PM and similar control equipment can be
used on each affected facility resulting in comparable emissions. If
additional data is submitted during the comment period that justifies
different opacity limits for different coal handling operations, we
will consider that approach in the final rule.
The original 1976 rulemaking did not include a PM limit for coal
processing and conveying equipment, coal storage systems, and transfer
and loading systems. However, the original rulemaking included an
opacity limit of less than 20 percent for all of these affected
facilities. For pneumatic coal cleaning equipment, the original
rulemaking included both a PM limit of
[[Page 25307]]
0.040 g/dscm (0.017 gr/dscf) and an opacity limit of less than 10
percent.
In the April 2008 proposed rule, we proposed a PM limit of 0.011 g/
dscm (0.0050 gr/dscf) and an opacity limit of less than 5 percent for
pneumatic coal-cleaning equipment and coal processing and conveying
equipment, coal storage systems, and transfer and loading systems
processing subbituminous and lignite coals that commenced construction,
reconstruction, or modification after April 28, 2008. We proposed the
same limit for both pneumatic coal-cleaning equipment and coal handling
operations because we determined that the best demonstrated technology
(BDT) for both was a fabric filter. In addition, we proposed to
establish a requirement that coal handling equipment processing
subbituminous and lignite coals must be vented to a control device.
Multiple commenters challenged the requirement that coal handling
equipment processing subbituminous and lignite coals must vent to a
control device, and the levels of the PM and opacity limits.
Based on our review of public comments and subsequent analysis, we
have concluded it is not appropriate to require coal handling equipment
processing subbituminous and lignite coals be vented to a control
device. In addition, after further analysis, we are proposing to revise
the PM emission limits for pneumatic coal-cleaning equipment and
mechanically vented coal handling equipment processing all coal ranks
constructed, modified, or reconstructed after April 28, 2008, to 0.023
g/dscm (0.010 gr/dscf). In addition, we are proposing to revise the
opacity standard to no greater than 5 percent for all pneumatic coal-
cleaning equipment, coal processing and conveying equipment, coal
storage systems, and transfer and loading systems that commenced
construction, reconstruction, or modification after April 28, 2008.
E. Emissions Monitoring Requirements
In the April 2008 proposed rule, we proposed to require initial and
annual performance tests for all new thermal dryers, pneumatic coal-
cleaning equipment, and subbituminous and lignite coal handling
equipment vented to a control device. Commenters suggested that annual
performance testing is unduly burdensome for subpart Y affected
facilities and suggested either eliminating PM performance testing
completely for coal handling equipment or tiered testing requirements
depending on the results of the most recent performance test.
Based on our review of public comments and further analysis, we are
proposing to amend the testing requirements as follows: first, owners/
operators of an affected facility with design potential emissions
rates, considering controls, of 1.0 Mg (1.1 tons) per year or less
would be required to perform an initial performance test; however,
annual performance testing would not be required as long as the design
emissions rate is less than or equal to the applicable emissions limit
(confirmed by the initial performance test), the manufacturer's
recommended maintenance procedures are followed, and the unit operates
without significant visible emissions. In addition, for owners/
operators with similar, separate affected facilities using identical
control equipment with design potential emissions rates, considering
controls, of 10 Mg (11 tons) per year or less, we are proposing to
allow the permitting authority to authorize a single test as adequate
demonstration for up to four other similar, separate affected
facilities as long the following conditions are met: (1) The design
emissions rate is less than or equal to the applicable emissions limit;
(2) the individual performance test is 90 percent or less of the
applicable standard; (3) the manufacturer's recommended maintenance
procedures are followed for each control device; (4) each of the
affected facilities operates without significant visible emissions; and
(5) each affected facility conducts a performance test at least once
every 5 years. Finally, we are proposing that owners/operators of
affected facilities are only required to conduct performance testing
every 24 months, as opposed to every 12 months, if the most recent
performance test shows the affected facility emits at 50 percent or
less of the applicable standard.
In the April 2008 proposal, we did not propose to require the use
of PM continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS), but added specific
language directly to the regulatory text that allowed owners/operators
to elect to use PM CEMS and provided incentives for them to do so by
proposing to eliminate the opacity standard for owner/operators of
affected facilities using a PM CEMS. Commenters suggested that by
having the specific language directly in the regulatory text, we were
encouraging State permitting authorities to require the use of PM CEMS,
and that the costs are not justified for this source category. Other
commenters suggested we require the use of PM CEMS for all units.
Based on our review of public comments and further analysis, we are
no longer proposing to include the PM CEMS-specific language in the
regulatory text. Non-fugitive sources at coal preparation plants are
generally not significant sources of PM emissions. Further, we are not
aware of any application of PM CEMS to comparable emissions sources in
the United States, and we have concluded that it is unlikely that an
owner/operator of a coal preparation plant would elect to install PM
CEMS. In addition, owners/operators continue to have the option to
request site-specific approval for the use of PM CEMS as an alternate
monitoring technique.
In the April 2008 proposed rule, we proposed to require bag leak
detection systems for owners/operators of thermal dryers and pneumatic-
coal cleaning equipment, if the dryer or equipment uses a fabric filter
installed after April 28, 2008. Based on further analysis, we are
proposing to require a bag leak detection system for owners/operators
of any subpart Y affected facilities with fabric filters, if the filter
has a design controlled potential emissions rate of 25 Mg (28 tons) or
more. For this source category, the variable operation of fabric
filters makes the likely actual emissions much less than the potential
emissions rate and the added expense of a bag leak detection system for
smaller sources is not justified. This requirement would apply to
facilities constructed, modified, or reconstructed after April 28,
2008.
F. Opacity Monitoring Requirements for Pneumatic Coal-Cleaning
Equipment, Coal Processing and Conveying Equipment, Coal Storage
Systems, and Transfer and Loading Systems
In the April 2008 proposed rule, we proposed the following PM
monitoring requirements. Each affected facility would be required to
perform an initial EPA Method 9 of appendix A-4 of 40 CFR part 60
performance test. Following the initial compliance test, three 1-hour
EPA Method 22 of appendix A-7 of 40 CFR part 60 observations would be
required for each affected facility at least once per calendar month
that the coal preparation plant operates. If the sum of visible
emissions exceeded 5 percent of the observation period, the owner/
operator would be required to conduct a Method 9 performance test
within 24 hours. Commenters suggested that three 1-hour observations
are unduly burdensome and suggested that it would be appropriate to
include a provision allowing for corrective action prior to requiring a
Method 9 performance test. In addition, a commenter suggested adding a
provision for the use of a continuous opacity monitoring system (COMS)
as
[[Page 25308]]
an alternative to the Method 9 and Method 22 approach.
Based on our review of public comments and further analysis, we are
proposing to change the April 2008 proposed opacity monitoring
requirements for pneumatic coal-cleaning and coal handling equipment.
First, we are proposing to allow the use of a COMS as an alternative to
all other opacity monitoring requirements. Second, we are proposing to
allow an owner/operator of an affected facility to decrease the
observation period for a Method 9 performance test from 3 hours to 60
minutes if, during the initial 60 minutes of the observation of a
Method 9 performance test, all the 6-minute averages are less than or
equal to 3 percent and all the individual 15-second observations are
less than or equal to 20 percent. Third, we are proposing to base the
frequency of visible emissions monitoring on the results of the highest
individual 15-second opacity observed during the most recent
performance test. Owners/operators of affected facilities where the
maximum 15-second opacity reading is greater than 5 percent would be
required to conduct weekly Method 9 performance testing; owners/
operators of affected facilities where the maximum 15-second opacity
reading is 5 percent would be required to conduct monthly Method 9
performance testing; and owners/operators of affected facilities with
no visible emissions would be required to conduct quarterly Method 9
performance testing.
As an alternative, owners/operators of affected facilities where
the maximum 6-minute opacity reading from the most recent Method 9
performance test is less than or equal to 3 percent could elect to use
either Method 22 or a digital opacity monitoring system in lieu of
subsequent Method 9 performance testing. The April 2008 proposal would
have required a total of three 1-hour observations monthly. We have
concluded that for sources with low opacity, it is more protective to
the environment and minimizes burden to industry to increase the
frequency of opacity observations, but to decrease the length of each
observation. When a control device is operating properly there should
be minimal visible emissions and a 1-hour observation would not provide
any significant additional useful information than a 10 minute
observation. In addition, by requiring more frequent observations we
are decreasing the time period before a malfunctioning piece of control
equipment is identified. Therefore, we have concluded it is appropriate
to decrease the length of each observation to a minimum of 10 minutes,
but to increase the frequency to daily observations.
Further, we are proposing to base monitoring requirements for
affected facilities, in part, on recent observations of visible
emissions from the facilities. If no visible emissions are observed for
7 consecutive operating days, observations could be reduced to once
every 7 operating days. If an owner/operator of an affected facility
observes visible emissions in excess of 5 percent during any
observation and is unable to take corrective action, they would be
required to conduct a Method 9 performance test with the previously
specified frequency. Finally, to maintain consistency in the operation
of the digital opacity monitoring system, the EPA Administrator would
approve opacity monitoring plans for owners/operators that elect to use
the digital opacity monitoring system to detect the presence of visible
emissions.
G. Electronic Reporting
We are proposing to take a step to improve data accessibility. We
are proposing to require owners/operators of affected facilities at
coal preparation plants to submit an electronic copy of all performance
test reports to an EPA electronic data base (WebFIRE). Data entry
requires access to the Internet and is expected to be completed by the
stack testing company as part of the work that they are contracted to
perform. This option would be required as of July 1, 2011. For
performance tests not accepted by WebFIRE, we are proposing to require
owner/operators to mail summary results directly to EPA.
H. Addition of Petroleum Coke and Coal Refuse to the Definition of Coal
We are proposing to amend the definition of coal for purposes of
subpart Y to include petroleum coke and coal refuse. The amended
definition will be used to make applicability determinations for all
facilities constructed, reconstructed, or modified after May 27, 2009.
This change indicates our determination that the subpart Y regulations
should apply to affected facilities that prepare and process these non-
traditional materials that are processed like coal.
I. Additional Amendments
We are also proposing several additional amendments. First, we are
proposing to change the title of subpart Y from Coal Preparation Plants
to Coal Preparation and Processing Plants. In addition, we are
proposing to amend the definitions for bituminous coal, coal, coal
storage system, pneumatic coal-cleaning equipment, and thermal dryer;
to add definitions for anthracite, bag leak detection system, design
controlled potential emissions rate, lignite, mechanical vent,
operating day, potential combustion concentration, and subbituminous
coal; and to delete the definition for cyclonic flow. Finally, we are
proposing to exempt units that have been out of operation for at least
60 days prior to the time of the required performance test from
conducting the required performance test until 30 days after the
facility is brought back into operation.
III. Rationale for the Proposed Amendments
A. Additional Affected Facilities
The existing NSPS for coal preparation and processing plants
establishes PM and opacity limits for thermal dryers that dry
bituminous coal where the exhaust gas comes in direct contact with the
coal (direct contact thermal dryers). Thermal dryers that dry non-
bituminous coals, and dryers that reduce the moisture content of the
coal through indirect heating using a heat transfer medium, are not
presently subject to any emission standards. In the April 2008
proposal, we proposed to amend the PM limit for direct contact thermal
dryers drying bituminous coal, but did not propose to establish
standards for other thermal dryers. We received comments suggesting
that we include indirect thermal dryers and thermal dryers drying all
coal ranks as affected facilities. In addition, commenters suggested we
include limits for other criteria pollutants emitted from thermal
dryers.
Based on our review of public comments and subsequent analysis, in
this supplemental proposal we are proposing emission standards that
would apply to thermal dryers drying all ranks of coals and to both
direct contact and indirect thermal dryers. We are proposing to amend
the PM and opacity standards and to add both an SO2 standard
and a combined NOX-CO standard for thermal dryers.
For indirect thermal dryers, the affected facility will include the
heat source for the thermal dryer unless that heat source is subject to
a boiler NSPS (e.g., subpart Da, Db, or Dc). Indirect thermal dryers
use a heat transfer medium to supply heat and blow air over the coal to
evaporate the water. The high moisture content air is vented through a
stack and the dryer exhaust contains entrained PM. If the source of
heat (the source of combustion or furnace) is subject to a boiler NSPS
(subpart Da, Db, or Dc) then the furnace and the associated emissions
would not
[[Page 25309]]
be part of the subpart Y affected facility. However, if the source of
heat is not subject to a boiler NSPS, then the heat source and the
associated emissions are part of the subpart Y affected facility.
In situations where the heat source is part of the subpart Y
affected facility and the exhaust is combined with the dryer exhaust in
a single stack, the combined exhaust stack will contain all of the
applicable pollutants (i.e., PM, SO2, NOX, and
CO) and all of the testing requirements would apply. However, in
situations where the heat source is part of the subpart Y affected
facility and the exhaust is not combined with the dryer exhaust, the
subpart Y requirements would apply differently to the dryer exhaust
stack and the combustion exhaust stack. The only applicable pollutant
in the dryer exhaust would be PM. Therefore, the only performance test
that would be required on the dryer exhaust would be for PM. However,
all of the requirements of subpart Y, including the PM, SO2,
and NOX-CO standards, would apply to the combustion exhaust
stack and all of the testing requirements would apply.
In situations where the heat source is not part of the subpart Y
affected facility because it is a unit covered by a steam generating
NSPS (e.g., 40 CFR part 60 subparts Da, Db, or Dc), the only applicable
pollutant contained in the thermal dryer stack exhaust would be PM.
Because the thermal dryer stack exhaust would not contain
SO2, NOX, or CO, the SO2 and combined
NOX-CO testing requirements would not apply.
We are proposing to establish standards that apply to direct
contact and indirect thermal dryers drying all coal ranks of coal
because the control technologies commonly used on thermal dryers--
venturi scrubbers and fabric filters--control PM equally well
regardless of the source of PM, and we have concluded that all coal
thermal dryers using similar control technologies can achieve
comparable emissions rates. In addition, subpart Y was originally
promulgated in 1976 and additional pollution control technologies have
become available since then.
Open storage piles and dust associated with roadways are
potentially significant sources of fugitive PM emissions. These sources
are integral parts of coal preparation plants, located on contiguous or
adjacent property, and under common control. Although part of the coal
preparation plant and, thus, contained within the source category
listed in 1976, the existing subpart Y regulations do not set standards
for emissions from open storage piles or from coal dust from roadways.
In the April 2008 proposal, we requested comment on including
requirements for open storage piles. We received comments both in
support of and opposed to including requirements for open storage
piles. In addition, we received comments in support of including
requirements for the coal dust disturbed by, or released from, vehicle
tires as vehicles move within the coal preparation plant. Based on our
review of public comments and subsequent analysis, we have concluded
that both open storage piles and vehicle tires are significant sources
of potential fugitive PM emissions; however, neither operation lends
itself to an emissions standard. Therefore, in this supplemental
proposal we are proposing to establish work practice standards instead
of an opacity or PM limit for these types of affected facilities.
B. Selection of Thermal Dryer PM and Opacity Emissions Limits
In the April 2008 proposal, we proposed to revise the PM limit for
thermal dryers that dry bituminous coal from 0.070 g/dscm (0.031 gr/
dscf) to 0.046 g/dscm (0.020 gr/dscf). We received comments that
achieving this limit would be prohibitively expensive for modified and
reconstructed units, but that the limit should be lower for new units.
Based on our review of public comments and subsequent analysis, in
this supplemental proposal we are proposing separate PM limits for new,
reconstructed, and modified units. As discussed in the Thermal Dryer
Memo in Docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0260, the physical layout of existing
thermal dryers makes it more expensive to reduce emissions from
existing dryers than from new or reconstructed units. Therefore, we are
proposing to maintain the PM limit for modified facilities at the
existing 1976 limit of 0.070 g/dscm (0.031 gr/dscf). We continue to be
interested in additional performance test data and information on the
ability of modified units to achieve additional PM reductions beyond
the present limit and are also considering establishing a lower PM
standard between 0.045 g/dscm (0.020 gr/dscf) and 0.070 g/dscm (0.031
gr/dscf) for the final rule. We specifically request comment on all
this range of possible standards, including 0.045 g/dscm (0.020 gr/
dscf).
Because reconstructed facilities could take design options into
account during the reconstruction process, we are proposing a PM limit
of 0.045 g/dscm (0.020 gr/dscf) for reconstructed facilities. This
level of control has been demonstrated to be consistently achievable at
several existing facilities, and we have concluded that a reconstructed
facility could design a PM control strategy based on conventional wet
scrubbing that could achieve this emissions rate at all evaporative
load rates.
As described in Thermal Dryer Memo in Docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0260,
new thermal dryers would likely be designed as either a coal-fired
recirculation thermal dryer or an indirect thermal dryer. We have
determined that BDT for controlling PM emissions from these types of
dryers is a fabric filter. Data collected to date demonstrates that
fabric filters on such facilities can achieve emission rates of 0.004
to 0.0031 gr/dscf. As explained below, based on these data and recent
permit limits for new thermal dryers using a baghouse, we are proposing
a PM limit of 0.023 g/dscm (0.010 gr/dscf) and less than 10 percent
opacity for new facilities. This limit would provide an adequate
compliance margin for new units and is lower than the limit of 0.046 g/
dscm (0.020 gr/dscf) in the April 2008 proposal. The April 2008
proposed limit, however, would have applied to new, reconstructed and
modified facilities.
It is important to note that although the standard is based on the
use of a fabric filter, a new facility would not be required to use any
specific control technology. Our analysis demonstrates that a new
facility could use a once-through dryer design and achieve the proposed
standard using a wet scrubber to control PM emissions. We identified
two wet-control approaches that an owner/operator of a new facility
could use to achieve this limit. The first approach is to use a high-
energy venturi scrubber. We analyzed the incremental cost effectiveness
of the increased pressure drop necessary to achieve the proposed PM
limit for a model thermal dryer (see Thermal Dryer Memo in Docket EPA-
HQ-OAR-2008-0260). The incremental control cost of using venturi
scrubbers ranged from $3,100/ton for an emission level of 0.020 gr/dscf
to $16,000/ton for an emission level of 0.0050 gr/dscf.
Based on this analysis, we concluded that an emissions rate of
0.023 g/dscm (0.010 gr/dscf) would be cost effective for a new thermal
dryer using a high-energy venturi scrubber to control PM emissions,
even in the absence of a baghouse or electrostatic precipitator (ESP).
We recognize that no recent coal-fired thermal dryer has been
constructed and that this level of control has not yet been
demonstrated on a subpart Y affected facility with wet controls. This
level of control, however, has been
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demonstrated at comparable, recently constructed facilities (see
Thermal Dryer Memo in Docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0260). A venturi scrubber,
moreover, is not the only wet control strategy an owner/operator could
use to control PM emissions. To decrease power requirements, a low
pressure tray scrubber could be used to remove the majority of the PM
emissions, and then either a wet ESP or cloud chamber could be used to
remove the remaining fine PM. Both a wet ESP and cloud chamber have
demonstrated an ability to control PM emissions to below 0.023 g/dscm
(0.010 gr/dscf). Thus, although wet scrubbing is not considered BDT for
controlling PM emissions from new thermal dryers, the proposed level of
PM control would be achievable using wet control approaches, such as a
wet scrubber.
C. Selection of Thermal Dryer SO2, NOX, and CO Emissions Limits
SO2 emissions from a thermal dryer are a function of the
sulfur content of the fuel burned in the dryer. However, measured
SO2 emissions are often less than what would be
theoretically predicted based on the sulfur in the fuel burned assuming
all of the sulfur in the fuel is emitted as SO2. There are
two possible reasons for this discrepancy: Either SO2
emissions are reduced by the wet scrubber installed to control PM or a
portion of the S02 is adsorbed as sulfuric acid into the
pores of the coal being dried (due to the reaction of the
SO2 with oxygen in the flue gas). Emissions data for
SO2 controls from coal-fired thermal dryers are limited, and
at this time it is not possible for us to determine the full extent to
which each mechanism is reducing emissions. Based on the emissions data
from other sources using venturi scrubbers primarily for PM control, it
appears that the majority of SO2 control occurs as a co-
benefit of the wet scrubber. The measurements of SO2
emissions from thermal dryers with wet scrubbers collected for this
review range from 0.02 to 1.9 lb/MMBtu and, for the sources reporting
removal efficiencies, overall control efficiencies range from 50 to 98
percent.
Existing facilities presently use two techniques to specifically
control SO2 emissions. The first approach is to spray a
caustic solution (e.g., sodium hydroxide, NaOH) on the coal before it
enters the drying chamber. The caustic reacts with the SO2
in the drying chamber and forms a salt (sodium sulfate,
Na2SO4) that is collected in the PM control
device. The other approach is to add caustic directly to the wet
scrubber fluid and control SO2 along with PM. Wet scrubbers
designed specifically for SO2 control are able to achieve
greater than 95 percent reduction. However, the wet scrubbers used on
existing thermal dryers are designed for PM control and not
specifically for SO2 control. Therefore, high levels of
SO2 control are likely to be difficult to achieve without
redesign of the scrubber (e.g., different construction materials to
handle the corrosion resulting from use of the caustic solution,
scaling deposits, and plugging of liquid lines). Nonetheless, if
scaling deposit and plugging of liquid lines were a concern, an owner/
operator using a wet scrubber to control SO2 could switch to
newer scrubbing agents with a higher solubility, such as calcium
magnesium acetate. Based on the performance of one existing facility
and analysis of other venturi scrubbers used to control SO2
emissions, we have concluded an existing thermal dryer with a wet
scrubber could achieve 90 percent reduction without a significant
redesign.
As discussed previously, we have concluded that BDT for controlling
PM from a new thermal dryer is a fabric filter. PM has historically
been the primary pollutant of concern for subpart Y affected
facilities. Therefore, in analyzing BDT for SO2 control, we
considered the incremental cost of controls to reduce SO2
emissions from thermal dryers with fabric filters.
Adding a wet scrubber for the sole purpose of controlling
SO2 emissions beyond 50 percent control (i.e., to achieve an
additional 40 percent control) has an incremental cost of over $5,000/
ton of SO2 controlled (see Thermal Dryer Memo in Docket EPA-
HQ-OAR-2008-0260). This high cost is partially due to the fact that
most thermal dryers are not typically large, ranging from 100 to 200
MMBtu/hr, and are not major sources of SO2 emissions; these
factors result in the fixed costs of scrubbing units being high for
smaller facilities. In addition to the high costs, facilities with wet
scrubbers must dispose of the scrubber sludge. For these reasons, we
have concluded that wet scrubbers are not a cost-effective control
technology, and are not BDT for this source category.
For a lower cost option, we evaluated the use of dry sorbent
injection or spraying caustic on the coal prior to the drying chamber.
The caustic approach is presently used at one facility, and the salt
produced is removed by the PM control device. We do not have detailed
information on the contribution of each mechanism on overall
SO2 control. However, if we assume the same absolute
amounts, in lb/MMBtu, are controlled by absorption onto the coal and as
a co-benefit of the venturi scrubber, as described in the Thermal Dryer
Memo in Docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0260, the caustic spray is achieving
approximately 50 percent reduction in theoretical SO2
emissions. We have not identified any facilities which apply sorbent
injection to a thermal dryer, but it has been applied to industrial and
utility boilers, and the technology is directly transferable to coal-
fired thermal dryers. Various companies supply calcium- and sodium-
based sorbent reagents, and the technology can be used at any facility
with injection locations, sufficient residence time, and a suitable
temperature range. A new thermal dryer could be designed to include an
injection site into the combustion gases above the burners and prior to
the drying chamber. An advantage of using sorbent injection in
combination with a baghouse is that the sorbent forms a cake on the
bags and increases SO2 control. Sorbent SO2
control efficiencies vary between 30 and 60 percent for calcium-based
agents and can be as high as 90 percent for sodium-based agents. Higher
levels of control have been achieved in boilers with sorbent injection,
but this control has not been applied to thermal dryers and we have
concluded that 50 percent would be a reasonable expectation. Higher
percent reductions would be technically achievable with the addition of
more sorbent, but incremental costs would increase. The cost per ton of
SO2 controlled using sorbent injection is approximately
$1,000 per ton and is considered cost effective for this source
category.
For the reasons described above, we have concluded that dry sorbent
injection into the thermal dryer and spraying caustic onto the coal
prior to the thermal dryer are both BDT for SO2 reduction
from new, modified, and reconstructed thermal dryers. Also for the
reasons described above, we have concluded that a 50 percent
SO2 reduction is the standard that can be achieved by the
application of BDT for controlling SO2 emissions to a
thermal dryer. This standard reflects the degree of emissions reduction
achievable by the technology available and provides an adequate
compliance margin for both sorbent injection into the thermal dryer and
caustic spraying onto the coal prior to the drying chamber.
We are also proposing to establish a maximum emission rate of 520
ng/J (1.2 lb/MMBtu). We believe it is appropriate to establish this
upper limit, in addition to the 50 percent reduction requirement,
because control is easier and more cost-
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effective at high pollutant concentrations. Adding a wet scrubber to
strictly control SO2 emissions for thermal dryers with an
actual stack emissions rate of 520 ng/J (1.2 lb/MMBtu) or more has an
incremental cost of less than $3,000/ton of SO2 controlled
and is considered cost-effective for this source category.
Finally, our analysis also demonstrates that facilities with lower
SO2 emission rates may not be able to consistently achieve
design rate percent reduction efficiencies because control is more
technically difficult at lower pollutant concentrations. For this
reason we are setting a lower, alternate limit of 85 ng/J (0.20 lb/
MMBtu). A source that can meet the lower alternate limit does not also
need to demonstrate that it is reducing SO2 emissions by a
specified percent. This approach is consistent with the approach used
in the NSPS for steam generating units, 40 CFR part 60, subparts Da,
Db, and Dc. We continue to be interested in additional SO2
performance test data from thermal dryers and comparable facilities
using caustic sprays, sorbent injection, and scrubbers to control
SO2 emissions and are currently considering an
SO2 percent reduction requirement of between 50 and 90
percent for the final rule.
We are also proposing to add a combined NOX and CO
emission limit for thermal dryers. As explained below, we have
determined that advanced combustion controls are BDT for both
NOX and CO emissions from thermal dryers. Such controls can
achieve both low NOX and CO emissions. In addition, the
pollutant emissions rates are related. NOX reduction
techniques that rely on delayed combustion and lower combustion
temperatures tend to increase incomplete combustion and result in a
corresponding increase in CO and volatile organic compound (VOC)
emissions. To account for variability in combustion properties and to
provide additional compliance strategy options for the regulated
community, while still providing an equivalent level of environmental
protection, we are proposing to establish a combined NOX and
CO limit. The combined limit for modified and reconstructed units would
be 520 ng/J (1.0 lb/MMBtu). This level has been demonstrated as being
achievable for existing units (see Thermal Dryer Memo in Docket EPA-HQ-
OAR-2008-0260). The combined limit for new sources would be 280 ng/J
(0.65 lb/MMBtu). For new units, we evaluated what emission limits could
be achieved by application of BDT for both NOX and CO, and
relied on this evaluation to develop the combined standard. We have
previously established combined emissions limits for pollutants that
are inversely related in the NSPS for stationary compression ignition
internal combustion engines, 40 CFR part 60, subpart IIII.
We continue to be interested in additional NOX and CO
performance test data from thermal dryers and comparable facilities
using combustion controls to control both NOX and CO
emissions and are also considering, and requesting comment on, a
combined limit of between 390 ng/J (0.90 lb/MMBtu) and 470 ng/J (1.1
lb/MMBtu) for modified and reconstructed units and between 200 ng/J
(0.47 lb/MMBtu) and 300 ng/J (0.70 lb/MMBtu) for new units. In
addition, we are continuing to consider separate limits and
specifically request comment on whether a combined limit is
appropriate.
To determine the NOX and CO emission reductions
achievable from the application of BDT to thermal dryers, we examined
the nature of the emissions, demonstrated control technologies, and the
removal efficiencies of those technologies. NOX emissions
from coal thermal dryers primarily occur via two mechanisms. The main
source, thermal NOX, is formed when nitrogen and oxygen in
the combustion air react at high temperatures. Fuel NOX is
due to the reaction of fuel-bound nitrogen compounds with oxygen.
NOX emissions can be minimized through two general control
strategies: combustion controls and post-combustion controls.
Combustion controls limit the formation of NOX, whereas
post-combustion controls convert NOX to nitrogen and oxygen
prior to release to the atmosphere. We are not presently aware of any
coal-fired thermal dryers that use post-combustion controls.
Post-combustion controls include selective catalytic reduction
(SCR), selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR), non-selective
catalytic reduction (NSCR), and catalytic oxidation/absorption
(SCONOX). For reasons presented in the Thermal Dryer Memo in
Docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0260, none of these control options are
technically feasible control options for a thermal dryer and they were
not evaluated as viable control technologies. However, we continue to
be interested in additional information that would indicate if SNCR
could be successfully integrated into a new thermal dryer and
specifically request comment on this issue. At this time, we have
determined that combustion controls are the only viable NOX
controls identified that could be used across the range of thermal
dryers presently used in the United States and, thus, we have
determined that combustion controls constitute BDT for NOX
emissions from thermal dryers. Available combustion controls include
low NOX burners (LNB), staged combustion, co-firing with
natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and flue gas
recirculation (FGR). These control options are described in the Thermal
Dryer Memo in Docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0260.
The practical operating range of existing thermal dryers is
relatively small, and redesign of the thermal dryer would be required
to obtain significant NOX reductions. However, we have
identified several existing thermal dryers that have demonstrated
NOX emissions of less than 0.60 lb/MMBtu. Our analysis
demonstrates that existing facilities could achieve this limit through
combustion controls alone.
Our analysis demonstrates that new thermal dryers could be
constructed to comply with a NOX limit of 170 ng/J (0.40 lb/
MMBtu). Although utility-size units burning bituminous coal can achieve
NOX limits of less than 130 ng/J (0.30 lb/MMBtu),
NOX-reducing technologies for smaller thermal dryers are
more limited. We reviewed permits issued over the past decade and only
found NOX requirements for boilers less than 250 MMBtu/hr
for six new comparable small coal-fired boilers. Three were circulating
fluidized bed (CFB) boilers, a design that is not generally used in
dryers. Permit conditions for the other three boilers were 110, 170,
and 300 ng/J (0.25, 0.40, and 0.70 lb/MMBtu). The highest permit limit
had a corresponding low CO standard, which could explain the unusually
high NOX standard. This NOX emissions rate could
be achieved for either a new stoker or pulverized coal-based thermal
dryer using combustion controls alone. Furthermore, we reviewed data
developed by State permitting authorities which list combustion
controls as able to cost effectively achieve over 50 percent reduction
for coal-fired industrial boilers from an uncontrolled emissions rate
of 300 ng/J (0.70 lb/MMBtu). The cost per ton of NOX
controlled using combustion controls is less than $2,000 per ton and is
considered cost effective for this source category.
CO emissions are intermediate products produced by the incomplete
combustion of hydrocarbons. The emissions are formed in hot, oxygen-
depleted regions of the combustion chamber and at the edges of the lean
flame zone where the temperature is lower. Short residence times also
contribute to CO formation. During
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complete combustion, CO reacts with various oxidants to form carbon
dioxide (CO2) through recombination reactions. However,
these recombination reactions cannot proceed to completion if the
combustion temperature is low or there is a deficient amount of
oxidants in the combustion gas. VOC emitted from thermal dryers are a
result of both incomplete fuel combustion and volatile matter released
from the coal bed as it is heated and dried.
Controls to minimize both CO and VOC include thermal oxidation and
flaring, catalytic oxidation, catalytic incineration, and good
combustion practices. For reasons presented in the Thermal Dryer Memo
in Docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0260, thermal oxidation and flaring,
catalytic oxidation, and catalytic incineration are not technically
feasible control options for a thermal dryer, and they were not
evaluated as viable control technologies. In addition, high levels of
excess air can be used to control CO emissions and VOC absorbers can be
used to control VOC emissions. However, high levels of excess air
increase NOX emissions and the PM emissions in a thermal
dryer exhaust would plug the pores in the absorber bed; therefore, such
controls are also not considered to be a viable control techniques. For
these reasons, we conclude that good combustion practices constitute
BDT for CO emissions from thermal dryers.
Good combustion practices limit the formation of CO and VOC by
providing sufficient oxygen in the combustion zone for complete
combustion to occur. Based on a review of CO emissions rates from
existing thermal dryers, we are basing the combined NOX and
CO limit on a CO emissions rate of 190 ng/J (0.45 lb/MMBtu) for
modified and reconstructed thermal dryers. We have identified several
existing thermal dryers that are achieving this emissions rate with
combustion controls alone. Because we have not identified a method for
control of VOC emissions beyond combustion controls, we are not
proposing a separate limit for VOC emissions. However, by setting an
emissions limit that contains a CO emissions rate, we are minimizing
the VOC emissions that result from incomplete combustion. The VOC
emissions from the coal bed itself are variable, and we concluded that
we are unable to set a standard that would be achievable for variable
coal types across the country.
For new thermal dryers, we concluded that a CO emissions rate of
110 ng/J (0.25 lb/MMBtu) is the appropriate rate to use as part of the
basis for the combined NOX and CO limit. Although new
utility-sized units can reduce CO emissions to 0.15 lb/MMBtu,
technologies are more limited for the smaller thermal dryers. However,
because new thermal dr