Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 33 - ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Part III - Air
Chapter 25 - Miscellaneous Incineration Rules
Subchapter D - Crematories
Section III-2531 - Standards of Performance for Crematories

Universal Citation: LA Admin Code III-2531

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

A. The provisions of this Subchapter apply to all new, modified, and existing crematories used in the disposal of Type IV wastes and their appropriate containers.

B. Definitions. Terms used in this Section are defined in LAC 33:III.111 of these regulations with the exception of those terms specifically defined below as follows.

Appropriate Containers- plastic bags used as containers for animal remains shall be nonchlorinated. Any other container shall be made of materials containing less than 0.5 percent chlorine by weight as demonstrated by the manufacturer's data sheet.

Crematory- any furnace or incinerator used in the process of burning Type IV waste for the purpose of reducing the volume of the waste by removing combustible matter and vaporizing of moisture through the application of heat.

Type IV Waste- human and animal remains consisting of carcasses, organs, and solid organic wastes comprising up to 85 percent moisture and 5 percent incombustible solids.

C. Wastes to be Incinerated

1. Animal Crematories. Facilities used for the incineration of animal remains shall incinerate only animal remains, their appropriate containers and, if applicable, bedding. Facilities subject to this regulation shall not incinerate dead animals which were used for biomedical or commercial experimentation. The bodies of animals used for these purposes shall only be incinerated in a biomedical waste incinerator.

2. Human Crematories. Facilities used for the incineration of human remains shall incinerate only human remains with their appropriate containers. Bodies may be clothed.

D. Compliance Schedule

1. Any new or modified facility regulated under Subsection A of this Section for which a complete application for a permit to construct was received after October 20, 1994, shall comply with all of the requirements of this Subchapter before operation may commence.

2. Any facility regulated under Subsection A of this Section which was constructed before October 20, 1994 must comply with all of the requirements of this Subchapter upon promulgation of this regulation with the following exceptions:
a. operating parameter requirements of Subsection F of this Section shall be complied with no later than one year after promulgation of this regulation;

b. control equipment requirements of Subsection G of this Section shall be complied with no later than one year after promulgation of this regulation; and

c. incinerator physical parameter requirements of Subsection H of this Section shall be complied with no later than two years after promulgation of this regulation.

E. Emission Limitations

1. Particulate matter (PM10) emissions shall not exceed 0.08 grains per dry standard cubic foot of flue gas, corrected to 7 percent O2.

2. Carbon monoxide (CO) emissions shall not exceed 100 ppmv, dry basis, corrected to 7 percent O2.

F. Operating Parameters

1. The incinerator shall operate with visible emissions not to exceed 5 percent average opacity, except that visible emissions not exceeding 20 percent average opacity are allowed for not more than one three-minute period in any 60 consecutive minutes.

2. The incinerator shall operate with no objectionable odors.

3. Incineration or ignition of waste shall not begin until the secondary (or last) combustion chamber temperature requirement is attained. All air pollution control and continuous emission monitoring equipment shall be operational and functioning properly prior to the incineration or ignition of waste and until all the wastes are incinerated. During shutdowns, the secondary (or last) combustion chamber temperature shall be maintained using auxiliary burners until the wastes are completely combusted.

4. A manufacturer's nameplate with the following information must be visible on the incinerator:
a. model number;

b. maximum design feed rate;

c. design operating temperatures for the primary and secondary chambers; and

d. design retention time in the secondary chamber.

5. All equipment, accessories, and appurtenances, (e.g., secondary burners, control equipment, etc.) of a crematory incinerator shall be maintained in proper working condition and shall be operational at all times when the crematory is in use.

G. Control Equipment

1. Each facility shall install, operate, and maintain continuous monitors to record temperature at the point where the 1.0 second gas residence time is obtained in the secondary chamber combustion zone in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

2. The incinerator shall be equipped with an interlock which prevents the primary burners from igniting when the secondary chamber temperature is below the required operating limits.

H. Incinerator Physical Parameters

1. Any facility regulated under Subsection A of this Section which commences construction or modification after October 20, 1994, shall provide design calculations to confirm a sufficient volume in the secondary (or last) chamber combustion zone to provide for at least a 1.0 second gas residence time at 1800°F. Primary chamber and stack shall not be used in calculating this residence time. The actual operating temperature of the secondary (or last) chamber combustion zone will be not less than 1600 ° F throughout the combustion process. The primary chamber shall not be charged unless the secondary (or last) chamber combustion zone temperature is equal to or greater than 1600 ° F.

2. Any facility regulated under Subsection A of this Section which was constructed before October 20, 1994 shall provide design calculations to confirm a sufficient volume in the secondary (or last) chamber combustion zone to provide for at least a 1.0 second gas residence time at 1600°F. Primary chamber and stack shall not be used in calculating this residence time. The actual operating temperature of the secondary (or last) chamber combustion zone will be not less than 1400°F throughout the combustion process. The primary chamber shall not be charged unless the secondary (or last) chamber combustion zone temperature is equal to or greater than 1400°F.

I. Recordkeeping and Reporting

1. The facility owner/operator shall maintain the following records on the facility premises at all times, and present them to an authorized representative of the department upon request:
a. application approval records and permit to construct/operate;

b. all other necessary permits and authorizations from local and/or other state regulatory agencies;

c. equipment maintenance records;

d. copies of all test results;

e. daily record of the number of hours of operation; and

f. all records of upset conditions with time and duration of upset noted.

2. A copy of all test results shall be submitted to the Office of Environmental Services for review and approval within 60 days of completion of testing.

J. Testing

1. All crematories with a design charge rate greater than 500 pounds per hour shall conduct emissions testing within 180 days of initial start-up to verify compliance with Paragraphs E.1-2 and F.1 of this Section using the following test methods:
a. Method 5-Determination of Particulate Emissions from Stationary Sources ( 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix A, as incorporated by reference at LAC 33:III.3003);

b. Method 10-Determination of Carbon Monoxide Emissions from Stationary Sources ( 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix A, as incorporated by reference at LAC 33:III.3003);

c. Method 9-Visual Determination of the Opacity of Emissions from Stationary Sources ( 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix A, as incorporated by reference at LAC 33:III.3003); and

d. other tests which may be added at pretest meetings.

2. The owner/operator shall provide the Office of Environmental Services at least 30 days prior notice of any emission test to afford the department the opportunity to conduct a pretest conference and to have an observer present. The department has the authority to invalidate any testing where such notice is not provided.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:2054.

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