North Carolina Administrative Code
Title 15A - Environmental Quality
Chapter 02 - ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Subchapter D - AIR POLLUTION CONTROL REQUIREMENTS
Section .0900 - VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
Section 02D .0962 - INDUSTRIAL CLEANING SOLVENTS

Universal Citation: 15A NC Admin Code 02D .0962

Current through Register Vol. 39, No. 6, September 16, 2024

(a) For the purpose of this Rule, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) "Organic solvent" means a liquid hydrocarbon, such as methyl ethyl ketone or toluene, used to dissolve paints, varnishes, grease, oil, or other hydrocarbons.

(2) "Solvent cleaning" means the process of removing the excess penetrant from the surface or a part by wiping, flushing, or spraying with a solvent for the penetrant.

(3) "Wipe cleaning" means the method of cleaning that utilizes a material such as a rag wetted with a solvent, prior to a physical rubbing process to remove contaminants from surfaces.

(b) This Rule applies, with exemptions defined in Paragraphs (c) and (d) of this Rule, to sources whose volatile organic compound emissions exceed the threshold in 15A NCAC 02D .0902(b) from the following cleaning operations:

(1) spray gun cleaning;

(2) spray booth cleaning;

(3) large manufactured components cleaning;

(4) parts cleaning;

(5) equipment cleaning;

(6) line cleaning;

(7) floor cleaning;

(8) tank cleaning; and

(9) small manufactured components cleaning.

(c) Paragraph (e) of this Rule does not apply to any cleaning material used for cleaning operations covered by 15A NCAC 02D .0918, 02D .0919, 02D .0923, 02D .0924, 02D .0930, 02D .0935, 02D .0961, 02D .0963, 02D .0964, 02D .0965, 02D .0966, 02D .0967, and .0968.

(d) Cleaning operations of portable or stationary mixing vats, high dispersion mills, grinding mills, tote tanks, and roller mills for manufacturing of coating, ink, or adhesive shall apply one or more of the following methods:

(1) use industrial cleaning solvents that either contain less than 1.67 pounds VOC per gallon or have an initial boiling point greater than 120 degrees Celsius, and where the initial boiling point exceeds the maximum operating temperature by at least 100 degrees Celsius. The industrial cleaning solvents shall be collected and stored in closed containers;

(2) implement the following work practices:
(A) maintain the equipment being cleaned as leak free;

(B) drain volatile organic compounds containing cleaning materials from the cleaned equipment upon completion of cleaning;

(C) store or dispose of volatile organic compounds containing cleaning materials, including waste solvent, in a manner that will prevent evaporation into atmosphere; and

(D) store all volatile organic containing cleaning materials in closed containers;

(3) collect and vent the emissions from equipment cleaning to an add-on control system as set forth in Paragraph (g) of this Rule; or

(4) use organic solvents other than listed in Subparagraph (d)(1) of this Rule if no more than 60 gallons of fresh solvent shall be used per month. Organic solvent reused or recycled either onsite or offsite for further use in equipment cleaning or the manufacture of coating, ink, or adhesive shall not be included in this limit.

(e) Any cleaning material of the cleaning operations listed in Paragraph (b) of this Rule shall have:

(1) volatile organic compounds content that does not exceed 0.42 pounds per gallon; or

(2) composite vapor limit of eight millimeters of mercury at 20 degrees Celsius.

(f) Method 24 of Appendix A to 40 CFR Part 60 shall be used to determine the volatile organic compounds content of coating materials used in industrial cleaning solvents operations, unless the facility maintains records to document the volatile organic compounds content of coating materials from the manufacturer.

(g) Facilities that have chosen to use add-on control shall install control equipment with 85 percent overall efficiency.

(h) The owner or operator of any facility subject to this Rule shall comply with 15A NCAC 02D .0903 and 02D .0958.

Authority G.S. 143-215.3(a)(1); 143-215.107(a)(5);
Eff. September 1, 2010;
Amended Eff. May 1, 2013;
Readopted Eff. November 1, 2020.

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