Current through Register Vol. 24-06, March 15, 2024
(1) Specific applicability. This section
shall apply to all petroleum refineries as qualified in WAC
173-490-025.
(2) Provisions for specific processes.
(a) The owner(s) or operator(s) of a
petroleum refinery shall:
(i) Develop and
conduct a monitoring program consistent with the provisions in WAC
173-490-200(3),
173-490-200(4),
173-490-200(5),
and 173-400-105;
(ii) Record all leaking components which have
a VOC concentration greater than 10,000 ppm when tested according to the
provisions in WAC
173-490-200(3)
and place an identification tag on each component consistent with the
provisions of WAC
173-490-200(4)(c);
(iii) Correct and retest the leaking
component, as defined in WAC
173-490-200(2)(a)(ii),
as soon as practicable, but not later than fifteen days after the leak is
recorded. If a leak continues after all reasonable corrective actions have been
taken, then the component shall be repaired or replaced on the next scheduled
turnaround.
(iv) Identify all
leaking components, as defined in WAC
173-490-200(2)(a)(ii),
that cannot be corrected until the refinery unit is shut down for
turnaround.
(b) The
owner or operator of a petroleum refinery shall not install or operate a valve
at the end of a pipe or line containing VOC unless the pipe or line is sealed
with a second suitable closure. Exceptions to this requirement are the ends of
a pipe or line connected to pressure relief valves, aspirator vents or other
devices specifically required to be open for safety protection. The sealing
device may be removed only when a sample is being taken or during maintenance
operations.
(3) Testing
procedures. To demonstrate compliance with this chapter, refer to WAC
173-400-105(5).
(4) Monitoring.
(a) The owner or operator of a petroleum
refinery shall conduct a monitoring program consistent with the following
provisions:
(i) Monitor yearly by the methods
referenced in WAC
173-490-200(3)
all pump seals, pipeline valves in liquid service and process drains;
(ii) Monitor quarterly by the methods
referenced in WAC
173-490-200(3)
all compressor seals, pipeline valves in gaseous service and pressure relief
valves in gaseous service;
(iii)
Monitor weekly by visual methods all pump seals;
(iv) Monitor immediately any pump seal from
which liquids are observed leaking;
(v) Monitor any relief valve within
twenty-four hours after it has vented to the atmosphere; and
(vi) After a leaking component is repaired,
monitor for leaks prior to return to service.
(b) Pressure relief devices that are
connected to an operating flare header, vapor recovery device, inaccessible
valves, storage tank valves, and valves that are not externally regulated are
exempt from the monitoring requirements in WAC
173-490-200(4)(a).
(c) The owner or operator of a petroleum
refinery, upon the detection of a leaking component, as defined in WAC
173-490-200(2)(a)(ii),
shall affix a weatherproof and readily visible tag, bearing an identification
number and the date the leak is located, to the leaking component. This tag
shall remain in place until the leak is corrected.
(5) Recordkeeping.
(a) The owner or operator of a petroleum
refinery shall maintain a leaking component's monitoring log as specified in
WAC 173-490-200(2)(a)(ii)
that shall contain, at a minimum, the following data:
(i) The name of the process unit where the
component is located.
(ii) The type
of component (e.g., valve, seal).
(iii) The tag number of the
component.
(iv) The date on which a
leaking component is discovered.
(v) The date on which a leaking component is
repaired.
(vi) The date and
instrument reading of the recheck procedure after a leaking component is
repaired.
(vii) A record of the
calibration of the monitoring instrument.
(viii) Those leaks that cannot be repaired
until turnaround.
(ix) The total
number of components checked and the total number of components found
leaking.
(b) Copies of
the monitoring log shall be retained by the owner or operator for a minimum of
two years after the date on which the record was made or the report
prepared.
(c) Copies of the
monitoring log shall immediately be made available to ecology, upon verbal or
written request, at any reasonable time.
(6) Reporting. The owner or operator of a
petroleum refinery shall notify ecology in writing within forty-five days
following each quarterly or annual inspection for component leaks when:
(a) The number of discovered leaks has
increased by more than ten percent above the number recorded during the last
inspection of the same components;
(b) The number of leaking components has
increased for two consecutive quarterly or annual inspections;
(c) The number of leaks not corrected within
fifteen days exceeds five percent of the leaks detected;
(d) The next scheduled process unit
turnaround needed to repair an uncorrectable leak is more than twelve months
away.
(7) Petition for
alternative monitoring.
(a) After two complete
liquid service inspections and five complete gaseous service inspections, the
owner or operator of a petroleum refinery may petition the director for
alternative monitoring procedures or a reduction in monitoring
frequency.
(b) A petition for
alternative monitoring procedures shall contain:
(i) The name and address of the company and
the name and telephone number of the responsible person over whose signature
the petition is submitted;
(ii) A
detailed description of the problems encountered under WAC
173-490-200(4);
and
(iii) A detailed description of
the alternative monitoring procedures and how this alternative procedure will
solve or reduce the problems encountered under WAC
173-490-200(4).
(c) A petition for a reduction in
monitoring frequency shall contain:
(i) The
information requested in WAC
173-490-200(7)(b)(i);
(ii) A detailed description of the proposed
component-monitoring schedule;
(iii) A demonstration by the owner or
operator that the facility is currently operating with a low level of component
leaks and is committed to a maintenance program that will assure a frequency
and severity of component leaks as good as that attainable under WAC
173-490-200(2).
(d) An approved petition for a
reduction in monitoring frequency shall begin with the next quarterly
inspection and shall be valid for a period of twelve quarters (three years). At
the time of the last inspection in the twelve quarters, a new submittal of the
information required in WAC
173-490-200(7)(c)
shall be made if the reduced frequency of monitoring is to continue.
(e) Ecology may approve a part or all of a
petition for alternative monitoring requested under WAC
173-490-200(7)(b) or
(c). Approval or disapproval will be in
writing and within forty-five calendar days of receipt of the petition by
ecology. A failure to approve or disapprove a new petition or petition for
renewal within the stated time limit shall be taken as an approval.
Statutory Authority:
Chapter
70.94 RCW. 91-05-064
(Order 90-06), § 173-490-200, filed 2/19/91, effective 3/22/91. Statutory
Authority:
RCW
70.94.331 and
70.94.395. 80-11-062 (Order DE
80-18), § 173-490-200, filed
8/20/80.