§63.1002. Compliance assessment. — Inbound Citations

(i) You will meet the requirements in §§ 63.1002 through 63.1016 that apply to your affected equipment.

(b) If you control equipment leaks according to the requirements under § 63.7920(b)(1), you must demonstrate continuous compliance by inspecting, monitoring, repairing, and maintaining records according to the requirements in §§ 63.1002 through 63.1018 that apply to your affected equipment.

(ii) When repair procedures are effected, the purged material is collected and destroyed, or recovered in a control or recovery device, or routed to a fuel gas system or process complying with § 63.1015 or § 63.1002(b) of this part.

(b) Unless otherwise specified in § 63.1002(b), or § 63.1016, or in paragraph (e) of this section, or the referencing subpart, the owner or operator shall monitor all valves at the intervals specified in paragraphs (b)(3) through (b)(6) of this section and shall comply with all other provisions of this section.

(1) The valves shall be monitored to detect leaks by the method specified in § 63.1004(b) and (c).

(2) The instrument reading that defines a leak is 10,000 parts per million or greater.

(i) Each valve shall be monitored monthly to detect leaks, except as provided in paragraphs (b)(3)(ii), (e)(1), (e)(2), and (e)(4) of this section. An owner or operator may otherwise elect to comply with one of the alternative standards in paragraphs (b)(5) or (b)(6) of this section as specified in paragraph (b)(4) of this section.

(A) Any valve for which a leak is not detected for 2 successive months may be monitored the same month (first, second, or third month) of every quarter, beginning with the next quarter, until a leak is detected. The first quarterly monitoring shall occur less than 3 months following the last monthly monitoring.

(B) If a leak is detected, the valve shall be monitored monthly until a leak is not detected for 2 successive months.

(C) For purposes of paragraph (b) of this section, quarter means a 3-month period with the first quarter concluding on the last day of the last full month during the 180 days following initial startup.

(4) An owner or operator may elect to comply with one of the alternatives specified in either paragraph (b)(5) or (b)(6) of this section if the percentage of valves leaking is equal to or less than 2.0 percent as determined by the procedure in paragraph (c) of this section. An owner or operator must notify the Administrator before implementing one of the alternatives specified in either paragraph (b)(5) or (b)(6) of this section.

(5) An owner or operator choosing to comply with the allowable percentage alternative shall have an allowable percentage of leakers no greater than 2.0 percent for each affected facility or process unit and shall comply with paragraphs (b)(5)(i) and (b)(5)(ii) of this section.

(i) A compliance demonstration for each affected facility or process unit or affected facility complying with this alternative shall be conducted initially upon designation, annually, and at other times requested by the Administrator. For each such demonstration, all valves in gas and vapor and light liquid service within the affected facility or process unit shall be monitored within 1 week by the methods specified in § 63.1004(b). If an instrument reading exceeds the equipment leak level specified in the referencing subpart, a leak is detected. The leak percentage shall be calculated as specified in paragraph (c) of this section.

(ii) If an owner or operator decides no longer to comply with this alternative, the owner or operator must notify the Administrator in writing that the work practice standard described in paragraph (b)(3) of this section will be followed.

(6) An owner or operator may elect to comply with one of the alternative work practices specified in paragraphs (b)(6)(i) or (b)(6)(ii) of this section. An owner or operator electing to use one of these skip period alternatives shall comply with paragraphs (b)(6)(iii) and (b)(6)(iv) of this section. Before using either skip period alternative, the owner or operator shall initially comply with the requirements of paragraph (b)(3) of this section. Monitoring data generated before the regulated source became subject to the referencing subpart that meets the criteria of either § 63.1004(b)(1) through (b)(5), or § 63.1004(b)(6), may be used to initially qualify for skip period alternatives.

(i) After 2 consecutive quarterly leak detection periods with the percent of valves leaking equal to or less than 2.0 as determined by the procedure in paragraph (c) of this section, an owner or operator may begin to monitor for leaks once every 6 months.

(ii) After 5 consecutive quarterly leak detection periods with the percent of valves leaking equal to or less than 2.0 as determined by the procedure in paragraph (c) of this section, an owner or operator may begin to monitor for leaks once every year.

(iii) If the percent of valves leaking is greater than 2.0, the owner or operator shall comply with paragraph (b)(3) of this section, but can elect to comply with paragraph (b)(6) of this section if future percent of valves leaking is again equal to or less than 2.0.

(iv) The owner or operator shall keep a record of the monitoring schedule and the percent of valves found leaking during each monitoring period.

(b) Unless otherwise specified in § 63.1002(b), or § 63.1016 of this subpart or paragraph (e) of this section, the owner or operator shall monitor each pump monthly to detect leaks and shall comply with all other provisions of this section.

(1) The pumps shall be monitored to detect leaks by the method specified in § 63.1004(b) of this subpart.

(2) The instrument reading that defines a leak is 10,000 parts per million.

(3) Each pump shall be checked by visual inspection each calendar week for indications of liquids dripping from the pump seal. The owner or operator shall document that the inspection was conducted and the date of the inspection. If there are indications of liquids dripping from the pump seal, a leak is detected. Unless the owner or operator demonstrates (e.g., through instrument monitoring) that the indications of liquids dripping are due to a condition other than process fluid drips, the leak shall be repaired according to the procedures of paragraph (b)(4) of this section.

(4) Where a leak is identified by visual indications of liquids dripping, repair shall mean that the visual indications of liquids dripping have been eliminated.

(b) Unless otherwise specified in § 63.1002(b), or § 63.1016 of this subpart, or the referencing subpart, the owner or operator shall monitor all connectors within 5 days by the method specified in § 63.1004(b) if evidence of a potential leak is found by visual, audible, olfactory, or any other detection method. No monitoring is required if the evidence of a potential leak is eliminated within 5 days. If an instrument reading of 10,000 parts per million or greater is measured, a leak is detected.

(1) Each agitator seal shall be monitored monthly to detect leaks by the methods specified in § 63.1004(b), or § 63.1016, except as provided in § 63.1002(b) or in paragraph (e) of this section.

(1) Unless otherwise specified in § 63.1002(b), or § 63.1016, the owner or operator shall comply with paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section. Pumps, valves, connectors, and agitators in heavy liquid service; pressure relief devices in light liquid or heavy liquid service; and instrumentation systems shall be monitored within 5 calendar days by the method specified in § 63.1004(b) if evidence of a potential leak to the atmosphere is found by visual, audible, olfactory, or any other detection method. If such a potential leak is repaired as required in paragraph (c) of this section, it is not necessary to monitor the system for leaks by the method specified in § 63.1004(b).

(b) Each compressor shall be equipped with a seal system that includes a barrier fluid system and that prevents leakage of process fluid to the atmosphere, except as provided in § 63.1002(b) and paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section. Each compressor seal system shall meet the requirements specified in paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), or (b)(3) of this section.

(1) Operated with the barrier fluid at a pressure that is greater than the compressor stuffing box pressure at all times (except during periods of startup, shutdown, or malfunction); or

(2) Equipped with a barrier fluid system degassing reservoir that is routed to a process or fuel gas system or connected by a closed-vent system to a control device that meets the requirements of § 63.1015; or

(1) The system shall return the purged process fluid directly to a process line or fuel gas system meeting the compliance determinations in § 63.1015 or § 63.1002(b) as appropriate; or

(1) Each open-ended valve or line shall be equipped with a cap, blind flange, plug, or a second valve, except as provided in § 63.1002(b) and paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section. The cap, blind flange, plug, or second valve shall seal the open end at all times except during operations requiring process fluid flow through the open-ended valve or line, or during maintenance. The operational provisions of paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this section also apply.

(1) Owners or operators of closed vent systems and nonflare control devices used to comply with provisions of this subpart shall design and operate the closed vent system and nonflare control devices to reduce emissions of regulated material with an efficiency of 95 percent or greater or to reduce emissions of regulated material to a concentration of 20 parts per million by volume or, for an enclosed combustion device, to provide a minimum of 760 °C (1400 °F). Owners and operators of closed vent systems and nonflare control devices used to comply with this subpart shall comply with the provisions of subpart SS of this part, except as provided in § 63.1002(b).

(a) Process units of affected facilities or portions of process units of affected facilities enclosed in such a manner that all emissions from equipment leaks are routed to a process or fuel gas system or collected and vented through a closed vent system to a control device meeting the requirements of either § 63.1015 or § 63.1002(b) are exempt from the requirements of §§ 63.1006 through 63.1014. The enclosure shall be maintained under a negative pressure at all times while the process unit or affected facility is in operation to ensure that all emissions are routed to a control device.

(1) Owners or operators routing emissions from equipment leaks to a fuel gas system or process shall comply with the provisions of subpart SS of this part, except as provided in § 63.1002(b).

(1) An owner or operator may request a determination of alternative means of emission limitation to the requirements of §§ 63.1005 through 63.1015 as provided in paragraphs (b)(2) through (b)(6) of this section. If the Administrator makes a determination that an alternative means of emission limitation is a permissible alternative, the owner or operator shall comply with the alternative.

(1) An owner or operator may request a determination of alternative means of emission limitation to the requirements of §§ 63.1005 through 63.1015 as provided in paragraphs (b)(2) through (b)(6) of this section. If the Administrator makes a determination that an alternative means of emission limitation is a permissible alternative, the owner or operator shall comply with the alternative.

(1) An owner or operator may request a determination of alternative means of emission limitation to the requirements of §§ 63.1005 through 63.1015 as provided in paragraphs (b)(2) through (b)(6) of this section. If the Administrator makes a determination that an alternative means of emission limitation is a permissible alternative, the owner or operator shall comply with the alternative.

(4) Where the standard is a work practice the criteria specified in paragraphs (b)(4)(i) through (b)(4)(iv) shall be met.

(i) Each owner or operator applying for permission shall be responsible for collecting and verifying test data for an alternative means of emission limitation.

(ii) For each kind of equipment for which permission is requested, the emission reduction achieved by the alternative means of emission limitation shall be demonstrated.

(iii) The Administrator will compare the demonstrated emission reduction for the alternative means of emission limitation to the demonstrated emission reduction for the required work practices.

(iv) The Administrator may condition the permission on requirements that may be necessary to ensure operation and maintenance to achieve the same or greater emission reduction as the required work practices of this subpart.

(4) Where the standard is a work practice the criteria specified in paragraphs (b)(4)(i) through (b)(4)(iv) shall be met.

(i) Each owner or operator applying for permission shall be responsible for collecting and verifying test data for an alternative means of emission limitation.

(ii) For each kind of equipment for which permission is requested, the emission reduction achieved by the alternative means of emission limitation shall be demonstrated.

(iii) The Administrator will compare the demonstrated emission reduction for the alternative means of emission limitation to the demonstrated emission reduction for the required work practices.

(iv) The Administrator may condition the permission on requirements that may be necessary to ensure operation and maintenance to achieve the same or greater emission reduction as the required work practices of this subpart.

(4) Where the standard is a work practice the criteria specified in paragraphs (b)(4)(i) through (b)(4)(iv) shall be met.

(i) Each owner or operator applying for permission shall be responsible for collecting and verifying test data for an alternative means of emission limitation.

(ii) For each kind of equipment for which permission is requested, the emission reduction achieved by the alternative means of emission limitation shall be demonstrated.

(iii) The Administrator will compare the demonstrated emission reduction for the alternative means of emission limitation to the demonstrated emission reduction for the required work practices.

(iv) The Administrator may condition the permission on requirements that may be necessary to ensure operation and maintenance to achieve the same or greater emission reduction as the required work practices of this subpart.

(4) Where the standard is a work practice the criteria specified in paragraphs (b)(4)(i) through (b)(4)(iv) shall be met.

(i) Each owner or operator applying for permission shall be responsible for collecting and verifying test data for an alternative means of emission limitation.

(ii) For each kind of equipment for which permission is requested, the emission reduction achieved by the alternative means of emission limitation shall be demonstrated.

(iii) The Administrator will compare the demonstrated emission reduction for the alternative means of emission limitation to the demonstrated emission reduction for the required work practices.

(iv) The Administrator may condition the permission on requirements that may be necessary to ensure operation and maintenance to achieve the same or greater emission reduction as the required work practices of this subpart.

(1) An owner or operator may request a determination of alternative means of emission limitation to the requirements of §§ 63.1005 through 63.1015 as provided in paragraphs (b)(2) through (b)(6) of this section. If the Administrator makes a determination that an alternative means of emission limitation is a permissible alternative, the owner or operator shall comply with the alternative.

(1) An owner or operator may request a determination of alternative means of emission limitation to the requirements of §§ 63.1005 through 63.1015 as provided in paragraphs (b)(2) through (b)(6) of this section. If the Administrator makes a determination that an alternative means of emission limitation is a permissible alternative, the owner or operator shall comply with the alternative.