§63.987. Flare requirements. — Inbound Citations

(ii) Beginning no later than the compliance dates specified in § 63.1102(c), flares subject to § 63.987 and used as a control device for an emission point subject to the requirements in Table 7 to § 63.1103(e) are only required to comply with § 63.1103(e)(4).

(A) If the process vent is controlled using a flare in accordance with the provisions of § 63.987, or a combustion device in accordance with the provisions of § 63.988(b)(2), for which a performance test has not been conducted, the control efficiency shall be assumed to be 98 weight-percent. For hydrogen-fueled flares, an owner or operator may use a control efficiency greater than 98 weight-percent if they can provide engineering calculations and supporting information demonstrating a greater control efficiency.

(5) Beginning no later than the compliance dates specified in § 63.1102(c), if emissions are vented through a closed vent system to a flare at an ethylene production affected source, then the owner or operator must comply with the requirements specified in § 63.1103(e)(4) instead of the requirements in § 63.987 and the provisions regarding flare compliance assessments at § 63.997(a) through (c).

(2) You must reduce emissions of AN by using a flare that meets the requirements of § 63.987 of subpart SS.

(k) Beginning no later than the compliance dates specified in § 63.2342(e), for each storage tank and low throughput transfer rack that is subject to control based on the criteria specified in Tables 2 or 2b to this subpart, if you vent emissions through a closed vent system to a flare then you must comply with the requirements specified in § 63.2380 instead of the requirements in § 63.987 and the provisions regarding flare compliance assessments at § 63.997(a), (b), and (c).

(2) Beginning no later than the compliance dates specified in § 63.2342(e), flares that are subject to § 63.987 and used as a control device for an emission point subject to the requirements in Tables 2 or 2b to this subpart are required to comply only with § 63.2380. At any time before the compliance dates specified in § 63.2342(e), flares that are subject to §§ 63.987 and elect to comply with § 63.2380 are required to comply only with § 63.2380.

(iii) If you comply with an emission limit using a flare that meets the requirements specified in § 63.987 or § 63.2450(e)(5), as applicable.

(ii) You control the Group 2 batch process vents using a flare that meets the requirements of § 63.987 or § 63.2450(e)(5), as applicable.

(2) Beginning no later than the compliance dates specified in § 63.2445(g), flares subject to § 63.987 and used as a control device for an emission point subject to the emission limits and work practice standards in Tables 1, 2, 4 or 5 to this subpart are only required to comply with § 63.2450(e)(5).

(1) If a flare is used as a control device, the flare shall meet the requirements of § 63.670 instead of the flare requirements in § 63.987.

(b) You must meet the monitoring, installation, operation, and maintenance requirements specified for closed vent systems and applicable control devices in §§ 63.983 through 63.995. If you used the design evaluation procedure in § 63.7187(i) to demonstrate compliance, you must use the information from the design evaluation to establish the operating parameter level for monitoring of the control device.

(b) Owners or operators that vent emissions through a closed vent system to a flare shall meet the requirements in § 63.983 for closed vent systems; § 63.987 for flares; § 63.997 (a), (b) and (c) for provisions regarding flare compliance assessments; the monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements referenced therein; and the applicable recordkeeping and reporting requirements of §§ 63.998 and 63.999. No other provisions of this subpart apply to emissions vented through a closed vent system to a flare.

(1) Owners or operators using a control device other than one listed in §§ 63.985 through 63.990 to meet a weight-percent emission reduction or parts per million by volume outlet concentration requirement specified in a referencing subpart shall meet the requirements of this section.

(a) Where §§ 63.985 through 63.995 require, or the owner or operator elects to conduct, a performance test of a control device or a halogen reduction device, or a compliance assessment for a flare, the requirements of paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section apply.

(1) Approval of alternatives to the nonopacity emissions standards in §§ 63.983(a) and (d), 63.984, 63.985(a), 63.986(a), 63.987(a), 63.988(a), 63.990(a), 63.993(a), 63.994(a), and 63.995(a) under § 63.6(g). Where these standards reference another subpart, the cited provisions will be delegated according to the delegation provisions of the referenced subpart.

(ii) A record of the planned routine maintenance performed on the control system during which the control system does not meet the applicable specifications of § 63.983(a), § 63.985(a), or § 63.987(a), as applicable, due to the planned routine maintenance. Such a record shall include the information specified in paragraphs (d)(2)(ii)(A) through (C) of this section. This information shall be submitted in the Periodic Reports as specified in § 63.999(c)(4).

(A) The first time of day and date the requirements of § 63.983(a), § 63.985(a), or § 63.987(a), as applicable, were not met at the beginning of the planned routine maintenance, and

(B) The first time of day and date the requirements of § 63.983(a), § 63.985(a), or § 63.987(a), as applicable, were met at the conclusion of the planned routine maintenance.

(ii) For the time period covered by the periodic report and the previous periodic report, the total number of hours that the control system did not meet the requirements of § 63.983(a), § 63.985(a), or § 63.987(a) due to planned routine maintenance.

(iv) For each flare subject to the requirements in § 63.1103(e)(4), in lieu of the information required in § 63.987(b) of subpart SS, the Notification of Compliance Status shall include flare design (e.g., steam-assisted, air-assisted, non-assisted, or pressure-assisted multi-point); all visible emission readings, heat content determinations, flow rate measurements, and exit velocity determinations made during the initial visible emissions demonstration required by § 63.670(h) of subpart CC, as applicable; and all periods during the compliance determination when the pilot flame or flare flame is absent.

(17) ASTM D1946-90 (Reapproved 1994), Standard Method for Analysis of Reformed Gas by Gas Chromatography, 1994, IBR approved for §§ 63.11(b), 63.987(b), and 63.1412.

(ix) For flares subject to the requirements of § 63.2380, you must also submit the information in this paragraph in a supplement to the Notification of Compliance Status within 150 days after the first applicable compliance date for flare monitoring. In lieu of the information required in § 63.987(b), the Notification of Compliance Status must include flare design (e.g., steam-assisted, air-assisted, or non-assisted); all visible emission readings, heat content determinations (including information required by § 63.670(j)(6)(i), as applicable), flow rate measurements, and exit velocity determinations made during the initial visible emissions demonstration required by § 63.670(h), as applicable; and all periods during the compliance determination when the pilot flame or flare flame is absent.

(1) As part of a flare compliance assessment required in § 63.987(b), you have the option of demonstrating compliance with the requirements of § 63.11(b) by complying with the requirements in either § 63.11(b)(6)(i) or § 63.987(b)(3)(ii).

(3) For flares subject to the requirements of § 63.2450(e)(5), you must also submit the information in this paragraph (d)(3) in a supplement to the Notification of Compliance Status within 150 days after the first applicable compliance date for flare monitoring. In lieu of the information required in § 63.987(b) of subpart SS, the supplement to the Notification of Compliance Status must include flare design (e.g., steam-assisted, air-assisted, non-assisted, or pressure-assisted multi-point); all visible emission readings, heat content determinations, flow rate measurements, and exit velocity determinations made during the initial visible emissions demonstration required by § 63.670(h) of subpart CC, as applicable; and all periods during the compliance determination when the pilot flame or flare flame is absent.

(D) If a closed vent system and a flare is used, the owner or operator shall submit:

(1) Flare design (e.g., steam-assisted, air-assisted, or nonassisted);

(2) All visible emission readings, heat content determinations, flow rate measurements, and exit velocity determinations made during the compliance determination required by § 63.120(e) of subpart G or § 63.987(b) of subpart SS or § 63.670(h), as applicable; and

(3) All periods during the compliance determination when the pilot flame is absent.

(i) For flares used to replace an existing control device, a flare compliance demonstration shall be performed using the methods specified in § 63.987(b);

(1) Upon request, the owner or operator shall make available to the Administrator such records as may be necessary to determine the conditions of flare compliance assessments performed pursuant to § 63.987(b).

(i) When using a flare to comply with this subpart, record the information specified in paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(A) through (C) of this section for each flare compliance assessment performed pursuant to § 63.987(b). As specified in § 63.999(a)(2)(iii)(A), the owner or operator shall include this information in the flare compliance assessment report.

(A) Flare design (i.e., steam-assisted, air-assisted, or non-assisted);

(B) All visible emission readings, heat content determinations, flow rate measurements, and exit velocity determinations made during the flare compliance assessment; and

(C) All periods during the flare compliance assessment when all pilot flames are absent or, if only the flare flame is monitored, all periods when the flare flame is absent.

(ii) Each owner or operator shall keep up to date and readily accessible hourly records of whether the monitor is continuously operating and whether the flare flame or at least one pilot flame is continuously present. For transfer racks, hourly records are required only while the transfer rack vent stream is being vented.

(A) Each owner or operator shall keep records of the times and duration of all periods during which the flare flame or all the pilot flames are absent. This record shall be submitted in the periodic reports as specified in § 63.999(c)(3).

(B) Each owner or operator shall keep records of the times and durations of all periods during which the monitor is not operating.

(1) Unless requested by the Administrator, an owner or operator is not required to conduct a performance test or flare compliance assessment under this subpart if a prior performance test or compliance assessment was conducted using the same methods specified in § 63.997(e) or § 63.987(b)(3), as applicable, and either no process changes have been made since the test, or the owner or operator can demonstrate that the results of the performance test or compliance demonstration, with or without adjustments, reliably demonstrate compliance despite process changes. An owner or operator may request permission to substitute a prior performance test or compliance assessment by written application to the Administrator as specified in § 63.999(a)(1)(iv).

(iv) Any application to substitute a prior performance test or compliance assessment for an initial performance test or compliance assessment, as allowed by § 63.997(b)(1), shall be submitted no later than 90 days before the performance test or compliance test is required. The application for substitution shall include information demonstrating that the prior performance test or compliance assessment was conducted using the same methods specified in § 63.997(e) or § 63.987(b)(3), as applicable. The application shall also include information demonstrating that no process changes have been made since the test, or that the results of the performance test or compliance assessment reliably demonstrate compliance despite process changes.

(3) Flare compliance assessments shall meet the requirements specified in paragraphs (b)(3)(i) through (iv) of this section.

(i) Method 22 of appendix A of part 60 shall be used to determine the compliance of flares with the visible emission provisions of this subpart. The observation period is 2 hours, except for transfer racks as provided in (b)(3)(i)(A) or (B) of this section.

(A) For transfer racks, if the loading cycle is less than 2 hours, then the observation period for that run shall be for the entire loading cycle.

(B) For transfer racks, if additional loading cycles are initiated within the 2-hour period, then visible emissions observations shall be conducted for the additional cycles.

(ii) The net heating value of the gas being combusted in a flare shall be calculated using Equation 1:

(iii) The actual exit velocity of a flare shall be determined by dividing the volumetric flow rate (in unit of standard temperature and pressure), as determined by Method 2, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2F, or 2G of 40 CFR part 60, appendix A, as appropriate, by the unobstructed (free) cross sectional area of the flare tip.

(iv) Flare flame or pilot monitors, as applicable, shall be operated during any flare compliance assessment.

(iii) If a facility controls process vent emissions during startup, shutdown, and malfunction by using a flare, an owner or operator is not required to perform flow rate and heat content testing as specified in § 63.987(b)(3)(ii) and (iii). In lieu of performing flow rate and heat content testing, an owner or operator is required to submit engineering calculations that substantiate that a flare meets the applicable heat content or flow rates, or provide data from a compliance assessment that the flare is in compliance under worst case conditions (e.g., maximum operating conditions).

(1) As part of a flare compliance assessment required in § 63.987(b), you have the option of demonstrating compliance with the requirements of § 63.11(b) by complying with the requirements in either § 63.11(b)(6)(i) or § 63.987(b)(3)(ii).

(3) Flare compliance assessments shall meet the requirements specified in paragraphs (b)(3)(i) through (iv) of this section.

(i) Method 22 of appendix A of part 60 shall be used to determine the compliance of flares with the visible emission provisions of this subpart. The observation period is 2 hours, except for transfer racks as provided in (b)(3)(i)(A) or (B) of this section.

(A) For transfer racks, if the loading cycle is less than 2 hours, then the observation period for that run shall be for the entire loading cycle.

(B) For transfer racks, if additional loading cycles are initiated within the 2-hour period, then visible emissions observations shall be conducted for the additional cycles.

(ii) The net heating value of the gas being combusted in a flare shall be calculated using Equation 1:

(iii) The actual exit velocity of a flare shall be determined by dividing the volumetric flow rate (in unit of standard temperature and pressure), as determined by Method 2, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2F, or 2G of 40 CFR part 60, appendix A, as appropriate, by the unobstructed (free) cross sectional area of the flare tip.

(iv) Flare flame or pilot monitors, as applicable, shall be operated during any flare compliance assessment.

(iii) If a facility controls process vent emissions during startup, shutdown, and malfunction by using a flare, an owner or operator is not required to perform flow rate and heat content testing as specified in § 63.987(b)(3)(ii) and (iii). In lieu of performing flow rate and heat content testing, an owner or operator is required to submit engineering calculations that substantiate that a flare meets the applicable heat content or flow rates, or provide data from a compliance assessment that the flare is in compliance under worst case conditions (e.g., maximum operating conditions).

(3) Flare compliance assessments shall meet the requirements specified in paragraphs (b)(3)(i) through (iv) of this section.

(i) Method 22 of appendix A of part 60 shall be used to determine the compliance of flares with the visible emission provisions of this subpart. The observation period is 2 hours, except for transfer racks as provided in (b)(3)(i)(A) or (B) of this section.

(A) For transfer racks, if the loading cycle is less than 2 hours, then the observation period for that run shall be for the entire loading cycle.

(B) For transfer racks, if additional loading cycles are initiated within the 2-hour period, then visible emissions observations shall be conducted for the additional cycles.

(ii) The net heating value of the gas being combusted in a flare shall be calculated using Equation 1:

(iii) The actual exit velocity of a flare shall be determined by dividing the volumetric flow rate (in unit of standard temperature and pressure), as determined by Method 2, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2F, or 2G of 40 CFR part 60, appendix A, as appropriate, by the unobstructed (free) cross sectional area of the flare tip.

(iv) Flare flame or pilot monitors, as applicable, shall be operated during any flare compliance assessment.

(3) Flare compliance assessments shall meet the requirements specified in paragraphs (b)(3)(i) through (iv) of this section.

(i) Method 22 of appendix A of part 60 shall be used to determine the compliance of flares with the visible emission provisions of this subpart. The observation period is 2 hours, except for transfer racks as provided in (b)(3)(i)(A) or (B) of this section.

(A) For transfer racks, if the loading cycle is less than 2 hours, then the observation period for that run shall be for the entire loading cycle.

(B) For transfer racks, if additional loading cycles are initiated within the 2-hour period, then visible emissions observations shall be conducted for the additional cycles.

(ii) The net heating value of the gas being combusted in a flare shall be calculated using Equation 1:

(iii) The actual exit velocity of a flare shall be determined by dividing the volumetric flow rate (in unit of standard temperature and pressure), as determined by Method 2, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2F, or 2G of 40 CFR part 60, appendix A, as appropriate, by the unobstructed (free) cross sectional area of the flare tip.

(iv) Flare flame or pilot monitors, as applicable, shall be operated during any flare compliance assessment.

(v) If you vent emissions to a flare, keep records of all periods of operation during which the flare pilot flame is absent, as specified in §§ 63.987(c) and 63.998(a)(1), and keep records of closed-vent systems, as specified in § 63.998(d)(1).

(2) Flares subject to § 63.987(c) are not subject to the requirements of this section.

(i) A record of the measured values of the parameters monitored in accordance with § 63.985(c) or § 63.987(c).