Major Source Boilers (MACT), Area Source Boilers (GACT), and Commercial & Industrial Solid Waste Incineration (CISWI) Rules
MAJOR SOURCE BOILER (MACT)
The Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) rule applies to new and existing boilers and process heaters at major source emitters of Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs). In the context of this rule, major sources are defined as having actual emissions of HAPs in excess of 10 tons per year of any single HAP or 25 tons per year of all HAPs combined. If your facility possess a Title V or Part 70 (Major Source) Air Quality Permit, this does not necessarily mean the Boiler MACT applies to you. A Title V Air Quality Permit signifies that actual emissions of at least one criteria pollutant (e.g. particulate matter, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, etc.) exceed 100 tons per year for non-HAP pollutants, or the 10/25 ton per year HAP thresholds previously stated. If permitted emissions of HAPs are below the major source thresholds, Boiler MACT does not apply to you; however, Boiler GACT may.
Regulatory Update for Major Source Boilers
On January 31, 2013 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published in the Federal Register the final rule 40 CFR Part 63: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Major Sources: Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers and Process Heaters. Follow our Applicability Chart to see how the rules may apply to your facility.
In general, this final rule requires facilities classified as major sources of HAP with affected boilers or process heaters to reduce emissions of harmful toxic air emissions from these combustion sources. This will improve air quality and protect public health in communities where these facilities are located.
The compliance dates for the rule are January 31, 2016, for existing sources and, January 31, 2013, or upon startup, whichever is later, for new sources. New sources are defined as sources that began operation on or after June 4, 2010.
Existing boilers have until April 31, 2013, to submit their Initial Notification. New sources must comply by January 31, 2013, or upon startup, whichever is later. New sources are defined as sources which commenced construction or reconstruction on or after June 4, 2010.
Existing boilers will have to complete the following no later than January 31, 2016:
Meet the requirements during periods of startup and shutdown.
Conduct performance tests to demonstrate compliance with all applicable emission limits.
Boiler tune-up
Energy Assessment
What is Required
Under the current Boiler MACT rule, all solid fuel and liquid fuel boilers and process heaters must meet emission limitations through performance tests and/or fuel analyses. There are a few exceptions, including limited-use boilers, boilers or process heaters associated with a source already subject to another rule, and boilers or process heaters used as emission control devices (e.g. thermal oxidizers). It is conceivable that some older boilers in operation will require updated control technologies.
Additionally, all facilities must conduct regular “tune-ups” and perform a one-time boiler energy assessment of at least one boiler. The tune-up requirement is not a simple boiler tune-up as the rule establishes guidelines for the tune-up that are above and beyond what would normally be considered a “tune-up”.
Emission Limits
Emission limits presented in the rule must be met for each subcategory. This final rule includes 19 subcategories, which are based on unit design.
There are also different emissions limits for new or reconstructed boiler and process heaters and for existing ones.
Depends on the subcategory of the boiler or process heater it could have emission limits for one or more of the following pollutants: HCL, Mercury, Filterable PM (or TSM), Carbon monoxide (CO) (or CEMS) and CO (or CEMS).
Startup and Shutdown
The work practice standards were revised for periods of startup and shutdown.
For startup, one or a combination of listed clean fuels must be used once started.
Emission Testing
It is required that the owner or operator of a new or existing boiler or process heater conduct performance tests to demonstrate compliance with all applicable emission limits. This final rule adds the requirement to conduct initial and annual stack tests to determine compliance with the emission limits using EPA test methods.
AREA SOURCE BOILER (GACT)
The Boiler General Achievable Control Technology (GACT) rule applies to new and existing area source boilers. While MACT requires maximum achievable results, GACT represents generally achievable control technology
and is not as stringent as MACT requirements. This rule applies to boilers with actual emissions of HAPs less than 10 tons per year of any single HAP or less than 25 tons per year of all HAPs combined.
Regulatory Update for Area Source Boilers
On February 1, 2013 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published in the Federal Register the final rule 40 CFR Part 63: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Area Sources: Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers. Follow our Applicability Chart to see how the rules may apply to your facility.
In general, the final rule requires facilities classified as area sources of HAP with affected boilers to reduce emissions of harmful toxic air emissions from these combustion sources, improving air quality, and protecting public health in communities where these facilities are located.
The compliance date for existing sources is March 21, 2014. The compliance date for new sources that began operations on or before May 20, 2011 is May 20, 2011. For new sources that start up after May 20, 2011, the compliance date is the date of startup. New sources are defined as sources that began operation after June 4, 2010.
Existing boilers have until January 20, 2014, to submit their Initial Notification.
Existing boilers will have to complete the following no later than March 21, 2014:
Boiler tune-up
Energy assessment
What is Required
Under the current Boiler GACT rule, all new or reconstructed boilers and existing coal-fired and oil-fired boilers must meet emission limitations through performance tests and/or fuel analyses. The emission limits in the GACT rule are generally set lower than those in the MACT rule. Existing biomass boilers are not required to meet emission limitations.
Additionally, much like the MACT rule, all affected facilities must conduct boiler “tune-ups” and perform a one-time boiler energy assessment of at least one boiler. The tune-up definition is the same as that under Boiler MACT.
Subcategories of Boilers
Each of the following categories will have different emission limits and work practice standards:
- Coal.
- Biomass.
- Oil.
- Seasonal boilers.
- Oil-fired boilers with heat input capacity of equal to or less than 5 million British thermal units (Btu) per hour.
- Boilers with an oxygen trim system that maintains an optimum air-to-fuel ratio that would otherwise be subject to a biennial tune-up.
- Limited-use boilers.
Emission Testing:
It is required that the owner or operator of a new or existing boiler or process heater conduct performance tests to demonstrate compliance with all applicable emission limits. This final rule adds the requirement to conduct initial and annual stack tests to determine compliance with the emission limits using EPA test methods.
CTI Can Help
Conversion Technology Inc. (CTI) offers a gap analysis to determine your facility’s compliance status with the rule. CTI offers to assist sources in complying with every aspect of the rules’ requirements.
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