Ala. Admin. Code r. 335-3-6-.21
Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024
Section 335-3-6-.21 - Leaks From Petroleum Refinery Equipment(1) For the purpose of this Rule, the following definitions apply: (a) "Petroleum refinery" shall mean any facility engaged in producing gasoline, kerosene, distillate fuel oils, residual fuel oils, lubricants, or other products through distillation, cracking, extraction, or reforming of unfinished petroleum derivatives.(b) "Leaking component" shall mean any source which has a VOC concentration exceeding 10,000 parts per million by volume when tested in the manner described in Rule 335-3-6-.16(13). These sources include, but are not limited to, pumping seals, compressor seals, seal oil degassing vents, pipeline valves, flanges and other connections, pressure relief devices, process drains, and open ended pipes. Excluded from these sources are valves which are not externally regulated.(c) "Liquid service" shall mean equipment which processes, transfers or contains a VOC or mixture of VOCs in the liquid phase.(d) "Gas service" shall mean equipment which processes, transfers or contains a VOC or mixture of VOCs in the gaseous phase.(e) "Valves not externally regulated" shall mean valves that have no external controls, such as in-line check valves.(f) "Refinery unit" shall mean a set of components which are a part of a basic process operation, such as, distillation, hydrotreating, cracking or reforming of hydrocarbons.(2) This Rule applies to all petroleum refineries.(3) The owner or operator of a petroleum refinery complex subject to this regulation shall develop and conduct a monitoring program consistent with paragraphs (7) through (14) of this Rule, inclusive.(4) The owner or operator of a petroleum refinery complex, upon detection of a leaking component, which has a VOC concentration exceeding 10,000 parts per million by volume when tested in the manner described in Rule 335-3-6-.16(13), shall:(a) include the leaking component on a written list of scheduled repairs within twenty-four (24) hours; and,(b) repair and retest the component within fifteen (15) days unless the leaking component cannot be repaired until the unit is shutdown for turnaround.(5) Except for safety pressure relief valves, no owner or operator of a petroleum refinery shall install a valve at the end of a pipe or line containing VOCs unless the pipe or line is sealed with a second valve, a blind flange, a plug, or a cap. The sealing device may be removed only when the line is in use (i.e., when a sample is being taken).(6) No owner or operator of a petroleum refinery shall operate a pipeline valve or pressure relief valve in gaseous VOC service unless it is marked in some manner that will be readily obvious to both refinery personnel performing monitoring and the Director.(7) The owner or operator of a petroleum refinery shall maintain a leaking components monitoring log which shall contain, at a minimum, the following data: (a) The name of the process unit where the component is located.(b) The type of component (e.g., valve, seal).(c) The tag number of the component.(d) The date on which a leaking component is discovered.(e) The date on which a leaking component is repaired.(f) The date and instrument reading of the recheck procedure after a leaking component is repaired.(g) A record of the calibration of the monitoring instrument.(h) Those leaks that cannot be repaired until turnaround.(i) The total number of components checked and the total number of components found leaking.(8) Copies of the monitoring log shall be retained by the owner or operator for a minimum of 2 years after the date on which the record was made or the report prepared.(9) Copies of the monitoring log shall immediately be made available to the Director, upon verbal or written request, at any reasonable time.(10) The owner or operator of a petroleum refinery, upon the completion of each yearly and/or quarterly monitoring procedure, shall: (a) Submit a report to the Director by the 15th day, of January, April, July, and October that lists all leaking components that were located during the previous 3 calendar months but not repaired within 15 days, all leaking components awaiting unit turnaround, the total number of components inspected and the total number of components found leaking.(b) Submit a signed statement with the report attesting to the fact that, with the exception of those leaking components listed in subparagraph (a) of this paragraph all monitoring and repairs were performed as stipulated in the monitoring program.(11) The Director, upon written notice, may modify the monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements.(12) The owner or operator of a petroleum refinery subject to this regulation shall conduct a monitoring program consistent with the following provisions: (a) Monitor yearly by the methods referenced in Rule 335-3-6-.16(13), all2. pipeline valves in liquid service; and(b) Monitor quarterly by the methods referenced in Rule 335-3-6-.16(13), all2. pipeline valves in gaseous service; and3. pressure relief valves in gaseous service.(c) Monitor weekly by visual methods all pump seals;(d) Monitor immediately any pump seal from which liquids are observed dripping;(e) Monitor any relief valve within twenty-four (24) hours after it has vented to the atmosphere; and(f) Monitor immediately after repair any component that was found leaking.(13) Pressure relief devices which 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 subparagraph (12) of this Rule above.(14) The owner or operator of a petroleum refinery, upon the detection of a leaking component, 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 leaking component is repaired. Author: Wm. Gerald Hardy
Ala. Admin. Code r. 335-3-6-.21
Effective Date: April 19, 1984. Amended: Filed October 17, 1996; effective November 21, 1996.Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 22-28-14, 22-22A-5, 22-22A-6, 22-22A-8.