Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1200-03-16-.51

Current through December 10, 2024

Section 1200-03-16-.51 - EQUIPMENT LEAKS OF VOC FROM ONSHORE NATURAL GAS PROCESSING PLANTS

(1) Applicability and designation of affected facility.

(a)

1. The provisions of this rule apply to affected facilities in onshore natural gas processing plants.

2. A compressor in VOC service or in wet gas service is an affected facility.

3. The group of all equipment except compressors (defined in paragraph (2) of this rule) within a process unit is an affected facility.

(b) Any affected facility under subparagraph (a) of this paragraph that commences construction, reconstruction, or modification after November 6, 1988 is subject to the requirements of this rule.

(c) Addition or replacement of equipment (defined in paragraph (2) of this rule) for the purpose of process improvement that is accomplished without a capital expenditure shall not by itself be considered a modification under this rule.

(d) Facilities covered by rule 1200-3-16-.43 or rule 1200-3-16-.47 are excluded from this rule.

(e) A compressor station, dehydration unit, sweetening unit, underground storage tank, field gas gathering system, or liquefied natural gas unit is covered by this rule if it is located at an onshore natural gas processing plant. If the unit is not located at the plant site, then it is exempt from the provisions of this rule.

(2) Definitions.

(a) Terms not defined in this paragraph shall have the meanings given in rule 1200-3-16 - .43.

(b) "Equipment" means each pump, pressure relief device, open-ended valve or line, valve, compressor, and flange or other connector that is in VOC service or in wet gas service, and any device or system required by this rule.

(c) "Field gas" means feedstock gas entering the natural gas processing plant.

(d) "In light liquid service" means that the piece of equipment contains a liquid that meets the conditions specified in 1200-3-16-.43(6)(e) or part (4)(h)2. of this rule.

(e) "Natural gas liquids" means the hydrocarbons, such as ethane, propane, butane, and pentane, that are extracted from field gas.

(f) "Natural gas processing plant" (gas plant) means any processing site engaged in the extraction of natural gas liquids from field gas, fractionation of mixed natural gas liquids to natural gas products, or both.

(g) "Nonfractionating plant" means any gas plant that does not fractionate mixed natural gas liquids into natural gas products.

(h) "Onshore" means all facilities except those that are located in the territorial seas or on the outer continental shelf.

(i) "Process unit" means equipment assembled for the extraction of natural gas liquids from field gas, the fractionation of the liquids into natural gas products, or other operations associated with the processing of natural gas products. A process unit can operate independently if supplied with sufficient feed or raw materials and sufficient storage facilities for the products.

(j) "Reciprocating compressor" means a piece of equipment that increases the pressure of a process gas by positive displacement, employing linear movement of the driveshaft.

(k) "In wet gas service" means that a piece of equipment contains or contacts the field gas before the extraction step in the process.

(3) Standards

(a) Each owner or operator subject to the provisions of this rule shall comply with the requirements of 1200-3-16-.43(3)(a) 1., 2., and 4. and 1200-3-16-.43(3)(b) through (j), except as provided in paragraph (4) of this rule, as soon as practicable, but no later than 180 days after initial startup.

(b) An owner or operator may elect to comply with the requirements of 1200-3-16 - .43(4)(a) and (b).

(c) An owner or operator may apply to the Technical Secretary for permission to use an alternative means of emission limitation that achieves a reduction in emissions of VOC at least equivalent to that achieved by the controls required in this rule. In doing so, the owner or operator shall comply with requirements of paragraph (5) of this rule.

(d) Each owner or operator subject to the provisions of this rule shall comply with the applicable test methods and procedures specified in 1200-3-16-.43(6) except as provided in subparagraph (4)(f) of this rule.

(e) Each owner or operator subject to the provisions of this rule shall comply with the provisions of 1200-3-16-.43(7) and (8) except as provided in paragraphs (4), (6), and (7) of this rule.

(f) An owner or operator shall use the following provision instead of the provisions of 1200-3-16-.43(6)(d) 1.: Each piece of equipment is presumed to be in VOC service or in wet gas service unless an owner or operator demonstrates that the piece of equipment is not in VOC service or in wet gas service. For a piece of equipment to be considered not in VOC service, it must be determined that the percent VOC content can be reasonably expected never to exceed 10.0 percent by weight. For a piece of equipment to be considered in wet gas service, it must be determined that it contains or contacts the field gas before the extraction step in the process. For purposes of determining the percent VOC content of the process fluid that is contained in or contacts a piece of equipment, procedures that conform to the methods described in ASTM Methods E169, E168, or E260 shall be used. (Note: All references to ASTM in this rule refers to the American Society for Testing Materials. Copies of methods are available for purchase by writing to ASTM, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 or by writing to the Tennessee Division of Air Pollution Control, 701 Broadway, 4th Floor Customs House, Nashville, TN 37219. Be sure and specify which method is desired.)

(4) Exceptions

(a) Each owner or operator subject to the provisions of this rule may comply with the following exceptions to the provisions of rule 1200-3-16-.43.

(b)

1. Each pressure relief device in gas/vapor service may be monitored quarterly and within 5 days after each pressure release to detect leaks by the methods specified in subparagraph 1200-3-16 -43(6)(b) except as provided in subparagraph (3)(c) and part (4)(b)4 of this rule and 1200-3- 16-.43(3)(d)1. through 1200-3-16 - .43(3)(d)3.

2. If an instrument reading of 10,000 ppm or greater is measured, a leak is detected.

(i) When a leak is detected, it shall be repaired as soon as practicable, but no later than 15 calendar days after it is detected, except as provided in 1200- 3-16- .43(3)(i).

(ii) A first attempt at repair shall be made no later than 5 calendar days after each leak is detected.

(i) Any pressure relief device that is located in a nonfractionating plant that is monitored only by nonplant personnel may be monitored after a pressure release the next time the monitoring personnel are on site, instead of within 5 days as specified in part (b)1. of this paragraph and rule 1200-3-16 - .43(3)(d)2.(ii).

(ii) No pressure relief device described in subpart (b)4(i) of this paragraph shall be allowed to operate for more than 30 days after a pressure release without monitoring.

(c) Sampling connection systems are exempt from the requirements of 1200-3-16-.43(3)(e).

(d) Pumps in light liquid service, valves in gas/vapor and light liquid service, and pressure relief devices in gas/vapor service that are located at a nonfractionating plant that does not have the design capacity to process 283,000 standard cubic meters per day (scmd) (10 million standard cubic feet per day (scfd)) or more of field gas are exempt from the routine monitoring requirements of 1200-3-16-.43(3)(b) 1(i), 1200-3-16-.43(3)(g) 1 and part (b)1. of this paragraph.

(e) Reserved

(f) Reciprocating compressors in wet gas service are exempt from the compressor control requirements of 1200-3-16-.43(3)(c).

(g) Flares used to comply with this rule shall comply with the requirements of 1200-3-16 - .01(11).

(h) An owner or operator may use the following provisions instead of 1200-3-16-.43(6)(e):

1. Equipment is in heavy liquid service if the weight percent evaporated is 10 percent or less at 15° C as determined by ASTM Method D86. (Note: All references to ASTM in this rule refers to the American Society for Testing Materials. Copies of methods are available for purchase by writing to ASTM, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 or by writing to the Tennessee Division of Air Pollution Control, 701 Broadway, 4th Floor Customs House, Nashville, TN 37219. Be sure and specify which method is desired.)

2. Equipment is in light liquid service if the weight percent evaporated is greater than 10 percent at 1500C as determined by ASTM Method D86.

(5) Alternative means of emission limitation

(a) If, in the Technical Secretary's judgment, an alternative means of emission limitation will achieve a reduction in VOC emissions at least equivalent to the reduction in VOC emissions achieved under any design, equipment, work practice or operational standard, this alternative means may be allowed in lieu of means listed in this rule. The Technical Secretary may condition permission to use alternate means on requirements related to the operation and maintenance of the alternative means.

(b) The method of approving any alternate means by the provisions of this paragraph shall be by revision of the state implementation plan.

(c) The Technical Secretary will consider applications under this paragraph from either owners or operators of affected facilities, or manufactures of control equipment.

(d) The Technical Secretary will treat applications under this paragraph according to the following criteria, except in cases where he concludes that other criteria are appropriate:

1. The applicant must collect, verify and submit test data, covering a period of at least 12 months, necessary to support the finding in subparagraph (a) of this paragraph, and

2. If the applicant is an owner or operator of an affected facility, he must commit in writing to operate and maintain the alternative means so as to acheive a reduction in VOC emissions at least equivalent to the reduction in VOC emissions achieved under the design, equipment, work practice or operational standard.

(6) Recordkeeping requirements

(a) Each owner or operator subject to the provisions of this rule shall comply with the requirements of subparagraphs (b) and (c) of this paragraph in addition to the requirements of 1200-3-16-.43(7).

(b) The following recordkeeping requirements shall apply to pressure relief devices subject to the requirements of part (4)(b)1. of this rule.

1. When each leak is detected as specified in part (4)(b)2. of this rule, a weatherproof and readily visible identification, marked with the equipment identification number , shall be attached to the leaking equipment. The identification on the pressure relief device may be removed after it has been repaired.

2. When each leak is detected as specified in part (4)(b)2. of this rule, the following information shall be kept for 2 years in a readily accessible location:

(i) The instrument and operator identification numbers and the equipment identification number.

(ii) The date the leak was detected and the dates of each attempt to repair the leak.

(iii) Repair methods applied in each attempt to repair the leak.

(iv) "Above 10,000 ppm" if the maximum instrument reading measured by the methods specified in subparagraph (a) of this paragraph after each repair attempt is 10,000 ppm or greater.

(v) "Repair delayed" and the reason for the delay if a leak is not repaired within 15 calendar days after discovery of the leak.

(vi) The signature of the owner or operator (or designate) whose decision it was that repair could not be effected without a process shutdown.

(vii) The expected date of successful repair of the leak if a leak is not repaired within 15 days.

(viii) Dates of process unit shutdowns that occur while the equipment is unrepaired.

(ix) The date of successful repair of the leak.

(x) A list of identification numbers for equipment that are designated for no detectable emissions under the provisions of 1200-3-16-.43(3)(d) 1. The designation of equipment subject to the provisions of 1200-3-16-.43(3)(d) 1. shall be signed by the owner or operator.

(c) An owner or operator shall comply with the following requirement in addition to the requirement of 1200-3-16-.43(7)(j): Information and data used to demonstrate that a reciprocating compressor is in wet gas service to apply for the exemption in subparagraph (4)(f) of this rule shall be recorded in a log that is kept in a readily accessible location.

(7) Reporting requirements

(b) An owner or operator shall include the following information in the initial semiannual report in addition to the information required in 1200-3-16-.43(8)(b) 1 through 1200-3- 16-.43(8)(b)4.: number of pressure relief devices subject to the requirements of subparagraph (4)(b) of this rule except for those pressure relief devices designated for no detectable emissions under the provisions of 1200-3-16-.43(3)(d) 1. and those pressure relief devices complying with 1200-3-16-.43(3)(d) 3.

(c) An owner or operator shall include the following information in all semiannual reports in addition to the information required in 1200-3-16-.43(8)(c) 2.(i) through 1200-3-16 - .43(8)(c)2.(vi):

1. Number of pressure relief devices for which leaks were detected as required in part (4)(b)2. of this rule, and

2. Number of pressure relief devices for which leaks were not repaired as required in part (4)(b)3. of this rule.

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1200-03-16-.51

Original rule filed September 21, 1988; effective November 6, 1988.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 68-25-105 and 4-5-202.