Section 115.173 - Compressor Control RequirementsThe control requirements in this section apply to any centrifugal compressor and reciprocating compressor subject to this division.
(1) If routing to a control device or routing to a process, the volatile organic compounds (VOC) vapors must be routed from the wet seal fluid degassing system or rod packing through a closed vent system. The closed vent system must be designed and operated to route all gases, vapors, or fumes from the wet seal fluid degassing system or rod packing to the control device under normal operation. The closed vent system must operate under negative pressure at the inlet for vapors.(2) A compressor must be equipped with a seal cover that forms a continuous impermeable barrier over the entire liquid surface area, and the cover must remain in a sealed position (e.g., covered by a gasketed lid or cap) except during periods necessary to inspect, maintain, repair, or replace equipment.(3) The owner or operator shall control VOC emissions from a centrifugal compressor wet seal fluid degassing system or reciprocating compressor rod packing properly using one of the following controls. (A) A control device, other than a device specified in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of this paragraph, may be used and must maintain a VOC control efficiency of at least 95% or a VOC concentration of equal to or less than 275 parts per million by volume (ppmv), as propane, on a wet basis corrected to 3% oxygen. The 95% VOC control efficiency and 275 ppmv VOC concentration are calculated from the gas stream at the control device outlet.(i) The control device must be operated at all times when gases, vapors, or fumes are vented from the closed vent system to the control device. For a boiler or process heater used as the control device, the vent gas stream must be introduced into the flame zone of the boiler or process heater. Multiple vents may be routed to the same control device. Control devices and closed vent systems must be in compliance with § 115.178 of this title (relating to Monitoring and Inspection Requirements) and § 115.179 of this title (relating to Approved Test Methods and Testing Requirements).(ii) Control devices must operate with no visible emissions, as determined through a visible emissions test conducted according to United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method 22, 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 60, Appendix A-7, Section 11, except for periods not to exceed a total of one minute during any 15-minute observation period.(B) A flare may be used and must be designed and operated in accordance with 40 CFR § 60.18(b) - (f) (as amended through December 22, 2008 (73 FR 78209)). The flare must be lit at all times when VOC vapors are routed to the flare. Multiple vents may be routed to the same control device.(C) VOC emissions may be routed to a process if the emissions are compatible with the process and would be retained within the process. Routing to a process is considered equivalent to a 95% control efficiency.(D) The reciprocating compressor rod packing may be replaced on or before the compressor has operated for 26,000 hours from the most recent rod packing replacement. The number of hours the compressor operates must be continuously recorded beginning on the appropriate compliance date in § 115.183 of this title (relating to Compliance Schedule).(E) The reciprocating compressor rod packing may be replaced within 36 months from the most recent rod packing replacement beginning from the appropriate compliance date in § 115.183 of this title.(4) The following requirements apply to a bypass installed on a closed vent system able to divert any portion of the flow from entering a control device or routing to a process. (A) A flow indicator must be installed, calibrated, and maintained at the inlet of each bypass. The flow indicator must take a reading at least once every 15 minutes and initiate an alarm notifying operators to take prompt remedial action when bypass flows are present.(B) Each bypass valve must be secured in the non-diverting position using a car-seal or a lock-and-key type configuration.30 Tex. Admin. Code § 115.173
Adopted by Texas Register, Volume 46, Number 29, July 16, 2021, TexReg 4344, eff. 7/21/2021