Wis. Admin. Code Department of Natural Resources NR 446.02

Current through November 25, 2024

Section NR 446.02 - Definitions

The definitions contained in ch. NR 400 apply to the terms used in this chapter. In addition, the following definitions apply to the terms used in this chapter:

(1) "Allowable emissions" means the annual mercury emissions of a stationary source, calculated using the maximum rated capacity of the source, and by accounting for enforceable limits which restrict the operating rate or hours of operation or both.

(1c) "Baseline mercury emissions" means the calculated level of annual mercury emissions from a major utility as determined under s. NR 446.07.

(1e) "Best available control technology" or "BACT" means an emission limit for mercury based on the maximum degree of reduction practically achievable as specified by the department on an individual case-by-case basis taking into account energy, economic and environmental impacts and other costs related to the source.

(1g) "Cell room" means a structure housing one or more mercury chlor-alkali cells.

(1n) "Certified emission reduction" means a reduction of mercury emissions that has been certified by the department and made enforceable through a construction permit, operation permit or other appropriate means.

(1r) "Commission" means the public service commission.

(2) "Condenser stack gases" mean the gaseous effluent evolved from the stack of processes utilizing heat to extract mercury metal from mercury ore.

(3) "Denuder" means a horizontal or vertical container which is part of a mercury chlor-alkali cell and in which water and alkali metal amalgam are converted to alkali metal hydroxide, mercury, and hydrogen gas in a short-circuited, electrolytic reaction.

(4) "End box" means one or more containers located on one or both ends of a mercury chlor-alkali electrolyzer which serves as a connection between the electrolyzer and denuder for rich and stripped amalgam.

(5) "End box ventilation system" means a ventilation system which collects mercury emissions from the end boxes, the mercury pump sumps, and their water collection systems.

(6) "Hydrogen gas stream" means a hydrogen stream formed in the chlor-alkali cell denuder.

(6e) "Major stationary source" means a stationary source whose mercury emissions are 10 pounds per year or greater.

(6m) "Major utility" means a Class A utility, as defined under s. 199.03(4), Stats., that generates electricity or an electrical cooperative association organized under ch. 185, Stats., whose mercury emissions from all stationary sources under the common ownership and control of the utility or the association are 100 pounds per year or greater.

(6s) "Mercury" has the meaning given in s. NR 445.02(9).

(7) "Mercury chlor-alkali cell" means a device which is basically composed of an electrolyzer section and a denuder or decomposer section and utilizes mercury to produce chlorine gas, hydrogen gas, and alkali metal hydroxide.

(8) "Mercury chlor-alkali electrolyzer" means an electrolytic device which is part of a mercury chlor-alkali cell and utilizes a flowing mercury cathode to produce chlorine gas and alkali metal amalgam.

(9) "Mercury ore" means a mineral mined specifically for its mercury content.

(10) "Mercury ore processing facility" means a facility processing mercury ore to obtain mercury.

(10m) "Method X", where "X" is a number or a number followed by a letter, means the specified method contained in Appendix B of, incorporated by reference in s. NR 484.04(23).

(11) "Sludge" means sludge produced by a treatment plant that processes municipal or industrial wastewater.

(12) "Sludge dryer" means a device used to reduce the moisture content of sludge by heating to temperatures above 65ºC (ca. 150ºF) directly with combustion gases.

Wis. Admin. Code Department of Natural Resources NR 446.02

Renum. from NR 154.01, Register, September, 1986, No. 369, eff. 10-1-86; am. (intro.) and (2), cr. (10m), Register, May, 1994, No. 461, eff. 6-1-94; am. (10m), Register, December, 1995, No. 480, eff. 1-1-96; CR 02-097: am. (intro.) Register June 2004 No. 582, eff. 7-1-04; CR 01-081: renum. (1) to be (1g), cr. (1), (1c, (1n), (1r), (1w), (6e), (6m), (6s), (8m) and (10s) Register September 2004 No. 585, eff. 10-1-04; CR 07-036: cr. (1e), r. (1w), am. (1c) Register November 2008 No. 635, eff. 12-1-08.