[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 186 (Thursday, September 24, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60157-60161]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-21042]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-0738; FRL-10014-68-OAR]


Notice of Final Approval for an Alternative Means of Emission 
Limitation

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice; final approval.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document announces our approval of the alternative means 
of emission limitation (AMEL) request under the Clean Air Act (CAA) 
submitted by Lyondell Chemical Company (Lyondell) to operate multi-
point ground flares (MPGFs) at its Channelview chemical plant in 
Houston, Texas. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received 
no adverse comments on the request. This approval document specifies 
the operating conditions and monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting 
requirements that this facility must follow to demonstrate compliance 
with the approved AMEL.

DATES: The approval of the AMEL request from Lyondell to operate MPGFs 
at the Lyondell Channelview chemical plant, as specified in this 
document, is effective on September 24, 2020.

ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a docket for this action under 
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-0738. All documents in the docket are 
listed on the https://www.regulations.gov/ website. Although listed, 
some information is not publicly available, e.g., Confidential Business 
Information or other information whose disclosure is restricted by 
statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, is not 
placed on the internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy 
form. Publicly available docket materials are available either 
electronically through https://www.regulations.gov/.
    Out of an abundance of caution for members of the public and our 
staff, the EPA Docket Center and Reading Room are closed to the public, 
with limited exceptions, to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19. 
Our Docket Center staff will continue to provide remote customer 
service via email, phone, and webform. For further information and 
updates on EPA Docket Center services, please visit us online at 
https://www.epa.gov/dockets. The EPA continues to carefully and 
continuously monitor information from the Centers for Disease Control, 
local area health departments, and our Federal partners so that we can 
respond rapidly as conditions change regarding COVID-19.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions about this final action, 
contact Ms. Angie Carey, Sector Policies and Programs Division (E143-
01), Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711; 
telephone number: (919) 541-2187; fax number: (919) 541-0516; and email 
address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Preamble acronyms and abbreviations. We use multiple acronyms and 
terms in this preamble. While this list may not be exhaustive, to ease 
the reading of this preamble and for reference purposes, the EPA 
defines the following terms and acronyms here:

AMEL alternative means of emission limitation
BTU/scf British thermal units per standard cubic foot
CAA Clean Air Act
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
Eqn equation
MPGF multi-point ground flare
NESHAP national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants
NHVcz net heating value of combustion zone gas
NHVvg net heating value of flare vent gas
NSPS new source performance standards
OAQPS Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
POTBA propylene oxide tertiary butyl alcohol unit
scf standard cubic feet

    Organization of this document. The information in this document is 
organized as follows:

I. Background
    A. Summary
    B. Regulatory Flare Requirements
II. Summary of Public Comments on the AMEL Request
III. AMEL for the MPGFs

I. Background

A. Summary

    In a Federal Register notice published on May 29, 2020, the EPA 
provided public notice and solicited comment on the request under the 
CAA by Lyondell to operate MPGFs at its Channelview chemical plant in 
Houston, Texas (see 85 FR 32382). In that document, the EPA solicited 
comment on all aspects of the AMEL request, including the operating 
conditions specified in that document that are necessary to achieve a 
reduction in emissions of volatile organic compounds and organic 
hazardous air pollutants at least equivalent to the reductions required 
under the applicable CAA section 111(h)(1) or 112(h)(1) standards. 
Lyondell requested the AMEL for MPGFs to be used at a new propylene 
oxide tertiary butyl alcohol (``POTBA'') unit at its Channelview 
chemical plant. According to Lyondell, the POTBA unit is subject to the 
new source performance standards (NSPS) and national emission standards 
for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for source categories identified 
in Table 1 below. These NSPS and NESHAP incorporate the flare design 
and operating requirements in the 40 CFR parts 60 and 63 General 
Provisions (i.e., 40 CFR 60.18(b) and 63.11(b)) into the individual 
subparts. Lyondell submitted an AMEL request to operate a flare with

[[Page 60158]]

tip exit velocities greater than those allowed in 40 CFR 60.18 and 
63.11 while achieving >= 96.5-percent combustion efficiency and 98-
percent destruction efficiency.
    This action provides a summary of our approval of this AMEL 
request.

B. Regulatory Flare Requirements

    Provided below in Table 1 is a list of regulations, by subpart, 
that Lyondell has identified as applicable to the new POTBA unit's 
MPGFs described above. The middle column identifies the requirement in 
each cited NSPS or NESHAP that requires flares used to satisfy the NSPS 
or NESHAP meet the flare design and operating requirements in the 40 
CFR parts 60 and 63 General Provisions (i.e., 40 CFR 60.18(b) and 
63.11(b)). Lyondell is seeking an AMEL for these flare requirements.

  Table 1--Summary of Applicable Rules to Emissions Controlled by MPGFS
                              for the POTBA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Emission reduction
 Applicable rules with vent       requirements         Provisions for
  streams going to control    (allowing for use of  alternative means of
          device(s)                 a flare)         emission limitation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSPS subpart Kb.............  60.112b(a)(3)(ii)...  60.114b.
NSPS subpart VV.............  60.482-1, 60.482-     60.484.
                               10(d).
NSPS subpart VVa............  60.482-1a, 60.482-    60.484a.
                               10a(d).
NSPS subpart III............  60.612(b)...........  ....................
NSPS subpart NNN............  60.662(b)...........  ....................
NSPS subpart RRR............  60.702(b)...........  ....................
NESHAP subparts F, G........  63.102, 63.112(e),    63.6(g).
                               63.113(a)(1)(i),
                               63.116(a)(2),
                               63.116(a)(3),
                               63.119(e)(1),
                               63.120(e)(1)
                               through (4),
                               63.126(b)(2)(i),
                               63.128(b),
                               63.139(c)(3),
                               63.139(d)(3),
                               63.145(j).
NESHAP subpart H............  63.162, 63.172(d),    63.162(b), 63.177.
                               63.180(e).
NESHAP subpart V............  61.242-1, 61.242-     63.6(g).
                               11(d).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Lyondell is seeking an AMEL to operate MPGFs during both routine 
and emergency vent gas flows. Lyondell provided the information 
specified in the flare AMEL framework for pressure assisted MPGFs that 
was published in the Federal Register on April 21, 2016 (see 81 FR 
23486), to support its AMEL request. Accordingly, the request followed 
the 2016 flare AMEL framework.

II. Summary of Public Comments on the AMEL Request

    The Agency received no comments on this action. No adverse comment 
was received on the request.

III. AMEL for the MPGFs

    The EPA is approving the AMEL request by Lyondell to operate MPGFs 
with tip exit velocities greater than those allowed in 40 CFR 60.18 and 
63.11 while achieving >=96.5-percent combustion efficiency and 98-
percent destruction efficiency. We are also establishing in this 
document the operating conditions for this MPGFs as part of this 
approval. These operating conditions, which are the same as those set 
forth in the May 29, 2020, Federal Register document, will ensure that 
these flares will achieve emission reductions at least equivalent to 
the reductions required under the applicable CAA section 111(h)(1) or 
112(h)(1) standards. The operating conditions are as follows:
    (1) All MPGFs must be operated such that the combustion zone gas 
net heating value (NHVcz) is >=800 British thermal units per 
standard cubic foot (BTU/scf). Owners or operators must demonstrate 
compliance with the applicable NHVcz on a 15-minute block 
average. Owners or operators must calculate and monitor for the 
NHVcz according to the following:
    (a) Calculation of NHVcz
    (i) If an owner or operator elects to use a monitoring system 
capable of continuously measuring (i.e., at least once every 15 
minutes), calculating, and recording the individual component 
concentrations present in the flare vent gas, the net heating value of 
flare vent gas (NHVvg) shall be calculated using the following 
equation:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24SE20.001

where:

NHVvg = Net heating value of flare vent gas, BTU/scf.
Flare vent gas means all gas found just prior to the tip. This gas 
includes all flare waste gas (i.e., gas from facility operations 
that is directed to a flare for the purpose of disposing the gas), 
flare sweep gas, flare purge gas, and flare supplemental gas, but 
does not include pilot gas.
i = Individual component in flare vent gas.
n = Number of components in flare vent gas.
xi = Concentration of component i in flare vent gas, volume 
fraction.
NHVi = Net heating value of component i determined as the heat of 
combustion where the net enthalpy per mole of offgas is based on 
combustion at 25 degrees Celsius ([deg]C) and 1 atmosphere (or 
constant pressure) with water in the gaseous state from values 
published in the literature, and then the values are converted to a 
volumetric basis using 20 [deg]C for ``standard temperature.'' Table 
3 summarizes component properties including net heating values.

    (ii) If the owner or operator uses a continuous net heating value 
monitor, the owner or operator may, at their discretion, install, 
operate, calibrate, and maintain a monitoring system capable of 
continuously measuring, calculating, and recording the hydrogen 
concentration in the flare vent gas. The owner or operator shall use 
the following equation to determine NHVvg for each sample measured via 
the net heating value monitoring system.

[[Page 60159]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24SE20.004

where:

NHVvg = Net heating value of flare vent gas, BTU/scf.
NHVmeasured = Net heating value of flare vent gas stream as measured 
by the continuous net heating value monitoring system, scf.
xH2 = Concentration of hydrogen in flare vent gas at the time the 
sample was input into the net heating value monitoring system, 
volume fraction.
938 = Net correction for the measured heating value of hydrogen 
(1,212 -274), BTU/scf.

    (iii) NHVcz shall be calculated using Equation 3.
    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24SE20.002
    
where:

NHVcz = Net heating value of combustion zone gas, BTU/scf.
NHVvg = Net heating value of flare vent gas for the 15-minute block 
period as determined according to (1)(a)(i), BTU/scf.
Qvg = Cumulative volumetric flow of flare vent gas during the 15-
minute block period, scf.
Qag = Cumulative volumetric flow of assist gas during the 15-minute 
block period, standard cubic feet flow rate, scf.
NHVag = Net heating value of assist gas, BTU/scf; this is zero for 
air or for steam.

    (b) For all flare systems specified in this document, the operator 
shall install, operate, calibrate, and maintain a monitoring system 
capable of continuously measuring the volumetric flow rate of flare 
vent gas (Qvg), the volumetric flow rate of total assist steam (Qs), 
the volumetric flow rate of total assist air (Qa), and the volumetric 
flow rate of total assist gas (Qag).
    (i) The flow rate monitoring systems must be able to correct for 
the temperature and pressure of the system and output parameters in 
standard conditions (i.e., a temperature of 20 [deg]C (68 [deg]F) and a 
pressure of 1 atmosphere).
    (ii) Mass flow monitors may be used for determining volumetric flow 
rate of flare vent gas provided the molecular weight of the flare vent 
gas is determined using compositional analysis so that the mass flow 
rate can be converted to volumetric flow at standard conditions using 
the following equation:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24SE20.003

where:

Qvol = Volumetric flow rate, scf/second (sec).
Qmass = Mass flow rate, pounds per sec.
385.3 = Conversion factor, scf per pound-mole.
MWt = Molecular weight of the gas at the flow monitoring location, 
pounds per pound-mole.

    (c) For each measurement produced by the monitoring system used to 
comply with (1)(a)(ii), the operator shall determine the 15-minute 
block average as the arithmetic average of all measurements made by the 
monitoring system within the 15-minute period.
    (d) The operator must follow the calibration and maintenance 
procedures according to Table 3. Total time spent on maintenance, 
instrument adjustments or checks to maintain precision and accuracy, 
and zero and span adjustments may not exceed 5 percent of the time the 
flare is receiving regulated material.

                                    Table 2--Individual Component Properties
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  MW (pounds per
             Component                    Molecular formula         pound-mole)    NHV (BTU/scf)  LFL (volume %)
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acetylene..........................  C2H2.......................           26.04           1,404             2.5
Benzene............................  C6H6.......................           78.11           3,591             1.3
1,2-Butadiene......................  C4H6.......................           54.09           2,794             2.0
1,3-Butadiene......................  C4H6.......................           54.09           2,690             2.0
iso-Butane.........................  C4H10......................           58.12           2,957             1.8
n-Butane...........................  C4H10......................           58.12           2,968             1.8
cis-Butene.........................  C4H8.......................           56.11           2,830             1.6
iso-Butene.........................  C4H8.......................           56.11           2,928             1.8
trans-Butene.......................  C4H8.......................           56.11           2,826             1.7
Carbon Dioxide.....................  CO2........................           44.01               0         [infin]
Carbon Monoxide....................  CO.........................           28.01             316            12.5
Cyclopropane.......................  C3H6.......................           42.08           2,185             2.4
Ethane.............................  C2H6.......................           30.07           1,595             3.0
Ethylene...........................  C2H4.......................           28.05           1,477             2.7
Hydrogen...........................  H2.........................            2.02         * 1,212             4.0
Hydrogen Sulfide...................  H2S........................           34.08             587             4.0
Methane............................  CH4........................           16.04             896             5.0
Methyl-Acetylene...................  C3H4.......................           40.06           2,088             1.7
Nitrogen...........................  N2.........................           28.01               0         [infin]
Oxygen.............................  O2.........................           32.00               0         [infin]
Pentane+ (C5+).....................  C5H12......................           72.15           3,655             1.4

[[Page 60160]]

 
Propadiene.........................  C3H4.......................           40.06           2,066            2.16
Propane............................  C3H8.......................           44.10           2,281             2.1
Propylene..........................  C3H6.......................           42.08           2,150             2.4
Water..............................  H2O........................           18.02               0         [infin]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The theoretical net heating value for hydrogen is 274 BTU/scf, but for these flares, a net heating value of
  1,212 BTU/scf shall be used.


             Table 3--Accuracy and Calibration Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Accuracy             Calibration
          Parameter               requirements          requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flare Vent Gas Flow Rate....  20        Evaluate performance
                               percent of flow       biennially (every 2
                               rate at velocities    years) and
                               ranging from 0.1 to   following any
                               1 foot per sec.       period of more than
                              5          24 hours throughout
                               percent of flow       which the flow rate
                               rate at velocities    exceeded the
                               greater than 1 foot   maximum rated flow
                               per sec.              rate of the sensor,
                                                     or the data
                                                     recorder was off
                                                     scale. Check all
                                                     mechanical
                                                     connections for
                                                     leakage monthly.
                                                     Visually inspect
                                                     and check system
                                                     operation every 3
                                                     months, unless the
                                                     system has a
                                                     redundant flow
                                                     sensor.
                                                    Select a
                                                     representative
                                                     measurement
                                                     location where
                                                     swirling flow or
                                                     abnormal velocity
                                                     distributions due
                                                     to upstream and
                                                     downstream
                                                     disturbances at the
                                                     point of
                                                     measurement are
                                                     minimized.
Flow Rate for All Flows       5         Conduct a flow
 Other Than Flare Vent Gas.    percent over the      sensor calibration
                               normal range of       check at least
                               flow measured or      biennially (every 2
                               1.9 liters per        years); conduct a
                               minute (0.5 gallons   calibration check
                               per minute),          following any
                               whichever is          period of more than
                               greater, for liquid   24 hours throughout
                               flow.                 which the flow rate
                                                     exceeded the
                                                     manufacturer's
                                                     specified maximum
                                                     rated flow rate or
                                                     install a new flow
                                                     sensor.
                              5         At least quarterly,
                               percent over the      inspect all
                               normal range of       components for
                               flow measured or      leakage, unless the
                               280 liters per        continuous
                               minute (10 cubic      parameter
                               feet per minute),     monitoring system
                               whichever is          (CPMS) has a
                               greater, for gas      redundant flow
                               flow.                 sensor.
                              5         Record the results
                               percent over the      of each calibration
                               normal range          check and
                               measured for mass     inspection.
                               flow.                Locate the flow
                                                     sensor(s) and other
                                                     necessary equipment
                                                     (such as
                                                     straightening
                                                     vanes) in a
                                                     position that
                                                     provides
                                                     representative
                                                     flow; reduce
                                                     swirling flow or
                                                     abnormal velocity
                                                     distributions due
                                                     to upstream and
                                                     downstream
                                                     disturbances.
Pressure....................  5         Review pressure
                               percent over the      sensor readings at
                               normal range          least once a week
                               measured or 0.12      for straight-line
                               kilopascals (0.5      (unchanging)
                               inches of water       pressure and
                               column), whichever    perform corrective
                               is greater.           action to ensure
                                                     proper pressure
                                                     sensor operation if
                                                     blockage is
                                                     indicated.
                                                    Evaluate performance
                                                     annually and
                                                     following any
                                                     period of more than
                                                     24 hours throughout
                                                     which the pressure
                                                     exceeded the
                                                     maximum rated
                                                     pressure of the
                                                     sensor, or the data
                                                     recorder was off
                                                     scale. Check all
                                                     mechanical
                                                     connections for
                                                     leakage monthly.
                                                     Visually inspect
                                                     all components for
                                                     integrity,
                                                     oxidation, and
                                                     galvanic corrosion
                                                     every 3 months,
                                                     unless the system
                                                     has a redundant
                                                     pressure sensor.
                                                    Select a
                                                     representative
                                                     measurement
                                                     location that
                                                     minimizes or
                                                     eliminates
                                                     pulsating pressure,
                                                     vibration, and
                                                     internal and
                                                     external corrosion.
Net Heating Value by          2         Calibrate according
 Calorimeter.                  percent of span.      to manufacturer's
                                                     recommendations at
                                                     a minimum.
                                                    Temperature control
                                                     (heated and/or
                                                     cooled as
                                                     necessary) the
                                                     sampling system to
                                                     ensure proper year-
                                                     round operation.
                                                    Where feasible,
                                                     select a sampling
                                                     location at least 2
                                                     equivalent
                                                     diameters
                                                     downstream from and
                                                     0.5 equivalent
                                                     diameters upstream
                                                     from the nearest
                                                     disturbance. Select
                                                     the sampling
                                                     location at least 2
                                                     equivalent duct
                                                     diameters from the
                                                     nearest control
                                                     device, point of
                                                     pollutant
                                                     generation, air in-
                                                     leakages, or other
                                                     point at which a
                                                     change in the
                                                     pollutant
                                                     concentration or
                                                     emission rate
                                                     occurs.

[[Page 60161]]

 
Net Heating Value by Gas      As specified in       Follow the procedure
 Chromatograph.                Performance           in PS 9 of 40 CFR
                               Standard (PS) 9 of    part 60, appendix
                               40 CFR part 60,       B, except that a
                               appendix B.           single daily mid-
                                                     level calibration
                                                     check can be used
                                                     (rather than
                                                     triplicate
                                                     analysis), the
                                                     multi-point
                                                     calibration can be
                                                     conducted quarterly
                                                     (rather than
                                                     monthly), and the
                                                     sampling line
                                                     temperature must be
                                                     maintained at a
                                                     minimum temperature
                                                     of 60 [deg]C
                                                     (rather than 120
                                                     [deg]C).
Hydrogen Analyzer...........  2         Specify calibration
                               percent over the      requirements in
                               concentration         your site specific
                               measured, or 0.1      CPMS monitoring
                               volume, percent,      plan. Calibrate
                               whichever is          according to
                               greater.              manufacturer's
                                                     recommendations at
                                                     a minimum.
                                                    Specify the sampling
                                                     location at least 2
                                                     equivalent duct
                                                     diameters from the
                                                     nearest control
                                                     device, point of
                                                     pollutant
                                                     generation, air in-
                                                     leakages, or other
                                                     point at which a
                                                     change in the
                                                     pollutant
                                                     concentration
                                                     occurs.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) The flare system must be operated with a flame present at all 
times when in use. Additionally, each stage must have at least two 
pilots with a continuously lit pilot flame. Each pilot flame must be 
continuously monitored by a thermocouple or any other equivalent device 
used to detect the presence of a flame. The time, date, and duration of 
any complete loss of pilot flame on any of the burners must be 
recorded. Each monitoring device must be maintained or replaced at a 
frequency in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
    (3) The MPGF system shall be operated with no visible emissions 
except for periods not to exceed a total of 5 minutes during any 2 
consecutive hours. A video camera that is capable of continuously 
recording (i.e., at least one frame every 15 seconds with time and date 
stamps) images of the flare flame and a reasonable distance above the 
flare flame at an angle suitable for visible emissions observations 
must be used to demonstrate compliance with this requirement. The owner 
or operator must provide real-time video surveillance camera output to 
the control room or other continuously manned location where the video 
camera images may be viewed at any time.
    (4) The operator of the MPGF system shall install and operate 
pressure monitor(s) on the main flare header, as well as a valve 
position indicator monitoring system capable of monitoring and 
recording the position for each staging valve to ensure that the flare 
operates within the range of tested conditions or within the range of 
the manufacturer's specifications. The pressure monitor shall meet the 
requirements in Table 3. Total time spent on maintenance periods, 
instrument adjustments or checks to maintain precision and accuracy, 
and zero and span adjustments may not exceed 5 percent of the time the 
flare is receiving regulated material.
    (5) Recordkeeping Requirements.
    (a) All data must be recorded and maintained for a minimum of 3 
years or for as long as required under applicable rule subpart(s), 
whichever is longer.
    (6) Reporting Requirements.
    (a) The information specified in sections III(6)(b) and (c) below 
must be reported in the timeline specified by the applicable rule 
subpart(s) for which the MPGFs will control emissions.
    (b) Owners or operators shall include the final AMEL operating 
requirements for each flare in their initial Notification of Compliance 
status report.
    (c) The owner or operator shall notify the Administrator of periods 
of excess emissions in their Periodic Reports. The notification shall 
include:
    (i) Records of each 15-minute block for both MPGFs during which 
there was at least 1 minute when regulated material was routed to the 
flare and a complete loss of pilot flame on a stage of burners 
occurred, and for both MPGFs, records of each 15-minute block during 
which there was at least 1 minute when regulated material was routed to 
the flare and a complete loss of pilot flame on an individual burner 
occurred.
    (ii) Records of visible emissions events (including the time and 
date stamp) that exceed more than 5 minutes in any 2-hour consecutive 
period.
    (iii) Records of each 15-minute block period for which an 
applicable combustion zone operating limit (i.e., NHVcz) is 
not met for the flare when regulated material is being combusted in the 
flare. Indicate the date and time for each period, the NHVcz 
operating parameter for the period, the type of monitoring system used 
to determine compliance with the operating parameters (e.g., gas 
chromatograph or calorimeter), and also indicate which high-pressure 
stages were in use.
    (iv) Records of when the pressure monitor(s) on the main flare 
header show the flare burners are operating outside the range of tested 
conditions or outside the range of the manufacturer's specifications. 
Indicate the date and time for each period, the pressure measurement, 
the stage(s) and number of flare burners affected, and the range of 
tested conditions or manufacturer's specifications.
    (v) Records of when the staging valve position indicator monitoring 
system indicates a stage of the flare should not be in operation and is 
or when a stage of the flare should be in operation and is not. 
Indicate the date and time for each period, whether the stage was 
supposed to be open, but was closed, or vice versa, and the stage(s) 
and number of flare burners affected.

     Dated: September 18, 2020.
Panagiotis Tsirigotis,
Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.
[FR Doc. 2020-21042 Filed 9-23-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P