For Gregg, Nueces, and Victoria Counties, no person shall operate a petroleum refinery without complying with the following requirements. (1) No component may be allowed to have a volatile organic compound (VOC) leak as defined in §101.1 of this title (relating to Definitions) for more than 15 calendar days after the leak is found, except as provided in paragraph (2) of this section. If the owner or operator elects to use the alternative work practice in §115.358 of this title (relating to Alternative Work Practice), the definition of a leak for the purposes of this paragraph is as specified in §115.358 of this title, including any leak detected using the alternative work practice on a component that is subject to the requirements of this division (relating to Fugitive Emission Control in Petroleum Refineries in Gregg, Nueces, and Victoria Counties) but not specifically selected for alternative work practice monitoring. (2) A first attempt at repair must be made no later than five calendar days after the leak is found, and the component must be repaired no later than 15 calendar days after the leak is found, unless the repair of a component would require a unit shutdown that would create more emissions than the repair would eliminate. A component in gas/vapor or light liquid service is considered to be repaired when it is monitored with an instrument using Method 21 in 40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 60, Appendix A-7 (October 17, 2000) and shown to no longer have a leak after adjustments or alterations to the component. A component in heavy liquid service is considered to be repaired when it is monitored by audio, visual, and olfactory means and shown to no longer have a leak after adjustments or alterations to the component. For any component that the owner or operator monitors using the alternative work practice in §115.358 of this title, the component is considered repaired when the component is monitored using either an optical gas imaging instrument as specified in §115.358 of this title or the normal monitoring method required under this division and is demonstrated to no longer have a leak after adjustments or alterations to the component. If the repair of a component would require a unit shutdown that would create more emissions than the repair would eliminate, the repair may be delayed until the next scheduled shutdown. (3) All leaking components, as defined in paragraph (1) of this section, that cannot be repaired until the unit is shut down for turnaround must be identified for such repair by tagging. The executive director may require early unit turnaround or other appropriate action based on the number and severity of tagged leaks awaiting turnaround. (4) Except for pressure relief valves, no valves may be installed or operated at the end of a pipe or line containing a VOC, 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 while a sample is being taken or during maintenance operations, and when closing the line, the upstream valve must be closed first. (5) Pipeline valves and pressure relief valves in gaseous VOC service must be marked in some manner that will be readily obvious to monitoring personnel. Alternatively, the owner or operator of the refinery may choose to monitor all components in liquid service on the schedule for components in gaseous service specified in §115.324(2) of this title (relating to Inspection Requirements). If the owner or operator elects to use the alternative work practice in §115.358 of this title to monitor components in liquid service, the frequency must be as specified in §115.358 of this title. |
| Source Note: The provisions of this §115.322 adopted to be effective February 19, 1990, 15 TexReg 549; amended to be effective July 17, 1991, 16 TexReg 3722; amended to be effective August 1, 1992, 17 TexReg 4683; amended to be effective May 22, 1997, 22 TexReg 4213; amended to be effective August 29, 2001, 26 TexReg 6303; amended to be effective May 16, 2002, 27 TexReg 4113; amended to be effective June 24, 2010, 35 TexReg 5293 |
