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TITLE 30ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
PART 1TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
CHAPTER 115CONTROL OF AIR POLLUTION FROM VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
SUBCHAPTER FMISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIAL SOURCES
DIVISION 3DEGASSING OF STORAGE TANKS, TRANSPORT VESSELS, AND MARINE VESSELS
RULE §115.541Emission Specifications

(a) All volatile organic compounds (VOC) vapors from a storage tank, transport vessel, or marine vessel subject to this division must be routed to a control device in accordance with the requirements in §115.542 of this title (relating to Control Requirements) during degassing operations unless the VOC concentration, measured in accordance with the procedure described in §115.544(b)(3) of this title (relating to Inspection, Monitoring, and Testing Requirements), is less than 34,000 parts per million by volume (ppmv) expressed as methane or 50% of the lower explosive limit.

(b) The intentional bypassing of a control device used to comply with this division is prohibited. Any visible VOC leak originating from the control device, or other associated product recovery device, must be repaired as soon as practical.

(c) No avoidable liquid or gaseous leaks, as detected by sight or sound, may originate from the degassing operation.

(d) In addition to the requirements in subsections (a) - (c) of this section, a transport vessel must be kept vapor-tight at all times until the VOC vapors are routed to a control device.

(e) In addition to the requirements in subsections (a) - (c) of this section, a marine vessel must:

  (1) have all cargo tank closures properly secured or maintain a negative pressure within the vessel when a closure is opened; and

  (2) have all pressure or vacuum relief valves operating within certified limits, as specified by classification society or flag state, until the VOC vapors are routed to a control device.

(f) In addition to the requirements in subsections (a) - (c) of this section, all VOC vapors from a floating roof storage tank that is not a drain-dry floating roof storage tank must be routed to a control device as soon as practical but no later than:

  (1) 24 hours after the tank has been emptied to the extent practical or the drain pump loses suction for a floating roof storage tank containing VOC liquids with a true vapor pressure greater than or equal to 1.5 pounds per square inch absolute (psia) under actual storage conditions;

  (2) 72 hours after the tank has been emptied to the extent practical or the drain pump loses suction for a floating roof storage tank containing VOC liquids with a true vapor pressure less than 1.5 psia under actual storage conditions; or

  (3) the time limit specified in a permit issued under Chapter 116 of this title (relating to Control of Air Pollution by Permits for New Construction or Modification) up to a maximum of 72 hours after the tank has been emptied to the extent practical or the drain pump loses suction.


Source Note: The provisions of this §115.541 adopted to be effective February 17, 2011, 36 TexReg 807

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