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National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions >From the Production of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Resin, Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN) Resin, Methyl Methacrylate Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (MABS) Resin, Methyl Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene (MBS) Resin, Polystyrene Resin, Poly (Ethylene Terephthalate) (PET) Resin, and Nitrile Resin (Group IV Polymers and Resins)

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.


 [Federal Register: March 29, 1995]
[[Page 16091]]


ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 63 [AD-FRL-5175-9] RIN 2060-AE37 National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions >From the Production of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Resin, Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN) Resin, Methyl Methacrylate Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (MABS) Resin, Methyl Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene (MBS) Resin, Polystyrene Resin, Poly (Ethylene Terephthalate) (PET) Resin, and Nitrile Resin (Group IV Polymers and Resins) AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule and notice of public hearing. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The proposed rule would reduce emissions of organic hazardous air pollutants (HAP) from existing and new facilities that manufacture one or more of the following Group IV polymers and resins: Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin, styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) resin, methyl methacrylate acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (MABS) resin, methyl methacrylate butadiene styrene (MBS) resin, polystyrene resin, poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) resin, and nitrile resin. The EPA is in the process of developing standards for a wide range of types of polymer and resin production facilities. The polymers and resins covered by this proposed rule are thermoplastics, and with two exceptions, use styrene as the dominant feedstock. These thermoplastics are basically intermediate products used to produce automotive plastic parts, appliances and appliance parts, housewares, polyester fibers, packing and containers, soft drink bottles, and toys. In the production of thermoplastics, a variety of organic HAP are used as monomers or are created as by-products. The organic HAP emitted by the facilities covered by this proposed rule include styrene, acrylonitrile, butadiene, ethylene glycol, methanol, acetaldehyde, and dioxane. Some of these pollutants are considered to be mutagens and carcinogens, and all can cause reversible or irreversible toxic effects following exposure. The proposed rule is estimated to reduce organic HAP emissions from existing facilities by 11,750 megagrams per year (Mg/ yr). The emission reductions achieved by these standards, when combined with the emission reductions achieved by other similar standards, will achieve the primary goal of the Clean Air Act (Act) as amended in 1990, which is to ``enhance the quality of the Nation's air resources so as to promote the public health and welfare and the productive capacity of its population''.
The proposed rule implements section 112(d) of the Act, which requires the Administrator or Administrator's designee, hereafter referred to as Administrator, to regulate emissions of HAP listed in section 112(b) of the Act. The intent of this rule is to protect the public by requiring the maximum degree of reduction in emissions of organic HAP from new and existing major sources, taking into consideration the cost of achieving such emission reduction, and any non-air quality, health and environmental impacts, and energy requirements.
Under today's action, the EPA is also proposing to revise subpart DDD of 40 CFR part 60 by removing all references to polystyrene and PET facilities contained therein. This proposed action is being taken because today's proposed rule would supersede the requirements specified in subpart DDD of 40 CFR part 60 for polystyrene and PET facilities.
Finally, under today's action, the EPA is proposing to add nitrile resin production to the source category list under section 112(c) of the Act and to the source category schedule under section 112(e) of the Act with a promulgation date no later than November 15, 2000. DATES: Comments. Comments must be received on or before May 30, 1995. Public Hearing. If anyone contacts the EPA requesting to speak at a public hearing by April 19, 1995, a public hearing will be held on April 28, 1995 beginning at 10 a.m. Persons interested in attending the hearing should call Ms. Marguerite Thweatt at (919) 541-5607 to verify that a hearing will be held.
Request to Speak at Hearing. Persons wishing to present oral testimony must contact the EPA by April 19, 1995 by contacting Ms. Marguerite Thweatt; Organic Chemicals Group, (MD-13), U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, telephone number (919) 541-5607. ADDRESSES: Comments. Comments should be submitted (in duplicate, if possible) to: Air Docket Section (LE-131), Attention: Docket No. A-92- 45, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street SW., Washington, DC 20460. The EPA requests that a separate copy also be sent to the contact person listed below. The public hearing, if required, will be held at the EPA's Office of Administration Auditorium, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
The docket is located at the above address in room M-1500, Waterside Mall (ground floor), and may be inspected from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday; telephone number (202) 382-7548. A reasonable fee may be charged for copying docket materials. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information concerning the proposed rule, contact Mr. Leslie Evans at (919) 541-5410, Organic Chemicals Group, Emission Standards Division (MD-13), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed regulatory text is not included in this Federal Register document, but is available in Docket No. A-92- 45, on the Technology Transfer Network (TTN), or from the EPA contact person designated in this notice. The TTN, EPA's electronic bulletin board, provides information and technology exchange in various areas of air pollution control. The service is free, except for the cost of a telephone call. Dial (919) 541-5742 for up to a 14,400 bps modem. If more information on the TTN is needed, call the HELP line at (919) 541- 5384.
In addition to the proposed regulatory text, the Basis and Purpose Document, which contains the rationale for the various components of the standard, is available in the docket (Docket No. A-92-45, Category II-A), and on the TTN. This document is entitled Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions From Process Units in the Thermoplastics Manufacturing Industry--Basis and Purpose Document for Proposed Standards, March 1995, and has been assigned document number EPA-453/R- 95-004a.
Other materials related to this rulemaking, including technical memoranda, are available for review in the docket. Some of these memoranda have been compiled into a single document, the Supplementary Information Document (SID), to allow interested parties more convenient access to the information. The SID is available in the docket (Docket No. A-92-45, Category II-A) and from the EPA Library by calling (919) 541-2777. The document is entitled Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions >From Process Units in the Thermoplastics Manufacturing Industry-- Supplementary Information Document for Proposed Standards, March 1995, and has been assigned document number EPA-453/R-95-003a. The information presented in this preamble is organized as follows: I. List of Affected Source Categories
II. Background
A. Summary of Considerations Made in Developing This Rule B. Regulatory Background
III. Authority for National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) Decision Process
A. Source of Authority for NESHAP Development B. Criteria for Development of NESHAP IV. Summary of Proposed Standards
A. Source Categories To Be Regulated B. Relationship to Other Rules
C. Pollutants To Be Regulated
D. Affected Emission Points
E. Format of the Standards
F. Proposed Standards
G. Compliance and Performance Test Provisions and Monitoring Requirements
H. Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements V. Solicitation of Comments
VI. Summary of Environmental, Energy, Cost, and Economic Impacts A. Facilities Affected by These NESHAP B. Primary Air Impacts
C. Non-Air Impacts [[Page 16092]]
D. Energy Impacts
E. Cost Impacts
F. Economic Impacts
VII. Administrative Requirements
A. Public Hearing
B. Docket
C. Executive Order 12866
D. Enhancing the Intergovernmental Partnership Under Executive Order 12875
E. Paperwork Reduction Act
F. Regulatory Flexibility Act
G. Miscellaneous I. List of Affected Source Categories Section 112 of the Act requires that the EPA evaluate and control emissions of HAP. The control of HAP is achieved through promulgation of emission standards under sections 112(d) and 112(f) of the Act and work practice and equipment standards under section 112(h) of the Act for categories of sources that emit HAP. On July 16, 1992, the EPA published an initial list of major and area source categories to be regulated, as required under section 112(c) of the Act. Included on that list were major sources emitting HAP from ABS, SAN, MABS, MBS, polystyrene, and PET. Nitrile resin production is being added to the source category list under section 112(c) of the Act because, based on information obtained during the gathering of HAP emission data for this proposed rule, the one facility identified as producing nitrile resins was determined to be a major source. Further, the EPA decided to include nitrile resin production under today's proposed rule because of similarities in process operations, emission characteristics, and control device applicability and costs with the various styrene-based resin source categories. For the purpose of this notice, these seven polymer and resin source categories are collectively referred to as the Group IV polymers and resins or the Group IV thermoplastics. The EPA identified a total of 66 facilities producing one or more of the Group IV thermoplastics. Twenty facilities were identified that produced thermoplastics using multiple processes and, thus, fall within multiple subcategories. For example, six of the PET facilities use both the continuous terephthalic acid (TPA) process and the continuous dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) process.
All of the facilities considered in the analysis supporting today's proposed rule are believed to be major sources according to the 1990 Amendments criterion of emitting or of having the potential to emit 10 tons per year (tons/yr) of any one HAP or 25 tons/yr of combined HAP. (A year, for the purposes of compliance with this rule, is any consecutive twelve month period or 365 rolling days). The proposed rule would apply to all major sources that produce any of the seven thermoplastics identified in this notice. Area sources would not be subject to this proposed rule.
In developing the background information to support the proposed rule, the EPA chose to subcategorize four of the seven source categories for purposes of analyzing the maximum achievable control technology (MACT) floors and developing regulatory alternatives. A source category was subcategorized to account for major differences in production methods, raw material usage, or both. Table 1 summarizes the subcategories developed. Table 1.--Subcategorization of Group IV Polymers and Resins<SUP>a
Number of subcategory<SUP>b Continuous emulsion.......... 2 Batch emulsion............... 4 Batch suspension............. 2 Batch latex.................. 1 Batch........................ 2 ASA/AMSAN.................... 1 Batch........................ 11 EPS.......................... 7 TPA, batch................... 1 DMT, continuous.............. 10 DMT, batch................... 10 shown in this table. facilities within a source category. ASA=acrylonitrile styrene acrylate. AMSAN=alpha methyl styrene acrylonitrile. EPS=expandable polystyrene. TPA=terephthalic acid. DMT=dimethyl terephthalate. Table 2.--Summary of NSPS Pet Standards Affected Number of end Type of vacuum Recovery. product OR limit temperature to +37 deg.F from each final condenser in the material recovery section. High............ Single.......... ................ (same as above). Multiple........ ................ (same as above). Reaction. product. Steam jets...... 0.02 kg TOC/Mg of product AND 0.35 percent ethylene glycol by weight in the effluent exiting the vacuum system. High............ Single.......... Not steam jets.. 0.02 kg TOC/Mg of product. Steam jets...... 0.02 kg TOC/Mg of product AND 0.35 percent ethylene glycol by weight in the effluent exiting the vacuum system. Multiple........ Not steam jets.. 0.02 kg TOC/Mg of product. Steam jets...... 0.02 kg TOC/Mg of product AND 6.0 percent ethylene glycol by weight in the cooling water in the cooling tower. Preparation. product. High............ Single.......... ................ (same as above). [[Page 16095]] ................ Multiple........ ................ (same as above). Reaction. product. Steam jets...... 0.02 kg TOC/Mg of product AND 0.35 percent ethylene glycol by weight in the effluent exiting the vacuum system. High............ Single.......... Not steam jets.. 0.02 kg TOC/Mg of product. Steam jets...... 0.02 kg TOC/Mg of product AND 0.35 percent ethylene glycol by weight in the effluent exiting the vacuum system. Multiple........ Not steam jets.. 0.02 kg TOC/Mg of product. Steam jets...... 0.02 kg TOC/Mg of product AND 6.0 percent ethylene glycol by weight in the cooling water in the cooling tower. Key: DMT = dimethyl terephthalate. TPA = terephthalic acid. Uncontrolled emission rate, product<SUP>a terephthalate process. terephthalic acid process. Polymerization Reaction... 3.92<SUP>c,f,h resale. <SUP>bEmission rate applies to continuous emissions only. <SUP>dIncludes emissions from the cooling water tower. terephthalate). terephthalate). <SUP>gSee footnote h. esterifiers). 63 and Subpart DDD of 40 CFR Part 60 Type of emission point Subcategory Heat exchange Storage vessels Process vents Equipment leaks Wastewater systems emulsion. exchange systems. mass. Vents: HON Batch exchange Process Vents: 90 systems. percent reduction or compliant flare. emulsion. Vents: HON Batch exchange Process Vents: 90 systems. percent reduction or compliant flare. suspension. Vents: HON Batch exchange Process Vents: 90 systems. percent reduction or compliant flare. Vents: HON Batch exchange Process Vents: 90 systems. percent reduction or compliant flare. Vents: HON Batch exchange Process Vents: 90 systems. percent reduction or compliant flare. Vents: MACT Floor exchange Batch Process Vents: systems. 90 percent reduction or compliant flare. Vents: HON Batch exchange Process Vents: 90 systems. percent reduction or compliant flare. Vents: HON Batch exchange Process Vents: 90 systems. percent reduction or compliant flare. exchange systems. continuous. Vents from material exchange recovery: same as systems. subpart DDD Other Continuous Process vents: HON Batch Process Vents: 90 percent reduction or compliant flare. batch. Vents: HON Batch exchange Process Vents: 90 systems. percent reduction or compliant flare. polystyrene. Vents: HON Batch exchange Process Vents: 90 systems. percent reduction or compliant flare. continuous. Vents from raw wastewater water allowed material preparation (including all in vacuum and polymerization vacuum system system contact reaction sections: generated condensers. HON same as subpart DDD wastewater).<SUP>a. for heat Other Continuous exchange Process vents: HON systems. Batch Process Vents: 90 percent reduction or compliant flare. DMT, batch. Vents: HON Batch wastewater water allowed Process Vents: 90 (including all in vacuum percent reduction or vacuum system system contact compliant flare. generated condensers. HON wastewater).. for heat exchange systems. continuous. Vents from material wastewater water allowed recovery and (including all in vacuum polymerization vacuum system system contact reaction sections: generated condensers. HON same as subpart DDD wastewater).<SUP>a. for heat Other Continuous exchange Process vents: HON systems. Batch Process Vents: 90 percent reduction or compliant flare. [[Page 16099]] Vents: HON Batch exchange Process Vents: 90 systems. percent reduction or compliant flare. provisions (subpart G) shall be considered Group 1 and are required to be controlled. Subpart DDD of 40 CFR Part 60 Type of emission point Subcategory Heat exchange Storage vessels Process vents Equipment leaks Wastewater systems emulsion. Vents: HON Batch exchange Process Vents: 90 systems. percent reduction or a compliant flare. mass. Alternative 2<SUP>a. Vents: HON Batch exchange Process Vents: 90 systems. percent reduction or a compliant flare. emulsion. Vents: HON Batch exchange Process Vents: 90 systems. percent reduction or a compliant flare. suspension. Vents: HON Batch exchange Process Vents: 90 systems. percent reduction or a compliant flare. Vents: HON Batch exchange Process Vents: 90 systems. percent reduction or a compliant flare. Vents: HON Batch exchange Process Vents: 90 systems. percent reduction or a compliant flare. Vents: HON Batch exchange Process Vents: 90 systems. percent reduction or a compliant flare. Vents: HON Batch exchange Process Vents: 90 systems. percent reduction or a compliant flare. exchange systems. exchange systems. continuous. Vents from material exchange recovery: Same as systems. subpart DDD Other Continuous Process Vents: HON Batch Process Vents: 90 percent reduction or a compliant flare. batch. Vents: HON Batch exchange Process Vents: 90 systems. percent reduction or a compliant flare. polystyrene. Vents: HON Batch exchange Process Vents: 90 systems. percent reduction or a compliant flare. continuous. Vents from raw wastewater water allowed material preparation (including all in vacuum and polymerization vacuum system system contact reaction sections: generated condensers. HON same as subpart DDD wastewater).<SUP>b. for heat Other Continuous exchange Process Vents: HON systems. Batch Process Vents: 90 percent reduction or a compliant flare. [[Page 16100]] DMT, batch. Vents: HON Batch wastewater water allowed Process Vents: 90 (including all in vacuum percent reduction or vacuum system system contact a compliant flare. generated condensers. HON wastewater).<SUP>b. for heat exchange systems. continuous. Vents from material wastewater water allowed recovery and (including all in vacuum polymerization vacuum system system contact reaction sections: generated condensers. HON same as subpart DDD wastewater).<SUP>b. for heat Other Continuous exchange Process Vents: HON systems. Batch Process Vents: 90 percent reduction or a compliant flare. Vents: HON Batch exchange Process Vents: 90 systems. percent reduction or a compliant flare. provisions (subpart G) shall be considered Group 1 and are required to be controlled. eq>1.9 psia and 2. external floating capacity <gr-thn- roof; or eq>20,000 gallons<SUP>c. 3. an external floating roof converted to an internal floating roof; or 4. a closed vent system and control device. If vapor pressure <gr- thn-eq>11.1 psia: a closed vent system and control device<SUP>d thn-eq>10,200 gallons. Styrene/acrylonitrile 98 percent reduction. for capacities <gr-thn- eq>1,000 gallons. Acrylonitrile for 98 percent reduction. capacities <gr-thn- eq>20,000 gallons. Any other chemical:.... If vapor pressure is Vapor pressure <gr- <11.1 psia: thn-eq>0.75 psia and 1. fixed roof and capacity <gr-thn- internal floating eq>40,000 gallonsc. roof; or Vapor pressure <gr- 2. external floating thn-eq>1.9 psia and roof; or capacity <gr-thn- 3. an external eq>20,000 gallons<SUP>c. floating roof converted to an internal floating roof; or 4. a closed vent system and control device. If vapor pressure <gr- thn-eq>11.1 psia: a closed vent system and control device<SUP>0d acrylonitrile storage of control). vessels <gr-thn- eq>3,500 gallons. psia and capacity <gr- of control) thn-eq>20,000 gallons. Vapor pressure <gr-thn- eq>2.08 psia and capacity <gr-thn- eq>10,000 but less than 20,000 gallons. <SUP>bRequired for Group 1 storage vessels only. the HON. <SUP>dThe level of control is the same as the HON. KEY: AMST = alpha methyl styrene. [[Page 16101]] eq>1.9 psia and 2. external floating capacity <gr-thn- roof; or eq>10,000 gallons<SUP>c. 3. an external floating roof converted to an internal floating roof; or 4. a closed vent system and control device. If vapor pressure <gr- thn-eq>11.1 psia: a closed vent system and control device<SUP>d. and capacity <gr-thn- of control). eq>10,000 gallons and <12,000 gallons. Styrene for capacities <gr-thn-eq>12,000 gallons. VP <gr-thn-eq> 0.0782 psia and <gr-thn- eq>12,000 gallons. to <0.1 psia and capacity <gr-thn- eq>600,000 gallons. VP <gr-thn-eq> 0.1 to (same as the HON level <1.45 psia and <gr-thn- of control). eq>40,000 gallons. VP <gr-thn-eq> 1.45 to 98 percent reduction. <14.7 psia and capacity <gr-thn- eq>8,000 to <40,000 gallons. thn-eq>10,200 gallons. Styrene/acrylonitrile 98 percent reduction. for capacities <gr-thn- eq>1,000 gallons. Acrylonitrile for 98 percent reduction. capacities <gr-thn- eq>20,000 gallons. Any other chemical:.... (same as the HON level Vapor pressure <gr-thn- of control). eq>0.1 psia and capacity <gr-thn- eq>40,000 gallons<SUP>c. Vapor pressure <gr-thn- eq>1.9 psia and capacity <gr-thn- eq>10,000 gallons<SUP>c. acrylonitrile storage of control). vessels <gr-thn-eq> 3,500 gallons. eq> 0.78 psia and of control). capacity <gr-thn-eq> 29,000 gallons. Vapor pressure <gr-thn- eq> 0.09 psia and capacity <gr-thn-eq> 12,000 gallons but less than 29,000 gallons. Vapor pressure <gr-thn- eq> 1.1 psia and capacity <gr-thn-eq> 5,170 gallons but less than 12,000 gallons. <SUP>bRequired for Group 1 storage vessels only. those in the HON. <SUP>d The level of control is the same as in the HON. KEY: CM = continuous mass; VP = vapor pressure. Table 8.--Summary of Proposed Process Vent Applicability Criteria for Existing Facilities Process vents Subcategory Applicability criteria Continuous Unit Operations........ All (except as specified below)..................... TRE<SUP>a <ls-thn-eq> 1. MBS................................................. TRE<SUP>a <ls-thn-eq> 3.7. ASA/AMSAN.................................... None. All vents are required to be controlled. Polystyrene, continuous: material recovery.......... None. Must meet standard. PET/DMT, continuous: material recovery.............. 0.12 kg TOC per Mg product<SUP>b. PET/DMT, continuous: polymerization reaction........ None. Must meet standard. PET/TPA, continuous: raw material preparation and None. Must meet standard. polymerization reaction. equation<SUP>c ---------------------------------------------------- Low......... (0.00437) AE--51.6<SUP>d. Moderate.... (0.00187) AE--14.0<SUP>d. High........ (0.00081) AE--8.5<SUP>d. TRE coefficients for existing and new process vents. <SUP>bIf emissions from the described process vents are greater than the applicability criteria, control is required. required to be controlled. <SUP>dAE = annual emissions in kilograms per year. Table 9.--Summary of Proposed Process Vent Applicability Criteria for New Facilities Process vents Subcategory Applicability criteria Continuous Unit Operations............ All (except as specified below)......................... TRE<SUP>a <ls-thn-eq> 1 SAN, batch.............................................. None. Must meet standard. ASA/AMSAN....................................... None. All vents are required to be controlled. Polystyrene, continuous: material recovery.............. None. Must meet standard. PET/DMT, continuous: material recovery and None. Must meet standard. polymerization reaction. PET/TPA, continuous: Raw material preparation and None. Must meet standard. polymerization reaction. equation<SUP>b ------------------------------------------------------ Low......... (0.00437) AE--51.6<SUP>c. Moderate.... (0.00187) AE--14.0<SUP>c. High........ (0.00081) AE--8.5<SUP>c. SAN, batch................................. None................... Must meet standard. TRE coefficients for existing and new process vents. required to be controlled. <SUP>cAE=annual emissions in kilograms per year. 10,000 ppmw. and or for a subset of organic wastewater streams and control is required. <SUP>c VOHAP=volatile organic HAP. <SUP>[[Page 16108]] Table 11.--Organic HAP Emissions and Emission Reductions Existing sources New sources ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subcategory Emission Emission Baseline, reduction, Percent Baseline, Reduction, Percent Mg/yr Mg/yr reduction Mg/yr Mg/yr reduction ABS, continuous mass.............. 240 190 80 % ABS, batch emulsion............... 500 56 11 % ABS, batch suspension............. 15 5 33 % SAN, continuous................... 110 65 60 % SAN, batch........................ 35 13 37 % MBS............................... 190 130 68 % Polystyrene, continuous........... 1,440 1,060 74 % --No new growth projected, therefore no impacts expected. <SUP>[[Page 16109]] Table 12.--Summary of Cost Impacts Existing sources New sources --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Total costs, effectiveness capital costs, Effectiveness cost, $1000 $1000/yr ($/Mg) cost, $1000 $1000/yr ($/Mg) --No new growth projected, therefore no impacts expected.

 
 


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