Section 336.1631. Emission of volatile organic compounds from existing process equipment utilized in manufacture of polystyrene or other organic resins.

(l) After December 31, 1989, a person shall not cause or allow the emission of volatile organic compounds from existing process equipment that is utilized in the manufacturing of polystyrene or other organic resins located in any of the following counties, unless all of the provisions of subrules (2) to (10) of this rule are met or unless an equivalent control method, as approved by the department, is implemented:

(a)   Kent.

(b)   Livingston.

(c)   Macomb.

(d)  Monroe.

(e)   Muskegon.

(f)  Oakland.

(g)   Ottawa.

(h)   St.  Clair.

(i)   Washtenaw.

(j)   Wayne.

(2)   The emission of volatile organic compounds from existing material recovery equipment that is utilized in the manufacture of polystyrene resin by a continuous process shall not be more than 0.12 pounds per 1,000 pounds of polystyrene resin produced.

(3)    A person shall not operate an existing reactor, thinning tank, or blending tank that is utilized in the manufacture of a completed organic resin unless either of the following provisions is complied with:

(a)     All volatile organic compounds emitted from existing reactors, thinning tanks, and blending tanks shall be vented to control equipment that is designed and operated to reduce the quantity of volatile organic compounds by not less than 95 weight percent. Reflux condensers that are essential to the operation of the resin reactor are not considered to be control equipment.

(b)    The total volatile organic compounds emitted to the atmosphere from the reactors, thinning tanks, and blending tanks do not exceed 0.5 pounds per 1,000 pounds of completed organic resin produced.

(4)   Notwithstanding the provisions of subrule (3) of this rule, a person shall not operate an existing reactor, thinning tank, or blending tank utilized in the manufacture of a dry organic resin at the Solutia, Inc. of Trenton unless either of the following provisions is complied with:

(a)     All volatile organic compounds emitted from existing reactors, thinning tanks, and blending tanks shall be vented to control equipment that is designed and operated to reduce the quantity of volatile organic compounds by not less than 95 weight percent. Reflux condensers that are essential to the operation of the resin reactor are not considered to be control equipment.

(b)    The total volatile organic compounds emitted to the atmosphere from the reactors, thinning tanks, and blending tanks do not exceed 2.6 pounds per 1,000 pounds of dry organic resin produced.

(5)   Compliance with the emission limits specified in subrules (2), (3), and (4) of this rule shall be determined using the method described in R 336.2060 or an alternate method acceptable to the department.  Upon request by the department, a person who is responsible for processes

that are subject to the provisions of subrule (2), (3), or (4) of this rule shall submit, to the department, test data necessary for a determination of compliance.

(6)   Not later than 3 months after the effective date of this rule and thereafter, a person who is responsible for processes that are subject to the provisions of subrule (2), (3), or (4) of this rule shall obtain current information and keep records necessary for a determination of compliance with the provisions of this rule.  This information may include any of the following information:

(a)   Emissions test data.

(b)   Material balance calculations.

(c)   Process production rates.

(d)  Control equipment specifications and operating parameters.

(7)    A person who is responsible for the operation of existing process equipment that is subject to the provisions of this rule shall submit, to the department, a written program for compliance with this rule or evidence of compliance with this rule. The written program for compliance shall be submitted to the department before October 19, 1989.

(8)    The program required by subrule (7) of this rule shall include the method by which compliance with this rule shall be achieved, a description of new equipment to be installed or modifications to existing equipment to be made, and a timetable that specifies, at a minimum, all of the following dates:

(a)   The date or dates equipment shall be ordered.

(b)   The date or dates construction, modification, or process changes shall begin.

(c)   The date or dates initial start-up of equipment shall begin.

(d)  The date or dates final compliance shall be achieved.

(9)   A person may discontinue the operation of a natural gas-fired afterburner, which is used to achieve compliance with the emission limits in this rule, between November 1 and March 31 unless the afterburner is used to achieve compliance with, or is required by, any of the following:

(a)   Any other provisions of these rules.

(b)   A permit to install.

(c)   A permit to operate.

(d)  A voluntary agreement.

(e)   A performance contract.

(f)  A stipulation.

(g)   An order of the department.

(10)   If the operation of a natural gas-fired afterburner is discontinued between November 1 and March 31 pursuant to the provisions of subrule (9) of this rule, then both of the following provisions shall apply during this time period:

(a)   All other provisions of this rule, except for the emission limits, shall remain in effect.

(b)   All other measures that are used to comply with the emission limits in this rule between April 1 and October 31 shall continue to be used.

History: 1989 AACS; 1993 AACS; 2002 AACS.