Section 190. Compliance determination and verification by emission testing  


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  • A. A certified fuel test is required.

    1. The permittee shall have a sample analyzed for each type of biomass used during the pilot test period.

    2. The results of the fuel analysis shall be used to identify specific constituents of the fuel requiring further emissions testing.

    3. The results shall be submitted to the regional office in writing or electronically prior to testing. The submittal shall include:

    a. Fuel analysis;

    b. Name of company and individual collecting the sample;

    c. Identification of sampling method used;

    d. Sample (volume or mass);

    e. Number of samples taken;

    f. Date sample collected;

    g. Location of fuel when sample was taken;

    h. Date of analysis; and

    i. Name of company and individual conducting the analysis.

    B. A test protocol for a certified stack test shall be submitted at least 30 days prior to testing.

    1. The test protocol shall include information necessary to evaluate the emissions from the biomass pilot test facility and include, but not be limited to, operating rates or production rates as appropriate.

    2. The details of conducting the tests shall be arranged with the regional office.

    C. A certified stack test or other alternative method of evaluation acceptable to the department shall be conducted for each qualified energy generator stack to determine the quantity of pollutants from each biomass fuel.

    1. Performance tests shall be conducted for all criteria pollutants.

    2. Performance tests shall be conducted for any toxic pollutants that were found to be contained in the biomass fuel as stated in the certified fuel test.

    3. A biomass pilot test facility utilizing a combustion process shall test for any toxic pollutants that are created from combustion (including, but not limited to, acetaldehyde, acrolein, benzene, formaldehyde, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen fluoride, naphthalene, trichloroethylene, and xylene).

    4. The tests shall be performed within 60 days after achieving the maximum production rate at which the facility will be operated but in no event later than 180 days after start-up of the permitted facility.

    5. Test shall be conducted in accordance with reference methods or an alternative method approved by the department.

    6. One copy of the test results shall be submitted to the regional office within 45 days after test completion and shall conform to the test report format in subsection E of this section.

    D. A certified visible emissions evaluation shall be conducted.

    1. Concurrently with the certified stack test, visible emission evaluations in accordance with Reference Method 9, shall also be conducted on each qualified energy generator.

    2. Each test shall consist of 30 sets of 24 consecutive observations (at 15 second intervals) to yield a six minute average.

    3. The details of the tests shall be arranged with the regional office.

    4. The permittee shall submit a test protocol at least 30 days prior to testing.

    5. The evaluation shall be performed, reported, and demonstrate compliance within 60 days after achieving the maximum production rate at which the facility will be operated but in no event later than 180 days after start-up of the permitted facility.

    6. Should conditions prevent concurrent opacity observations:

    a. The regional office shall be notified in writing or electronically within seven days.

    b. Visible emissions testing shall be rescheduled within 30 days.

    c. Rescheduled testing shall be conducted under the same conditions (as possible) as the initial performance tests.

    7. One copy of the test result shall be submitted to the regional office within 45 days after test completion and shall conform to the test report format in subsection F of this section.

    E. The test report format for certified stack tests shall include the following:

    1. A report cover containing:

    a. The plant name;

    b. The plant location;

    c. Units tested at the source identified by the agency that have been issued reference numbers;

    d. Test dates;

    e. The name of the individual conducting the test;

    f. The address of the individual conducting the test; and

    g. The report date.

    2. A certification, including the date certified, that has been signed by:

    a. A test team leader or a certified observer;

    b. The test reviewer; and

    c. A responsible company official.

    3. A copy of approved test protocol.

    4. A summary including:

    a. The reason for testing;

    b. Test dates;

    c. Identification of the unit tested including the maximum rated capacity for each unit;

    d. For each emission unit, a table showing:

    (1) The operating rate;

    (2) Test methods;

    (3) The pollutants tested; and

    (4) Test results for each run, including the run average;

    e. Process and control equipment data for each run and the average, as required by the test protocol;

    f. A statement that the test was conducted in accordance with the test protocol, or identification and discussion of deviations, including the likely impact on results; and

    g. Any other important information as determined by the regional office.

    5. A description of source operation including:

    a. A description of the process;

    b. A description of control devices, if necessary;

    c. A process and control equipment flow diagram; and

    d. A description of sampling port location and a dimensioned cross section. A protocol shall be attached that includes a sketch of the stack (elevation view) showing sampling port locations, upstream and downstream flow disturbances and their distances from ports; and a sketch of stack (plan view) showing sampling ports, ducts entering the stack and stack diameter or dimensions.

    6. Test results, including:

    a. Detailed test results for each run;

    b. Sample calculations; and

    c. A description of collected samples, including audits, when applicable.

    7. An appendix, including:

    a. Raw production data;

    b. Raw field data;

    c. Laboratory reports;

    d. Chain of custody records for laboratory samples;

    e. Calibration procedures and results;

    f. Project participants and contact information;

    g. Observers' names (including their industry and agency affiliation);

    h. Related correspondence; and

    i. Standard procedures.

    F. The test report format for visible emissions evaluations shall include the following.

    1. A report cover containing:

    a. The plant name;

    b. The plant location;

    c. Units tested at the source identified by the department that have been issued reference numbers;

    d. Test dates;

    e. The name of the individual conducting the test;

    f. The address of individual conducting test; and

    g. The report date.

    2. A certification, including the date certified, that has been signed by:

    a. A test team leader or a certified observer; and

    b. A responsible company official.

    3. Copy of approved test protocol.

    4. A summary including:

    a. The reason for testing;

    b. Test dates;

    c. Identification of the unit tested including the maximum rated capacity for each unit;

    d. Summarized process and control equipment data for each run and the average, as required by the test protocol;

    e. A statement certifying that the test was conducted in accordance with the test protocol or, if not conducted according to protocol, identification and discussion of deviations, including the likely impact on results; and

    f. Any other important information.

    5. A description of source operation including:

    a. A description of the process;

    b. A description of control devices, if necessary;

    c. A process and control equipment flow diagram; and

    d. A description of sampling port location and a dimensioned cross section. A protocol shall be attached that includes a sketch of the stack (elevation view) showing sampling port locations, upstream and downstream flow disturbances and their distances from ports; and a sketch of stack (plan view) showing sampling ports, ducts entering the stack and stack diameter or dimensions.

    6. The detailed test results for each run.

    7. An appendix including:

    a. The names of project participants and their titles;

    b. The observers' names including their industry and agency affiliation;

    c. Related correspondence; and

    d. Standard procedures.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 27, Issue 17, eff. May 25, 2011.

Statutory Authority

§ 10.1-1308.1 of the Code of Virginia; § 110(a) of the federal Clean Air Act; 40 CFR Part 51.