VISIBLE EMISSIONS TRAINING MANUAL CHAPTER XI …

1 VISIBLE EMISSIONSOBSERVERTRAININGMANUALCHAPTER XI43 METHOD 22 Method 22--Visual Determination ofFugitive EMISSIONS From Material ProcessingSources (Method 22 added by 47 FR 34142, August6, 1982)1. INTRODUCTION. This method involves the visual determination of fugitiveemissions, , EMISSIONS not emitted directly from aprocess stack or duct. Fugitive EMISSIONS includeemissions that (1) escape capture by process equipmentexhaust hoods; (2) are emitted during material transfer;(3) are emitted from buildings housing materialprocessing or handling equipment; and (4) are emitteddirectly from process equipment. This method is alsoused to determine VISIBLE smoke EMISSIONS from flaresused for combustion of waste process materials. This method determines the amount of time that anyvisible EMISSIONS occur during the observation period, , the accumulated emission time.

2 This method doesnot require that the opacity of EMISSIONS be this procedure requires only the determination ofwhether a VISIBLE emission occurs and does not requirethe determination of opacity levels, observer certificationaccording to the procedures of Method 9 are not facility which is not collected by a capture systemHowever, it is necessary that the observer is educated onand is released to the atmosphere. the general procedures for determining the presence ofvisible EMISSIONS . As a minimum, the observer must be( and revised by 48 FR 48335, October 18, 1983)trained and knowledgeable regarding the effects on thevisibility of EMISSIONS caused by background contrast,ambient lighting, observer position relative to lighting,wind, and the presence of uncombined water (condensingwater vapor). This TRAINING is to be obtained from writtenmaterials found in References and or from thelecture portion of the Method 9 certification course.

3 (1. amended by 48 FR 48335, October 18, 1983) 2. APPLICABILITY AND Applicability. This method applies to thedetermination of the frequency of fugitive EMISSIONS fromstationary sources (located indoors or outdoors) whenspecified as the test method for determining compliancewith new source performance standards. This method also is applicable for the determination ofthe frequency of VISIBLE smoke EMISSIONS from flares. ( amended by 48 FR 48335, October 18, 1983) Principle. Fugitive EMISSIONS produced duringmaterial processing, handling, and transfer operations orsmoke EMISSIONS from flares are visually determined byan observer without the aid of instruments. ( revised by 48 FR 48335, October 18, 1983) 3. DEFINITIONS. Emission Frequency. Percentage of time thatemissions are VISIBLE during the observation period.

4 Emission Time. Accumulated amount of time thatemissions are VISIBLE during the observation period. Fugitive EMISSIONS . Pollutant generated by Smoke EMISSIONS . Pollutant generated bycombustion in a flare and occurring immediatelydownstream of the flame. Smoke occurring within theflame, but not downstream of the flame, is not considereda smoke emission. Observation Period. Accumulated time periodduring which observations are conducted, not to be lessthan the period specified in the applicable regulation. VISIBLE EMISSIONSOBSERVERTRAININGMANUALCHAPTER XI444. EQUIPMENT. Stopwatches. Accumulative type with unit divisionsof at least seconds; two required. Light Meter. Light meter capable of measuringilluminance in the 50- to 200-lux range; required forindoor observations only.

5 5. PROCEDURE. Position. Survey the affected facility or building orstructure housing the process to be observed anddetermine the locations of potential EMISSIONS . If theaffected facility is located inside a building, determine anobservation location that is consistent with therequirements of the applicable regulation ( , outsideobservation of EMISSIONS escaping the building/structureor inside observation of EMISSIONS directly emitted fromthe affected facility process unit). Then select a positionthat enables a clear view of the potential emissionpoint(s) of the affected facility or of the building orstructure housing the affected facility, as appropriate forthe applicable subpart. A position at least 15 feet, but notmore than miles, from the emission source isrecommended. For outdoor locations, select a positionwhere the sun is not directly in the observer 's eyes.

6 Field Records Outdoor Location. Record the followinginformation on the field data sheet: company name,industry, process unit, observer 's name, observer 'saffiliation, and date. Record also the estimated windspeed, wind direction, and sky condition. Sketch theprocess unit being observed and note the observerlocation relative to the source and the sun. Indicate thepotential and actual emission points on the sketch. Indoor Location. Record the following informationon the field data sheet: company name, industry, processunit, observer 's name, observer 's affiliation, and as appropriate the type, location, and intensity oflighting on the data sheet. Sketch the process unit beingobserved and note observer location relative to thesource. Indicate the potential and actual fugitive emissionpoints on the sketch.

7 Indoor Lighting Requirements. For indoor locations,use a light meter to measure the level of illumination at alocation as close to the emission source(s) as is illumination of greater than 100 lux (10 foot candles)is considered necessary for proper application of thismethod. Observations. Record the clock time whenobservations begin. Use one stopwatch to monitor theduration of the observation period; start this stopwatchwhen the observation period begins. If the observationperiod is divided into two or more segments by processshutdowns or observer rest breaks, stop the stopwatchwhen a break begins and restart it without resetting whenthe break ends. Stop the stopwatch at the end of theobservation period. The accumulated time indicated bythis stopwatch is the duration of the observation the observation period is completed, record theclock time.

8 During the observation period, continuously watch theemission source. Upon observing an emission(condensed water vapor is not considered an emission),start the second accumulative stopwatch; stop the watchwhen the emission stops. Continue this procedure for theentire observation period. The accumulated elapsed timeon this stopwatch is the total time EMISSIONS were visibleduring the observation period, , the emission time. Observation Period. Choose an observationperiod of sufficient length to meet the requirements fordetermining compliance with the emission regulation inthe applicable subpart. When the length of theobservation period is specifically stated in the applicablesubpart, it may not be necessary to observe the source forthis entire period if the emission time required to indicatenoncompliance (based on the specified observationperiod) is observed in a shorter time period.

9 In otherwords, if the regulation prohibits EMISSIONS for more than6 minutes in any hour, then observations may (optional)be stopped after an emission time of 6 minutes isexceeded. Similarly, when the regulation is expressed asan emission frequency and the regulation prohibitsemissions for greater than 10 percent of the time in anyhour, then observations may (optional) be terminatedafter 6 minutes of EMISSIONS are observed since 6 minutesis 10 percent of an hour. In any case, the observationperiod shall not be less than 6 minutes in duration. Insome cases, the process operation may be intermittent orVISIBLE EMISSIONSOBSERVERTRAININGMANUALCHAPTER XI45cyclic. In such cases, it may be convenient for theEPA Publication No. EPA-340/1-75-007. April period to coincide with the length of the process cycle.

10 Wohlschlegel, P. and D. E. Wagoner. Guideline for Development of a Quality Assurance Program: observer Rest Breaks. Do not observe emissionscontinuously for a period of more than 15 to 20 minuteswithout taking a rest break. For sources requiringobservation periods of greater than 20 minutes, theobserver shall take a break of not less than 5 minutes andnot more than 10 minutes after every 15 to 20 minutes ofobservation. If continuous observations are desired forextended time periods, two observers can alternatebetween making observations and taking breaks. Visual Interference. Occasionally, fugitiveemissions from sources other than the affected facility( , road dust) may prevent a clear view of the affectedfacility. This may particularly be a problem duringperiods of high wind. If the view of the potentialemission points is obscured to such a degree that theobserver questions the validity of continuingobservations, then the observations are terminated, andthe observer clearly notes this fact on the data form.