200 likes | 286 Vues
Learn about the process of evaluating impacts of emissions for air permits. Understand modeling techniques, permit reviewer duties, impacts evaluation, criteria for modeling, and options to reduce impacts.
E N D
Modeling, Impacts, and Effects Review Dom Ruggeri, P.E., Manager Technical Program Support Section TCEQ, Air Permits Division Austin, Texas September 27, 2006
Introduction • Discuss general approach to modeling, impacts, and effects review • Prepare to evaluate impacts of MSS emissions
Applicant Submits Application • Identifies all emissions from production and planned MSS • Provides scenarios, emission factors, control technologies, representations • Provides all supporting documentation • Addresses known concerns
Table 1 (a) • Includes all normal operation scenarios • Provides separate scenarios for short-term, long-term operations • Includes all facilities and related activities and frequency • Includes hours of production and MSS and the number of startups and shutdowns
Permit Reviewer Duties • Agrees to BACT or BMP • Agrees with proposed emission rates and stack parameters • Conducts preliminary impacts evaluation • Requests modeling as needed
Impacts Evaluation • Look at all contaminants, project emissions • Include MSS not previously evaluated • Include PBRs and standard permits • Compare to de minimis, SIL, 10% ESL • Conduct applicable modeling • Modeling sitewide? Include everything!
Basic Questions • Do I have to evaluate all emissions from normal operations? • Yes • Can I evaluate planned MSS separately from production? • Maybe • Is there a de minimis for MSS? • Yes and no
If Modeling is Requested • Which Model? • Staff prefer SCREEN3 and AERMOD • When do we switch from ISCST3? • Federally required December 2006 • Could we use ISCST3 instead of AERMOD? • Maybe
Modeling ProcessTry Conservative, Worst-Case Approach First • Continuous emissions; max hourly rate • Simultaneous PMSS • Set model for overall max and individual source concentrations • Pass: site meets standards and/or ESLs
Modeling ProcessFailed? Are Impacts “Possible” or “Probable”? • Identify likely worst-case scenario (s) • Emissions at max hourly rate for short-term, average hourly rate for long-term • Use emission rate scaling factors • Set model for overall max and individual source concentrations • Pass: site meets standards and/or ESLs
Modeling ProcessStill failed? Are Impacts Possible? • Apply appropriate post-modeling techniques • For example: • Consider buildings, obstructions • Particle size • Stability class and wind speed
Modeling ProcessImpacts Possible But Not Probable • Are the emissions continuous? • Rate based on spikes or steady state? • If steady state, then meteorology not an adjustment factor for single source • If noncontinuous, probability approach may be appropriate
Modeling ProcessImpacts Possible, Analyze Operations • Identify the issues • What are the culpable sources? • How are the culpable sources authorized? • What are the applicable scenarios, hours of operation, emission rates? • Are the emissions from production or MSS?
Modeling ProcessOptions to Reduce Impacts • Modify stack parameters • Reduce emissions with proposed BACT • Propose new BACT • Limit normal operations • Limit use of standard permits and PBRs
Show Air Quality BenefitStill Can’t Demonstrate Compliance? Can we show an air quality benefit? Assumes: • Standards met; issue related to ESLs • All refined modeling, control, emission and scenario options fully explored • No backsliding • No significant air quality impact
Air Benefit AnalysisBasic Questions • What is the ESL issue? • Acute or chronic health • Nuisance • APWL or mobile monitoring • What are the BACT issues? • Technical reasonableness • Economic feasibility • Timing
Air Benefit AnalysisMore Basic Questions • Does the source of emissions exist? • What are the operational issues? • Production or MSS? • Existing PBRs and/or standard permits? • Should we limit future PBRs, standard permits?
Air Benefit AnalysisStill More Basic Questions • What is the compliance history? • What is the region’s input? • What is toxicology’s input? • What is the public’s input? • Is there a net air quality improvement from the project?
Summary • Applicants provide technical information • Permit reviewers evaluate • BACT • Compliance with rules/regulations • Protectiveness • Models are tools • Engineering judgment can be used to weigh air quality benefits