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EPA/AR

RIN: 2060-AR69

Publication ID: 2012

Title: ●Petroleum Refinery Sector Amendment for Flares
Abstract: In this action EPA plans to conduct a review of the standards dealing with overall flare performance and efficiency at petroleum refineries. Flares are often used at petroleum refineries as a control device for regulated vent streams, as well as to handle non-routine emissions (e.g., leaks, purges, emergency releases); and since the development of the current flare regulations, industry has significantly reduced the amount of waste gas being routed to flares. Generally, this reduction has affected the base load to flares and many are now receiving a small fraction of what the flare was originally designed to receive with only periodic releases of episodic or emergency waste gas that may use up to the full capacity of the flare. Many flare vent gas streams that are regulated by NESHAP and NSPS are often continuous streams that contribute to the base load of a flare; therefore, it is critical for flares to achieve good combustion efficiency at all levels of utilization. The EPA concluded an ad-hoc flare peer review study in the spring of 2012, dedicated to determining parameters for properly designed and operated flares. An eight-person review panel was tasked with answering specific charge questions relating to proper design and operation of steam and air assisted flares. The available data suggest that factors that may affect combustion efficiency and overall flare performance include over-steaming of steam assisted flares, excess aeration of air assisted flares, and maintenance of a stable flame (flame velocity and wind speed). Better flare operation practices will ultimately result in improved combustion efficiencies that have the potential to improve public health by reducing emissions of air toxics and volatile organic compounds that may pose a health risk to vulnerable populations including the young, elderly, and those with respiratory problems. The EPA does not currently plan to include potential flare amendments in RIN 2060-AQ75, "the Petroleum Refinery Sector Risk and Technology Review and NSPS" (described as Item 3 of this Regulatory Plan) because the EPA is currently reviewing the results of the peer review panel and is reaching out to various stakeholders to determine the best approach to ensure a high level of combustion efficiency at flares. The EPA is also evaluating whether to amend 40 CFR part 63, subparts CC and UUU (a.k.a., Refinery Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) 1 and 2) and the Refinery New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) 40 CFR subpart Ja or to develop a separate set of requirements for flares since there are other industries in addition to the refining industry that rely on flares.
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)	Priority: Other Significant
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda	Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage
Major: No	Unfunded Mandates: No
CFR Citation: 40 CFR 60 40 CFR 63
Legal Authority: CAA sec 111 CAA sec 112

Legal Deadline: None

Statement of Need: Revising work practice standards for flares and the refining industry to assure proper operation and good combustion efficiency as part of EPA's technology review obligation under CAA section 112.

Summary of the Legal Basis: CAA section 111 and 112

Alternatives: Not yet determined.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: Not yet determined.

Risks: Risk will be addressed under a separate RTR package (See RIN 2060-AQ75).

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
NPRM	11/00/2013

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined	Government Levels Affected: Federal
Federalism: Undetermined
Included in the Regulatory Plan: Yes
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No
Agency Contact: Jodi Howard Environmental Protection Agency Air and Radiation Mail Code E143-01, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711 Phone:919 541-4607 Fax:919 541-0246 Email: howard.jodi@epa.gov Brenda Shine Environmental Protection Agency Air and Radiation 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Mail Code E143-01, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711 Phone:919 541-3608 Fax:919 541-0516 Email: shine.brenda@epa.gov