EPA's new Area Source Boiler Rule (ASBR)

Testo wants you to be aware that the new EPA boiler rules might affect your operations.  It’s a relatively small chance your boiler (of the 1.5 million boilers EPA identified) will be impacted, but, if you have one of about 186,000 boilers that do fall under new regulations, you should be prepared.

How do you know if EPA's the new boiler rules will affect your operations?  The first thing you should know is the initial notification to EPA has been extended to January 2014.  So this deadline should help your planning...right?  Still not sure?  Testo can help, and our state-of-art combustion analyzers will assure your compliance with EPA regulations.

The EPA finalized changes to Clean Air Act standards for area source boilers (40 CFR 63, subpart

JJJJJJ) and for major source boilers (40 CFR 63, subpart DDDDD).

As we said earlier, 186,000 boilers have been identified and it's likely more boilers, not currently inventoried, may eventually fall under the rules. Having good combustion control and monitoring practices not only helps your bottom line, but goes far to satisfy the regulations.

Many companies are now preparing for the March 2014 ASBR rule deadline. This NEW rule was finalized in the Federal Register on February 1, 2013 and Testo's analyzers can help comply with these new standards. The measurements of O2, CO, and in some cases NOx, are part of the tune-up requirements but the owner must first identify which boiler is applicable to the rule. There are lots of things to consider here, but you can depend upon Testo to deliver simple and effective combustion tuning solutions with either: the testo 330 or testo 340 combustion analyzers or the testo 350 emission analyzer for reference level monitoring.

For more information on the area source boiler rules, check out our EPA links section at: http://www.testo350.com/emission-testing-links.html.

Applicability to the Industrial and Commercial Boilers: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollution (NESHAP):
Most boilers covered by the Area Source Boiler Rule are located at commercial and institutional facilities, with a smaller amount in the industrial sector. This rule covers boilers located at area source facilities that burn coal, oil, biomass, or other solid and liquid non-waste materials. This rule does NOT apply to boilers that burn only gaseous fuels or any solid waste.

Tune-up requirements for boiler owners:
For all the testing and tuning that is required, how will owners know what to do? What will technicians know what to DO? For more information, go to our official Emission Testing Links page on testo350.com. Click on the PDF for EPA’s “Boiler Tuning Guide – 40 CFR Part 63 Subpart JJJJJJ” to see the requirements. The finalized EPA Area Source Boiler Rule is complicated. You will need to determine applicability based upon size, location, potential to emit and various other conditions.

Need help? Contact Testo!
After determining applicability and the test parameters needed, contact Testo. Let us show you how to configure the most cost effective monitoring solution. Contact us toll-free at 800-227-0729 or email us at info@testo.com.

Do Your CO Readings Seem Low? Maybe it's the Wrong Sensor

We are often asked about how to properly take CO measurements here at Testo. So we decided to make a video demonstrating how CO measurements can be affected by naturally-occurring NOx.

For more information about Testo's complete line of emission analyzers, please go to www.testo350.com. To learn more about Testo's complete line of combustion analyzers, please go to www.testoUSA.com/combustion.

Pennsylvania DEP Proposes New Emissions Limits

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has proposed much tougher emissions limits for natural gas-fired engines and other equipment at compressor stations.

The final revisions to General Permit 5 affect companies involved in the Marcellus Shale boom. The new standards are 75 to 90% stricter than current limits for the largest, most common types of engines used at compressor stations. The revised permit would give operators the flexibility to install controls to achieve even lower emissions, allowing for the use of additional engines.

“Essentially, we are doing much more by setting these limits as a line the operator cannot cross. This is an improvement in air quality protection,” said DEP Secretary Mike Krancer. “We are also determining compliance based on the facility’s actual emissions, instead of equating the permit’s limits with the facility’s emissions, as was previously done.”

Operators of facilities operating under the general permit must demonstrate that their facilities continue to be minor sources as defined by the Clean Air Act. DEP is accepting public comments on the proposed changes until March 19.

For more information: www.dep.state.pa.us