Ala. Admin. Code r. 335-3-6-.04

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 12, September 30, 2024

Section 335-3-6-.04 - Fixed-Roof Petroleum Liquid Storage Vessels

(1) For the purpose of Rule 335-3-6-.04, the following definitions apply:

(a) "Condensate" shall mean hydrocarbon liquid separated from natural gas which condenses due to changes in the temperature and/or pressure and remains liquid at standard conditions.

(b) "Crude Oil" shall mean a naturally occurring mixture which consists of hydrocarbons and sulfur,nitrogen and/or oxygen derivatives of hydrocarbons and which is a liquid in the reservoir at standard conditions.

(c) "Custody Transfer" shall mean the transfer of produced crude oil and/or condensate, after processing and/or treating in the producing operations, from storage tanks or automatic transfer facilities to pipelines or any other form of transportation.

(d) "External Floating Roof" shall mean a storage vessel cover in an open top tank consisting of a double deck or pontoon single deck which rests upon and is supported by the petroleum liquid being contained and is equipped with a closure seal or seals to close the space between the roof edge and tank shell.

(e) "Internal Floating Roof" shall mean a cover or roof in a fixed roof tank which rests upon or is floated upon the petroleum liquid being contained and is equipped with a closure seal or seals to close the space between the roof edge and tank shell.

(f) "Petroleum Liquids" shall mean crude oil, condensate, and any finished or intermediate products manufactured or extracted in a petroleum refinery.

(g) "Petroleum Refinery" shall mean any facility engaged in producing gasoline, kerosene, distillate fuel oils, residual fuel oils, lubricants, or other products through distillation, cracking, extraction, or reforming of unfinished petroleum derivatives.

(2) This Rule shall apply to all fixed roof storage vessels with capacities greater than 150,000 liters (40,000 gallons) containing petroleum liquids whose true vapor pressure (TVP) is greater than 10.5 kilo Pascals (1.52 psia). Vessels containing petroleum liquids whose TVP is equal to or less than 10.5 kilo Pascals are exempt, provided that records are maintained of the average monthly storage temperature and TVP of the petroleum liquid stored if the product has a stored TVP greater than 7.0 kilo Pascals.

(3) Rule 335-3-6-.04 shall not apply to the following petroleum liquid storage vessels:

(a) equipped with external floating roofs before July 1, 1979; or

(b) having capacities less than 1,600,000 liters (423,000 gallons) used to store produced crude oil and condensate prior to lease custody transfer.

(4) Except as provided under paragraph (3) of this Rule, no owner or operator of an affected source under paragraph (2) of this Rule shall permit the use of such source unless:

(a) the source has been retrofitted with an internal floating roof equipped with a closure seal or seals to close the space between the roof edge and tank wall; or

(b) the source has been retrofitted with equally effective alternative control, approved by the Director; and

(c) the source is maintained such that there are no visible holes, tears, or other openings in the seal or any seal fabric or materials; and

(d) all openings, except stub drains, are equipped with covers, lids, or seals such that;

1. the cover, lid, or seal is in the closed position at all times except when in actual use; and

2. automatic bleeder vents are closed at all times except when the roof is floated off or landed on the roof leg support; and

3. rim vents, if provided, are set to open when the roof is being floated off the roof leg supports or at the manufacturer's recommended setting; and

(e) routine inspections are conducted through roof hatches once every six months; and

(f) a complete inspection of cover and seals is conducted whenever the tank is emptied for nonoperational reasons.

Author: Wm. Gerald Hardy

Ala. Admin. Code r. 335-3-6-.04

Effective Date: November 26, 1979. Amended: Filed October 17, 1996; effective November 21, 1996.

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 22-28-14, 22-22A-5, 22-22A-6, 22-22A-8.