Md. Code Regs. 26.11.19.12

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 12, June 14, 2024

Section 26.11.19.12 - Dry Cleaning Installations

A. Definitions.

(1) "Dry cleaning installation" means an installation engaged in the cleaning of fabrics by means of one or more washes in VOC, extraction of excess VOC by spinning, and drying by tumbling in an airstream. The installation includes all washers, dryers, filter and purification systems, waste disposal systems, holding tanks, pumps, and attendant plumbing located at a single premises.

(2) "Petroleum solvent" means organic material produced by petroleum distillation comprising a hydrocarbon range of 8 to 12 carbon atoms per organic molecule that exists as a liquid under standard conditions.

B. Applicability and Exemptions.

(1) An existing petroleum solvent dry cleaning installation or a petroleum solvent dry cleaning installation that receives a permit to construct from the Department before January 1, 1989, is exempt from the requirements of §C(1) of this regulation if the total petroleum solvent consumed in each calendar year is less than 6,000 gallons (22,712 liters).

(2) A person who is exempt from the requirements of §C(1) of this regulation in accordance with the conditions in §B(1) of this regulation is subject to §C(2) of this regulation.

C. Equipment Specifications and Emission Standards--Petroleum Solvent Dry Cleaning Installations.

(1) A person may not construct or operate a petroleum solvent dry cleaning installation after January 1, 1989, unless the installation shows compliance by demonstrating that VOC emissions are not greater than 3.5 kilograms per 100 kilograms dry weight of clothing or is equipped with a recovery dryer that is capable of reducing VOC emissions by 90 percent by weight.

(2) A person who owns or operates a petroleum solvent dry cleaning installation that consumes less than 6,000 gallons (22,712 liters) in a calendar year shall submit semiannual reports on forms provided by the Department on or before the 30th of January and July of each year starting with July 30, 1990. Each report shall indicate the gallons of petroleum solvent purchased during the 6-month period. The report shall also include the gallons of petroleum solvent in inventory at the beginning and end of each 6-month period.

(3) A person who owns or operates a petroleum solvent dry cleaning installation subject to this regulation shall:

(a) Immediately repair all components found to be leaking liquid or vaporous solvent. If new parts are required, order the parts within 3 working days of the discovery of a leak, and repair the leak within 3 working days of the arrival of the needed part or parts.

(b) Treat all diatomaceous earth filters so that the filter muck contains not more than 67 percent of VOC by weight.

(c) Reduce the VOC content of still bottoms to 35 percent or less by weight.

(d) Drain all filtration cartridges in the filter housing for at least 12 hours before discarding the cartridges.

D. Determination of Compliance-----Petroleum Solvent Dry Cleaning Installations.

(1) A petroleum solvent recovery dryer shall be operated in a manner such that the dryer remains closed and the recovery phase continues until a final recovered solvent flow rate of 50 milliliters or less per minute is attained. To make this determination, a one-time test shall be conducted for a duration of not less than 2 weeks during which not less than 50 percent of the dryer loads shall be monitored for their final recovered solvent flow rate. The suggested point for measuring the flow rate of recovered solvent is from the solvent-water separator. Near the end of the recovery cycle, the flow of recovered solvent should be diverted to a graduated cylinder. The cycle should continue until the maximum flow of solvent is 50 milliliters per minute. The type of articles cleaned and the total length of the cycle shall then be recorded. Based on the type of articles cleaned and the results of the test, the drying time shall be maintained at a cycle which produces compliance with the 50 milliliter per minute standard.

(2) Compliance with the requirements of §C(3)(a) of this regulation shall be determined by means of weekly visual inspection documented through record keeping for the following components:

(a) Hose connections, unions, couplings, and valves;

(b) Machine door gaskets and seatings;

(c) Filter head gaskets and seatings;

(d) Pumps;

(e) Base tanks and storage containers;

(f) Water separators;

(g) Filter sludge recovery;

(h) Distillation unit;

(i) Diverter valves;

(j) Saturated lint from lint basket; and

(k) Cartridge filters.

(3) Compliance with the requirements of §C(3)(b) and (c) of this regulation shall be determined using Method 1002 of the Department's Technical Memorandum 91-01, "Test Methods and Equipment Specifications for Stationary Sources" (January 1991), which is incorporated by reference in COMAR 26.11.01.04 a C. The number of filter cartridges and total mass of filter muck in those cartridges when they are discarded shall be recorded.

(4) Compliance with the requirements of §C(1) of this regulation shall be determined by calculating, recording, and reporting the weight of volatile organic compounds vented from the dryer emission control device calculated using Method 25A of Appendix A of the Department's Technical Memorandum 91-01, "Test Methods and Equipment Specifications for Stationary Sources" (January 1991), which is incorporated by reference in COMAR 26.11.01.04 a C.

Md. Code Regs. 26.11.19.12

Regulations .12 adopted effective June 8, 1981 (8:9 Md. R. 800)
Regulations .12 repealed effective August 16, 1983 (10:14 Md. R. 1262)
Regulations .12 adopted effective August 16, 1983 (10:14 Md. R. 1262)
Regulation .12 amended effective June 20, 1989 (16:9 Md. R. 995); July 16, 1990 (17:11 Md. R. 1344); September 22, 1997 (24:19 Md. R. 1344)
Regulation .12F amended effective August 19, 1991 (18:16 Md. R. 1813); February 17, 1992 (19:3 Md. R. 306)