Md. Code Regs. 26.11.19.19

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

Section 26.11.19.19 - Control of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Emissions from Expandable Polystyrene Operations

A. Applicability. Except as required in §E(2) of this regulation, this regulation applies to a person who owns or operates an EPO at a premises where the total actual VOC emissions from all EPOs at the premises is 20 pounds or more per day.

B. Definitions.

(1) In this regulation, the following terms have the meaning indicated.

(2) Terms Defined.

(a) "Blowing agent" means a liquid, gaseous, or solid material that facilitates the formation of a cellular final product from polystyrene beads.

(b) "Cooler" means an EPO product that consists of a leakproof container and a cover that is used primarily for the temporary storage of beverages and food products.

(c) Expandable Polystyrene Operation (EPO).

(i) "Expandable polystyrene operation" means a process that expands polystyrene beads containing a VOC blowing agent in a preexpander and at times molds the expanded beads, with or without scrap material, into a cellular product such as cups and containers, protective packaging material, and insulation.

(ii) "Expandable polystyrene operation" includes, as applicable, expanding the beads, expanded bead aging, and molding of expanded beads into a final product.

(d) "Preexpander" means a part of an EPO that processes polystyrene beads from a high-density state to a lower bulk density required to manufacture an end product.

(e) "Recycled expanded polystyrene" means a polystyrene end product which has served its initially intended use or an expanded polystyrene product diverted from the EPO waste material system.

(f) "Reduced VOC content beads" means unexpanded polystyrene beads that have been reformulated so that the VOC content of the beads is less than 7 percent by weight.

(g) "Specialty product" means an EPO product where the expanded bead is the final product or a cooler.

C. General Requirements.

(1) A person who owns or operates an EPO subject to this regulation may not cause or permit the discharge of VOC into the atmosphere unless one of the following control measures is implemented:

(a) A VOC collection and destruction system to control emissions from the preexpander by 85 percent or more overall; or

(b) A VOC collection system that ducts emissions from the preexpander into the fire box of fuel burning equipment.

(2) As an alternative to meeting the requirements in §C(1) of this regulation, the following manufacturing requirements may be implemented:

(a) Manufacturers of block products using reduced VOC content beads that have a bead VOC content greater than 6.5 percent shall use 10 percent or more recycled expanded polystyrene;

(b) Manufacturers of block products that cannot use recycled expanded polystyrene shall use beads with a VOC content of 6.5 percent or less;

(c) Manufacturers of shape molded products, including cups, shall use beads with a VOC content of 6 percent or less; and

(d) Manufacturers of specialty products shall use reduced VOC content beads.

(3) Compliance with the bead VOC content for each product in §C(2) of this regulation shall be determined as a daily average.

(4) Spills of unexpanded polystyrene beads shall be collected and any spilled material shall be placed in a closed container to prevent and suppress emissions.

D. Testing Requirements.

(1) If a control device is used, a stack test shall be performed to measure the VOC concentration at the inlet and outlet of the control device.

(2) The initial stack test shall be performed not later than 90 days after the start up of the control device.

(3) Additional stack tests shall be performed at a frequency of not less than once each 3 years, beginning 3 years after the date of the initial test.

(4) A stack test report shall be submitted to the Department within 60 days of completing each test.

E. Record Keeping.

(1) A person who owns or operates an EPO subject to this regulation shall maintain the following records, as applicable, for a period of not less than 3 years:

(a) The daily total weight of beads used;

(b) The VOC content of the beads;

(c) The monthly total weight of recycled expanded polystyrene used; and

(d) The monthly production of each product.

(2) A person who operates an EPO that is not subject to the requirements in §C of this regulation shall maintain records of the total daily and annual weight of beads used and the VOC content of the beads and make these records available to the Department upon request.

Md. Code Regs. 26.11.19.19

Regulation .19 adopted effective July 3, 1995 (22:13 Md. R. 970)
Regulations .19 and new Regulation .19 adopted effective October 2, 2000 (27:19 Md. R. 1732)