Md. Code Regs. 26.11.41.05

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

Section 26.11.41.05 - Reciprocating Natural Gas Compressor Methane Emission Control Requirements

A. All reciprocating natural gas compressor components at an affected facility shall comply with the leak detection and repair requirements in Regulation .03 of this chapter where applicable.

B. Control Measures for Reciprocating Natural Gas Compressor.

(1) By January 1, 2021, compressor vent stacks used to vent rod packing/seal emissions shall be controlled with the use of a vapor collection system as specified in Regulation .06 of this chapter; or

(2) By April 1, the reciprocating natural gas compressor rod packing/seal emission flow rate through the rod packing/seal vent stack shall be measured annually through direct measurement (high volume sampling, bagging, calibrated flow measuring instrument, etc.) while the compressor is operating at normal operating temperature.

(a) Direct measurements shall use one of the following methods:

(i) Vent stacks shall be equipped with a meter or instrumentation to measure the rod packing or seal emissions flow rate; or

(ii) Vent stacks shall be equipped with a clearly identified access port to measure individual or combined rod packing or seal emission flow rates.

(b) If the measurement is not obtained because the compressor is not operating for the scheduled test date, testing shall be conducted within 7 calendar days of resumed operation.

(3) A reciprocating natural gas compressor with a rod packing/seal with a measured emission flow rate that exceeds 1 standard cubic foot per minute, or a combined rod packing or seal emission flow rate that exceeds the number of compression cylinders multiplied by 1 standard cubic foot per minute shall:

(a) Be successfully repaired or replaced within 30 calendar days from the date of the exceedance; or

(b) Conduct natural gas compressor rod packing/seal emission flow rate measurements every 6 months or when the compressor resumes operation, whichever is later.

(4) A reciprocating natural gas compressor with a measured emission flow rate that exceeds 2 standard cubic feet per minute, or a combined rod packing or seal emission flow rate that exceeds the number of compression cylinders multiplied by 2 standard cubic feet per minute, shall be successfully repaired or replaced within 30 calendar days from the date of the exceedance.

C. Delay of Repair for Reciprocating Natural Gas Compressor.

(1) A delay of repair may occur provided the owner or operator provides documentation, upon request from the Department, that the delivery of parts or equipment required to make necessary repairs will take more than 30 days from the last emission flow rate measurement and that the parts have been ordered.

(2) A delay of repair to obtain parts or equipment may not exceed 60 days from the date of the last emission flow rate measurement unless the owner or operator notifies the Department, in writing, of the extended delay and provides an estimated time by which the repairs will be completed.

(3) A reciprocating natural gas compressor with a rod packing/seal emission flow rate measured above the standard specified in §B(4) of this regulation, and which has leaking parts deemed unsafe to monitor or requiring a facility shutdown, shall be successfully repaired by the end of the next planned process shutdown or within 12 months from the date of the flow rate measurement, whichever is sooner.

Md. Code Regs. 26.11.41.05

Regulation .05 adopted effective 47:23 Md. R. 978, eff. 11/16/2020