If your facility has a stationary engine controlled by a catalyst, then it is likely that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine (RICE) Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart ZZZZ) requires you to develop and follow a site-specific monitoring plan describing your monitoring of the catalyst, according to Trinity Consultants. The standard monitoring parameters are catalyst inlet temperature and pressure drop across the catalyst bed.

The maximum allowable values for each should be established during the initial performance test of each engine, which, for the last classifications of engines regulated by the RICE MACT (< 500 hp Spark Ignited RICE at major sources and all SI RICE at area sources), is required by 17 April 2014 for any subcategories subject to an emission standard. Note that the deadline has passed for all other applicable categories of engines. The site-specific monitoring plan for each engine should also be in place no later than the test date.

The rule provides some minimum standards for measurement frequency, sensor tolerance, operational load, and periodic performance evaluations. Otherwise, the monitoring plans can be (should be) engine-specific, addressing items such as instrument/equipment design, performance criteria, data acquisition and calculations/averaging, auditing procedures, and planned maintenance.

To help RICE owners verify compliance dates and other regulation issues, the EPA has published an interactive RICE quiz. It’s a software program designed to help RICE owners and operators determine their requirements under 40 CFR Section 63, subpart ZZZZ. By answering successive questions, the program estimates specific requirements. In order to complete the program you’ll need to know your engine type and its date of construction. You will also need to know the brake horsepower (HP) and, for compression ignition engines above 300 HP, the displacement in liters per cylinder.

What this means to you

Many owners of stationary engines that use a catalyst to controltheir HAP’s emissions are now required to follow a site specific monitoring plan. Owners of Spark Ignited RICE > 500 hp at major sources and all SI RICE at area sources have until 17 April 2014 to establish maximum allowable values. Do we have any similar insights for Combustion Ignited RICE?

MIRATECH can help

Contact MIRATECH if you need a monitor (link to MIRA-MONITOR page in website) for your RICE MACT monitoring plan.