OVERVIEW OF THE REGULATION
The regulation affects all facilities
that use chromium electroplating or anodizing tanks, regardless
of size. How you are affected depends on the size and type (hard,
decorative, or anodizing) of operation you have and the control
technique(s) that you use to comply with the regulation. In general,
the regulation specifies:
Each of these requirements is
summarized below.
EMISSION LIMITS
The regulation specifies emission
limits, expressed as a concentration of chromium in milligrams
per dry standard cubic meter of exhaust air (mg/dscm) and that
are based on the use of a certain control technique. However,
you may use another control technique as long as the level of
control is the same or better. These emission limits apply during
tank operation only. The emission limits and the control techniques
used as the bases for these limits are:
WORK PRACTICES
The regulation specifies work
practice standards to ensure that air pollution control systems
and monitoring equipment are being properly maintained and operated.
The work practice standards require that most facilities develop
an operation and maintenance (O&M) plan for the facility.
Additional work practice requirements include quarterly inspections
of control devices, ductwork, and monitoring equipment.
INITIAL PERFORMANCE TESTING
Initial performance testing is required (with some exceptions noted below) to demonstrate that you are meeting the emission limit for your type of operation. This is a one-time test. However, sources that meet the following criteria do not have to perform the initial test:
The regulation contains test
methods (EPA Reference Methods 306 and 306A) for measuring the
chromium concentration discharged to the atmosphere.
ONGOING COMPLIANCE MONITORING
Continuous compliance with the
regulation is demonstrated through ongoing compliance monitoring.
Monitoring of specific operating parameters that affect the performance
of the particular control technique you are using is required
to ensure continuous compliance with the emission limits. Therefore,
the monitoring requirements vary depending on the type of control
technique that you use.
If you use an add-on air pollution
control device that is specified in the regulation, you must monitor
the pressure drop across the unit daily. If you use a packed-bed
scrubber, you must also monitor the velocity pressure (i.e., the
velocity of the gas stream at the inlet of the unit) daily. The
surface tension of the bath or the foam thickness must be monitored
if you use wetting agents or foam blankets, respectively. The
regulation contains a test method for measuring the surface tension
of the bath (EPA Reference Method 306B). If you use a control
system not specified in the regulation, you must determine the
appropriate parameter(s) to monitor and get EPA approval.
RECORDKEEPING
The regulation requires sources
to keep records to document compliance with the regulation. The
required documentation includes: (1) inspection records;
(2) equipment maintenance records; (3) records of the
occurrence, duration, and cause of excess emissions (see Chapter 5
for an explanation of excess emissions); (4) performance
test results; and (5) monitoring data. All records must be
kept for 5 years. If you operate a decorative chromium electroplating
tank that uses a trivalent chromium bath, you only need to keep
records of bath component purchases.
REPORTING
The extent and frequency of reporting
depends on the type and size of your source. The regulation requires
an initial notification that you are subject to the regulation,
a notification of performance testing, and a report of the performance
test results and compliance status after the test. In addition,
you must prepare reports that contain information on the ongoing
compliance status of your facility. If you operate a decorative
chromium electroplating tank that uses a trivalent chromium bath,
you only need to submit the initial notification and an initial
compliance status report.