§ 60.5401b What are the alternative GHG and VOC standards for process unit equipment affected facilities?

This section provides alternative standards for process unit equipment affected facilities located at an onshore natural gas processing plant. You may choose to comply with the standards in this section instead of the requirements in § 60.5400b. For purposes of the alternative standards provided in this section, you must comply with the requirements of paragraphs (a) through (m) of this section to reduce methane and VOC emissions from equipment leaks, except as provided in § 60.5402b.

(a) General standards. You must comply with the requirements in paragraphs (b) of this section for each pump in light liquid service. You must comply with the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section for each pressure relief device in gas/vapor service. You must comply with the requirements in paragraph (d) of this section for each open-ended valve or line. You must comply with the requirements in paragraph (e) of this section for each closed vent system and control device used to comply with equipment leak provisions in this section. You must comply with paragraph (f) of this section for each valve in gas/vapor or light liquid service. You must comply with paragraph (g) of this section for each pump, valve, and connector in heavy liquid service and pressure relief device in light liquid or heavy liquid service. You must comply with paragraph (h) of this section for each connector in gas/vapor and light liquid service. You must make repairs as specified in paragraph (i) of this section. You must demonstrate initial compliance with the standards as specified in paragraph (j) of this section. You must demonstrate continuous compliance with the standards as specified in paragraph (k) of this section. You must perform the reporting requirements as specified in paragraph (l) of this section. You must perform the recordkeeping requirements as required in paragraph (m) of this section.

(1) You may apply to the Administrator for permission to use an alternative means of emission limitation that achieves a reduction in emissions of methane and VOC at least equivalent to that achieved by the controls required in this subpart according to the requirements of § 60.5399b.

(2) Each piece of equipment is presumed to have the potential to emit methane or VOC unless an owner or operator demonstrates that the piece of equipment does not have the potential to emit methane or VOC. For a piece of equipment to be considered not to have the potential to emit methane or VOC, the methane and VOC content of a gaseous stream must be below detection limits using Method 18 of appendix A-6 to this part. Alternatively, if the piece of equipment is in wet gas service, you may choose to determine the methane and VOC content of the stream is below the detection limit of the methods described in ASTM E168-16(R2023), E169-16(R2022), or E260-96 (all incorporated by reference, see § 60.17).

(b) Pumps in light liquid service. You must monitor each pump in light liquid service monthly to detect leaks by the methods specified in § 60.5403b, except as provided in paragraphs (b)(2) through (4) of this section. A leak is defined as an instrument reading of 2,000 ppmv or greater. A pump that begins operation in light liquid service after the initial startup date for the process unit must be monitored for the first time within 30 days after the end of its startup period, except for a pump that replaces a leaking pump and except as provided in paragraphs (b)(2) through (4) of this section.

(1) In addition to the requirements in paragraph (b) of this section, you must conduct weekly visual inspections of all pumps in light liquid service for indications of liquids dripping from the pump seal. If there are indications of liquids dripping from the pump seal, you must follow the procedure specified in either paragraph (b)(1)(i) or (ii) of this section.

(i) Monitor the pump within 5 days using the methods specified in § 60.5403b. A leak is defined as an instrument reading of 2,000 ppmv or greater.

(ii) Designate the visual indications of liquids dripping as a leak, and repair the leak as specified in paragraph (i) of this section.

(2) Each pump equipped with a dual mechanical seal system that includes a barrier fluid system is exempt from the requirements in paragraph (b) of this section, provided the requirements specified in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) through (vi) of this section are met.

(i) Each dual mechanical seal system meets the requirements of paragraphs (b)(2)(i)(A), (B), or (C) of this section.

(A) Operated with the barrier fluid at a pressure that is at all times greater than the pump stuffing box pressure; or

(B) Equipped with a barrier fluid degassing reservoir that is routed to a process or fuel gas system or connected by a closed vent system to a control device that complies with the requirements of paragraph (e) of this section; or

(C) Equipped with a system that purges the barrier fluid into a process stream with zero VOC emissions to the atmosphere.