Ceramic foam production and air pollutant emissions: demonstrating compliance with air permit regulations
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2019-07
Authors
Advisors
Journal Title
Series/Report No.
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
SELEE Corporation, a ceramics manufacturing company in Hendersonville, NC, operates under a synthetic minor air quality permit with The North Carolina Division of Air Quality (NCDAQ), under the NC Department of Environmental Quality. Upon issuing a new air permit in early 2018, NCDAQ added a requirement for the facility to do emissions testing for compliance determination. The stationary emission source in question is subject to demonstrating a minimum of 90% destruction efficiency of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Many VOCs can be linked to harmful effects to human health and the environment, and therefore must be properly controlled. This paper describes the process used for demonstrating compliance with VOC emission regulations and maintaining proper conditions of emissions control equipment to ensure optimal efficiency and protection of human health and the environment. In order to determine compliance, annual inspection and maintenance of the emission control device, a regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO), was conducted, followed by stationary source sampling to measure emissions pre and post control. Ceramic media inside the RTO was removed and replaced prior to the stack test. The results suggested that inspection and maintenance of the RTO prior to testing helped ensure positive test results. The ceramic media showed signs of deterioration when removed and replaced with new media. Results from emission testing were reported as total hydrocarbon concentration pre and post control, allowing destruction rate efficiency to be calculated. Results were compared with data from the previous emissions test in 2007. Data showed that a higher operating temperature and different ceramic media inside RTO during the 2019 test helped achieve a higher destruction efficiency of VOCs when compared with results from 2007. It is recommended that regular inspections, maintenance and recordkeeping for the operation of this equipment be maintained to assure stakeholders of continued compliance.
