Ala. Admin. Code r. 335-3-4-.09
Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 12, September 30, 2024
Section 335-3-4-.09 - Coke Ovens(1)Applicability. The provisions of this Rule shall apply to the production of coke in existing conventional slot-oven coke batteries with the exception of paragraph (10) of this Rule which applies to new batteries.(2)Unloading and Transfer of Coal and Coke. Every person operating coke ovens shall apply all reasonable measures to prevent emissions from coal unloading, transfer, and coke transfer.(3)Charging. There shall be no visible emissions during the charging cycle from the charging holes or the larry car of any battery with an opacity which is greater than twenty percent (20%) except for an average period or periods not to exceed three (3 minutes of any consecutive sixty (60) minutes on batteries with less than seventy (70) ovens nor more than four (4) minutes of any consecutive sixty (60) minutes on batteries with seventy (70) ovens or more.(4)Pushing. (a) There shall be no visible emissions during the pushing cycle, other than water mist or vapor, with an opacity which is greater than forty percent (40%) for more than one (1) push per hour per battery.(b) This paragraph specifically exempts existing conventional slot-oven coke batteries with forty (40) ovens located in Tuscaloosa County from subparagraph (a) above and imposes the following requirements: 1. There shall be no visible emissions during the pushing cycle, other than water mist or vapor, with an opacity which is greater than forty percent (40%) for more than two (2) pushes per hour per battery.(c) Compliance with subparagraphs (a) and (b) of this paragraph shall be determined by dividing by four (4) the total number of pushes greater than forty percent (40%) opacity, observed during a four (4) hour observation period.(d) Should the observation period include intervals of non-activity, (e.g., when the common coke car is servicing another battery) such intervals shall be included for purposes of determining compliance, provided that the average number of pushes per hour coincides with the average number of pushes per hour required by the normal production cycle of the battery. Intervals such as meal breaks, scheduled breaks when not on a twenty-four (24) hour pushing schedule, or intervals greater than fifteen (15) minutes due to malfunction of equipment cannot be included in the observation period.(e) For purposes of this paragraph, "normal production cycle" shall mean the average number of pushes per hour determined by taking an arithmetic average of the pushing schedules of the previous ten (10) days. (The denominator to be based on the actual number of hours the pushing machine was scheduled to operate.)(f)Observation Procedures. 1. The inspector shall evaluate the criteria listed below and select the most appropriate point at which to observe the visible emissions during the pushing cycle. (i) The inspector should position himself as close to the source of pushing emissions as practical.(ii) The inspector should observe pushing emissions against the sky.(iii) The inspector should stand with the sun behind him, if possible, and with the emissions moving in any direction except directly toward or away from the inspector.(5)Topside Emissions. (a) Any leak discovered on the topside of a battery shall be wet sealed or the oven shall not be recharged until the necessary repairs are made.(b) At no time shall there be leaks in more than ten percent (10%) of the offtake piping and no more than five percent (5%) of the charging hole lids on any one battery.(6)Coke Oven Doors. (a) There shall be no visible emissions, except non-smoking flame, from any opening on the coke oven doors from more than fifteen percent (15%) of the coke oven doors on any battery at any time.(b) If a self-sealing door fails to seal during the coking cycle, it shall be adjusted, repaired, or replaced prior to a subsequent charge of oven.(c) Luted doors which fail to seal after the oven is charged shall be reluted promptly.(d) Every person operating coke ovens shall have a facility to maintain and repair coke oven doors and shall maintain an inventory of one (1) coke oven door per twelve (12) ovens operated.(7)Oven Maintenance.(a) All ovens shall be maintained in good condition to promote complete coking of coal.(b) All coke oven cracks are to be sealed as soon as practicable after they are detected.(c) As directed by the Director, reasonable records of the maintenance of oven doors, oven burners, and oven interiors are to be made and retained for a reasonable time.(8)Combustion Stacks. There shall be no visible emissions, other than water mist or vapor, with an opacity greater than twenty percent (20%) from any stack except for a period or periods aggregating not more than three (3) minutes in any consecutive sixty (60) minutes.(9)Quenching. (a) No person shall operate a coke oven plant without baffles installed and properly operating in the quench towers.(b) Water introduced to the quenching station must be of a quality approved by the Director.(10) Notwithstanding the specific limits set forth in this Rule, in order to maintain the lowest possible emission of air contaminants, the highest and best practicable treatment and control for particulate matter currently available shall be provided for any new coke producing facilities. Authors: James W. Cooper, John E. Daniel
Ala. Admin. Code r. 335-3-4-.09
Effective Date: July 26, 1972. Amended: May 28, 1974; July 11, 1978; September 18, 1985, September 21, 1989. Amended: Filed October 17, 1996; effective November 21, 1996. Amended: Filed August 3, 2000; effective September 7, 2000.Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 22-28-14, 22-22A-5, 22-22A-6, 22-22A-8.