United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Air and Energy Engineering
Research Laboratory
Research Triangle Park NC 27711
Research and Development
EPA/600/S7-86/009 May 1986
6EPA Project Summary
Evaluation of Control
Technologies for Hazardous
Air Pollutants
Robert Y. Purcell and Gunseli Sagun Shareef
The purpose of this manual is to help
EPA regional, state, and local air pollu-
tion control agency technical personnel
to select, evaluate, and cost air pollu-
tion control techniques for reducing or
eliminating the emission of potentially
hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from
industrial/commercial sources. The in-
formation provided by this manual will
be useful for reviewing permit applica-
tions or for informing interested parties
as to the type, basic design, and cost of
available HAP control systems.
Since the definition of a HAP is very
broad and, thus, encompasses poten-
tially thousands of specific compounds,
it is not possible for this manual to de-
velop an all-inclusive list of HAP com-
pounds and compound-specific control
techniques. However, the number of
generic air pollution control techniques
available is small, and the factors affect-
ing the cost and performance of these
controls as applied to many noncriteria
pollutants have been identified and dis-
cussed in the literature. Therefore, the
main focus of this manual is to provide
sufficient guidance to select the appro-
priate air pollution control system(s) for
an emission stream/source containing
HAPs.
The manual will help the user per-
form three distinct functions: (1) to se-
lect the appropriate control tech-
nique(s) that can be applied to each
HAP emission stream generated at a
specific facility, (2) to determine the
basic design parameters of the selected
air pollution control device(s) and ac-
companying auxiliary equipment, and
(3) to estimate order-of-magnftude con-
trol system capital and annualized
costs.
This Project Summary was developed
by EPA's Air and Energy Engineering
Research Laboratory, Research Triangle
Park, NC, to announce key findings of the
research project that is fully documented
in two separate volumes of the same title
(see Project Report ordering information
at back).
Introduction
The objective of this manual is to
present a methodology for determining
the performance and cost of air pollu-
tion control techniques for reducing or
eliminating the emission of potentially
hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from in-
dustrial/commercial sources. [Note:
The term "hazardous" in this manual is
very broad. It does not reflect the
specific compounds listed under cur-
rent regulations (i.e., the Clean Air Act,
the Resource Conservation and Recov-
ery Act, and the Toxic Substances Con-
trol Act).] This manual is to be used by
EPA regional, state, and local air pollu-
tion control agency technical personnel
for two basic purposes: (1) to respond
to inquiries from interested parties (e.g.,
prospective permit applicants) regard-
ing the HAP control requirements that
would be needed at a specified process
or facility, and (2) to evaluate/review
permit applications for sources with the
potential to emit HAPs. Note that this
manual provides general technical
guidance on controls; it does not pro-
vide guidance for compliance with
specific regulatory requirements for
HAPs. Specifically, the manual does not
specify design requirements necessary
to achieve compliance with standards
established under specific programs;
e.g., Section 112 of the Clean Air Act or
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standards established under the Re-
source Conservation and Recovery Act.
Such requirements vary with the HAP
emitted and with the emission source;
thus, regulatory-specific detailed speci-
fications are beyond the scope of this
manual.
Contents of the Manual
Chapter 1 discusses the use of the
manual.
Chapter 2 assists the user in identify-
ing HAPs and their respective emission
sources. Information on potential HAP
emissions is provided for the following
source categories: solvent usage opera-
tions, metallurgical industries, the Syn-
thetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing
Industry (SOCMI), the inorganic chemi-
cal manufacturing industry, the chemi-
cal products industry, the mineral prod-
ucts industry, the wood products
industry, petroleum related industries,
and combustion sources. Potential
HAPs are identified as organic vapors,
inorganic vapors, or participates. Both
point source and fugitive emissions are
covered. Chapter 2 also identifies the
key emission stream characteristics
necessary to select appropriate control
techniques.
Chapter 3 provides additional infor-
mation to assist the user in the control
technique selection process for each
HAP emission source/stream. Control
techiques applicable to the following
types of sources are discussed: organic
vapor emissions from point sources, in-
organic vapor emissions from point
sources, organic/inorganic vapor emis-
sions from process fugitive sources, or-
ganic/inorganic vapor emissions from
area fugitive sources, particulate emis-
sions from point sources, and particu-
late emissions from fugitive sources.
Chapter 4 presents simple step-by-
step procedures to determine basic de-
sign parameters of the specific control
devices and auxiliary equipment. The
following control technologies are cov-
ered: thermal incinerators, catalytic in-
cinerators, flares, carbon adsorbers, ab-
sorbers/scrubbers, condensers, fabric
filters, electrostatic precipitators, and
venturi scrubbers.
Chapter 5 provides the necessary
data and procedures to determine
order-of-magnitude estimates (-60 to
-1-30 percent) for the capital and annual-
ized costs of each control system.
Several appendices provide pertinent
information not found in the main text.
The appendices are divided into three
groups. Appendices in Group A present
supplementary data that clarify/expand
the information discussed. (For exam-
ple, Appendix A.1 contains the "New
York State Air Guide - 1," which illus-
trates some of the methods that might
be used when developing a HAP pro-
gram.) Group B appendices contain
derivations of equations, calculation
procedures, and unit conversion tech-
niques for emission stream physical
characteristics. Blank worksheets to be
used for performing the functions of
this manual are in the Group C appen-
dices.
How to Use the Manual
Figure 1 is a flowchart of the steps
performed when responding to in-
quiries; Figure 2 presents the same type
of flowchart for use when reviewing
permits. These figures show that these
two functions are basically the same;
the only substantive difference is that
the review process also compares the
determined/calculated parameters with
the corresponding parameters stated in
the permit application to ensure that the
control system(s) proposed by the ap-
plicant will provide the required reduc-
tion of HAP emissions.
When an inquiry or permit application
is received, determine the HAPs appli-
cable to the source category in question
(Section 2.1). The HAPs are in four cate-
gories: organic vapor, organic particu-
late, inorganic vapor, and inorganic par-
ticulate. [Note: For each HAP group, a
list of potentially or suspected haz-
ardous compounds that may be emitted
as a HAP from the source category is
provided. This list is neither all-inclusive
nor a declaration that the compounds
presented are hazardous.] Next, identify
the potential emission sources for each
HAP group (Section 2.1). The HAP emis-
sion sources are listed under one of the
three classifications: process point
sources, process fugitive sources, and
area fugitive sources. After determining
each emission source, identify the key
HAP emission stream characteristics
(e.g., HAP concentration, temperature,
flow rate, heat content, particle size)
needed to select the appropriate control
technique(s) (Section 2.2). Obtain the
actual values for these characteristics
from the owner/operator or from avail-
able literature. If two or more emission
streams are combined prior to entry
into an air pollution control system, de-
termine the characteristics of the com-
bined emission stream (Appendix B.2).
Depending on the specific regulation j
and the type/characteristics of the HAP I
emission source/stream, the remaining
steps in the methodology will differ.
There are four basic formats for a regu-
lation: (1) a particular control device
may be required, (2) a numerical limit
may be specified, (3) a technology forc-
ing requirement may be imposed, and
(4) a specific work practice or other re-
lated practice may be required. The reg-
ulation format will define the steps that
lead to the selection of the appropriate
control technique(s). The control device
and other formats specify the appropri-
ate control technique(s). A numerical
limit format requires the determination
of the HAP removal efficiency before the
appropriate control technique(s) can be
identified. Lastly, the technology forc-
ing format has two paths: one where
the cost of the control system is a factor
in the decision, and one where cost is
not a factor. If control system cost is a
factor, the agency must determine the
cost constraints that will be imposed on
the control technique selection process.
The steps that occur in defining the HAP
control requirements will depend on
each agency's regulatory policies.
The HAP emission stream character-
istics, in conjunction with the limita-
tions imposed by the applicable regula-
tions, are used to select the appropriate
control techniques (Chapter 3) for each
HAP emission source/stream. General
guidelines are provided that match
specific control devices with specified
emission stream properties (e.g., HAP
content, temperature, moisture, heat
content, particle size, flow rate). Basic
design parameters are then determined
to provide general design condition:
tha should be met or exceeded for each
selected control technique to achieve
the specified HAP removal efficiency
(Chapter 4). This exercise also identifiet
which of the selected control tech
niques will not achieve the desired HAI
control requirements. The basic desigi
parameters also can be used to obtaii
an order-of-magnitude cost estimate fo
each control device (Chapter 5). A
noted above, this cost information cat
be an integral part of the HAP contrc
system selection process. After corr
pleting the above process, a HAP cor
trol program can be recommended c
evaluated.
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Manual Location to
Perform Step
'Section 2.1
^Section 2.2
3None
'Appendix B.2
sNone
^Chapter 3
''Chapter 4
'Chapters
Information Requested
on HAP Control for
a Specific Facility
Obtain Available
Plant-Specific Data
Define HAP s'
Define Emission Sources
Generating HAP s1
Define Characteristics
Needed for Each HAP
Emission Stream3
\ Combine HAP Streams3 |*-j Inquirer Assistance |
Define Characteristics
of Combined Streams4
Control
Device •
[Select Appropriate
Control Technique(s)*
t
/ Afe \
/Basic Design Parameters}
\ Requested /
i Yes
Determine Basic Design
Parameters for
Control System(s)7
•*•
AA
r-~
i
Numerical
Limit i
(Each Single/Combined ^\
HAP Emission Stream J
*
Define HAP Control
Requirements5
Determine Required
Control Efficiency8
>
1
1 Technology
Forcing 1
Yes/ Cost of
r\ Decisii
Other
Requirement
Is \ Regulation Agency
Control a \No Policy Decision
? / 1
I *
Agency Determination
of Cost Constraints*
Select Appropriate
Control Technique!*)*
* i
Select Appropriate
Control Technique(s)*
t
Determine Basic Design
Parameters and Cost for
Control System(s)7*
t
Select Control System
Having Most Stringent
Level of Control Within
Given Cost Constraints
t
Recommend Appropriate
Control Technique(s)
*
/ Last \
/ HAP Emission \
Determine Basic Design
Parameters for
Control System(s)7
t
Select Control System
Having Most Stringent
Level of Control
No
\ Stream /
t Yes
Recommend HAP
Control Program
Figure 1. Steps used when responding to inquiries.
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Permit Application
for Review'/Approval
Manual Location for
Perform Step
^Section 2.1
^Section 2.2
*None
* Appendix B.2
"None
'Chapter 3
7 Chapter 4
'Chapter 5
Are
AIIHAPs
Addressed11
f
Obtain Additional Data
from Applicant
Yes'T*-
Are
All HAP Emission
Sources Addressed*
Obtain Additional Data
from Applicant
Are
All HAP Emission
Stream Characteristics
Provided*
Obtain Additional Data
from Applicant
Yes
Are
Any HAP
Emission Streams
Combined3
Are
Combined Stream
Characteristics
Correct*
7
No
(
Each Single/ Combined
HAP Emission Stream
Define HAP Control
Requirements'
Control
Device
Numerical
Limit i r
Select Appropriate
Control Techniquefsf
Determine Basic Design
Parameters for
Control Systemfs)7
±
Obtain Additional Data
from Applicant
Determine Required
Control Efficiency"
Other
Requirement
Regulatory Agency
Policy Decisions'
Technology
, Forcing
Is
Permit Control System
Appropriate
Is
Permit System Design
Appropriate
\No
/H
v
Recommend Appropriate
Control TechniquefsJ
Recommend Appropriate
Basic Design Parameters
Yes
Agency Determination
of Cost Constraints'
Select Appropriate
Control TechniquefsJ'
Determine Basic Design
Parameters and Cost for
Control Systemfs)7*
Select Control System
Having Most Stringent
Level of Control Within
Given Cost Constraints
Is
Cost of Control a
Decision Factor
t No
Select Appropriate
Control TechniquefsJ'
Determine Basic Design
Parameters for
Control Systemfs/'
Select Control System
Having Most Stringent
Level of Control
Last
HAP Emission
Stream
Permit Approval or
Provide Recommendations
Figure 2. Steps used when reviewing permits.
4
T*rU. S. 60VERNMB4T PRINTING OFFICE:!986/646-116/20844
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R. Purcellis with Pacific Environmental Services. Inc., Durham, NC 27707; and G.
Shareef is with Radian Corporation, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.
Bruce A. Tic/tenor is the EPA Project Officer fsee below).
The complete report consists of two volumes, entitled "Evaluation of Control
Technologies for Hazardous Air Pollutants:—"
"Volume 1. Technical Report," (Order No. PB 86-167 020/AS; Cost: $28.95)
"Volume 2. Appendices," (Order No. PB 86-167 038/AS; Cost: $22.95)
The above reports will be available only from: (cost subject to change)
National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161
Telephone: 703-487-4650
The EPA Project Officer can be contacted at:
Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Center for Environmental Research
Information
Cincinnati OH 45268
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
EPA/600/S7-86/009
0000329 PS
t, S ENVIR PROTECTION AGENCY
CHICAGO
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