United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Air and Energy Engineering
Research Laboratory
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Research and Development
EPA/600/SR-95/064 May 1995
4>EPA Project Summary
Technology Evaluation Report:
Support for MACT
Determination for Degreasing
D.R. Cornstubble, K.R. Monroe, E.A. Hill, and J.B. Flanagan
The project was conducted by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) to provide technical data to sup-
port Maximum Achievable Control Tech-
nology (MACT) rule-making efforts. It
quantifies emissions from innovative
alternative vapor degreasing systems,
permitting comparisons of emissions
to conventional vapor degreasing sys-
tems. Tests were performed at two lo-
cations, primarily using gravimetric
analysis.
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 docu-
mented in a separate report of the same
title (see Project Report ordering infor-
mation at back).
Background
The U.S. EPA must establish an emis-
sions standard with limits reflecting MACT
for each major source category emitting
hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). These
standards would be developed as National
Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air
Pollutants. New developments in vapor
degreaser design have the potential for
totally eliminating HAP emissions during
surface cleaning. A number of companies
have advertised systems that are claimed
to be representative of MACT—that is,
very low-emitting, well-controlled vapor
degreasing systems. These systems use
vapor confinement techniques other than
traditional freeboard extensions, free-
board chillers, and automatic covers.
MACT-capable systems are advantageous
to existing industries, since they can make
possible the continued use of traditional
vapor degreasing solvents or new but simi-
lar compounds while significantly reduc-
ing emissions.
Project Objective
The primary objective of this project was
to collect quantitative emissions data from
low-emitting vapor degreasing systems.
The criteria for the systems tested included
available sizes, solvents that can be used
in the degreaser operating parameters,
and available features that can be used
by a wide range of industries. The emis-
sions data are to be used as background
information for the MACT legislation being
developed by EPA's Office of Air Quality
Planning and Standards.
Approach
Two vapor degreasing systems were
selected as representative of the generic
designs of the MACT systems. The se-
lected systems were tested using gravi-
metric analysis. The tests were conducted
at the vendor's test facility. Emissions rates
were determined by observing weight loss
from the system during testing. The test-
ing was conducted during both operating
and non-operating test periods.
Results
Results of the gravimetric analysis
showed that emission levels using MACT
technology are less than 0.5 Ib/day (0.23
kg/day), or 0.06 Ib/hr (0.027 kg/hr), for
both systems. Based on an emissions rate
of 1.6 Ib/hr (0.73 kg/hr), the MACT vapor
degreasing systems indicate a 96% im-
provement over conventional vapor
degreasers. Thus, the test results indicate
that the use of the defined MACT systems
of the type tested will significantly reduce
solvent emissions during degreasing.
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D.R. Cornstubble, K.R. Monroe, E.A. Hill, and J.B. Flanagan are with Research
Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.
Charles H. Darvin is the EPA Project Officer (see below).
The complete report, entitled "Technology Evaluation Report: Support for MACT
Determination forDegreasing,"(OrderNo. PB95-215992; Cost: $19.50, subject
to change) will be available only from
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
BULK RATE
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
EPA
PERMIT No. G-35
EPA/600/SR-95/064
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