Zinc Production
United States
Final Rule: Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases
Under the Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) rule, owners or operators of facilities that
contain zinc production processes (as defined below) and that emit 25, 000 metric tons or more of GHGs
per year (expressed as carbon dioxide equivalents) from stationary combustion, zinc production
processes, and all other source categories (see information sheet on General Provisions) must report
emissions from all source categories located at the facility for which emission calculation methods are
defined in the rule. Owners or operators are required to collect emission data; calculate GHG emissions;
and follow the specified procedures for quality assurance, missing data, recordkeeping, and reporting.
How Is This Source Category Defined?
Zinc production facilities consist of zinc smelters and secondary zinc recycling facilities.
What GHGs Must Be Reported?
Each zinc production facility must report:
• Carbon dioxide (CO2) process emissions from each Waelz kiln and electrothermic furnace used
for zinc production.
• CO2 combustion emissions from each Waelz kiln and electrothermic furnace used for zinc
production.
• Nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane (CFL^ combustion emissions from each Waelz kiln. Calculate
and report these emissions under 40 CFR part 98, subpart C (General Stationary Fuel Combustion
Sources).
• CO2, N2O, and CFi4 combustion emissions from each stationary combustion unit other than Waelz
kilns under 40 CFR part 98, subpart C (General Stationary Fuel Combustion Sources).
In addition, each facility must report GHG emissions for other source categories for which calculation
methods are provided in the rule. Please refer to the relevant information sheet for a summary of the rule
requirements for calculating and reporting emissions from any other source categories at the facility.
How Must GHG Emissions Be Calculated?
Calculate CO2 process emissions from each Waelz kiln and electrothermic furnace by using one of two
methods, as appropriate:
• Installing and operating a continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS) to measure combined
process and combustion CO2 emissions by following the requirements of 40 CFR part 98, subpart
C (General Stationary Fuel Combustion Sources).
• Calculating the process CO2 emissions using the following measurements:
o Annual mass of each carbon-containing input material consumed (e.g., flux material,
carbon electrodes, and other carbonaceous material).
o Average carbon content of each material consumed or used in the calendar year.
However, if process CO2 emissions from a Waelz kiln or electrothermic furnace are emitted through the
same stack as a combustion unit or process equipment that uses a CEMS and follows Tier 4 methodology
in subpart C to report CO2 emissions, then the CEMS must be used to measure and report combined CO2
emissions from that stack, instead of the calculation procedure described below.
40 CFR 98, subpart GG 1 EPA-430-F-09-037R
September 2009
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A checklist for data that must be monitored is available at:
www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/downloads/checklists/zincproduction.pdf.
What Information Must Be Reported?
In addition to the information required by the General Provisions at 40 CFR 98.3(c), each annual report
must include the following information:
If a CEMS is used to measure emissions, then under this subpart the relevant information required under
40 CFR subpart C for the Tier 4 Calculation Methodology and the following information must be
reported:
• Annual zinc product production capacity (tons).
• Annual production quantity for each zinc product (tons).
• Number of Waelz kilns at each facility used for zinc production.
• Number of electrothermic furnaces at each facility used for zinc production.
If a CEMS is not used to measure CO2 emissions, then for each individual Waelz kiln or electrothermic
furnace, the information listed below must be reported:
• Annual process CO2 emissions (metric tons).
• Annual zinc product production capacity (tons).
• Annual production quantity (tons).
• Number of Waelz kilns at each facility used for zinc production.
• Number of electrothermic furnaces at each facility used for zinc production.
• Annual mass of each carbon-containing input material charged to each kiln or furnace, including
zinc-bearing material, flux material (e.g. limestone, dolomite), carbon electrodes, and other
carbonaceous materials (e.g., coal, coke)(tons).
• Annual average carbon content of each carbon-containing input material charged to each kiln or
furnace (percent by weight, expressed as a decimal fraction).
• Whether carbon content of each carbon-containing input material charged to each kiln or furnace
is based on reports from the supplier or through self measurement using applicable American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard Test Method.
• If carbon content of each carbon-containing input material charged to each kiln or furnace is
based on self measurement, the ASTM Standard Test Method used.
• Carbon content of the carbon electrode used in each furnace from the annual carbon analysis
(percent by weight, expressed as a decimal fraction).
• Whether carbon content of the carbon electrode used in each furnace is based on reports from the
supplier or through self measurement using applicable ASTM Standard Test Method.
• If carbon content of the carbon electrode used in each furnace is based on self measurement, the
ASTM Standard Test Method used.
For More Information
This document is provided solely for informational purposes. It does not provide legal advice, have
legally binding effect, or expressly or implicitly create, expand, or limit any legal rights, obligations,
responsibilities, expectations, or benefits in regard to any person. The series of information sheets is
intended to assist reporting facilities/owners in understanding key provisions of the final rule.
Visit EPA's Web site (www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgrulemaking.html) for more
information, including the final preamble and rule, additional information sheets on specific industries,
the schedule for training sessions, and other documents and tools. For questions that cannot be answered
through the Web site, please contact us at: ghgmrr(g),epa.gov.
40 CFR 98, subpart GG 2 EPA-430-F-09-037R
September 2009
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