SECTION 252:100-39-16. Petroleum refinery process unit turnaround

(a)   Definition. "Turnaround" means the planned procedure of shutting down a unit, inspecting and repairing it, and restarting it.

(b)   Procedures required. For the shutdown, purging and blowdown operation of any petroleum refinery processing unit the following procedures are required:

(1)   Recovery of VOCs shall be accomplished during the shutdown or turnaround to a process unit pressure compatible with the flare or vapor system pressure. The unit shall then be purged or flushed to a flare or vapor recovery system using a suitable material such as steam, water or nitrogen. The unit shall not be vented to the atmosphere until pressure is reduced to less than 5 psig through control devices.

(2)   Except where inconsistent with the "Minimum Federal Safety Standards for the Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline," or any State of Oklahoma regulatory agency, no person shall emit VOC gases to the atmosphere from a vapor recovery blowdown system unless these gases are burned by smokeless flares or an equally effective control device as approved by the Division Director.

(3)   At least fifteen days prior to a scheduled turnaround, a written notification shall be submitted to the Division Director. As a minimum, the notification shall indicate the unit to be shutdown, the date of shutdown, and the approximate quantity of VOCs to be emitted to the atmosphere.

(4)   Scheduled refinery unit turnaround may be accomplished without the controls specified in 252:100-39-16(b)(1) and 252:100-39-16(b)(2) during non-oxidant seasons provided the notification to the Division Director as required in 252:100-39-16(b)(3) specifically contains a request for such an exemption. The non-oxidant season is from December 1 through the last day of February.

[Source: Added at 11 Ok Reg 977, eff 1-14-94 (emergency); Added at 11 Ok Reg 2031, eff 5-26-94; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 1774, eff 6-11-99; Amended at 36 Ok Reg 1594, eff 9-15-19]