§ 129.138. Covers and closed vent systems.
(a) Requirements for a cover on a storage vessel, reciprocating compressor or centrifugal compressor. The owner or operator shall perform the following for a cover of a source subject to § 129.133(b)(1)(i) or § 129.136(b)(2) or (c)(2) (relating to storage vessels; and compressors), as applicable:
(1) Ensure that the cover and all openings on the cover form a continuous impermeable barrier over each subject source as follows:
(i) The entire surface area of the liquid in the storage vessel.
(ii) The entire surface area of the liquid in the wet seal fluid degassing system of a centrifugal compressor.
(iii) The rod packing emissions collection system of a reciprocating compressor.
(2) Ensure that each cover opening is covered by a gasketed lid or cap that is secured in a closed, sealed position except when it is necessary to use an opening for one or more of the following:
(i) To inspect, maintain, repair or replace equipment.
(ii) To route a liquid, gas, vapor or fume from the source to a control device or a process that meets the applicable requirements of § 129.139 (relating to control devices) through a closed vent system designed and operated in accordance with subsection (b).
(iii) To inspect or sample the material in a storage vessel.
(iv) To add material to or remove material from a storage vessel, including openings necessary to equalize or balance the internal pressure of the storage vessel following changes in the level of the material in the storage vessel.
(3) Ensure that each storage vessel thief hatch is equipped, maintained and operated with the following:
(i) A mechanism to ensure that the lid remains properly seated and sealed under normal operating conditions, including when working, standing or breathing, or when flash emissions may be generated.
(ii) A gasket made of a suitable material based on the composition of the fluid in the storage vessel and weather conditions.
(4) Conduct an initial AVO inspection on or before January 31, 2023, with monthly inspections thereafter separated by at least 15 calendar days but not more than 45 calendar days for defects that could result in air emissions. Defects include the following:
(i) A visible crack, hole or gap in the cover.
(ii) A visible crack, hole or gap between the cover and the separator wall.
(iii) A broken, cracked or otherwise damaged seal or gasket on a closure device.
(iv) A broken or missing hatch, access cover, cap or other closure device.
(5) Inspect only those portions of the cover that extend to or above the surface and the connections on those portions of the cover, including fill ports, access hatches and gauge wells that can be opened to the atmosphere for a storage vessel that is partially buried or entirely underground.
(6) Repair a detected leak or defect as specified in § 129.137(l) (relating to fugitive emissions components).
(7) Maintain the records under § 129.140(h) (relating to recordkeeping and reporting) and submit the report under § 129.140(k)(3)(vii).
(b) Requirements for a closed vent system. The owner or operator shall perform the following for each closed vent system installed on a source subject to § 129.133(b)(1)(ii), § 129.135(b)(1)(i) or (c)(1)(ii) (relating to natural gas-driven diaphragm pumps) or § 129.136(b)(2) or (c)(2):
(1) Design the closed vent system to route the liquid, gas, vapor or fume emitted from the source to a control device or process that meets the applicable requirements in § 129.139.
(2) Operate the closed vent system with no detectable emissions as determined by the following:
(i) Conduct an initial AVO inspection on or before January 31, 2023, with monthly inspections thereafter separated by at least 15 calendar days but not more than 45 calendar days for defects that could result in air emissions. Defects include the following:
(A) A visible crack, hole or gap in piping.
(B) A loose connection.
(C) A liquid leak.
(D) A broken or missing cap or other closure device.
(ii) Conducting a no detectable emissions inspection as specified in subsection (d) during the facility’s scheduled LDAR inspection in accordance with § 129.137(c)(2)(ii) and (c)(3)(ii) or (e)(2).
(3) Repair a detected leak or defect as specified in § 129.137(l).
(4) Except as specified in subparagraph (iii), if the closed vent system contains one or more bypass devices that could be used to divert the liquid, gas, vapor or fume from routing to the control device or to the process under paragraph (1), perform one or more of the following:
(i) Install, calibrate, operate and maintain a flow indicator at the inlet to the bypass device so when the bypass device is open it does one of the following:
(A) Sounds an alarm.
(B) Initiates a notification by means of a remote alarm to the nearest field office.
(ii) Secure the bypass device valve installed at the inlet to the bypass device in the non-diverting position using the following procedure:
(A) Installing either of the following:
(I) A car-seal.
(II) A lock-and-key configuration.
(B) Visually inspecting the mechanism in clause (A) to verify that the valve is maintained in the non-diverting position on or before January 31, 2023, with monthly inspections separated by at least 15 calendar days but not more than 45 calendar days.
(C) Maintaining the records under § 129.140(i)(4).
(iii) Subparagraphs (i) and (ii) do not apply to a low leg drain, high point bleed, analyzer vent, open-ended valve or line or safety device.
(5) Conduct an assessment that meets the requirements of subsection (c).
(6) Maintain the records under § 129.140(i) and submit the reports under § 129.140(k)(3)(viii).
(c) Requirements for closed vent system design and capacity assessment. An owner or operator that installs a closed vent system under subsection (b) shall perform a design and capacity assessment which must include the following:
(1) Be prepared under the supervision of an in-house engineer or qualified professional engineer.
(2) Verify the following:
(i) That the closed vent system is of sufficient design and capacity to ensure that the emissions from the emission source are routed to the control device or process.
(ii) That the control device or process is of sufficient design and capacity to accommodate the emissions from the emission source.
(3) Be certified, signed and dated by the engineer supervising the assessment, including the statement: ‘‘I certify that the closed vent design and capacity assessment was prepared under my supervision. I further certify that the assessment was conducted and this report was prepared under the requirements of 25 Pa. Code § 129.138(c). Based on my professional knowledge and experience, and inquiry of personnel involved in the assessment, the certification submitted herein is true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are penalties for knowingly submitting false information.’’
(d) No detectable emissions procedures. The owner or operator shall conduct the no detectable emissions inspection required under subsection (b)(2)(ii) by performing one of the following:
(1) Use OGI equipment that meets § 129.137(h).
(2) Use a gas leak detection instrument that meets § 129.137(i). The owner or operator may adjust the gas leak detection instrument readings as specified in § 129.137(k).
(3) Use another leak detection method approved by the Department.
(4) Determine if a potential leak interface operates with no detectable emissions, if the gas leak detection instrument reading is not a leak as defined in § 129.132(a) (relating to definitions, acronyms and EPA methods).
Authority The provisions of this § 129.138 added under section 5(a)(1) and (8) of the Air Pollution Act (35 P.S. § 4005(a)(1) and (8)).
Source The provisions of this § 129.138 added December 9, 2022, effective December 2, 2022, 52 Pa.B. 7635.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 129.131 (relating to general provisions and applicability); 25 Pa. Code § 129.132 (relating to definitions, acronyms and EPA methods); 25 Pa. Code § 129.133 (relating to storage vessels); 25 Pa. Code § 129.135 (relating to natural gas-driven diaphragm pumps); 25 Pa. Code § 129.136 (relating to compressors); 25 Pa. Code § 129.137 (relating to fugitive emissions components); and 25 Pa. Code § 129.140 (relating to recordkeeping and reporting).
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