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Outdated Exemption List, Subchapter Q - April 7, 1998

Synopsis of specific exemptions from air permitting that were in effect on this date.

30 TAC 106 - Subchapter Q Plastics and Rubber

106.391 Rubber and Plastic Curing Presses (Previously SE11)
106.392 Thermoset Resin Facilities (Previously SE113)
106.393 Conveyance and Storage of Plastic and Rubber Material (Previously SE27)
106.394 Plastic Compression and Injection Molding (Previously SE45)
106.395 Equipment for Mixing Plastic and Rubber (no solvent) (Previously SE46)
106.396 Equipment for Mixing Plastic and Rubber (with solvent) (Previously SE48)

106.391 Rubber and Plastic Curing Presses (Previously SE 11)

Presses used for the curing of rubber products and plastic products are exempt.

106.392 Thermoset Resin Facilities (Previously SE 113)

Facilities using thermoset resins (excluding resins that do not emit air contaminants) to manufacture or repair products are exempt, provided that the following conditions of this section are satisfied for paragraph (1) and either paragraph (2) or (3) of this section.

(1) The following requirements shall apply to all thermoset resin facilities.

(A) Before construction begins, the facility must be registered with the commission using Form PI-7.

(B) Records of resin and acetone usage shall be kept on a monthly and calendar year-to-date basis to show compliance with this section, and shall be maintained for the most recent 24 months.

(C) All resin spraying and cleaning operations shall be conducted between two hours before sunrise and two hours after sunset. The exhaust fan(s) must be operating during and for at least 30 minutes after any usage of resin and/or cleaning solvents.

(D) All solid trim grinding operations shall be vented through a dry filter system or a water wash system which has a particulate removal efficiency of at least 95%. Particulates trapped in the dry filter system or water wash sludge shall be handled and stored in a way to minimize the escape of fugitive dust emissions.

(E) No more than five tons of acetone shall be used per year (gross usage minus waste disposal).

(2) The following requirements shall apply to facilities that have spraying operations (the facilities may include non-spraying operations).

(A) No more than 75 tons of resin and gelcoat combined shall be used per year (gross usage minus waste disposal).

(B) All resin spraying operations shall be conducted in a booth or an enclosed work area and the emissions shall be exhausted through elevated stack(s). All stacks shall discharge vertically to the atmosphere with no restrictions or obstructions to flow. Each stack shall meet one of the following minimum requirements:

(i) a flow rate of 20,000 actual cubic feet per minute (acfm) and the greater of six feet above the peak of the manufacturing building or 25 feet above ground level; or

(ii) a flow rate of 15,000 acfm and the greater of six feet above the peak of the manufacturing building or 30 feet above ground level.

(C) No more than 1,000 pounds per year of resin shall be used outdoors.

(D) If annual resin usage is less than 1,000 pounds, a facility is exempt from all requirements of this section except recordkeeping (paragraph (1)(B) of this section).

(3) The following requirements shall apply only to non-spraying operations.

(A) No more than 150 tons of resin and gelcoat combined shall be used per year (gross usage minus waste disposal).

(B) All resin operations shall be conducted in a booth or an enclosed work area or the manufacturing building and the emissions shall be exhausted through elevated stack(s). All stacks shall discharge vertically to the atmosphere with no restrictions or obstructions to flow. Each stack shall meet one of the following minimum requirements:

(i) a flow rate of 20,000 acfm and the greater of six feet above the peak of the manufacturing building or 25 feet above ground level; or

(ii) a flow rate of 15,000 acfm and the greater of six feet above the peak of the manufacturing building or 30 feet above ground level.

(C) No more than 3,000 pounds per year of resin shall be used outdoors.

(D) If annual resin usage is less than 3,000 pounds, a facility is exempt from all requirements of this section except recordkeeping (paragraph (1)(B) of this section).

106.393 Conveyance and Storage of Plastic and Rubber Material (Previously SE 27)

Equipment used exclusively for conveying and storing plastic and/or rubber solid materials is exempt, provided that no visible emissions occur and all the conditions of this section are met:

(1) equipment used for conveying of powders or resins to storage silos must be equipped with fabric filter(s) having a maximum filtering velocity of 4.0 feet per minute (ft/min) with mechanical shaking or 7.0 ft/min with air cleaning; and

(2) transfer of powders or resins is accomplished in an enclosed system.

106.394 Plastic Compression and Injection Molding (Previously SE 45)

Equipment used for compression molding and injection molding of plastics is exempt.

106.395 Equipment for Mixing Plastic and Rubber (No Solvent) (Previously SE 46)

Mixers, blenders, roll mills, or calenders for rubber or plastics are exempt, provided the following conditions of this section are satisfied. Mixers, blenders, roll mills, or calenders handling or adding asbestos shall not be eligible for exemption under this section.

(1) Organic solvents, diluents, or thinners shall not be used.

(2) Material in powder form shall not be added unless the mixer, blender, roll mill, or calender is vented to a fabric filter having a maximum filtering velocity of 4.0 feet per minute (ft/min) with mechanical cleaning, or 7.0 ft/min with automatic air cleaning.

(3) There shall be no visible emissions.

106.396 Equipment for Mixing Plastic and Rubber (With Solvent) (Previously SE 48)

Roll mills or calenders for rubber or plastics in which organic solvents, diluents, or thinners are used are exempt, provided that before construction begins, the facility is registered with Form PI-7 and information regarding process rate and type of material emitted is submitted.

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