Two years after its first proposal, EPA released last month a supplemental proposal regarding National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Secondary Aluminum Production at 40 CFR ยง63 Subpart RRR (see docket). Secondary aluminum production includes facilities with an aluminum scrap shredder or a sweat furnace.
Requirements apply to aluminum scrap shredders at major-source facilities and sweat furnaces at both major- and area-source facilities. While this
supplemental proposal is limited in scope, it does include a number of potential changes affecting the operation of aluminum scrap shredders and sweat furnaces: new definitions of “startup” and “shutdown” [63.1503]; a new additional compliance option for sweat-furnace operations based on the concepts of maintaining negative pressure (i.e., airflow into or towards furnace) and minimizing emissions [63.1506(c)(4)]; new specific compliance options for inspecting capture/collection and closed vent systems based on flow-rate measurements or compliance by verifying total enclosure [63.1510(d)(2)]; new initial performance test for compliance under representative operating conditions with the highest potential to emit HAP [63.1511(b)(1)]; and new methods of determining compliance for startup and shutdown [63.1513(f)]. Compliance with the preceding compliance changes, as finalized, must be achieved within 180 days of the effective date of the final rule. Comments on the supplemental proposal are due February 6, 2015. Questions should be directed to ReMA Director of Environmental Management
David Wagger at (202) 662-8533.