Ralph Witte

1
Wood-Fired Boilers The Environmental
Considerations and Ohio EPA RequirementsCommunity
Energy Solutions Workshop January 16, 2009

• Ralph Witte
• Environmental Engineer
• Ohio EPA Office of Compliance Assistance and
  Pollution Prevention

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What is OCAPP?

• OCAPP is an independent, non-regulatory office
  within Ohio EPA.
• It is a one-stop location for assistance with
  environmental regulations, compliance concerns,
  and pollution prevention.
• OCAPP will answer questions on air, waste, water,
  and other Ohio EPA requirements.

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OCAPP Services

• Toll-free hotline for Ohio EPA questions
• Assistance with permit applications
• On-site compliance or pollution prevention
  assessments
• Easy-to-understand publications
• Web site
• http//www.epa.state.oh.us/ocapp/ocapp.html

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Air Pollutants Emitted From Wood Boilers

• Particulate Matter (PM) is the primary air
  pollutant of regulatory concern.
• Emissions also include
• Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) and Carbon Monoxide (CO)
• Lesser amounts of Volatile Organic Compounds
  (VOC) and Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP)
• Also Greenhouse Gases such as CO2, Methane, etc.
  (Currently Unregulated)

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What Factors Determine Air Emissions?

• Fuel Source and Type
• Wood Characteristics (Type, Moisture Content, Btu
  Content, etc.)
• Boiler Design

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What Other Factors Affect Emissions?

• Operating Conditions / Combustion Quality
• Air Pollution Control Equipment Mechanical
  Collectors (Cyclones, etc.), Scrubbers, ESPs,
  Filters
• High Moisture Content or Poor Operating
  Conditions Generally Increase Emissions

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Typical Uncontrolled Boiler Emissions

• Particulate Matter
• 0.40 lb/million Btu (MMBtu) heat input Dry Wood
• 0.007 lb/MMBtu Natural Gas
• 0.01 lb/MMBtu No. 2 Fuel Oil

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Typical Uncontrolled Boiler Emissions

• NOx
• 0.49 lb/MMBtu Dry Wood
• 0.10 t0 0.25 lb/MMBtu Natural Gas
• 0.14 to 0.17 lb/MMBtu No. 2 Fuel Oil
• CO
• 0.60 lb/MMBtu Dry Wood
• 0.08 lb/MMBtu CO Natural Gas
• 0.04 lb/MMBtu CO No. 2 Fuel Oil
• Emission Factors obtained from USEPA AP-42
  Chapters 1.6 (9/03), 1.4 (7/98) and 1.3 (9/98).

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Ohio EPA Air Permit Requirements

• All air pollution sources require Ohio EPA
  installation and operating permits unless a
  regulatory exemption applies.
• De Minimis exemption for very small sources
• lt 10 pounds per day of any pollutant
• Specific regulatory exemption for
• Wood fuel-fired boilers and heaters less than 1
  million British thermal units (Btu) per hour
  except those units that burn waste fuel or oil.

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Ohio EPA Air Permit Requirements

• Permit requirements and emission limits are
  dependent on
• Boiler Type and Size
• Fuel Type
• Emissions Potential
• Air Pollution Control Technology - i.e., Best
  Available Technology (BAT) Requirements

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Ohio EPA Air Permit Requirements

• Each permit is source-specific, based on the
  particular boiler specifications.
• If maximum annual emissions of all pollutants are
  less than 10 tons per year, best control
  technology (i.e., BAT) requirements do not apply.

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Ohio EPA Air Permit Requirements

• A typical Ohio EPA air permit requires
• Compliance with Emission Limits (Rule-Based
  Standards or BAT)
• Monitoring
• Record Keeping
• Reporting
• Periodic Emissions Testing
• Fees
• One-Time Permit Fee
• Based on source type and size
• Annual Emissions Fee
• Based on emissions quantity

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Ohio EPA Air Permit Application Process

• Prepare and Submit Appropriate Permit Application
  Forms
• Ohio EPA Performs Completeness Review
• Additional Information Requested if Application
  is Incomplete
• Ohio EPA Performs Technical Review Once
  Application is Complete
• Additional Technical Information Requested, If
  Required
• Permit Issued Upon Completion of Review and
  Satisfaction of all Regulatory Requirements
• OCAPP can help!

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Additional Environmental Considerations

• Fuel Handling and Storage
• Fugitive Dust
• Storm Water
• Ash Disposal
• Solid Waste Requirements
• Potential for Complaints
• Smoke, Odor, Etc.
• Operator
• Proper operation minimizes emissions

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Other Important Considerations

• Confirm that the unit you are planning to buy
  will comply with the applicable requirements!
• Timing
• Allow sufficient time to obtain all necessary
  permits prior to construction and operation
• Communication
• Discuss your project with Ohio EPA early in the
  planning process and regularly throughout the
  review of your permit application in order to
  prevent problems.

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Proposed Outdoor Wood-Fired Boiler Rules

• Draft Rules Issued February, 2008
• Proposed Rules Establish Standards For
• Particulate Emissions
• Certification of New Units
• Stack Height
• Setback (Location Restrictions)
• Fuel Type
• Etc.
• Currently On Hold to Allow Ohio EPA to Review
  Over 1000 Comments Received

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For more information
OCAPP web site http//www.epa.state.oh.us/ocapp
/ocapp.html OCAPP hotline [phone] In
Southeast Ohio, contact Ralph Witte
740-380-5241 ralph.witte_at_epa.state.oh.us
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Questions?