[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 40, Volume 8]
[Revised as of July 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 40CFR61.242-3]

[Page 159]
 
                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
 
         CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 61_NATIONAL EMISSION STANDARDS FOR HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS
--Table of Contents
 
   Subpart V_National Emission Standard for Equipment Leaks (Fugitive 
                            Emission Sources)
 
Sec. 61.242-3  Standards: Compressors.

    (a) Each compressor shall be equipped with a seal system that 
includes a barrier fluid system and that prevents leakage of process 
fluid to atmosphere, except as provided in Sec. 61.242-1(c) and 
paragraphs (h) and (i) of this section.
    (b) Each compressor seal system as required in paragraph (a) shall 
be:
    (1) Operated with the barrier fluid at a pressure that is greater 
than the compressor stuffing box pressure; or
    (2) Equipped with a barrier fluid system degassing reservoir that is 
routed to a process or fuel gas system or connected by a closed-vent 
system to a control device that complies with the requirements of Sec. 
61.242-11; or
    (3) Equipped with a system that purges the barrier fluid into a 
process stream with zero VHAP emissions to atmosphere.
    (c) The barrier fluid shall not be in VHAP service and, if the 
compressor is covered by standards under 40 CFR part 60, shall not be in 
VOC service.
    (d) Each barrier fluid system as described in paragraphs (a)-(c) of 
this section shall be equipped with a sensor that will detect failure of 
the seal system, barrier fluid system, or both.
    (e)(1) Each sensor as required in paragraph (d) of this section 
shall be checked daily or shall be equipped with an audible alarm unless 
the compressor is located within the boundary of an unmanned plant site.
    (2) The owner or operator shall determine, based on design 
considerations and operating experience, a criterion that indicates 
failure of the seal system, the barrier fluid system, or both.
    (f) If the sensor indicates failure of the seal system, the barrier 
fluid system, or both based on the criterion determined under paragraph 
(e)(2) of this section, a leak is detected.
    (g)(1) When a leak is detected, it shall be repaired as soon as 
practicable, but not later than 15 calendar days after it is detected, 
except as provided in Sec. 61.242-10.
    (2) A first attempt at repair shall be made no later than 5 calendar 
days after eack leak is detected.
    (h) A compressor is exempt from the requirements of paragraphs (a) 
and (b) of this section if it is equipped with a closed-vent system to 
capture and transport leakage from the compressor drive shaft back to a 
process or fuel gas system or to a control device that complies with the 
requirements of Sec. 61.242-11, except as provided in paragraph (i) of 
this section.
    (i) Any Compressor that is designated, as described in Sec. 
61.246(e)(2), for no detectable emission as indicated by an instrument 
reading of less than 500 ppm above background is exempt from the 
requirements of paragraphs (a)-(h) if the compressor:
    (1) Is demonstrated to be operating with no detectable emissions, as 
indicated by an instrument reading of less than 500 ppm above 
background, as measured by the method specified in Sec. 61.245(c); and
    (2) Is tested for compliance with paragraph (i)(1) initially upon 
designation, annually, and at other times requested by the 
Administrator.

[49 FR 23513, June 6, 1984; 49 FR 38946, Oct. 2, 1984, as amended at 65 
FR 78281, Dec. 14, 2000]