Sec. 26.11.18.03. Grain-Drying and Grain-Handling Installations

A. Areas I, II, V, and VI.

(1) A person may not cause or permit the operation of any grain drying installation unless all exhaust gases discharged pass through a 24 mesh screen or the installation is fitted with other equipment or incorporates design features that will accomplish equally effective results in reducing particulate matter discharge. "Mesh" means Tyler Standard Screen Scale or its equivalent.

(2) A person may not cause or permit the operation of any grain drying or handling operation unless the following procedures are used:

(a) Proper housekeeping and equipment maintenance procedures, including, but not limited to, prompt removal of "beeswing" accumulation by a technique which prevents this material from re-entering the ambient air;

(b) Reasonable precautions to minimize emissions from grain receiving, conveyance, or load-out facilities in accordance with good engineering design and operational procedures.

(3) Exceptions.

(a) All grain drying installations in operation before January 1, 1975, are exempt from the provisions of §A(1) of this regulation, unless otherwise ordered by the Department after the receipt of complaints which have been substantiated by Departmental investigation.

(b) Grain drying equipment with a total operating capacity of 1,000 bushels (35.2 cubic meters) per hour or less (manufacturer's rated capacity at 5 percent moisture removal), located on a farm and more than 200 feet (61 meters) from a habitable dwelling, is exempt from the provisions of §A(1), of this regulation.

(c) Loading methods dependent upon the design of an ocean going carrier used as a standard technique at international ports are exempt from the provisions of §A(1) and (2) of this regulation.

B. Areas III and IV.

(1) A person may not cause or permit the operation of any grain-drying installation unless all exhaust gases discharged pass through a 24 mesh screen or the installation is fitted with other equipment or incorporates design features that will accomplish equally effective results in reducing particulate matter discharge. "Mesh" means Tyler Standard Screen Scale or its equivalent.

(2) Exemptions.

(a) All grain-drying installations, except those in the City of Baltimore, in operation before January 1, 1975, are exempt from the provisions of §B(1), of this regulation, unless otherwise ordered by the Department after receipt of complaints which have been substantiated by Departmental investigation.

(b) Grain-drying equipment with a total operating capacity of 1,000 bushels per hour or less (manufacturer's rated capacity at 5 percent moisture removal), located on a farm and more than 200 feet (60.9 meters) from a habitable dwelling, is exempt from the provisions of §B(1), of this regulation.

(3) A person may not cause or permit the operation of any grain-handling installation not located on a farm without taking reasonable precautions to prevent particulate matter from becoming airborne. These reasonable precautions shall include:

(a) Proper housekeeping and cleaning throughout the entire facility, including but not limited to, the prompt removal of spilled and fugitive "beeswings" and grain-dust accumulation by a technique which prevents this material from escaping into the atmosphere.

(b) Covering, at all times when in motion, open-bodied vehicles transporting dusty material except for agricultural products in their natural state.

(c) Proper maintenance of all aspiration systems and dust collection devices.

(d) The use of good engineering design and operational practices that will minimize emissions from grain receiving, conveying, processing, mixing, and load-out facilities. For those operations listed below, located within the City of Baltimore, good engineering design and operational practices shall include the following:

(i) For grain exporting terminals only, use of aspiration systems and fabric filter dust collection devices on cleaning, separating, handling, conveying, and internal transferring equipment unless specifically exempted by the Department due to the nature, size, throughput, or location of the equipment.

(ii) Use of aspiration systems and fabric filter dust collection devices on all truck and railroad car unloading (dump pit) and load-out areas. All unloading (dump pit) and load-out areas shall be enclosed in sheds or buildings and utilize means or devices (including quick-closing doors, air curtains, or wind deflectors) to minimize the effect of wind currents and drafts. Any alternative method, technique, or system, which is equally effective in reducing emissions may be used if approved by the Department.

(iii) Use of a system for the loading of grain onto a ship or barge which shall include the use of telescoping loading spouts and automatic level sensing devices. Each spout shall include an aspiration system exhausting to a fabric filter dust-collection device. While loading grain, each spout shall be kept at a height no greater than 2 feet (0.6 meter) above the level of the grain surface or at the full extension of the spout except during topping-off operations or when trimming machines are being used. The Department may approve the use of alternative control devices, methods, techniques, work practices, or process changes, provided that emissions during loading are not greater than 20 percent opacity.

(4) A person may not cause or permit to be discharged into the outdoor atmosphere from any emission control equipment installed in accordance with the requirements of §B(3), of this regulation, particulate matter in excess of 0.03 gr/SCFD (68.7 mg/dscm).

(5) Compliance Schedule.

(a) A person who elects to achieve compliance with §B(3)(d)(iii), of this regulation, through the use of telescoping loading spouts, level sensing devices, aspiration systems and fabric filter dust collection devices, shall adhere to the increments of progress contained in the following schedule:

(i) By June 1, 1981, submission of a permit to construct application for the installation necessary to achieve compliance;

(ii) By January 1, 1982, beginning of construction of those installations necessary to achieve compliance;

(iii) By December 1, 1982, completion of construction and beginning of operations of those installations necessary to achieve compliance.

(b) A person who elects to achieve compliance with §B(3)(d)(iii), of this regulation, through the use of approved alternative techniques shall adhere to the increments of progress contained in the following schedule:

(i) By July 1, 1979, submission of a detailed compliance program together with all required permit to construct applications for the installations necessary to achieve compliance;

(ii) As expeditiously as practicable, but not later than July 1, 1980, complete the approved alternative techniques as described in the compliance program.