
[Federal Register: May 29, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 104)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 30775-30782]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29my08-17]                         

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 51

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0844, FRL-8572-1]
RIN 2060-A039

 
Method 207--Pre-Survey Procedure for Corn Wet-Milling Facility 
Emission Sources

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Direct final rule.

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SUMMARY: The EPA is taking direct final action to add Method 207 to the 
promulgated test methods in 40 CFR Part 51. Appendix M contains 
recommended test methods that are provided for the States to use in 
their State Implementation Plans. Therefore, this method may be used as 
an alternative to existing test methods for measuring volatile organic 
compound (VOC) emissions. This pre-survey method was developed by the 
corn wet-milling industry specifically to VOC mass emissions from 
processes within the corn wet-milling industry. It provides a 
systematic approach to develop a specific list of target organic 
compounds and the appropriate methods to measure those target compounds 
during subsequent VOC emissions testing. After using the pre-survey 
procedure, the tester will have sufficient information to design a 
comprehensive testing program using Method 18 and other appropriate 
methods to measure the mass of VOC emissions during the actual 
emissions testing. This method is an alternative to existing test 
methods and does not add any new reporting requirements to the 
reporting requirements that already exist. While it is an alternative 
method, it is the recommended method for measuring VOC mass emissions 
from corn wet-milling facilities.

DATES: This direct final rule is effective on August 27, 2008 without 
further notice, unless EPA receives adverse comment by June 30, 2008. 
If EPA receives adverse comment, we will publish a timely withdrawal in 
the Federal Register informing the public that this rule will not take 
effect.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-
OAR-2007-0844, by one of the following methods:
     http://www.regulations.gov: Follow the online instructions 
for submitting comments.
     E-mail: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov.
     Fax: (202) 566-9744.
     Mail: Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0844, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, EPA West (Air Docket), Mail code: 
2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460. Please 
include a total of two copies.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA 
West (Air Docket), 1301 Constitution Avenue, Northwest, Room 3334, 
Washington, DC 20460, Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0844. 
Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of 
operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of 
boxed information.
    Instructions. Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2007-0844. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included 
in the public docket without change and may be made available online at 
http://www.regulations.gov including any personal information provided, 
unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential 
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to 
be CBI or otherwise protected through http://www.regulations.gov or e-
mail. The http://www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous 
access'' system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact 
information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you 
send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without going through http://
www.regulations.gov, your e-mail address will be automatically captured 
and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket 
and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic 
comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact 
information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you 
submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties 
and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to 
consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special 
characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or

[[Page 30776]]

viruses. For additional information about EPA's public docket, visit 
the EPA Docket Center homepage at http://www.epa.gov/epahome/
dockets.htm.
    Docket. All documents in the docket are listed in the http://
www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some 
information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information 
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such 
as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy. 
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically 
in http://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Air and Radiation 
Docket and Information Center, EPA/DC, EPA West Building, Room 3334, 
1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The Public Reading Room is 
open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding 
legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is 
(202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the Air Docket is (202) 
566-1742.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gary McAlister, Air Quality 
Assessment Division (E143-02), Office of Air Quality Planning and 
Standards, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle 
Park, North Carolina 27711, telephone number: (919) 541-1062, e-mail 
address: mcalister.gary@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. General Information
    A. Why Is EPA Using a Direct Final Rule?
    B. Does This Action Apply to Me?
    C. Judicial Review
II. Background
    A. What Is the Basis for This New Method?
    B. What Procedures Are Included in EPA Method 207?
III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
    A. Executive Order 12866--Regulatory Planning and Review
    B. Paperwork Reduction Act
    C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
    D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
    E. Executive Order 13132--Federalism
    F. Executive Order 13175--Consultation and Coordination With 
Indian Tribal Governments
    G. Executive Order 13045--Protection of Children From 
Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks
    H. Executive Order 13211, Actions That Significantly Affect 
Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use
    I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
    J. Executive Order 12898--Federal Actions To Address 
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income 
Populations
    K. Congressional Review Act

I. General Information

A. Why Is EPA Using a Direct Final Rule?

    The EPA is publishing this rule without a prior proposed rule 
because we view this as a noncontroversial action and anticipate no 
adverse comment. This action adds a method to the list of recommended 
methods in 40 CFR Part 51, Appendix M. The method may be used as an 
alternative method to existing recommended methods, but it is not 
required to be used by any existing rule. In the ``Proposed Rules'' 
section of today's Federal Register, we are publishing a separate 
document that will serve as the proposed rule to add Method 207 to 
Appendix M in 40 CFR Part 51 if adverse comments are received on this 
direct final rule. We will not institute a second comment period on 
this action. Any parties interested in commenting must do so at this 
time. For Further information about commenting on this rule, see the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. If EPA receives adverse comment, we 
will publish a timely withdrawal in the Federal Register informing the 
public that this direct final rule will not take effect. We would 
address all public comments in any subsequent final rules based on the 
proposed rule.

B. Does This Action Apply to Me?

    Method 207 affects/applies to the corn wet-milling industry and is 
used specifically to measure VOC mass emissions from processes within 
the corn wet-milling industry. Therefore, the categories and entities 
potentially regulated by this action include the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Examples of regulated
             Category               NAICS \a\           entities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industry.........................       311221  Corn wet-milling.
State/local/tribal government....       924110  State, local, and tribal
                                                 air quality management
                                                 programs that regulate
                                                 corn wet-milling.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ North American Industry Classification System.

C. Judicial Review

    Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act (CAA), judicial review 
of this direct final rule is available by filing a petition for review 
in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia 
Circuit by July 28, 2008. Only those objections to this final rule that 
were raised with reasonable specificity during the period for public 
comment may be raised during judicial review. Under section 307 (b)(2) 
of the CAA, the requirements that are the subject of this direct final 
rule may not be challenged later in civil or criminal proceedings 
brought by EPA to enforce these requirements.

II. Background

A. What Is the Basis for This New Method?

    The Method 207 Pre-Survey Procedure for Corn Wet-Milling Facility 
Emission Sources was developed in collaboration with the corn wet-
milling industry (i.e., Corn Refiners Association (CRA)) specifically 
to measure volatile organic compound (VOC) mass emissions from 
processes within their facilities on an individual species basis. The 
pre-survey procedure provides a systematic approach to develop a 
specific list of target organic compounds and the appropriate sampling 
approach to collect those target compounds during subsequent VOC 
emissions testing. After using the new pre-survey procedure, the tester 
will have sufficient information to design a comprehensive testing 
program using Method 18 and other appropriate methods to measure the 
mass of VOC emissions during the actual emissions testing. The CRA 
submitted their proposed procedures and supporting information to the 
EPA for review, and we concluded that it was an acceptable procedure 
for measuring VOC emissions from corn wet-milling facilities.
    For the purposes of measuring VOC emissions from corn wet-milling 
facilities, all of the sampling procedures in Method 18 may be used, as 
well as an additional sampling procedure using water filled impingers 
to collect water soluble VOC. This sampling procedure is described in 
detail in Method 308 (40 CFR Part 63) and NCASI Method CI/SG/PULP-
94.03. The resulting water samples should also be analyzed using the 
procedures in Method 308 or NCASI

[[Page 30777]]

Method CI/SG/PULP-94.03. If formaldehyde is a target compound, it may 
be collected with the water-filled impinger collection system, but the 
sample must be analyzed by procedures other than those in EPA Method 
18. Examples of acceptable analytical procedures are those in Method 
316 (40 CFR Part 63) or NCASI Method CI/SG/PULP-94.02.

B. What Procedures Are Included in EPA Method 207?

    In this action, we are amending Title V, Part 51, Appendix M of the 
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) by adding a new measurement technique 
for VOC emissions from corn wet-milling facilities, referred to as 
``EPA Method 207--Pre-Survey Procedure for Corn Wet-Milling Facility 
Emission Sources.'' This method provides procedures for establishing 
analytes for subsequent EPA Method 18 testing to determine the total 
mass emissions of VOC from sources at corn wet-milling facilities. 
Objectives of the method include:
    (1) Identification of physical characteristics of the VOC contained 
in the effluent;
    (2) Determination of the appropriate Method 18 sampling approach to 
ensure efficient collection of all VOC present in the effluent;
    (3) Development of a specific list of target compounds to be 
quantified during the subsequent total VOC test program; and
    (4) Qualification of the list of target compounds as being a true 
representation of the total VOC.
    The procedures call for using flame ionization detection in 
conjunction with various configurations of impingers, and other 
absorbents, or adsorbents to determine the best EPA Method 18 sampling 
train configuration for the assessment and capture of VOC. Volatile 
organic compound analytes present in the exhaust air from production 
processes located at corn wet-milling facilities typically fall into 
five general categories: Alcohols, aldehydes, acetate esters, ketones, 
and carboxylic acids, and typically contain fewer than six carbon 
atoms.

III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

A. Executive Order 12866--Regulatory Planning and Review

    This action is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under the 
terms of Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and is, 
therefore, not subject to review under the EO.

B. Paperwork Reduction Act

    This action does not impose an information collection burden under 
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. 
Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.3(b). It adds a test method to the 
recommended methods in Appendix M of 40 CFR Part 51. This method is an 
alternative to existing test methods and does not add any new reporting 
requirements to the reporting requirements that already exist.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires an agency 
to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis of any rule subject to 
notice and comment rulemaking requirements under the Administrative 
Procedure Act or any other statute unless the agency certifies that the 
rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities. Small entities include small businesses, 
small organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions.
    For purposes of assessing the impacts of today's rule on small 
entities, small entity is defined as: (1) A small business as defined 
by the Small Business Administration's (SBA) regulations at 13 CFR 
121.201; (2) a small governmental jurisdiction that is a government of 
a city, county, town, school district or special district with a 
population of less than 50,000; or (3) a small organization that is any 
not-for-profit enterprise which is independently owned and operated and 
is not dominant in its field.
    After considering the economic impacts of this final rule on small 
entities, I certify that this action will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. In 
determining whether a rule has a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities, the impact of concern is any 
significant adverse economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities, since the primary purpose of the regulatory flexibility 
analyses is to identify and address regulatory alternatives ``which 
minimize any significant economic impact of the rule on small 
entities.'' U.S.C. 603 and 604. Thus, an agency may certify that a rule 
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities if the rule relieves regulatory burden, or otherwise has 
a positive economic effect on all of the small entities subject to the 
rule. This action establishes voluntary alternative test procedures for 
satisfying the requirements of EPA Method 18, Section 16 (pre-survey), 
which are used to determine the mass VOC emissions from processes 
within the corn wet-milling industry, by specifying the analytes for 
subsequent EPA Method 18 testing. This rule does not impose any new 
requirements or create impacts on small entities. Therefore, this 
action is not expected to have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities.

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Public 
Law 104-4 establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess the 
effects of their regulatory actions on State, local, and tribal 
governments and the private sector. Under section 202 of the UMRA, the 
EPA generally must prepare a written statement, including a cost-
benefit analysis, for proposed and final rules with ``Federal 
mandates'' that may result in expenditures to State, local, and tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or to the private sector, of $100 
million or more in any one year. Before promulgating an EPA rule for 
which a written statement is needed, section 205 of the UMRA generally 
requires the EPA to identify and consider a reasonable number of 
regulatory alternatives and adopts the least costly, most cost-
effective, or least burdensome alternative that achieves the objectives 
of the rule. The provisions of section 205 do not apply when they are 
inconsistent with applicable law. Moreover, section 205 allows EPA to 
adopt an alternative other than the least costly, more cost-effective 
or least burdensome alternative if the Administrator publishes with the 
final rule an explanation why that alternative was not adopted. Before 
EPA establishes any regulatory requirements that may significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments, including tribal governments, it 
must have developed under section 203 of the UMRA a small government 
agency plan. The plan must provide for notifying potentially affected 
small governments, enabling official of affected small governments to 
have meaningful and timely input in the development of EPA regulatory 
proposals with significant Federal intergovernmental mandates, and 
informing, educating, and advising small governments on compliance with 
the regulatory requirements.
    This rule contains no Federal mandates (under the regulatory 
provisions of Title II of the UMRA) for State, local, or tribal 
governments or the private sector. This rule imposes no enforceable 
duty on any State, local or tribal governments or the private sector.

[[Page 30778]]

EPA has determined that this rule contains no regulatory requirements 
that might significantly or uniquely affect small governments. This 
action adds a new test method for measuring VOC air emissions to the 
recommended methods in 40 CFR part 51. Because this method is an 
alternative method, its use is voluntary. It will not impose 
requirements on State, local governments, or tribal governments. Thus, 
this action is not subject to the requirements of sections 202 and 205 
of the UMRA.

E. Executive Order 13132--Federalism

    Executive Order 13132, entitled ``Federalism'' (64 FR 43255, August 
10, 1999), requires the EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure 
``meaningful and timely input by State and local officials in the 
development of regulatory policies that have federalism implications.'' 
``Policies that have federalism implications'' is defined in the 
Executive Order to include regulations that have ``substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government.''
    This final rule does not have federalism implications. It will not 
have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship 
between the national government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government, 
as specified in Executive Order 13132. Because this method is an 
alternative method, its use is voluntary. It will not impose 
substantial direct compliance costs on State or local governments, nor 
will it preempt State law. Thus, Executive Order 13132 does not apply 
to this rule.

F. Executive Order 13175--Consultation and Coordination With Indian 
Tribal Governments

    Executive Order 13175, entitled ``Consultation and Coordination 
with Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), 
requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful 
and timely input by tribal officials in the development of regulatory 
policies that have tribal implications.'' This final rule does not have 
tribal implications, as specified in Executive Order 13175. The final 
action would add a test method that could be used as an alternative to 
existing methods. It does not add any new requirements and does not 
affect VOC emissions or air quality. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does 
not apply to this action.

G. Executive Order 13045--Protection of Children From Environmental 
Health Risks and Safety Risks

    EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997) 
as applying only to those regulatory actions that concern health or 
safety risks, such that the analysis required under section 5-501 of 
the Executive Order has the potential to influence the regulation. This 
action is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it does not 
establish an environmental standard intended to mitigate health or 
safety risks.

H. Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use

    This rule is not subject to Executive Order 13211, ``Actions 
Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use'' (66 FR 28355 (May 22, 2001)) because it is not a 
significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.

I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

    Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement 
Act of 1995 (``NTTAA''), Public Law 104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 
272 note) directs EPA to use voluntary consensus standards in its 
regulatory activities unless to do so would be inconsistent with 
applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards 
are technical standards (e.g., materials specifications, test methods, 
sampling procedures, and business practices) that are developed or 
adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies. NTTAA directs EPA to 
provide Congress, through OMB, explanations when the Agency decides not 
to use available and applicable voluntary consensus standards.
    The rulemaking involves technical standards. Therefore, the Agency 
conducted a search to identify potentially applicable voluntary 
consensus standards. However, we identified no such standards, and none 
were brought to our attention in comments. Therefore, EPA has decided 
to use Method 207 to measure mass VOC emissions from processes within 
the corn-wet milling industry. This method provides a systematic 
approach to develop a specific list of target organic compounds and the 
appropriate methods to measure those target compounds during subsequent 
VOC emissions testing.

J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental 
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations

    Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629 (Feb. 16, 1994) establishes 
federal executive policy on environmental justice. Its main provision 
directs Federal agencies, to the greatest extent practicable and 
permitted by law, to make environmental justice part of their mission 
by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high 
and adverse human health or environmental effects of their programs, 
policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income 
populations in the United States.
    EPA has determined that this final rule will not have 
disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental 
effects on minority or low-income populations because it does not 
affect the level of protection provided to human health or the 
environment. This action adds a new test method for measuring VOC air 
emissions to the recommended methods in 40 CFR Part 51. It does not 
change any existing rules that limit VOC air emission limits.

K. Congressional Review Act

    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the 
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other 
required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of 
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior 
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A Major rule cannot 
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal 
Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 
804(2). This rule will be effective on August 27, 2008.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 51

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Air pollution control, Intergovernmental relations, Volatile organic 
compounds.

    Dated: May 21, 2008.
Stephen L. Johnson,
Administrator.


0
For reasons stated in the preamble, title 40, chapter I of the Code of 
Federal Regulations is amended as follows:

[[Page 30779]]

PART 51--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 51 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 101; 42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq.


0
2. Part 51 is amended in appendix M by adding Method 207 in numerical 
order to read as follows:

Appendix M to Part 51--Recommended Test Methods for State 
Implementation Plans

* * * * *

METHOD 207--PRE-SURVEY PROCEDURE FOR CORN WET-MILLING FACILITY EMISSION 
SOURCES

1.0 Scope and Application

    1.1 Analyte. Total gaseous organic compounds.
    1.2 Applicability. This pre-survey method is intended for use at 
corn wet-milling (CWM) facilities to satisfy the requirements of 
Method 18, Section 16 (Pre-survey). This procedure establishes the 
analytes for subsequent Method 18 testing to determine the total 
mass emissions of VOCs from sources at CWM facilities. The specific 
objectives of the pre-survey procedure are:
    1.2.1 Identify the physical characteristics of the VOC contained 
in the effluent.
    1.2.2 Determine the appropriate Method 18 sampling approach to 
ensure efficient collection of all VOC present in the effluent.
    1.2.3 Develop a specific list of target compounds to be 
quantified during the subsequent total VOC test program.
    1.2.4 Qualify the list of target compounds as being a true 
representation of the total VOC.
    1.3 Range. The lower and upper ranges of this procedure are 
determined by the sensitivity of the flame ionization detector (FID) 
instruments used. Typically, gas detection limits for the VOCs will 
be on the order of 1-5 ppmv, with the upper limit on the order of 
100,000 ppmv.

2.0 Summary of Method

    Note: Method 6, Method 18, and Method 25A as cited in this 
method refer to the methods in 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix A.

    This procedure calls for using an FIA in conjunction with 
various configurations of impingers, and other absorbents, or 
adsorbents to determine the best EPA Method 18 sampling train 
configuration for the assessment and capture of VOCs. VOC compounds 
present in the exhaust gas from processes located at CWM facilities 
fall into five general categories: Alcohols, aldehydes, acetate 
esters, ketones, and carboxylic acids, and typically contain fewer 
than six carbon atoms. This pre-survey protocol characterizes and 
identifies the VOC species present. Since it is qualitative in 
nature, quantitative performance criteria do not apply.

3.0 Definitions

    3.1 Calibration drift means the difference in the measurement 
system response to a mid-level calibration gas before and after a 
stated period of operation during which no unscheduled maintenance, 
repair, or adjustment took place.
    3.2 Calibration error means the difference between the gas 
concentration indicated by the measurement system and the known 
concentration of the calibration gas.
    3.3 Calibration gas means a known concentration of a gas in an 
appropriate diluent gas.
    3.4 Measurement system means the equipment required for the 
determination of the gas concentration. The system consists of the 
following major subsystems:
    3.4.1 Sample interface means that portion of a system used for 
one or more of the following: Sample acquisition, sample 
transportation, sample conditioning, or protection of the 
analyzer(s) from the effects of the stack effluent.
    3.4.2 Organic analyzer means that portion of the measurement 
system that senses the gas to be measured and generates an output 
proportional to its concentration.
    3.5 Response time means the time interval from a step change in 
pollutant concentration at the inlet to the emission measurement 
system to the time at which 95 percent of the corresponding final 
value is reached as displayed on the recorder.
    3.6 Span Value means the upper limit of a gas concentration 
measurement range that is specified for affected source categories 
in the applicable part of the regulations. The span value is 
established in the applicable regulation and is usually 1.5 to 2.5 
times the applicable emission limit. If no span value is provided, 
use a span value equivalent to 1.5 to 2.5 times the expected 
concentration. For convenience, the span value should correspond to 
100 percent of the recorder scale.
    3.7 Zero drift means the difference in the measurement system 
response to a zero level calibration gas before or after a stated 
period of operation during which no unscheduled maintenance, repair, 
or adjustment took place.

4.0 Interferences [Reserved]

5.0 Safety [Reserved]

6.0 Equipment and Supplies

    6.1 Organic Concentration Analyzer. A flame ionization analyzer 
(FIA) with heated detector block and sample handling system, meeting 
the requirements of USEPA Method 25A.
    6.2 Heated Sampling System. A sampling system consisting of a 
stainless steel probe with particulate filter, Teflon[supreg] sample 
line, and sampling pump capable of moving 1.0 l/min through the 
sample probe and line. The entire system from probe tip to FIA 
analyzer must have the capability to maintain all sample-wetted 
parts at a temperature >120[deg]C. A schematic of the heated 
sampling system and impinger train is shown in Figure 1 of this 
method.
    6.3 Impinger Train. EPA Method 6 type, comprised of three midget 
impingers with appropriate connections to the sampling system and 
FIA system. The impinger train may be chilled in an ice bath or 
maintained at a set temperature in a water bath as indicated by the 
operator's knowledge of the source and the compounds likely to be 
present. Additional impingers or larger impingers may be used for 
high moisture sources.
    6.4 Adsorbent tubes.
    6.4.1 Silica gel, SKC Type 226-22 or equivalent, with 
appropriate end connectors and holders.
    6.4.2 Activated carbon, SKC Type 226-84 or equivalent, with 
appropriate end connectors and holders.
    6.5 Tedlar bag. 24 liter, w/ Roberts valve, for GC/MS analysis 
of ``breakthrough'' VOC fraction as needed.

7.0 Reagents and Standards

    7.1 Organic-free water, HPLC, or pharmaceutical grade.
    7.2 Calibration Gases. The calibration gases for the gas 
analyzer shall be propane in air or propane in nitrogen. If organic 
compounds other than propane are used, the appropriate corrections 
for response factor must be available and applied to the results. 
Calibration gases shall be prepared in accordance with the procedure 
listed in Citation 2 of section 16. Additionally, the manufacturer 
of the cylinder must provide a recommended shelf life for each 
calibration gas cylinder over which the concentration does not 
change more than  2 percent from the certified value. 
For calibration gas values not generally available (i.e., organics 
between 1 and 10 percent by volume), alternative methods for 
preparing calibration gas mixtures, such as dilution systems (Test 
Method 205, 40 CFR Part 51, Appendix M), may be used with prior 
approval of the Administrator.
    7.3 Fuel. A 40 percent H2/60 percent N2 or He gas mixture is 
recommended to avoid an oxygen synergism effect that reportedly 
occurs when oxygen concentration varies significantly from a mean 
value.
    7.4 Zero Gas. High purity air with less than 0.1 parts per 
million by volume (ppmv) of organic material (propane or carbon 
equivalent) or less than 0.1 percent of the span value, whichever is 
greater.
    7.5 Low-level Calibration Gas. An organic calibration gas with a 
concentration equivalent to 25 to 35 percent of the applicable span 
value.
    7.6 Mid-level Calibration Gas. An organic calibration gas with a 
concentration equivalent to 45 to 55 percent of the applicable span 
value.
    7.7 High-level Calibration Gas. An organic calibration gas with 
a concentration equivalent to 80 to 90 percent of the applicable 
span value.

8.0 Sample Collection, Preservation and Storage

    8.1 Configuration. The configuration of the pre-survey sampling 
system is provided in Figure 1. This figure shows the primary 
components of the sampling system needed to conduct a VOC survey. A 
dual-channel analyzer is beneficial, but not necessary. Only a 
single channel is indicated in the figure.
    8.2 Sampling. The pre-survey system should be set up and 
calibrated with the targeted sampling flow rate that will be used 
during Method 18 VOC sampling. The targeted flow rate for capture of 
most

[[Page 30780]]

expected VOC species is 400 cc/min. Since most FIA analyzers do not 
specifically allow for adjusting the total sample flow rate (only 
the back pressure), it may be necessary to insert a flow control 
valve at the sample inlet to the FIA. The total sample flow can be 
measured at the FIA bypass, since only a small fraction of the 
sample flow is diverted to analysis portion of the instrument.
    The sampling system configuration shown in Figure 1 is operated 
using the process flow diagram provided in Figure 2. As noted in the 
process flowchart, the initial sampling media consists of the three 
midget impingers. The attenuation of the VOC sample stream is 
evaluated to determine if 95 percent or greater attenuation 
(capture) of the VOCs present has been achieved. The flow diagram 
specifies successive adjustments to the sampling media that are 
utilized to increase VOC capture.
    A one-hour test of the final sampling configuration is performed 
using fresh media to ensure that significant breakthrough does not 
occur. Additional sampling media (more water, silica or carbon 
tubes) may be added to ensure that breakthrough is not occurring for 
the full duration of a test run.
    If 95 percent or greater attenuation has not been achieved after 
inserting all indicated media, the most likely scenario is that 
methane is present. This is easily checked by collecting a sample of 
this final bypass sample stream and analyzing for methane. There are 
other VOC compounds which could also penetrate the media. Their 
identification by gas chromatography followed by mass spectrometry 
would be required if the breakthrough cannot be accounted for by the 
presence of methane.

9.0 Quality Control

    9.1 Blanks. A minimum of one method blank shall be prepared and 
analyzed for each sample medium employed during a pre-survey testing 
field deployment to assess the effect of media contamination. Method 
blanks are prepared by assembling and charging the sample train with 
reagents, then recovering and preserving the blanks in the same 
manner as the test samples. Method blanks and test samples are 
stored, transported and analyzed in identical fashion as the test 
samples.
    9.2 Synthetic Sample (optional). A synthetic sample may be used 
to assess the performance of the VOC characterization apparatus with 
respect to specific compounds. The synthetic sample is prepared by 
injecting appropriate volume(s) of the compounds of interest into a 
Tedlar bag containing a known volume of zero air or nitrogen. The 
contents of the bag are allowed to equilibrate, and the bag is 
connected to the sampling system. The sampling system, VOC 
characterization apparatus and FIA are operated normally to 
determine the performance of the system with respect to the VOC 
compounds present in the synthetic sample.

10.0 Calibration and Standardization

    10.1 Calibration. The FIA equipment is able to be calibrated for 
almost any range of total organic concentrations. For high 
concentrations of organics (>1.0 percent by volume as propane), 
modifications to most commonly available analyzers are necessary. 
One accepted method of equipment modification is to decrease the 
size of the sample to the analyzer through the use of a smaller 
diameter sample capillary. Direct and continuous measurement of 
organic concentration is a necessary consideration when determining 
any modification design.

11.0 Procedure

    11.1 Analytical Procedure. Upon completion of the pre-survey 
sampling, the sample fractions are to be analyzed by an appropriate 
chromatographic technique. (Ref: Method 18) The resulting 
chromatograms must be reviewed to ensure that the ratio of known 
peak area to total peak area is 95% or greater. It should be noted 
that if formaldehyde is a suspected analyte, it must be quantitated 
separately using a different analytical technique.

12.0 Data Analysis and Calculations

    Chromatogram peaks will be ranked from greatest area to least 
area using peak integrator output. The area of all peaks will then 
be totaled, and the proportion of each peak area to the total area 
will be calculated. Beginning with the highest ranked area, each 
peak will be identified and the area added to previous areas until 
the cumulative area comprises at least 95% of the total area. The 
VOC compounds generating those identified peaks will comprise the 
compound list to be used in Method 18 testing of the subject source.

13.0 Method Performance [Reserved]

14.0 Pollution Prevention [Reserved]

15.0 Waste Management [Reserved]

16.0 References

    16.1 CFR 40 Part 60, Appendix A, Method 18, Measurement of 
Gaseous Organic Compound Emissions by Gas Chromatography.
    16.2 CFR 40 Part 60, Appendix A, Method 25A, Determination of 
Total Gaseous Organic Concentration Using a Flame Ionization 
Analyzer.
    16.2 CFR 40 Part 60, Appendix A, Method 6, Determination of 
Sulfur Dioxide Emissions from Stationary Sources.
    16.3 National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI), 
Method CI/WP-98.01 ``Chilled Impinger Method for Use at Wood 
Products Mills to Measure Formaldehyde, Methanol, and Phenol.

17. Tables, Diagrams, Flowcharts, and Validation Data

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