Are you confused about the new SJVAPCD rules? This is what you need to know. The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District has recently updated its commitment to regulate emissions from industrial boilers and heaters. Given the need for additional reductions to meet the latest health-based federal air quality standards, the District conducted public hearings throughout last year and settled on the final rules in December of 2020.
While facilities must become compliant by the end of 2023, emission control plans are due by May 1st, 2022. Both these rules apply to any gaseous fuel or liquid fuel-fired boiler, steam generator, or process heater with a total rated heat input greater than 5 million Btu per hour.
The SJVAPCD rules are split into two sections:
1) RULE 4306 BOILERS, STEAM GENERATORS, AND PROCESS HEATERS – PHASE 3 (Adopted September 18, 2003; Amended March 17, 2005; Amended October 16, 2008; Amended December 17, 2020)
The purpose of this rule is to limit emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) from boilers, steam generators, and process heaters.
Ref: https://www.valleyair.org/rules/currntrules/r4306.pdf
2) RULE 4320 ADVANCED EMISSION REDUCTION OPTIONS FOR BOILERS, STEAM GENERATORS, AND PROCESS HEATERS GREATER THAN 5.0 MMBTU/HR (Adopted October 16, 2008; Amended December 17, 2020)
The purpose of this rule is to limit emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of sulfur (SO2), and particulate matter 10 microns or less (PM10) from boilers, steam generators, and process heaters.
Ref: https://www.valleyair.org/rules/currntrules/r4320.pdf
As an Owner Of a Gas Fired Boiler or Heater, What are Your Options?
1) Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR)
Adding a catalytic converter. Usually, the SCR unit is located between the furnace economizer and the air heater, and the ammonia is injected into the catalyst chamber through an ammonia injection grid. This is a means of converting nitrogen oxides, also referred to as NOx, with the aid of the catalyst into diatomic nitrogen (N2) and water (H2O). Commercial SCR systems are typically found on large utility boilers, industrial boilers, and municipal solid waste boilers and have been shown to reduce NOx by 70-95%.
2) Retrofit Your Boiler
A boiler that has been retrofitted with a new burner reduces the emission of carbon and other pollutants into the air. Many outdated systems are prohibitively expensive to run and out of compliance.
Shifting to a low-NOx burner with configurable NOx emissions prepares your system for strengthening NOx regulations without incurring an unnecessary efficiency blow in the meantime. For the genuinely forward-looking, switching to alternative fuels like digester gas and landfill gas can make beneficial use of these often wasted fuel sources.
3) Replace Your Boiler
We can do a lot to keep a boiler functioning efficiently, but at some point, however, as replacement parts become hard to find or manufacturers halt support, boiler replacement and installation may be the most cost-effective option.
Need Help Urgently?
Bay City Boiler stocks boilers for quick replacement and maintains an inventory of rental boilers available for interim use.
Best product fit: We represent a variety of brands so that we can tailor a solution to meet your facility’s needs.
Installation: we offer the option of a turnkey experience from design through permit and startup.
Learn More About New SJVAPCD Rules
Bay City Boiler offers a single point of contact that you can call for new equipment, installation, maintenance, repair, parts, and rental. Give us a call at 1-800-225-1348.