Section 725.957  Standards:  Valves in Gas/Vapor or Light Liquid Service

a)         Each valve in gas/vapor or light liquid service must be monitored monthly to detect leaks by the methods specified in Section 725.963(b) and must comply with subsections (b) through (e), except as provided in subsections (f), (g), and (h) and in Sections 725.961 and 725.962.

b)         If an instrument reading of 10,000 ppm or greater is measured, a leak is detected.

c)         Monitoring Frequency

1)         Any valve for which a leak is not detected for two successive months must be monitored the first month of every succeeding quarter, beginning with the next quarter, until a leak is detected.

2)         If a leak is detected, the valve must be monitored monthly until a leak is not detected for two successive months,

d)         Leak Repair

1)         When a leak is detected, it must be repaired as soon as practicable, but no later than 15 calendar days after the leak is detected, except as provided in Section 725.959.

2)         A first attempt at repair must be made no later than five calendar days after each leak is detected.

e)         First attempts at repair include, but are not limited to the following best practices where practicable:

1)         Tightening of bonnet bolts;

2)         Replacement of bonnet bolts;

3)         Tightening of packing gland nuts; or

4)         Injection of lubricant into lubricated packing.

f)         Any valve that is designated, as described in Section 725.964(g)(2), for no detectable emissions, as indicated by an instrument reading of less than 500 ppm above background, is exempt from the requirements of subsection (a) if the valve fulfills the following requirements:

1)         It has no external actuating mechanism in contact with the hazardous wastestream;

2)         It is operated with emissions less than 500 ppm above background as determined by the method specified in Section 725.963(c); and

3)         It is tested for compliance with subsection (f)(2) initially upon designation, annually, and at other times as specified by the Agency pursuant to Section 725.950(e).

g)         Any valve that is designated, as described in Section 725.964(h)(1), as an unsafe-to-monitor valve is exempt from the requirements of subsection (a), if the following conditions are fulfilled:

1)         The owner or operator of the valve determines that the valve is unsafe to monitor because monitoring personnel would be exposed to an immediate danger as a consequence of complying with subsection (a); and

2)         The owner or operator of the valve adheres to a written plan that requires monitoring of the valve as frequently as practicable during safe-to-monitor times.

h)         Any valve that is designated, as described in Section 725.964(h)(2), as a difficult-to-monitor valve is exempt from the requirements of subsection (a), if the following conditions are fulfilled:

1)         The owner or operator of the valve determines that the valve cannot be monitored without elevating the monitoring personnel more than two meters above a support surface;

2)         The hazardous waste management unit within which the valve is located was in operation before June 21, 1990; and

3)         The owner or operator of the valve follows a written plan that requires monitoring of the valve at least once per calendar year.

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 23725, effective November 19, 2018)