Section 212.462  Grain-Handling Operations

Unless otherwise exempted pursuant to Section 212.461(c) or (d) of this Subpart, or allowed to use alternate control according to Section 212.461(g) of this Subpart, existing grain-handling operations with a total annual grain through-put of 300,000 bushels or more shall apply for an operating permit pursuant to 35 Ill. Adm. Code 201, and shall demonstrate compliance with the following:

a)         Cleaning and Separating Operations.

1)         Particulate matter generated during cleaning and separating operations shall be captured to the extent necessary to prevent visible particulate matter emissions directly into the atmosphere.

2)         For grain-handling sources having a grain through-put of not more than 2 million bushels per year or located outside a major population area, air contaminants collected from cleaning and separating operations shall be conveyed through air pollution control equipment which has a rated and actual particulate removal efficiency of not less than 90 percent by weight prior to release into the atmosphere.

3)         For grain-handling sources having a grain through-put exceeding 2 million bushels per year and located within a major population area, air contaminants collected from cleaning and separating operations shall be conveyed through air pollution control equipment which has a rated and actual particulate removal efficiency of not less than 98 percent by weight prior to release into the atmosphere.

b)         Major Dump-Pit Area.

1)         Induced Draft.

A)        Induced draft shall be applied to major dump pits and their associated equipment (including, but not limited to, boots, hoppers and legs) to such an extent that a minimum face velocity is maintained, at the effective grate surface, sufficient to contain particulate emissions generated in unloading operations.  The minimum face velocity at the effective grate surface shall be at least 200 fpm, which shall be determined by using the equation:

V = Q/A

where:

B)        The induced draft air stream for grain-handling sources having a grain through-put of not more than 2 million bushels per year or located outside a major population area shall be confined and conveyed through air pollution control equipment which has an overall rated and actual particulate collection efficiency of not less than 90 percent by weight; and

C)        The induced draft air stream for grain-handling sources having a grain through-put exceeding 2 million bushels per year and located in a major population area shall be confined and conveyed through air pollution control equipment which has an overall rated and actual particulate collection efficiency of not less than 98 percent by weight; and

D)        Means or devices (including, but not limited to, quick-closing doors, air curtains or wind deflectors) shall be employed to prevent a wind velocity in excess of 50 percent of the induced draft face velocity at the pit; provided, however, that such means or devices do not have to achieve the same degree of prevention when the ambient air wind exceeds 25 mph. The wind velocity shall be measured, with the induced draft system not operating, at a point midway between the dump-pit area walls at the point where the wind exits the dump-pit area, and at a height above the dump-pit area floor of approximately 2 ft; or

2)         Any equivalent method, technique, system or combination thereof adequate to achieve, at a minimum, a particulate matter emission reduction equal to the reduction which could be achieved by compliance with subsection (b)(1) of this Section.

            (Board Note:  Pursuant to Section 9 of the Act, certain country grain elevators are exempt from subsection (b) of this Section.)

c)         Internal Transferring Area.

1)         Internal transferring area shall be enclosed to the extent necessary to prohibit visible particulate matter emissions directly into the atmosphere.

2)         Air contaminants collected from internal transfer operations for grain-handling sources having a grain through-put of not more than 2 million bushels per year or located outside a major population area shall be conveyed through air pollution control equipment which has a rated and actual particulate removal efficiency of not less than 90 percent by weight prior to release into the atmosphere.

3)         Air contaminants collected from internal transfer operations for grain-handling sources having a grain through-put exceeding 2 million bushels per year and located in a major population area shall be conveyed through air pollution control equipment which has a rated and actual particulate removal efficiency of not less than 98 percent by weight prior to release into the atmosphere.

d)         Load-Out Area.

1)         Truck and hopper car loading shall employ socks, sleeves or equivalent devices which extend 6 inches below the sides of the receiving vehicle, except for topping off.  Choke loading shall be considered an equivalent method as long as the discharge is no more than 12 inches above the sides of the receiving vehicle.

2)         Box car loading shall employ means or devices to prevent the emission of particulate matter into the atmosphere to the fullest extent which is technologically and economically feasible.

3)         Watercraft Loading.

A)        Particulate matter emissions generated during loading for grain-handling sources having a grain through-put of not more than 2 million bushels per year or located outside a major population area shall be captured in an induced draft air stream, which shall be ducted through air pollution control equipment that has a rated and actual particulate matter removal efficiency of not less than 90 percent by weight prior to release into the atmosphere.

B)        Particulate matter emissions generated during loading for grain-handling sources having a grain through-put exceeding 2 million bushels per year and located in a major population area shall be captured in an induced draft air stream, which shall be ducted through air pollution control equipment that has a rated and actual particulate removal efficiency of not less than 98 percent by weight prior to release into the atmosphere; except for the portion of grain loaded by trimming machines for which particulate matter emission reductions, at a minimum, shall equal the reduction achieved by compliance with subsection (d)(3)(A) of this Section.

e)         New and Modified Grain-Handling Operations.  Grain-handling operations for which construction or modification commenced on or after June 30, 1975, shall file applications for construction and operating permits pursuant to 35 Ill. Adm. Code 201, and shall comply with the control equipment requirements of this Section, except for grain-handling operations for which construction or modification commenced on or after June 30, 1975, which will handle an annual grain through-put of less than 300,000 bushels; provided, however, that for the purpose of this Subpart, an increase in the annual grain through-put, without physical alterations or additions to the grain-handling operation, shall not be considered a modification unless such increase exceeds 30 percent of the annual grain through-put on which the operation's original construction and/or operating permit was granted.  If the grain-handling operation has been operating lawfully without a permit, its annual grain through-put shall be determined as set forth in the definition of the term "annual grain through-put."

(Source:  Amended at 20 Ill. Reg. 7605, effective May 22, 1996)