EPA Methods List with Links

Method 303a-Determination Of Visible Emissions From Nonrecovery Coke Oven Batteries

NOTE: This method does not include all of the specifications pertaining to observer certification. Some material is incorporated by reference from other methods in this part and in appendix A to 40 CFR Part 60. Therefore, to obtain reliable results, persons using this method should have a thorough knowledge of Method 9 and Method 303.

1.0 Scope and Application.

1.1 Applicability. This method is applicable for the determination of visible emissions (VE) from leaking doors at nonrecovery coke oven batteries.

2.0 Summary of Method.

2.1 A certified observer visually determines the VE from coke oven battery sources while walking at a normal pace. This method does not require that opacity of emissions be determined or that magnitude be differentiated.

3.0 Definitions.

3.1 Bench

Means the platform structure in front of the oven doors.

3.2 Coke oven door

Means each end enclosure on the push side and the coking side of an oven.

3.3 Coke side

Means the side of a battery from which the coke is discharged from ovens at the end of the coking cycle.

3.4 Nonrecovery coke oven battery

Means a source consisting of a group of ovens connected by common walls and operated as a unit, where coal undergoes destructive distillation under negative pressure to produce coke, and which is designed for the combustion of coke oven gas from which by-products are not recovered.

3.5 Operating oven

Means any oven not out of operation for rebuild or maintenance work extensive enough to require the oven to be skipped in the charging sequence.

3.6 oven

Means a chamber in the coke oven battery in which coal undergoes destructive distillation to produce coke.

3.7 Push side

Means the side of the battery from which the coke is pushed from ovens at the end of the coking cycle.

3.8 Run

Means the observation of visible emissions from coke oven doors in accordance with this method.

3.9 Shed

Means an enclosure that covers the side of the coke oven battery, captures emissions from pushing operations and from leaking coke oven doors on the coke side or push side of the coke oven battery, and routes the emissions to a control device or system.

3.10 Traverse time

Means accumulated time for a traverse as measured by a stopwatch. Traverse time includes  time to stop and write down oven numbers but excludes time waiting for obstructions of view to clear or for time to walk around obstacles.

3.11 Visible Emissions or VE

Means any emission seen by the unaided (except for corrective lenses) eye, excluding steam or condensing water.

4.0 Interferences. [Reserved]

5.0 Safety.

5.1 Disclaimer.

This method may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This test method may not address all of the safety problems associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this test method to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to performing this test method.

5.2 Safety Training.

Because coke oven batteries have hazardous environments, the training materials and the field training (Section 10.0) shall cover the precautions required by the company to address health and safety hazards. Special emphasis shall be given to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations pertaining to exposure of coke oven workers (see Reference 3 in Section 16.0). In general, the regulation requires that special fire-retardant clothing and  respirators be worn in certain restricted areas of the coke oven battery. The OSHA regulation also prohibits certain activities, such as chewing gum, smoking, and eating in these areas.

6.0 Equipment and Supplies. [Reserved].

7.0 Reagents and Standards. [Reserved]

8.0 Sample Collection, Preservation, Transport, and Storage. [Reserved]

9.0 Quality Control. [Reserved]

10.0 Calibration and Standardization.

10.1 Training.

This method requires only the determination of whether VE occur and does not require the determination of opacity levels; therefore, observer certification according to Method 9 in Appendix A to Part 60 is not required. However, the first-time observer (trainee) shall have attended the lecture portion of the Method 9 certification course. Furthermore, before conducting any VE observations, an observer shall become familiar with nonrecovery coke oven battery operations and with this test method by observing for a minimum of 4 hours the operation of a nonrecovery coke oven battery in the presence of personnel experienced in performing Method 303 assessments.

11.0 Procedure.

The intent of this procedure is to determine VE from coke oven door areas by carefully observing the door area while walking at a normal pace.

11.1 Number of Runs.

Refer to 63.309(c)(1) of this part for the appropriate number of runs.

11.2 Battery Traverse.

To conduct a battery traverse, walk the length of the battery on the outside of the pusher machine and quench car tracks at a steady, normal walking pace, pausing to make appropriate entries on the door area inspection sheet (Figure 303A-1). The walking pace shall be such that the duration of the traverse does not exceed an average of 4 seconds per oven door, excluding time spent moving around stationary obstructions or waiting for other obstructions to move from positions blocking the view of a series of doors. Extra time is allowed for each leak (a maximum of 10 additional seconds for each leaking door) for the observer to make the proper notation. A walking pace of 3 seconds per oven door has been found to be typical. Record the actual traverse time with a stopwatch. A single test run consists of two timed traverses, one for the coke side and one for the push side.

11.2.1 Various situations may arise that will prevent the observer from viewing a door or a series of doors. The observer has two options for dealing with obstructions to view: (a) wait for the equipment to move or the fugitive emissions to dissipate before completing the traverse; or (b) skip the affected ovens and move to an unobstructed position to continue the traverse. Continue the traverse. After the completion of the traverse, if the equipment has

moved or the fugitive emissions have dissipated, complete the traverse by inspecting the affected doors. Record the oven numbers and make an appropriate notation under "Comments" on the door area inspection sheet (Figure 303A-1).

NOTE: Extra time incurred for handling obstructions is not counted in the traverse time.

11.2.2 When batteries have sheds to control pushing emissions, conduct the inspection from outside the shed, if the shed allows such observations, or from the bench. Be aware of special safety considerations pertinent to walking on the bench and follow the instructions of company personnel on the required equipment and operations procedures. If possible, conduct the bench traverse whenever the bench is clear of the door machine and hot coke guide.

11.3 Observations.

Record all the information requested at the top of the door area inspection sheet (Figure 303A-1), including the number of non-operating ovens. Record which side is being inspected, i.e., coke side or push side. Other information may be recorded at the discretion of the observer, such as the location of the leak (e.g., top of the door), the reason for any interruption of the traverse, or the position of the sun relative to the battery and sky conditions (e.g., overcast, partly sunny, etc.).

11.3.1 Begin the test run by traversing either the coke side or the push side of the battery. After completing one side, traverse the other side.

11.3.2 During the traverse, look around the entire perimeter of each oven door. The door is considered leaking if VE are detected in the coke oven door area. The coke oven door area includes the entire area on the vertical face of a coke oven between the bench and the top of the battery and the adjacent doors on both sides. Record the oven number and make the appropriate notation on the door area inspection sheet (Figure 303A-1).

11.3.3 Do not record the following sources as door area VE:

11.3.3.1 VE from ovens with doors removed. Record the oven number and make an appropriate notation under "Comments";

11.3.3.2 VE from ovens where maintenance work is being conducted. Record the oven number and make an appropriate notation under "Comments"; or

11.3.3.3 VE from hot coke that has been spilled on the bench as a result of pushing.

12.0 Data Analysis and Calculations.

Same as Method 303, Section 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, and 12.5.

13.0 Method Performance. [Reserved]

14.0 Pollution Prevention. [Reserved]

15.0 Waste Management. [Reserved]

16.0 References.

Same as Method 303, Section 16.0.

17.0 Tables, Diagrams, flowcharts, and Validation Data.

Figure 303A-1. Door Area Inspection.