Region 5 issued a Notice of Violation/Finding of Violation to Lyondell on September 30, 2013 for failing to operate the facility?s two flares in accordance with good engineering practice in order to minimize emissions, and for failing to operate and maintain the flares in conformance with their design. Specifically, data showed that Equistar was oversteaming the Olefins Flare, resulting in reduced destruction efficiency and excess emissions. At the Polymers Flare, Equistar failed to monitor the amount of steam used, thus inhibiting the proper operation of the flare. In short, EPA found that Lyondell had violated the General Provisions to the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), the NSPS for Equipment Leaks of VOC in the Synthetic Organic Chemicals Manufacturing Industry, the General Provisions to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), the NESHAP for Equipment Leaks (Fugitive Emission Sources) of Benzene, the NESHAP for Equipment Leaks (Fugitive Emission Sources), the NESHAP for Organic Liquids Distribution (Non-Gasoline), the Illinois State Implementation Plan, and Title V of the Clean Air Act.
In settlement of this case, Lyondell will be required to install and operate new flare monitoring and control equipment, including a vent gas flow meter; a supplemental gas flow meter, assist steam flow meters; assist steam control equipment; a video camera to monitor for smoke; and a device to determine the heat value of the vent gas (either a