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Title: Use proactive permitting to expand capacity

Journal Article · · Hydrocarbon Processing
OSTI ID:260682
 [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Mobil Chemical Co., Beaumont, TX (United States). Petrochemicals Div.
  2. Bechtel, Houston, TX (United States)
  3. Thermatrix Inc., Naperville, IL (United States)

In 1994, the Mobil Chemical Company initiated a project to engineer and construct a paraxylene plant in Beaumont, Texas. The plant construction site is a serious ozone nonattainment area. Therefore, it is subject to VOC and NO{sub x} control requirements established by Title 1 of the Federal Clean Air Act and the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC). Meeting an aggressive construction schedule for this project meant obtaining a permit from the TNRCC within about eight months, including the public comment period. Several alternative permit paths were analyzed. Developing a workable permitting strategy, anticipating questions from the TNRCC`s permit engineer and closely monitoring the application progress through the agency was critical to meeting the scheduled construction start date. Equally important was a proactive strategy for selecting the air emission controls. In several instances, emission control technologies were sought that would not only meet the regulatory requirements but provide an additional measure of control. This flexibility could provide headroom for future projects without a lengthy permitting process or additional major expenditures to offset their associated air emissions. The paper discusses the regulatory review and abatement alternatives.

OSTI ID:
260682
Journal Information:
Hydrocarbon Processing, Vol. 75, Issue 7; Other Information: PBD: Jul 1996
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English