Procedures by Which Emission of Air Polluting Substances from Combustion Plants Shall Be Prevented, Limited and ControlledIssued pursuant
to 1. General Provisions1. This Regulation prescribes the procedures by which: 1.1. emission of air polluting substances from combustion plants shall be prevented, limited and controlled; 1.2. an operator shall control air emissions of polluting substances, perform monitoring and provide relevant information; 1.3. availability of information to the public shall be ensured concerning the air pollution produced by combustion plants. 2. The following terms are used in this Regulation: 2.1. biomass - within the meaning of this Regulation products consisting of any vegetable matter which can be used as a fuel for the purpose of energy production, as well as the following waste: 2.1.1. vegetable waste from agriculture and forestry; 2.1.2. vegetable waste from the food processing industry, if the heat generated is used for energy production; 2.1.3. fibrous vegetable waste from virgin pulp production and from production of paper from pulp, if it is co-incinerated at the place of production and the heat generated is used for energy production; 2.1.4. cork waste; 2.1.5. wood waste with the exception of wood waste which may contain halogenated organic compounds or heavy metals as a result of treatment with wood preservatives or coating and which includes, in particular, such wood waste originating from construction and demolition waste; 2.2. operating hours - the time, expressed in hours, during which a combustion plant, in whole or in part, is operating and discharging emissions into the air, excluding start-up and shut-down periods; 2.3. diesel engine - an internal combustion engine, which operates according to the diesel cycle and uses compression ignition to burn fuel; 2.4. stack - a structure containing one or more flues providing a passage for waste gases in order to discharge them into the air; 2.5. gas engine - an internal combustion engine which operates according to the Otto cycle and uses spark ignition or, in case of dual fuel engines, compression ignition to burn fuel; 2.6. gas turbine - any rotating machine which converts thermal energy into mechanical work, consisting mainly of a compressor, a thermal device in which fuel is oxidised in order to heat the working fluid, and a turbine; 2.7. multi-fuel firing combustion plant - any combustion plant which may be fired simultaneously or alternately by two or more types of fuel; 2.8. fuel - within the meaning of this Regulation, any solid, liquid or gaseous combustible material, with the exception of waste to which the requirements laid down in the laws and regulations regarding operation of waste incineration and waste co-incineration plants apply; 2.9. determinative fuel - the fuel which, amongst all fuels used in a multi-fuel firing combustion plant using the distillation and conversion residues from the refining of crude-oil for own consumption, alone or with other fuels, has the highest emission limit value, or, in the case of several fuels having the same emission limit value, the fuel having the highest thermal input amongst those fuels; 2.10. combustion plant - any technical apparatus in which fuels are oxidised in order to produce energy for further use; 2.11. rate of desulphurisation - the ratio over a given period of time of the quantity of sulphur which is not emitted into air by a combustion plant to the quantity of sulphur contained in the solid fuel which is introduced into the combustion plant facilities and which is used in the plant over the same period of time; 2.12. minimum start-up load for stable generation - the minimum load compatible with the steady operation of the generating combustion plant following start-up initiation after which the plant is able to safely and reliably deliver its output to a network, grid, heat accumulator or industrial site; 2.13. minimum shut-down load for stable generation - the minimum load at which point the plant can no longer safely and reliably deliver its output to a network, grid, heat accumulator or industrial site and is considered to be shutting down; 2.14. validated emission values - the measured emission values of air polluting substances for which quality control has been performed and which are recognised as credible. 3. The requirements of this Regulation shall apply to combustion plants, regardless of the type of fuel used in them, with the exception of the following combustion plants: 3.1. combustion plants in which the products of combustion are used for the direct heating, drying, or any other treatment of objects or materials; 3.2. post-combustion plants designed to purify waste gases by combustion, which are not operated as independent combustion plants; 3.3. facilities for the regeneration of catalytic cracking catalysts; 3.4. facilities for the conversion of hydrogen sulphide into sulphur; 3.5. reactors used in the chemical industry; 3.6. coke battery furnaces; 3.7. cowpers (blast furnace air heaters); 3.8. any technical apparatus used in the propulsion of a vehicle, ship or aircraft; 3.9. gas turbines and gas engines used on offshore platforms; 3.10. waste incineration and waste co-incineration plants; 3.11. plants in which animal by-products and derived products are incinerated. 4. Combustion plants shall be classified depending on their total rated thermal input: 4.1. large combustion plants - combustion plants with a total rated thermal input of 50 MW and more; 4.2. medium-sized combustion plants - combustion plants the total rated thermal input of which is: 4.2.1. from 5 to 50 MW, if biomass (also wood and peat) or gaseous fuels are used in the combustion plant; 4.2.2. from 0.5 to 50 MW, if liquid fuels are used in the combustion plant, except fuel oil (heavy fuel oil); 4.2.3. from 5 to 50 MW, if liquid fuel or fuel oil is used in the combustion plant used in a grain dryer; 4.2.4. from 0.2 to 50 MW, if coal is used in the combustion plant; 4.2.5. up to 50 MW, if fuel oil (heavy fuel oil) is used in the combustion plant. 2. Emission Limit Values and Procedures for Determination Thereof5. Emission limit values for large combustion plants are set out in Annexes 1, 2 and 3 to this Regulation, and for medium-sized combustion plants in Annex 4 to this Regulation. They shall not apply to diesel engines and recovery boilers within installations for the production of pulp. 6. For large combustion plants for which, in accordance with the laws and regulations regarding the procedures by which polluting activities of Category A, B and C shall be notified and permits for performing Category A and B polluting activities shall be issued, a permit for the performance of polluting activity (hereinafter - permit) has been issued before 7 January 2013 or which have submitted an application for the receipt of a permit to the regional environmental board of the State Environmental Service (hereinafter - the Board) before that date, on the assumption that they will commence operation by 7 January 2014, (hereinafter - existing large combustion plants), the following shall apply and shall be laid down in the conditions of the permit: 6.1. the emission limit values indicated in Annex 1 to this Regulation - until 1 January 2016; 6.2. the emission limit values indicated in Annex 2 to this Regulation - after 1 January 2016. 7. For large combustion plants for which the permit has been issued after 7 January 2013 or which have submitted to the Board an application for receipt of the permit after the referred-to date, on the assumption that they will commence operation after 7 January 2014, (hereinafter - new large combustion plants), the emission limit values indicated in Annex 3 to this Regulation shall apply and shall be laid down in the conditions of the permit. 8. All emission limit values shall be calculated at a temperature of 273.15 K, a pressure of 101.3 kPa and after correction for the water vapour content of the waste gases and at a standardised oxygen content of 6 % for solid fuels, 3 % for combustion plants other than gas turbines and gas engines using liquid and gaseous fuels and 15 % for gas turbines and gas engines. In case of combined cycle gas turbines with supplementary firing, which conform to the requirements of Paragraph 7 of this Regulation, the standardised oxygen content shall be defined, taking into account the specific characteristics of the installation concerned. 9. The combination formed by two or more separate combustion plants shall be considered as a single combustion plant: 9.1. where the waste gases of two or more separate combustion plants are discharged through a common stack; 9.2. where, in the judgement of the Board, two or more separate combustion plants which have been granted a permit for the first time on or after 1 July 1987, or for which an application for a permit has been submitted on or after the referred-to date, are installed in such a way that, taking technical and economic factors into account, their waste gases could be discharged through a common stack. 10. For the purpose of calculating the total rated thermal input of a large combustion plant which consists of a combination of combustion plants referred to in Paragraph 9 of this Regulation, the thermal input of all the combined combustion plants shall be added up, but individual combustion plants with a rated thermal input below 15 MW shall not be considered. 11. The emission limit values and minimum rates of desulphurisation shall apply for each stack of the large combustion plant separately, and they shall be determined, taking into account the total rated thermal input of the entire plant. 12. A part of a combustion plant discharging its waste gases through one or more separate flues within a common stack, and which does not operate more than 1 500 operating hours per year as a rolling average over a period of 5 years, may be subject to the emission limit values referred to in Chapter III of Annex 2 to this Regulation. In such cases the emission limit values shall be determined by taking into consideration the total rated thermal input of the entire combustion plant, and the emissions through each of the flues shall be monitored separately. 13. Where the rated thermal input of a large combustion plant is increased, the emission limit values set out in Annex 3 to this Regulation shall apply to the new part of the plant and shall be set in relation to the total rated thermal input of the combustion plant. 14. In the case of modification of a large combustion plant, which may have consequences for the environment and which affects a part of the plant with a rated thermal input of 50 MW or more, the emission limit values as set out in Annex 3 to this Regulation shall apply to the part of the plant which has changed in relation to the total rated thermal input of the combustion plant. 15. In the case of a multi-fuel firing combustion plant involving the alternate use of two or more fuels, the emission limit values shall be set in accordance with the emission limit value of each type of fuel used. 16. In the case of a multi-fuel firing combustion plant involving the simultaneous use of two or more fuels, the emission limit value shall be calculated in accordance with the following steps: 16.1. determining the emission limit value relevant for each individual fuel and pollutant corresponding to the total rated thermal input of the combustion plant; 16.2. multiplying the individual emission limit value of each type of fuel by the thermal input delivered by the fuel concerned, and dividing the product of multiplication by the sum of the thermal inputs delivered by all fuels; 16.3. aggregating the products of division. 17. In the case of existing large multi-fuel firing combustion plants which use the distillation and conversion residues from the refining of crude-oil for own consumption, simultaneously with other fuels, the emission limit values shall be set as follows: 17.1. where the proportion contributed by the determinative fuel to the sum of the thermal inputs delivered by all fuels is 50 % or more, the emission limit values provided for in Annex 2 to this Regulation for the determinative fuel shall be applied; 17.2. where the proportion contributed by the determinative fuel to the sum of the thermal inputs delivered by all fuels is less than 50 %, the emission limit value shall be proportional to the proportion of the thermal input of each individual type of fuel to the sum of the thermal inputs delivered by all fuels. 18. If, in accordance with Sub-paragraph 17.2 of this Regulation, in an existing large multi-fuel firing combustion plant the proportion contributed by the determinative fuel to the sum of the thermal inputs delivered by all fuels is less than 50 %, the emission limit value shall be determined in accordance with the following steps: 18.1. determining the relevant emission limit value for each type of fuel and pollutant in accordance with Annex 2 to this Regulation, corresponding to the total rated thermal input of the combustion plant; 18.2. determining the emission limit value of the determinative fuel. This value is obtained by multiplying the emission limit value, set for that fuel in Annex 2 to this Regulation, by a factor of two, and subtracting from this product the emission limit value of the fuel used with the lowest emission limit value; 18.3. multiplying the emission limit value of the determinative fuel with the thermal input of the determinative fuel, while the emission limit values of the other types of fuel are multiplied by the thermal inputs thereof. Each product of multiplication is divided by the sum of the thermal inputs delivered by all fuels. 18.4. aggregating the products of division. 19. For the purpose of implementing Sub-paragraph 17.2 of this Regulation, for existing large multi-fuel firing combustion plants (with the exception of gas turbines and gas engines) the following emission limit values for sulphur dioxide (hereinafter - SO2) may also be applied (irrespective of the combination of fuels used): 19.1. 1000 mg/m3 - for large combustion plants located in the territory of a refinery and which were put into operation before 27 November 2003 and were granted a permit or for which an application for a permit had been submitted to the Board before 27 November 2002; 19.2. 600 mg/m3 - for other large combustion plants located in the territory of a refinery. 3. Derogations in Respect of Application of Emission Limit Values20. An operator may use fuels with a higher sulphur content in a combustion plant, in which in accordance with the conditions of the permit fuels with a low sulphur content shall be used, by means of a derogation from application of the emission limit values set in this Regulation and the SO2 emission limits set in the permit, if the supply of the low-sulphur fuel set in the permit is interrupted due to reasons which to the operator could not foresee. Such a derogation may be applied for no longer than six months from the day of setting in of such circumstances. 21. The permit shall state that the operator shall immediately inform the Board regarding the setting in of the circumstances referred to in Paragraph 20 of this Regulation and shall submit to the Board the documents proving the fact of the fuel shortage. Within 30 working days the Board shall evaluate the documents submitted by the operator and shall notify the operator whether the derogation referred to in Paragraph 20 of this Regulation is applied for a valid reason. 22. An operator may use other fuels and allow the emission limit values indicated in this Regulation and the emission limits set in the permit to be exceeded if due to unforeseen reasons an accident takes place in the plant of the gaseous fuel supplier or of the operator and because of it the operator cannot provide gaseous fuel for the combustion plant, in which in accordance with the conditions of the permit only gaseous fuels may be used and which would require waste gas purification facilities to conform to the emission limit when using a different type of fuel. Such a derogation may be applied for no longer than ten days from the day of setting in of such circumstances. The derogation may be applied for a longer period of time if, taking into account the impact on public health or the operator's type of economic activity, it is necessary to ensure a continuous energy supply. 23. The permit shall state that the operator shall immediately inform the Board regarding the setting in of the circumstances referred to in Paragraph 22 of this Regulation and shall submit to the Board the documents proving the fact that the supply of gaseous fuel was interrupted due to unforeseen reasons. Within 15 working days the Board shall evaluate the information and documents submitted by the operator and shall notify the operator whether the derogation referred to in Paragraph 22 of this Regulation is applied for a valid reason. 24. For unjustified application of the derogations referred to in Paragraphs 20 and 22 of this Regulation an operator may be held liable in accordance with the Latvian Administrative Violations Code or the Criminal Law. 25. Until 1 January 2016, an operator of an existing large combustion plant may apply, instead of the SO2 limit values indicated in Annex 1 to this Regulation, the minimum rate of desulphurisation indicated in Annex 5 to this Regulation, if the plant, due to the characteristics of the solid fuel combusted in it, is technically unable to conform to those limit values. The rates of desulphurisation indicated in Annex 5 to this Regulation shall be applied as maximum monthly average limit values. 26. An operator which in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 25 of this Regulation applies the minimum rates of desulphurisation instead of SO2 emission limit values shall regularly monitor the sulphur content of the fuel which is fired in the combustion plant and shall submit to the Board once a year information regarding the sulphur content in the solid fuel used and information on the average rate of desulphurisation achieved each month. 27. During the period from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2023, an existing large combustion plants may be exempted from the application of the emission limit values indicated in Annex 2 to this Regulation, if the following conditions are met: 27.1. the combustion plant has not been granted a derogation from the application of the emission limit values, because the operator of the plant by 30 June 2004 has indicated in the application for permit that the combustion plant, which has been put into service before 1 July 1987, will be operated not more than 20 000 operating hours within the period from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2015; 27.2. during the time period from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2023, the combustion plant will be operated for not more than 17 500 operating hours; 27.3. the operator shall submit to the Board by 1 January 2014 an application for the receipt of a permit, which contains the number of operating hours of the plant in the time period provided for in Sub-paragraph 27.2 of this Regulation. The Board shall provide for the time period of operation of the plant in the permit; 27.4. every year beginning with 2017, the operator shall submit to the Board a report on the time of operation of the combustion plant in the previous year; 27.5. until 31 December 2023, the SO2, nitrogen oxide (hereinafter - NOx) and dust or particle emission limit values indicated in Annex 1 to this Regulation, and - where appropriate - the minimum rates of desulphurisation referred to in Annex 5 to this Regulation, shall be applied to the combustion plant. 28. If an existing large combustion plant with a total rated thermal input above 500 MW, which was granted its first permit after 1 July 1987 and which uses solid fuel, is granted the derogation referred to in Paragraph 27 of this Regulation, then in the time period from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2023 the SO2 and dust or particle emission limit values indicated in Annex 1 to this Regulation and the NOx emission limit values indicated in Annex 2 to this Regulation shall be applied thereto. If an operator in accordance with Paragraph 25 of this Regulation applies the minimum rates of desulphurisation instead of the SO2 emission limit values, then in the time period from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2023 the minimum rates of desulphurisation referred to in Annex 5 to this Regulation shall be applied to the plant. 29. An existing large combustion plant with a total rated thermal input not exceeding 200 MW, may be exempted until 31 December 2022 from the application of the emission limit values indicated in Annex 2 to this Regulation, if the following conditions are met: 29.1. the plant commenced operation before 27 November 2003 and received the first permit or an application for a permit in respect of this plant has been submitted to the Board by 27 November 2002; 29.2. the operator by 1 January 2015 January has submitted to the Board documents which confirm that at least 50 % of the useful heat produced by the plant on average during a period of five years, will be delivered to the district heating network in the form of steam or hot water; 29.3. until 31 December 2022, the SO2, NOx and dust or particle emission limit values indicated in Annex 1 to this Regulation, and - where appropriate - the minimum rates of desulphurisation referred to in Annex 5 to this Regulation, shall be applied to the combustion plant. 30. The emission limit values indicated in this Regulation may be exceeded in the start-up and shut-down period of the plant, which shall be determined by the operator in accordance with the requirements referred to in Annex 6 to this Regulation. In this case the operator shall include in the application for a permit the information and measures referred to in Paragraph 34 of this Regulation. 31. The emission limit values indicated in Annexes 1, 2 and 3 to this Regulation shall not apply to gas turbines and gas engines intended for emergency use and which operate less than 500 operating hours per year. The operators of such plants shall once a year inform the Board regarding the length of operating during the calendar year. 4. Application for Receipt of a Permit and the Conditions of the Permit for the Emission of Air Polluting Substances from Combustion Plants32. In order to assess the emissions produced by a combustion plant and to ensure that its emissions do not cause the concentration of polluting substances to exceed the air quality standards, including upper pollution assessment thresholds (for polluting substances for which such thresholds have been set), and that emissions from the combustion plant do not exceed the emission limit values indicated in this Regulation, the operator shall, in accordance with the procedures laid down in the laws and regulations governing the drawing up of draft emission limits of stationary pollution sources, attach to the application for the receipt of Category A or B permit a draft emission limit, taking into account the following conditions: 32.1. emissions limits are expressed as concentration (mg/m3) of a substance, and the mass that is permitted to be emitted into the air during a given time unit (g/s, t/year); 32.2. the conformity of emission limits with the requirements of this Paragraph shall be assessed using computer programmes for the spread of pollution, taking into consideration the local building pattern, geographical and meteorological conditions. 33. The operator shall ensure that the sites for the taking of samples and measurement of emissions are constructed in accordance with the methods set in standard LVS EN 15259:2008 "Air quality - Measurement of stationary source emissions - Requirements for measurement sections and sites and for the measurement objective, plan and report", LVS ISO 9096:2006 "Stationary source emissions - Manual determination of mass concentration of particulate matter" or LVS ISO 10780:2002 "Stationary source emissions - Measurement of velocity and volume flow rate of gas streams in ducts" or in accordance with other methods of equivalent or better performance. The Board shall include this requirement in the conditions of the polluting activity permit issued to the operator of a large combustion plant. 34. The conditions of the permit issued to the operator shall include the following information and measures related to the commencement of operation of the plant (for example, adjustment or testing of the plant or a part thereof before putting into service or after reconstruction according to the technical documentation of the plant) and suspension of operation of the plant: 34.1. the end point of the start-up period and the start point of the shut-down period of the combustion plant determined in accordance with the procedures referred to in Sub-paragraph 34.1.1 or 34.1.2 of this Regulation: 34.1.1. using load thresholds in accordance with Sub-chapters 5.3 and 5.4 of this Regulation; 34.1.2. on the basis of discrete processes to be performed in the plant (or changes in plant performance parameters), which are referred to in Sub-chapter 5.5 of this Regulation and are clear, easily monitored and applicable to the technology used; 34.2. measures ensuring that the start-up and shut-down periods are minimised as far as practicable; 34.3. measures ensuring that all abatement equipment is brought into operation as soon as technically possible. 35. If any aspect relating to the plant changes that affects the start-up and shut-down periods, including the installed plant, fuel type, role of the plant in the system and installed abatement equipment, the operator shall inform the Board thereof. The Board shall, if necessary, review the permit conditions related to start-up and shut-down periods. 36. If it is intended to construct a combustion plant the electricity production capacity of which is 300 MW or more and for which a permit for increasing electricity production capacity or the introduction of new production plant has been issued after 25 June 2009, the initiator of the intended activity shall prepare an assessment of carbon dioxide capture and storage in geological structures in accordance with the laws and regulations regarding the procedures for the environmental impact assessment of the intended activity. If the technical and economic feasibility to capture and store carbon dioxide in geological structures is confirmed, the initiator shall provide suitable space for carbon capture equipment. 37. The Board shall include in the permit issued to the operator of the plant referred to in Paragraph 36 of this Regulations conditions on the need to provide suitable space for carbon capture equipment in accordance with the opinion of the Environment State Bureau on the report on the environmental impact assessment. 38. If before the date of entry into force of this Regulation an environmental impact assessment has already been performed for the intended activity, which includes the construction of a plant referred to in Paragraph 36 of this Regulation, and acceptance of the intended activity has already been received, the operator of the plant shall append to the application for a permit the assessment of carbon dioxide capture and storage in geological structures in conformity with the criteria set in the laws and regulations governing the procedures for environmental impact assessment of the intended activity, relating to the availability of a suitable site for carbon dioxide storage within the meaning of the Law On Pollution, technical and economic feasibility of transporting the flow of carbon dioxide and adapting the combustion plants for the capture of carbon dioxide. The Board shall evaluate the fulfilment of the criteria, and, if necessary, shall include in the permit conditions with regard to the need to provide suitable space for carbon capture equipment. 5. Procedures for the Determination of Start-up and Shut-down Periods of a Plant5.1. General Rules for Determining Start-up and Shut-down Periods39. For determining the end of the start-up period and the beginning of the shut-down period, the following rules shall apply: 39.1. the criteria or parameters used to determine start-up and shut-down periods shall be transparent and externally verifiable; 39.2. the determination of start-up and shut-down periods shall be based on conditions allowing a stable generation process safeguarding health and safety; 39.3. periods during which a combustion plant, after start-up, is operating stably and safely with fuel supply but without the export of heat or electricity or mechanical energy shall not be included in the start-up or shut-down periods. 5.2. Determination of Start-up and Shut-down Periods for Combustion Plants Consisting of Two or More Units40. In order to calculate in accordance with Chapter 7 of this Regulation the validated average emission values of combustion plants consisting of two or more units, start-up and shut-down periods shall be determined. In this case, when calculating the validated average emission values, the following shall not be taken into account: 40.1. the values measured during the start-up period of the first unit starting up and during the shut-down period of the last combustion unit shutting down; 40.2. the values determined during other start-up and shut-down periods of individual units if they are measured or, where no measurement is technically or economically feasible, calculated separately for each of the units concerned. 41. When determining the number of operating hours of a combustion plant that consists of two or more units, the start-up and shut-down period which is not taken into account in the calculation of the operating hours shall only consist of the start-up period of the first unit and the shut-down period of the last unit of the combustion plant. 42. If in accordance with Paragraph 12 of this Regulation emission limit values are applied to a part of an existing combustion plant discharging its waste gases through one or more separate flues within a common stack, then the start-up and shut-down periods may be determined for each of those parts of the combustion plant separately. The start-up and shut-down periods for a part of the plant shall then consist of the start-up period of the first combustion unit starting up within that part of the plant and the shut-down period of the last combustion unit shutting down within that part of the plant. 5.3. Determination of Start-up and Shut-down Periods for Combustion Plants Generating Electricity or Delivering Power for Mechanical Drive Using Load Thresholds43. When determining the end point of a start-up period and the starting point of a shut-down period in accordance with Sub-chapters 5.3, 5.4 and 5.5 of this Regulation, the following shall be taken into account: 43.1. the fact that the minimum shut-down load for stable generation may be lower than the minimum start-up load for stable generation as the combustion plant may be able to operate stably at a lower load once it has reached a sufficient temperature following a period of operation; 43.2. the technical and performance parameters of the combustion plant and its units, as well as the technical requirements of the installed abatement equipment. 44. For combustion plants generating electricity or delivering power for mechanical drive, the start-up period shall be considered to end at the moment when the plant reaches the minimum start-up load for stable generation. 45. The shut-down period begins at the initiation of termination of fuel supply after reaching the point of the minimum shut-down load for stable generation from where on generated electricity is no longer available for the grid or generated mechanical power is no longer useful for the mechanical load. 46. The load thresholds to be used for determining the end of the start-up period and the start of the shut-down period for electricity generating combustion plants and to be included in the conditions of the permit for polluting activity in accordance with Paragraph 34 of this Regulation shall be a fixed percentage of the rated electrical output of the combustion plant. 47. The load thresholds to be used for determining the end of the start-up period and the start of the shut-down period for combustion plant for mechanical drive and to be included in the conditions of the permit for polluting activity in accordance with Paragraph 34 of this Regulation shall be a fixed percentage of the mechanical power output of the combustion plant. 5.4. Determination of Start-up and Shut-down Periods for Heat Generating Combustion Plants and for Combustion Plants Generating Heat and Electricity Using Load Thresholds48. For heat-generating combustion plants, the start-up period shall be considered to end when the plant reaches the minimum start-up load for stable generation and heat can be safely and reliably delivered to a distributing network, to a heat accumulator or used directly on a local industrial site. 49. The shut-down period shall be considered to begin after reaching the minimum shut-down load for stable generation when heat can no longer be safely and reliably delivered to a network or used directly on a local industrial site. 50. The load thresholds to be used for determining the end of the start-up period and the start of the shut-down period for heat generating combustion plants and to be included in the permit for polluting activity in accordance with Paragraph 34 of this Regulation shall be a fixed percentage of the rated thermal output of the combustion plant. 51. Periods in which heat-generating plants are heating up an accumulator or reservoir without exporting heat shall be considered as operating hours and not as start-up or shut-down periods. 52. For combustion plants generating electricity and heat, the start-up and shut-down periods shall be determined in accordance with Sub-chapters 5.3 and 5.4 of this Regulation, taking into account both the electricity and heat generated. 5.5. Determination of Start-up and Shut-down Periods Using Operational Parameters or Discrete Processes53. For determining the minimum start-up load and the minimum shut-down load for stable generation, at least three criteria shall be defined. The end of start-up or start of shut-down periods shall be considered to be reached when at least two of the criteria set out in Paragraph 54 of this Regulation or equivalent processes that suit the technical characteristics of the plant have been met. 54. The following criteria shall be used for determining the minimum start-up load and the minimum shut-down load for stable generation: 54.1. discrete processes associated with the minimum start-up load for stable generation: 54.1.1. for solid fuel-fired boilers: complete transition from using the stability auxiliary burners or supplementary burners to operating with normal fuel only; 54.1.2. for liquid fuel-fired boilers: start of the main fuel feed pump and when burner oil pressure stabilises, and for which fuel flow rate may be used as an indicator; 54.1.3. for gas turbines: point where the combustion mode switches to fully premixed steady state combustion mode, or idle speed; 54.2. operational parameters: 54.2.1. oxygen content of the flue gases; 54.2.2. fue gas temperature; 54.2.3. steam pressure; 54.2.4. for heat producing plants: enthalpy and heat transfer fluid rate; 54.2.5. for liquid and gas fired plants: fuel flow rate, specified as a percentage of the rated fuel flow capacity; 54.2.6. for steam boiler plants: temperature of steam at the exit of the boiler. 6. Control and Monitoring of the Operation of a Combustion Plant55. Waste gases (including purified ones) from combustion plants shall be discharged by means of a stack which is especially equipped for measurement and control of emissions and the design height of which is ensures that during the period of operation the combustion plant does not exceed air quality standards (including upper pollution assessment thresholds for polluting substances for which such thresholds have been set). 56. In the event of a malfunction or breakdown of waste gas purification equipment of a combustion plant the operator shall notify the Board within 48 hours in accordance with the conditions of the permit, and shall implement the necessary measures to limit emissions of polluting substances as far as possible. If the purification equipment does not work and a return to normal operation is not achieved within 24 hours, the Board shall require the operator to reduce or close down operations of the combustion plant, or to operate the plant using fuels that ensure conformity with the emission limits set in the permit. 57. For the combustion plants referred to in Paragraph 56 of this Regulation which are equipped with gas purification equipment the cumulative duration of unabated operation shall not exceed 120 hours in any 12-month period. The permit may provide for the possibility of a combustion plant to operate without purification equipment for more than 120 hours, in one of the following cases: 57.1. there is an overriding need to maintain energy supplies; 57.2. the combustion plant with the breakdown can only be replaced by another plant which would cause an increase in emissions. 58. For a large combustion plant with a total rated thermal input of 100 MW or more the operator shall ensure continuous measurement of concentrations of SO2, NOx and dust in waste gases, as well as the measurement of the oxygen and water vapour content, temperature and pressure, and also perform other measurements according to the conditions of the permit. If a combustion plant uses gaseous fuels, the operator shall also measure the concentration of carbon monoxide. 59. Instead of performing the continuous measurements referred to in Paragraph 58 of this Regulation, measurements shall be performed at least once every six months, where: 59.1. the rated thermal input of a large combustion plant is 50 MW to 100 MW; 59.2. a large combustion plant is designed to run no more than 10 000 operational hours; 59.3. when measuring water vapour content the sampled waste gas is dried before the emissions are analysed; 59.4. measurement of concentrations of SO2 and dust or particles is performed for a combustion plant that uses only natural gas as fuel; 59.5. measurement of concentrations of SO2 is performed from a combustion plant firing liquid fuel (from oil products) with a sulphur content set in the permit in cases where there is no waste gas desulphurisation equipment installed; 59.6. measurement of concentrations of SO2 is performed from a combustion plant firing biomass and the SO2 emissions can under no circumstances be higher than the prescribed emission limit values. 60. For large combustion plants firing coal and lignite, the emissions of total mercury shall be measured at least once per year. 61. The operator shall use for measurements such devices which ensure determination of the necessary parameters, conditions and concentrations of the combustion process. 62. Samples shall be taken and tested by testing laboratories accredited in accordance with the standard LVS EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005 "General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories" and LVS CEN/TS 15675:2008 "Air quality - Measurement of stationary source emissions - Application of EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005 to periodic measurements". 63. For sampling and measurement of polluting substances the base (reference) methods indicated in Annex 6 to this Regulation shall be used, or other methods of equivalent or better performance. 64. The operator shall ensure the operation of the measurement systems and regular checks thereof, as well as instrumental checks of the effectiveness of gas purification facilities. The operator shall document and present upon request of an inspector of the Board the results of such checks and measurements. The checks shall be carried out by a laboratory accredited in the field in accordance with the standards referred to in Annex 6 to this Regulation or other methods of equivalent or better performance. 65. At least once a year, the operator shall check and test the continuous measurement equipment by performing additional measurements with the base (reference) methods referred to in Annex 6 to this Regulation, and shall once a year submit to the Board information on checks of the measurement systems, as well as the measurement results necessary for conformity with the conditions. 66. Once a year, the operator shall submit to the Board the results of the continuous measurement laid down in Paragraph 58 of this Regulation. The results of the measurements shall be submitted in accordance with the model laid down in the permit. 67. Where the fuel type or operating mode of a combustion plant changes, the operator shall immediately inform the Board in writing regarding the changes of operation. On the basis of the information received, the Board has the right to stipulate in the permit other measurement modes for measuring polluting substances. 7. Assessment of Compliance with Emission Limit Values68. The emission values shall be validated if the emission values determined in an individual measurement with a 95 % confidence interval do exceed the following percentages: 68.1. sulphur dioxide - 20 %; 68.2. nitrogen oxides - 20 %; 68.3. dust or particles - 30 %; 68.4. carbon monoxide - 10 %. 69. The validated hourly and daily average values shall be determined from the measured valid hourly average values after having subtracted the value of the confidence interval indicated in Paragraph 68 of this Regulation. 70. When determining the results of measurement, any day in which more than three hourly average values are invalid due to malfunction or maintenance of the continuous measurement system shall be invalidated. If more than 10 days over a year are invalidated for such situations the operator shall take adequate measures to improve the reliability of the continuous measurement system. The operator shall inform the Board of the measures taken. 71. When calculating the validated average emission values, the values measured during the time periods referred to in Paragraphs 20, 22, 56 and 57 of this Regulation as well as during start-up and shut-down periods of a plant shall not be taken into account. 72. Combustion plants for which continuous measurements of polluting substances are performed in accordance with Paragraph 58 of this Regulation shall conform to the emission limit values set out in the permit if measurement results indicate that during the operation of the combustion plant within a calendar year, without taking into account the time periods referred to in Paragraphs 20, 22, 56 and 57 of this Regulation as well as start-up and shut-down periods of a plant, all of the following conditions are met: 72.1. no validated monthly average value exceeds the emission limit set out in the permit; 72.2. no validated daily average value exceeds 110 % of the emission limit set out in the permit; 72.3. in cases of combustion plants composed only of boilers using coal with a total rated thermal input below 50 MW, no validated daily average value exceeds 150 % of the emission limit set out in the permit; 72.4. 95 % of all the validated hourly average values over the year do not exceed 200 % of the emission limit set out in the permit. 73. Combustion plants for which periodic measurements of polluting substances are performed shall conform to the requirements of this Regulation if the results of the measurements indicate that during the operation of the combustion plant emission values do not exceed the emission limit set out in the permit. 8. Provision of Information74. The State limited liability company "Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre": 74.1. shall provide information to the European Commission on the implementation of this Regulation in accordance with the reference periods laid down by the European Commission and according to the model reporting forms; 74.2. place the reports referred to in Sub-paragraph 74.1 of this Regulation on the website of the Centre within a month after sending thereof to the European Commission. 75. The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development shall inform the European Commission: 75.1. immediately - if a derogation is applied in accordance with Paragraphs 20 and 22 of this Regulation; 75.2. by 1 January 2016 - concerning combustion plants to which the derogation referred to in Paragraphs 27 and 29 of this Regulation is applied. 9. Closing Provisions76. Paragraph 10 of this Regulation regarding existing large combustion plants shall come into force on 1 January 2016. 77. Cabinet Regulation No. 379 of 20 August 2002, Procedures by Which Emission of Air Polluting Substances from Stationary Sources of Pollution Shall Be Prevented, Limited and Controlled (Latvijas Vēstnesis, 2003, No. 122; 2003, No. 63; 2004, No. 37; 2005, No. 181; 2008, No. 124; 2009, No. 72; 2011, No. 27, No. 203), is repealed. Informative Reference to the European Union DirectivesThis Regulation contains legal norms arising from: 1) Directive 2010/75/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control); 2) Directive 2009/31/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the geological storage of carbon dioxide and amending Council Directive 85/337/EEC, European Parliament and Council Directives 2000/60/EC, 2001/80/EC, 2004/35/EC, 2006/12/EC, 2008/1/EC and Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006. Acting for the Prime Minister, Minister for Welfare I. Viņķele Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development E. Sprūdžs
Annex 1 Emission Limit Values for Existing Large Combustion Plants which Apply until 1 January 2016I. Emission limit values for existing large combustion plants other than gas turbines and gas engines
Notes. 1 SO2 emission limit value for liquefied gas - 5 mg/m3. SO2 emission limit value for low calorific gases from gasification of refinery residues, blast furnace gas, coke oven gas - 800 mg/m3. 2 Emission limit value for dust or particles for combustion plants firing blast furnace gas is 10 mg/m3, and for combustion plants firing gases produced by the steel industry which can be used elsewhere - 50 mg/m3. 3 According to output in linear descending order. 4 If the ash content of the operating weight of fuel is greater than 0.06 %, the emission limit value for dust or particles is 100 mg/m3. 5 SO2 emission limit value is 800 mg/m3 for combustion plants the rated thermal input of which is 400 MW and more, if they are operated less than 2 000 operating hours per year (average over a period of five years). 6 For solid fuel the volatile matter content of which is less than 10 % of the operating weight of the fuel, the NOx limit value is 1 200 mg/m3. 7 For combustion plants that, starting from 2008, are operated less than 2 000 operating hours per year (average over a period of five years) and for combustion plants that have been put into service before 1 July 1987, NOx limit value is 600 mg/m3. 8 A limit value is 100 mg/m3 can be applied to combustion plants which started operating before 1 July 1987 and fire solid fuel with a net calorific value of less than 5 800 kJ/kg, a moisture content greater than 45 % by weight, a combined moisture and ash content greater than 60 % by weight and a calcium oxide content in ash greater than 10 %. 9 SO2 emission limit value for liquefied gas - 5 mg/m3, low calorific gases from coke oven - 400 mg/m3, low calorific gases from blast furnace - 200 mg/m3. 10 NOx emission limit value for natural gas (naturally occurring methane with not more than 20 % (by volume) of inerts and other constituents) is 150 mg/m3 for combustion plants the rated thermal input of which is 50 to 300 MW, and 100 mg/m3 - for combustion plants with a rated thermal input above 300 MW. 11 Emission limit value for dust or particles for combustion plants firing blast furnace gas is 10 mg/m3, and for combustion plants firing gases produced by the steel industry which can be used elsewhere - 30 mg/m3. 12 SO2 emission limit value for biomass shall be 200 mg/m3. 13 If it is not possible to ensure an emission limit value due to the sulphur content of the fuel, the operator shall ensure that the SO2 emission limit value does not exceed 300 mg/m3. 14 If it is not possible to ensure an emission limit value due to the sulphur content of the fuel, the operator shall ensure that the SO2 emission limit value does not exceed 400 mg/m3. II. Emission limit values for existing large combustion plants that are gas turbines (including combined cycle gas turbines)
Notes. 1 Emission limit values apply to each separate gas turbine with a load of over 70 %. 2 Naturally occurring methane with not more than 20 % (by volume) of inerts and other constituents. 3 Emission limit value is 75 mg/m3 in the following cases (the efficiency of the gas turbine is determined at LVS ISO base load conditions): 1) gas turbines, used in combined heat and power systems having an overall efficiency greater than 75 %; 2) gas turbines used in combined cycle plants having an annual average overall electrical efficiency greater than 55 %; 3) gas turbines for mechanical drives. 4 For gas turbines not falling into any of the categories mentioned, but having an efficiency greater than 35 % - determined at LVS ISO base load conditions - the emission limit value shall be: 50 x η/35, where η - the gas turbine efficiency at LVS ISO base load conditions expressed as a percentage. Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development E. Sprūdžs
Annex 2 Emission Limit Values for Existing Large Combustion Plants Other Than Gas Turbines and Gas Engines which Apply from 1 January 2016I. Emission limit values for existing large combustion plants other than gas turbines and gas engines
Notes. 1 NOx emission limit value for pulverised lignite combustion - 450 mg/m3. 2 Combustion plants with a total rated thermal input of less than 500 MW using the distillation and conversion residues from the refining of crude-oil for own consumption, alone or with other fuels, or using liquid production residues as fuel for own consumption, which were granted a permit before 27 November 2002 or for which an application for a permit had been submitted before that date, and which were put into operation before 27 November 2003, shall be subject to an emission limit value for NOx of 450 mg/m3. 2 Combustion plants using the distillation and conversion residues from the refining of crude-oil for own consumption, which were granted a permit before 27 November 2002 or for which an application for a permit had been submitted before that date, and which were put into operation before 27 November 2003, shall be subject to an emission limit value for dust or particles of 50 mg/m3. 4 SO2 emission limit value for combustion plants firing liquefied gas - 5 mg/m3, low calorific gases from coke oven - 400 mg/m3, low calorific gases from blast furnace - 200 mg/m3. 5 Combustion plants which were granted a permit before 27 November 2002 or for which an application for a permit had been submitted before that date, and which were put into operation before 27 November 2003, firing low calorific gases from the gasification of refinery residues, shall be subject to an emission limit value for SO2 of 800 mg/m3. 6 Combustion plants with a total rated thermal input of less than 500 MW, which were granted a permit before 27 November 2002 or for which an application for a permit had been submitted before that date, and which were put into operation before 27 November 2003, shall be subject to an emission limit value for NOx of 300 mg/m3. 7 NOx emission limit value for combustion plants firing coke oven gas, blast furnace gas, and low calorific gases from gasification of refinery residues shall be 200 mg/m3. 8 Emission limit value for dust or particles for combustion plants firing blast furnace gas is 10 mg/m3, and for combustion plants firing gases produced by the steel industry which can be used elsewhere - 30 mg/m3. II. Emission limit values for existing large combustion plants that are gas turbines (including combined cycle gas turbines) and gas engines
Notes. 1 Emission limit values apply to each separate gas turbine with a load of over 70 %. 2 Naturally occurring methane with not more than 20 % (by volume) of inerts and other constituents. 3 Emission limit value is 75 mg/m3 in the following cases (the efficiency of the gas turbine is determined at LVS ISO base load conditions): 1) gas turbines, used in combined heat and power systems having an overall efficiency greater than 75 %; 2) gas turbines used in combined cycle plants having an annual average overall electrical efficiency greater than 55 %; 3) gas turbines for mechanical drives. 4 For gas turbines not falling into any of the categories mentioned, but having an efficiency greater than 35 % - determined at LVS ISO base load conditions - the emission limit value shall be: 50 x η/35, where η - the gas turbine efficiency at LVS ISO base load conditions expressed as a percentage. III. Emission limit values for existing large combustion plants which were granted a permit before 27 November 2002 or for which an application for a permit had been submitted before that date, and which were put into operation before 27 November 2003 if they are operated less than 1 500 operating hours per year (average over a period of five years) 1. Emission limit values for existing large combustion plants other than gas turbines and gas engines:
Note. 1 The determined emission limit value is applied to combustion plants which were put into operation before 1 July 1987 and are operated for not more than 1 500 operating hours per year (average over a period of five years. 2 NOx emission limit values for existing large combustion plants that are gas turbines (including combined cycle gas turbines) with a total rated thermal input above 50 MW:
Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development E. Sprūdžs
Annex 3 Emission Limit Values for New Large Combustion PlantsI. Emission limit values for new large combustion plants other than gas turbines and gas engines
Notes. 1 Emission limit value is 200 mg/m3, if fuel is fired in circulating or pressurised fluidised bed. 2 In the case of pulverised lignite combustion the emission limit value is 400 mg/m3 for combustion plants the rated thermal input of which is 100 to 300 MW, and 200 mg/m3 - for combustion plants with a rated thermal input above 300 MW. 3 In the case of fluidised bed combustion the emission limit value is 250 mg/m3 for combustion plants the rated thermal input of which is 100 to 300 MW, and 150 mg/m3 - for combustion plants with a rated thermal input above 300 MW. 4 SO2 emission limit value for combustion plants firing liquefied gas - 5 mg/m3, low calorific gases from coke oven - 400 mg/m3, low calorific gases from blast furnace - 200 mg/m3. 5 Emission limit value for dust or particles for combustion plants firing low calorific blast furnace gas is 10 mg/m3, and for combustion plants firing gases produced by the steel industry which can be used elsewhere - 30 mg/m3. II. Emission limit values for new large combustion plants that are gas turbines (including combined cycle gas turbines) and gas engines 1. Emission limit values apply to each separate gas turbine with a load of over 70 %. 2. In the case of gas turbines (including combined cycle gas turbines) and gas engines with a rated thermal input above 50 MW the following emission limit values apply:
Note. 1 For single cycle gas turbines having an efficiency greater than 35 % - determined at LVS ISO base load conditions - the emission limit value shall be: 50 x η/35, where η - the gas turbine efficiency at LVS ISO base load conditions expressed as a percentage. Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development E. Sprūdžs
Annex 4 Emission Limit Values for Medium-sized Combustion Plants
Notes. 1 SO2 emission limit value for liquefied gas shall be 5 mg/m3, low calorific gases from coke oven - 400 mg/m3, low calorific gases from blast furnace - 200 mg/m3. 2 Emission limit value for dust or particles from gases from blast furnace shall be 10 mg/m3 and for gases produced in metalworking industry - 30 mg/m3. 3 If the ash content of the operating weight of fuel is greater than 0.06%, the emission limit value for dust or particles shall be 100 mg/m3. 4 SO2 emission limit value for biomass shall be 200 mg/m3. Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development E. Sprūdžs
Annex 5 Minimum Rates of Desulphurisation for Existing Large Combustion Plants Which Apply until 1 January 2016
Note. 1 If an agreement states that a waste gas desulphurisation or lime injection facility has been installed before 1 January 2001, a minimum rate of desulphurisation of at least 92 % shall apply to the plant. Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development E. Sprūdžs
Annex 6 Base (Reference) Methods to Be Used for Sampling and Emission Measurements1. For measurement of velocity and volume flow rate of gas streams the base (reference) method laid down in the standard LVS ISO 10780:2002 "Stationary source emissions - Measurement of velocity and volume flow rate of gas streams in ducts" shall be used. 2. For determination of NOx the base (reference) method laid down in the standard LVS ISO 10849:2001 "Stationary source emissions - Determination of the mass concentration of nitrogen oxides - Performance characteristics of automated measuring systems" and LVS ISO 11564:2002 "Stationary source emissions - Determination of the mass concentration of nitrogen oxides - Naphthylethylenediamine photometric method" shall be used. 3. For determination of SO2 the base (reference) method laid down in the standard LVS ISO 7935:2004 "Stationary source emissions - Determination of the mass concentration of sulphur (IV) oxide - Performance characteristics of automated measuring methods" shall be used. 4. For measurements of the concentration of dust or particles the base (reference) method laid down in the standard LVS ISO 9096:2006 "Stationary source emissions - Manual determination of mass concentration of particulate matter" shall be used. 5. For determination of total organic carbon the base (reference) method laid down in the standard LVS EN 12619:2004 "Stationary source emissions - Determination of the mass concentration of total gaseous organic carbon at low concentrations in flue gases - Continuous flame ionisation detector method" shall be used. 6. For determination of the concentration of mercury base (reference) method laid down in the standard LVS EN 12619:2004 "Air quality - Stationary source emissions - Manual method of determination of the concentration of total mercury" shall be used. Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development E. Sprūdžs
Translation © 2014 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) |
Document information
Title: Kārtība, kādā novērš, ierobežo un kontrolē gaisu piesārņojošo vielu emisiju no sadedzināšanas ..
Status:
No longer in force
Language:   Related documents
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Latvijas Vestnesis, the official publisher ensures legislative acts systematization function on this site. All Likumi.lv content is intended for information purposes. |
About Likumi.lv News archive Useful links For feedback Contacts |
Mobile version Terms of service Privacy policy Cookies |
|
