(a) Dry cleaning facilities must be maintained and operated to minimize the release of perc to the environment.
(b) The operator must operate and maintain all components of the dry cleaning system in accordance with the requirements of this Rule and the conditions specified in a facility's operating permit. For operations not specifically addressed, the components must be operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. The facility operator must retain, on-site, a copy of the design specifications and the operating manuals for each dry cleaning system and each emission control device located at the dry cleaning facility.
(c) Each operation and maintenance function and the date performed must be recorded on a checklist supplied by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Completed checklists must be maintained on-site for at least five years from the date of the checklist.
(d) Operators must comply with the following operation and maintenance requirements, as applicable:
(1) Fourth generation machines.
(i) Refrigerated condensers must be operated in accordance with manufacturer's specifications.
(ii) Integral refrigerated condensers must be operated to ensure that exhaust gases are recirculated until the air-vapor stream temperature is 45°F or less at the outlet. The difference between the temperature of the air-perc gas vapor stream entering and exiting the refrigerated condenser must be greater than or equal to 20°F (11.1°C). The temperature differential must be determined at least weekly with a thermometer with a temperature range of from 32°F (0°C) to 120°F (48.9°C) to an accuracy of ±2°F (1.1°C) (see 15 RCNY § 12-07).
(iii) Vapor adsorbers used with a primary control system or secondary control system must be operated to ensure that exhaust gases are recirculated at the temperature specified for optimum adsorption.
(iv) Cartridge filters and adsorptive cartridge filters must be handled using one of the following methods:
(A) Drained in the filter housing, before disposal, for no less than 24 hours for cartridge filters and 48 hours for adsorptive cartridge filters. If the filters are then transferred to a separate device to further reduce the volume of perc, this treatment must be done in a system that routes any vapor to a primary closed-loop control system, with no exhaust to the atmosphere. In performing such a transfer the filter housing must be closed as soon as possible to minimize vapor leaks. The general exhaust ventilation system must be operated during this activity.
(B) Dried, stripped, sparged, or otherwise treated, within the sealed filter housing, to reduce the volume of perc contained in the filter.
(v) All steam and condensing coils must be maintained to be free of lint and hard lint build-up on interior surfaces.
(vi) For dry cleaning equipment equipped with a door fan the operator must use a portable velometer or equivalent measurement instrument to verify that the required 100 fpm inward air velocity is maintained through the effective door opening when the loading door is open. The inward air velocity must be checked on a weekly basis.
(vii) Test carbon absorber exhaust vents daily using colorimetric detector tubes or portable gas detectors. These absorbers shall be stripped periodically and maintained so that the perc concentration in the exhaust air does not exceed 20 ppm.
(2) Third Generation Machines.
(i) Refrigerated condensers must be operated in accordance with manufacturer's specifications.
(ii) Integral and external refrigerated condensers must be operated to ensure that exhaust gases are recirculated until the air-vapor stream temperature is 45°F or less at the outlet. The difference between the temperature of the air-perc gas vapor stream entering and exiting the refrigerated condenser must be greater than or equal to 20°F (11.1°C). The temperature differential must be determined at least weekly with a thermometer with a temperature range of from 32°F (0°C) to 120°F (48.9°C) to an accuracy of ±2°F (1.1°C) (see 15 RCNY § 12-07).
(iii) Vapor adsorbers used when the machine has been retrofitted as a fourth generation machine must be operated to ensure that exhaust gases are recirculated at the temperature specified by the manufacturer for optimum adsorption.
(iv) Cartridge filters and adsorptive cartridge filters must be handled using one of the following methods:
(A) Drained in the filter housing, before disposal, for no less than: 24 hours for cartridge filters and 48 hours for adsorptive cartridge filters. If the filters are then transferred to a separate device to further reduce the volume of perc, this treatment must be done in a system that routes any vapor to a primary closed-loop control system, with no exhaust to the atmosphere. In performing such a transfer the filter housing must be closed as soon as possible to minimize vapor leaks. The general exhaust ventilation system must be operated during this activity.
(B) Dried, stripped, sparged, or otherwise treated, within the sealed filter housing, to reduce the volume of perc contained in the filter.
(v) All steam and condensing coils must be maintained to be free of lint and hard lint build-up on interior surfaces.
(vi) For dry cleaning equipment equipped with a door fan, the operator must use a portable velometer or equivalent measurement instrument to verify that the required 100 fpm inward air velocity is maintained through the effective door opening when the loading door is open. The inward air velocity must be checked on a weekly basis.
(vii) Test carbon absorber exhaust vents daily using colorimetric detector tubes or portable gas detectors. These absorbers shall be stripped periodically and maintained so that the perc concentration in the exhaust air does not exceed 20 ppm.
(3) Second Generation Machines.
(i) A vented machine operated with full-sized carbon adsorbers (dry-to-dry vented) that function during the drying cycle must meet the following requirements:
(A) Desorption must be performed at the frequency specified by the manufacturer or as specified by this clause, whichever is more stringent. The minimum frequency for desorption of full-size carbon units is as follows, each time all dry cleaning equipment exhausted to the device has cleaned a total of three pounds of articles for each pound of activated carbon. Desorption must be performed with the minimum steam pressure and air flow capacity specified by the manufacturer.
(B) Once desorption is complete, the carbon bed must be fully dried according to the manufacturer's instructions.
(C) No perc vapors may bypass the carbon adsorber to the outdoor atmosphere at any time, nor be recirculated into the facility.
(D) The filter located in front of the carbon adsorber must be checked and cleaned weekly.
(E) For dry cleaning equipment in mixed-use settings, the carbon adsorber vent must be tested weekly using colorimetric detector tubes. Test results must be recorded on the checklist. Test results of five ppm or greater of perc will require an immediate stripping of the carbon adsorber.
(ii) Small external carbon adsorbers used for azeotropic control systems, must be stripped at least weekly when in use. If not in continuous daily use, adsorbers must be stripped after they have been used for ten days.
(A) Small external carbon adsorbers must be vented to outside the building and must not recirculate vapor into the facility.
(B) Small external carbon adsorbers used in mixed-use settings must be tested weekly using colorimetric detector tubes or equivalent measuring devices. Test results must be recorded on the inspection checklist. A test result of five ppm or greater of perc will require an immediate stripping of the carbon adsorber.
(iii) The exhaust damper of a vented machine must be completely closed when the machine is not being vented and must be repaired or replaced within five working days if malfunctioning.
(iv) Cartridge filters and adsorptive cartridge filters must be handled using one of the following methods:
(A) Drained in the filter housing, before disposal, for no less than 24 hours for cartridge filters and 48 hours for adsorptive cartridge filters. If the filters are then transferred to a separate device to further reduce the volume of perc, this treatment must be done in a system that routes any vapor to a primary closed-loop control system, with no exhaust to the atmosphere. In performing such a transfer the filter housing must be closed as soon as possible to minimize vapor leaks. The general exhaust ventilation system must be operated during this activity.
(B) Dried, stripped, sparged, or otherwise treated, within the sealed filter housing, to reduce the volume of perc contained in the filter.
(v) All water-cooled condensers must include temperature gauges installed in the inlet and outlet water lines of the condensing coil on the dryer. The temperature difference must be maintained according to manufacturer's specifications.
(vi) Azeotropic control devices must be maintained and operated in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and specifications.
(vii) Test carbon absorber exhaust vents daily using colorimetric detector tubes or portable gas detectors. These absorbers shall be stripped periodically and maintained so that the perc concentration in the exhaust air does not exceed 20 ppm.
(4) First generation machines. An existing facility with a transfer machine operating a full-sized carbon adsorber or azeotropic control device, and cartridge filters must meet the applicable requirements of paragraph (d)(3) of this section.
(5) Ancillary Equipment.
(i) All filter muck must be treated in a still or muck cooker, which routes perc-contaminated vapors to a condenser or other control device and recycles condenser vapors into the machine. Still or muck cooker emissions must not be vented into the facility. Any still or muck cooker must not be operated in a manner that exceeds 75 percent of its capacity or other alternate value recommended by the manufacturer. Any still or muck cooker must be cooled to 100°F (38°C) or less before being emptied or cleaned.
(ii) Button and lint traps must be cleaned each working day and the lint must be placed in a tightly sealed container. Whenever possible such operations must be performed so that the opening of such traps is done quickly with the local or general exhaust ventilation system operating to minimize perc emissions.
(iii) Perc-contaminated wastewater treatment units.
(A) Carbon filtration units – carbon cartridges must be replaced according to a schedule as specified by the manufacturer to assure an effluent quality that does not exceed 20 ppb perc.
(B) Evaporators – perc contaminated wastewater evaporators must be operated to ensure that no liquid perc or visible emulsion is allowed to vaporize.
(iv) Dip tanks and drying cabinets must be exhausted to maintain an inward air flow, and be maintained under negative pressure, to ensure that fugitive emissions will be no greater than 50 ppm. Vented emissions from dip tanks and drying cabinets must not exceed 20 ppm.
(6) The owner or operator of a dry cleaning system must maintain the following equipment as recommended by manufacturer's specifications:
(i) hose and pipe connections, fittings, couplings, and valves;
(ii) door gaskets and seatings;
(iii) filter gaskets and seatings;
(iv) pumps;
(v) water separators;
(vi) muck cookers;
(vii) stills;
(viii) exhaust dampers;
(ix) diverter valves;
(x) cartridge filter housings;
(xi) drying sensors;
(7) Preparedness and prevention.
(i) All dry cleaning operations must be equipped with the following:
(A) adequate spill control equipment including sorbent materials, or alternative method for absorbing spills,
(B) vapor-proof containers for storing spill-contaminated material, and
(C) fire control equipment.
(ii) The facility owner must maintain aisle space to allow proper inspection of the dry cleaning equipment.
(iii) A reasonable supply of spare parts for repairing dry cleaning equipment must be available at the dry cleaning facility.
(8) All parts of the dry cleaning system including solvent containers where perc may be emitted to the atmosphere must be kept closed at all times except when access is required for proper operation and maintenance.