FedCenter.gov


General Description

At this time, USEPA regulated turbines include stationary gas turbines and stationary combustion turbines.

Summary of Federal Requirements

Stationary Gas Turbines

This is any simple cycle gas turbine, regenerative cycle gas turbine, or any gas turbine portion of a combined cycle steam/electric generating system that is not self-propelled. It may be mounted on a vehicle for portability (40 CFR 60.331).

Stationary gas turbines with a heat input at peak load equal to or greater than 10.7 gJ/h (10 MBtu/h), based on the lower heat value of the fuel fired, which started construction, modification, or reconstruction after 3 October 1977 must not discharge gases containing SO2 in excess of 0.15 percent by volume at 15 percent oxygen and on a dry basis. The same stationary gas turbines must also meet NOx emission limitations that are calculated based on a formula in the text of the regulation. Additionally, no fuel can be burned in any stationary gas turbine which contains total sulfur in excess of 0.8 percent by weight (8000 ppmw).

Electric utility stationary gas turbines with a heat input at peak load greater than 107.2 gJ/h (100 MBtu/h), based on the lower heating value of the fuel fired, which started construction, modification, or reconstruction after 3 October 1977, must meet NOx emission limitations which are calculated based on a formula in the text of the regulation.

Stationary Combustion Turbine

This is all equipment, including but not limited to the turbine, the fuel, air, lubrication and exhaust gas systems, control systems (except emissions control equipment), and any ancillary components and sub-components comprising any simple cycle stationary combustion turbine, any regenerative/recuperative cycle stationary combustion turbine, the combustion turbine portion of any stationary cogeneration cycle combustion system, or the combustion turbine portion of any stationary combined cycle steam/electric generating system.

Stationary means that the combustion turbine is not self propelled or intended to be propelled while performing its function, although it may be mounted on a vehicle for portability or transportability.

Stationary combustion turbines include simple cycle stationary combustion turbines, regenerative/recuperative cycle stationary combustion turbines, cogeneration cycle stationary combustion turbines, and combined cycle stationary combustion turbines. Stationary combustion turbines do not include turbines located at a research or laboratory facility, if research is conducted on the turbine itself and the turbine is not being used to power other applications at the research or laboratory facility.

A stationary combustion turbine is new if construction of the stationary combustion turbine started after 14 January 2003.

The individual emissions limitations for stationary combustion turbines are based on what type of fuel the turbine burns as well as the age of the turbine.

Summary of State Requirements

States typically address these sources through the permit process. They may also regulate smaller turbines than are federally regulated.

State-by-state guidance concerning air emissions can be found at ENVCAP's Air Pollution State Resource Locator.

Laws and Statutes

The Clean Air Act

Back to Top  Page Top