RESPEC PROJECT

THE CHALLENGE

Hospital installed a cogeneration (cogen) plant consisting of a reciprocating gas-fired engine and waste heat recovery boiler.  In a push to get the unit permitted quickly, the mechanical engineering firm that installed the cogen prepared the air permit plan approval application themselves, and did not realize the engine was not EPA-certified.  In addition, they allowed the PA DEP Air Quality Program testing for metals and other pollutants not typically needed for natural gas-fired engines.

THE SOLUTION

RESPEC approached the PA DEP Air Quality Program and requested a reduction in stack testing pollutants.  RESPEC worked with the cogen’s natural gas supplier to provide documentation of the non-detectable metals and other pollutants, such as silicon, in the natural gas supply; thereby allowing the PA DEP to permanently waive the non-traditional pollutants as part of the cogen engine’s annual required stack testing, and reducing the pollutant list to the traditional NOx, CO, VOC, and formaldehyde testing required for natural gas-fired combustion units.  RESPEC worked with a stack testing firm to develop a testing protocol, oversee and coordinate testing, record cogen process data, and submit the final test report.

RESPEC also provided support to the hospital during the PA DEP’s air permit inspection to roll the plan approval terms and conditions into the hospital’s air quality operating permit.  RESPEC’s onsite presence and recordkeeping binder allowed the inspection to flow smoothly with minimal requests for additional records and data.

RESPEC has worked with the hospital and stack testing firm to conduct the required annual stack testing on the cogen engine.

THE RESULTS/CLIENT BENEFITS/VALUE

The reduction in stack testing pollutants to be tested on an annual basis has saved the hospital thousands of dollars per year (approximately $17,200 per year in 2013 dollars).  RESPEC’ recordkeeping system minimizes hospital facilities management and staff time and reduces stress for all parties during PA DEP and other agency inspections.  Our role in the cogen’s annual stack testing also minimizes hospital staff time and effort while keeping the cogeneration plant in compliance with PA DEP and EPA air quality emission standards.