§ 98.324 - Monitoring and QA/QC requirements.

§ 98.324 Monitoring and QA/QC requirements.

Cross Reference

Link to an amendment published at 81 FR 89265, Dec. 9, 2016.

(a) For calendar year 2011 monitoring, the facility may submit a request to the Administrator to use one or more best available monitoring methods as listed in § 98.3(d)(1)(i) through (iv). The request must be submitted no later than October 12, 2010 and must contain the information in § 98.3(d)(2)(ii). To obtain approval, the request must demonstrate to the Administrator's satisfaction that it is not reasonably feasible to acquire, install, and operate a required piece of monitoring equipment by January 1, 2011. The use of best available monitoring methods will not be approved beyond December 31, 2011.

(b) For CH₄ liberated from ventilation systems, determine whether CH₄ will be monitored from each ventilation shaft and vent hole, from a centralized monitoring point, or from a combination of the two options. Operators are allowed flexibility for aggregating emissions from more than one ventilation point, as long as emissions from all are addressed, and the methodology for calculating total emissions documented. Monitor by one of the following options:

(1) Collect quarterly or more frequent grab samples (with no fewer than 6 weeks between measurements) for methane concentration and make quarterly measurements of flow rate, temperature, pressure, and, if applicable, moisture content. The sampling and measurements must be made at the same locations as Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) inspection samples are taken, and should be taken when the mine is operating under normal conditions. You must follow MSHA sampling procedures as set forth in the MSHA Handbook entitled, Coal Mine Safety and Health General Inspection Procedures Handbook, Handbook Number: PH16-V-1 (incorporated by reference, see § 98.7). You must record the date of sampling, flow, temperature, pressure, and moisture measurements, the methane concentration (percent), the bottle number of samples collected, and the location of the measurement or collection.

(2) Obtain results of the quarterly (or more frequent) testing performed by MSHA for the methane flowrate. At the same location and within seven days of the MSHA sampling, make measurements of temperature and pressure using the same procedures specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. The annual average barometric pressure from the nearest National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather service station may be used as a default for pressure. If the MSHA data for methane flow is provided in the units of actual cubic feet of methane per day, the methane flow data is inserted into Equation FF-1 of this section in place of the value for V and the variables MCF, C/100%, and 1440 are removed from the equation.

(3) Monitor emissions through the use of one or more continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS). If operators use CEMS as the basis for emissions reporting, they must provide documentation on the process for using data obtained from their CEMS to estimate emissions from their mine ventilation systems.

(c) For CH₄ liberated at degasification systems, determine whether CH₄ will be monitored from each well and gob gas vent hole, from a centralized monitoring point, or from a combination of the two options. Operators are allowed flexibility for aggregating emissions from more than one well or gob gas vent hole, as long as emissions from all are addressed, and the methodology for calculating total emissions is documented. Monitor both gas volume and methane concentration by one of the following two options:

(1) Monitor emissions through the use of one or more continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS). If operators use CEMS as the basis for emissions reporting, they must provide documentation on the process for using data obtained from their CEMS to estimate emissions from their mine ventilation systems.

(2) Collect weekly (once each calendar week, with at least three days between measurements) or more frequent samples, for all degasification wells and gob gas vent holes. Determine weekly or more frequent flow rates, methane concentration, temperature, and pressure from these degasification wells and gob gas vent holes. Methane composition should be determined either by submitting samples to a lab for analysis, or from the use of methanometers at the degasification monitoring site. Follow the sampling protocols for sampling of methane emissions from ventilation shafts, as described in § 98.324(b)(1). You must record the date of sampling, flow, temperature, pressure, and moisture measurements, the methane concentration (percent), the bottle number of samples collected, and the location of the measurement or collection.

(3) If the CH₄ concentration is determined on a dry basis and flow is determined on a wet basis or CH₄ concentration is determined on a wet basis and flow is determined on a dry basis, and the flow meter does not automatically correct for moisture content, determine the moisture content in the gas in a location near or representative of the location of:

(i) The gas flow meter at least once each calendar week; if measuring with CEMS. If only one measurement is made each calendar week, there must be at least three days between measurements; and

(ii) The grab sample, if using grab samples, at the time of the sample.

(d) Monitoring must adhere to one of the methods specified in paragraphs (d)(1) through (d)(2) of this section.

(1) ASTM D1945-03, Standard Test Method for Analysis of Natural Gas by Gas Chromatography; ASTM D1946-90 (Reapproved 2006), Standard Practice for Analysis of Reformed Gas by Gas Chromatography; ASTM D4891-89 (Reapproved 2006), Standard Test Method for Heating Value of Gases in Natural Gas Range by Stoichiometric Combustion; or ASTM UOP539-97 Refinery Gas Analysis by Gas Chromatography (incorporated by reference, see § 98.7).

(2) As an alternative to the gas chromatography methods provided in paragraph (d)(1) of this section, you may use gaseous organic concentration analyzers and a correction factor to calculate the CH₄ concentration following the requirements in paragraphs (d)(2)(i) through (d)(2)(iii) of this section.

(i) Use Method 25A or 25B at 40 CFR part 60, appendix A-7 to determine gaseous organic concentration as required in § 98.323 and in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section. You must calibrate the instrument with CH₄ and determine the total gaseous organic concentration as carbon (or as CH₄; K = 1 in Equation 25A-1 of Method 25A at 40 CFR part 60, appendix A-7).

(ii) Determine a correction factor that will be used with the gaseous organic concentrations measured in paragraph (i) of this section. The correction factor must be determined at the routine sampling location no less frequently than once a reporting year following the requirements in paragraphs (d)(2)(ii)(A) through (d)(2)(ii)(C) of this section.

(A) Take a minimum of three grab samples of the gas with a minimum of 20 minutes between samples and determine the methane composition of the gas using one of the methods specified in paragraph (d)(1) of this section.

(B) As soon as practical after each grab sample is collected and prior to the collection of a subsequent grab sample, determine the gaseous organic concentration of the gas using either Method 25A or 25B at 40 CFR part 60, appendix A-7 as specified in paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section.

(C) Determine the arithmetic average methane concentration and the arithmetic average gaseous organic concentration of the samples analyzed according to paragraphs (d)(2)(ii)(A) and (d)(2)(ii)(B) of this section, respectively, and calculate the non-methane organic carbon correction factor as the ratio of the average methane concentration to the average total gaseous organic concentration. If the ratio exceeds 1, use 1 for the correction factor.

(iii) Calculate the CH₄ concentration as specified in Equation FF-9 of this section:

Where:

C_CH4 = Methane (CH₄) concentration in the gas (volume %) for use in Equations FF-1 and FF-3 of this subpart.

f_NMOC = Correction factor from the most recent determination of the correction factor as specified in paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section (unitless).

C_TGOC = Gaseous organic carbon concentration measured using Method 25A or 25B at 40 CFR part 60, appendix A-7 during routine monitoring of the gas (volume %).

(e) All flow meters and gas composition monitors that are used to provide data for the GHG emissions calculations shall be calibrated prior to the first reporting year, using the applicable methods specified in paragraphs (d), and (e)(1) through (e)(7) of this section. Alternatively, calibration procedures specified by the flow meter manufacturer may be used. Flow meters and gas composition monitors shall be recalibrated either at the minimum frequency specified by the manufacturer or annually. The operator shall operate, maintain, and calibrate a gas composition monitor capable of measuring the concentration of CH₄ in the gas using one of the methods specified in paragraph (d) of this section. The operator shall operate, maintain, and calibrate the flow meter using any of the following test methods or follow the procedures specified by the flow meter manufacturer. Flow meters must meet the accuracy requirements in § 98.3(i).

(1) ASME MFC-3M-2004, Measurement of Fluid Flow in Pipes Using Orifice, Nozzle, and Venturi (incorporated by reference, see § 98.7).

(2) ASME MFC-4M-1986 (Reaffirmed 1997), Measurement of Gas Flow by Turbine Meters (incorporated by reference, see § 98.7).

(3) ASME MFC-6M-1998, Measurement of Fluid Flow in Pipes Using Vortex Flowmeters (incorporated by reference, see § 98.7).

(4) ASME MFC-7M-1987 (Reaffirmed 1992), Measurement of Gas Flow by Means of Critical Flow Venturi Nozzles (incorporated by reference, see § 98.7).

(5) ASME MFC-11M-2006 Measurement of Fluid Flow by Means of Coriolis Mass Flowmeters (incorporated by reference, see § 98.7).

(6) ASME MFC-14M-2003 Measurement of Fluid Flow Using Small Bore Precision Orifice Meters (incorporated by reference, see § 98.7).

(7) ASME MFC-18M-2001 Measurement of Fluid Flow using Variable Area Meters (incorporated by reference, see § 98.7).

(f) For CH₄ destruction, CH₄ must be monitored at each onsite destruction device and each point of offsite transport for combustion using continuous monitors of gas routed to the device or point of offsite transport.

(g) All temperature, pressure, and moisture content monitors must be operated and calibrated using the procedures and frequencies specified by the manufacturer.

(h) If applicable, the The owner or operator shall document the procedures used to ensure the accuracy of gas flow rate, gas composition, temperature, pressure, and moisture content measurements. These procedures include, but are not limited to, calibration of flow meters, and other measurement devices. The estimated accuracy of measurements , and the technical basis for the estimated accuracy shall be recorded.

[75 FR 39763, July 12, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 73901, Nov. 29, 2011; 78 FR 71967, Nov. 29, 2013; 81 FR 89265, Dec. 9, 2016]