How a Compliance Database can save you time and headaches
Maintaining compliance records can be a data heavy exercise. In many cases, requirements for logging and maintaining emissions data for Air Permit records can be time-consuming and confusing. This process can often be simplified with a custom emissions database that will organize the complex information into an easy-to-use format. For example, product painting and coating processes can benefit from the use of an emissions database. It is common for these emissions sources to have requirements for maintaining a paint or coating product usage log for VOC or HAP containing materials. The database would include a table of coating products for recording each materials’ specific gravity, VOC content, individual HAP contents, and a Total HAP content (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Example Database Table
When necessary, new coating products could be added to the coatings table in the database with a simple form for entering the required information. At the end of each shift or operating day, paint operators could enter the total quantities of each coating product used into a material usage form. The database records each entry and stores them for use on different emissions reports. The facility could also add parameters to the database such as site-specific emissions factors or control device capture efficiencies and control efficiencies based on estimates or actual data from a performance test. From these inputs, the database uses a query to calculate emissions for a selected time period using the formulas built into the database (Gallons x Product Density(lb/gal) x VOC or HAP content(%) x (1 – Control device efficiency(%)) = Emissions). The facility database can output these queries as monthly reports of VOC and HAP emissions. Reports may be formatted in any number of ways. For example, one report could include the 12-month rolling totals plant wide, while another report shows only monthly emissions for an individual emissions source. These reports can be standardized for use in semi-annual and annual emissions reporting requirements or used internally for quality control, tracking sustainability goals, etc.
An emissions database has certain advantages and disadvantages compared to a traditional emissions spreadsheet. Databases add security since the formulas are built in and only accessible to certain users. Some may consider this a disadvantage when needing to view and edit formulas regularly; however, this security measure ensures consistent reliable data. Common errors can occur when copying and pasting formulas within a spreadsheet, but these can be avoided by using a database. However, databases can be more difficult to troubleshoot when errors do occur. Using detailed forms, data entry is more straightforward. Report preparation is more streamlined in a database since the database manager creates and formats the report generator with bounds for the end user to enter and run the report.
Another advantage is incorporating calculations for other environmental reports (e.g., Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Form R, GHG reporting, Emissions Inventory, TSCA Chemical Data Reports) into a database. For instance, it is common for the same chemicals to be reportable for air permit requirements and TRI. Metals such as chromium, nickel, manganese, and lead are listed as HAPs and TRI-listed toxic chemicals. An emissions database can be used to determine if these chemicals are processed above the annual TRI reporting thresholds, and to estimate the quantities of the chemical that were released to the air, process wastewater, or deposited in process waste solids. Specific process information would be critical to building a custom database that performs these functions.
These concepts can be adapted to the emissions sources present in various industries, including organic chemicals manufacturing, secondary aluminum production, iron foundries, precious metals processing and recovery, automotive, and wood products manufacturing to name a few.
Contact us if you would like to learn more about how an emissions database can simplify compliance and save you time and headaches.
-Hunter Hill, P.E.