Course Descriptions

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Level I

 

Overview of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990

 

Course Director:  Stephen Szulecki, M.S.                                                                           Level 1

 

Length:  1 day

 

Benefits: 

This course provides attendees with an overview of the 1990 amended Clean Air Act, an update for each Title and the current status of affected programs.  A basic knowledge of the provisions of the Act and how they are currently being implemented is given.  The course will include discussion of EPA and state regulations, how they are evolving and proposed rulemaking.

 

Intended Audience: 

A valuable course for those responsible for air compliance inspecting and sampling, persons in environmental program management and legal positions who are responsible for meeting the requirements of the Clean Air Act.

 

Course Topics:

·         NOx, VOC and CO Attainment Strategies, State by State

·         NSPS and NESHAP Standards

·         Approval/Disapproval Status of State Plans

·         New Monitoring Requirements

·         Enforcement Issues

 

 

The Clean Air Act Today

 

Course Director:  Chuck Solt , M.S.                                                                                               Level 1

 

Length:  1 day

 

Benefits: 

This course provides a high level review of the Clean Air act as amended by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. However, the course does not solely focus on the Amendments of 1990, but rather presents the composite Act as it exists today. The course also discusses all of the amendments to the Act, dating back to 1970, and covers the regulatory and legislative actions since 1990.

 

Intended Audience: 

US, State or Local Air Agency personnel who could benefit from a broader knowledge of the entire air program; Other governmental agencies who oversee, support or interact with air agencies; Lawyers or consultants who deal with air compliance issues; and People who are responsible for air compliance programs at regulated facilities.

 

Course Topics:

·         Brief historical overview prior to 1970, 1970 Clean Air Act, and the Amendments of 1977 and 1990

·         The structure of the Act

·         A review of Titles I through VI of the Act

·         The NSR Reforms published in Dec. 2002

·         The proposed RMR&R reforms published for comments in 2002

·        The Clear Skies Initiative and other 2003 Congressional legislation

·         Other items related to the Act

 

 

 

Principles and Practice of Air Pollution Control

 

Course Director:  Stephen Szulecki, M.S.                                                                                       Level 1

 

Length:  4 days

 

Benefits: 

This course is an overview of the effects and sources of air pollutants and the technology, engineering controls and management systems being developed to minimize emissions.

 

Intended Audience: 

A valuable course for those responsible for air compliance inspecting and sampling and persons in environmental program management and legal positions who are responsible for meeting the requirements of the Clean Air Act.

 

Course Topics:

·         Effects of Air Pollutants

·         Air Quality Management

·         Air Sampling and Analysis

·         Control Strategy Development

·         Emission Inventories

·         Mobile Source Controls

·         Control Technology Review

·         Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement

 

 

 

 

Basic Health and Safety for Field Activities

 

Course Director:  Koshy Koshy, Ph.D.                                                                                                 Level 1

 

Length:  1-day  OR  2-day

 

Benefits: 

This one-day course is designed to meet the refresher requirements under 29CFR1910.120 for hazardous waste operations (initial 24 and 40 hour).   Through lectures, workshop, and case studies, students are provided with a review of personal protective equipment, hazard recognition, decontamination, site investigation and characterization.  This course also provides an update of current environmental issues. 

 

 

Intended Audience: 

This course is geared specifically for compliance inspectors.  Included in the course is a  review of hazards inspectors may face while conducting an audit.

 

Course Topics:

·         Hazards, Exposure and Evaluation

·         Protective Clothing and Equipment

·         Air Sampling and Assessment

·         Decontamination

 

 

Inspection Procedures and Safety

 

Course Director: Jerry Crowder, Ph.D., PE                                                                                      Level 1

 

Length:  2 days

 

Benefits: 

This course presents safety procedures for inspecting and evaluating air pollution control systems. Practical techniques are described to aid plant operations personnel and regulatory agency inspectors in minimizing health and safety hazards. Emphasis is placed on the early recognition and avoidance of problems. Unique combinations of hazards found around air pollution control systems are presented. The use of personal protection equipment is discussed. This course is intended to supplement general industrial hygiene and safety procedures which should be followed by all personnel engaged in field work.

 

Intended Audience: 

This course is invaluable for plant operations personnel, safety officers and compliance inspectors.

 

Course Topics:

 

 

 

Air Pollution Field Enforcement

 

Course Director:  Leo Stander, DEE                                                                                            Level 1

 

Length:  4 days

 

Benefits: 

This four-day course provides an overview of regulatory enforcement tools that may be employed by agency personnel.  Proper procedures are covered for investigating an air pollution complaint, conducting an inspection, gathering evidence of an emission violation, and presenting that evidence effectively in formal hearings or court sessions. Case studies are a part of instruction.

 

Intended Audience: 

A valuable course for those responsible for air compliance inspecting and sampling, persons in environmental program management and legal personnel responsible for meeting the requirements of the Clean Air Act.

 

Course Topics:

·        Violation documentation and evidence gathering

·        The role of the field inspector

·         Enforcement process

·         Complaints handling and odor investigations

·         Inspection of air pollution sources

 

 

 

Level II

 

Inspection of Particle Control Devices

 

Course Director:  Jerry Crowder, Ph.D., PE                                                                                Level 2

 

Length:  3 day

 

Benefits: 

This course provides the student with the ability to evaluate the performance of air pollution sources and control systems.  Technical procedures for conducting Level I and II compliance inspections will be presented, as well as the concept of performing a baseline inspection.  Students will also learn how to combine personal observations and available instrument data to document poor operational practices and potential noncompliance situations.

 

Intended Audience: 

Public and private sector inspectors, plant engineers and safety and industrial hygiene personnel.

 

Course Topics:

·         Basic Operating Principles

·         Methods of Data Collection

·         Data Interpretation

·         Inspection Procedures

·         Review Problems

 

 

 

Evaluation of Stationary Source Emission Capture, Transport and Testing Systems

 

Course Director:  Raymond Manganelli, Ph.D.                                                                                 Level 2

 

Length:  4 day

 

Benefits: 

This course covers two related technical areas: 1) inspection and evaluation of emission capture and gas handling systems and 2) the basic particulate, gaseous and flow measurement techniques used in compliance testing of industrial sources.

 

Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to apply the principles and practices common to industrial ventilation systems in inspecting and evaluating plant operating problems.  In addition, the participant will also be able to monitor and evaluate stack sampling procedures used in compliance testing.

 

Intended Audience: 

This course is designed for managers, field technicians and those with responsibility for overseeing stationary source testing for particulate pollutants.  Additionally, public and private sector inspectors, plant engineers and safety and industrial hygiene personnel whose duties involve evaluation of hoods, air pollution control equipment and air handling systems will benefit from this training.

 

Course Topics:

·         General Gas Collection Principles

·         Inspection/Performance Evaluation

·         Hood/Capture/Fan Systems

·         Measurement Methods

·         Legal Aspects of Source Sampling

·         EPA Methods 1 through 5

·         Establishing Process/Control Equipment

·         Practical Aspects of Source Sampling

·         Performance Test Observation Baseline Parameters

·         Compliance Test Report Review

 

 

 

Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems

 

Course Director:  Larry Bernson, Ph.D.                                                                                            Level 2

 

Length:  3 day 

                 

Benefits: 

This course presents an overview of continuous emissions monitoring and regulatory requirements.  The major components of CEM systems and their functions are explained.  Inspection and audit procedures for checking CEMS performance are also covered in detail.

 

Intended Audience: 

This course is designed for engineers, environmental compliance managers and plant operations personnel with responsibility for inspecting, operating or locating a CEM system.

 

Course Topics:

·         CEM Records and Report Reviews

·         Data Evaluation/Monitor Location

·         Extractive Systems

·         Proper Auditing Procedures

·         In-Situ Systems

·         Gas Conditioning Systems

·         Regulatory Requirements

 

 

 

VOC Sampling and Analysis

 

Course Director:  Larry Bernson, Ph.D.                                                                                             Level 2

 

Length:  2 days

 

Benefits: 

Students will be provided with a basic knowledge of VOC compliance test methods as well as the nomenclature used in organic chemistry, VOC sampling and VOC analysis.  Students become familiar with the regulatory requirements associated with the measurement of organic compounds.  The course emphasizes EPA-specified testing protocols and technology.

 

Intended Audience: 

A valuable course for field inspectors, environmental compliance managers and technical support personnel with responsibility for sampling volatile organic compounds from stationary sources.

 

Course Topics:

·         EPA Methods 18, 21, 24, 24A, 25 and 25A

·         Sampling Train Design

·         VOC Analytical Procedures

·         Demonstration of VOC Sampling Instrumentation

·         Sampling Strategy

·         Data Analysis

 

 

 

 

Emissions Calculation and Data Reduction

 

Course Director:  Robert Machaver                                                                                                 Level 2

 

Length:  2 day

 

Benefits: 

 This course reviews key emission formulas for combustion sources that are used in Acid Rain, NOx Budget, NSPS and Air Permit monitoring. Attention is focused on the physical basis and application of these formulas in CEMS monitoring, stack testing, and air permitting. Relationships between the various emission expressions are examined and compared, and conversion methods between concentration measurements and rate formulas are reviewed. Discussions of the role of the F factor, excess air and moisture in emission and heat input calculations are included. Application of these formulas is demonstrated using practical examples from air permits, CEMS monitoring and stack testing. The purpose of this course is to make monitoring formulas more understandable and accessible.

 

Intended Audience: 

This course is designed for field inspectors, environmental compliance managers and technical support personnel who determine pollutant emissions and heat input from stack measurement data.

 

Course Topics:

·        Overview of Key Concepts and Key Formulas; Summary of Data Inputs Required for Emission Calculations

·        Key Features of Gas Behavior and the Calculation of Density

·        The Fuel Factor and its role in Calculating Emission Rates

·        The Dilution factor, and its role in Calculating Emissions

·        Moisture Conversions

·        Calculation of Mass Emissions from Stack Flow and Fuel Flow 

·        Mass Balance Formulas

·        Classroom Group Problems -  Applications of Calculation Formulas to real problems

 

 

 

Level III

 

Combustion Source Inspection

 

Course Director:  Brian Doyle, Ph.D., PE                                                                                       Level 3

 

Length:  3 day

 

Benefits: 

In this three-day course, students will learn the fundamental and applied aspects of combustion, as well as an overview of combustion technology as it relates to air pollution control.  There is an emphasis on understanding how real combustion systems work.  Simple analytical methods are presented for relating stack measurements to source operating conditions.  Case studies and review problems assist the student in troubleshooting situations that can affect combustion efficiency and emissions.

 

Intended Audience: 

All those involved with air pollution inspection, permitting and management of combustion sources.

 

Course Topics:

·         Principles of Combustion

·         Formation and Control of Air Emissions

·         Emissions/Process Monitoring

·         Combustion Processes and Equipment

·         Fuel Influences on Emissions

·         Inspection of Combustion Facilities

 

 

 

General VOC Source Regulation and Inspection

 

Course Director: Jerry Crowder, Ph.D., PE                                                                                      Level 3

 

Length:  3 days

 

Benefits: 

This course provides and overview of VOC emission sources and their control systems.  Current regulatory requirements for a variety of industrial processes – i.e., surface coating printing operations and petrochemicals - are explained.  Emphasis is placed on evaluating system performance and inspection and auditing of plant records to determine if a facility meets its control objective.  Lectures, discussions, calculations and review problems familiarize students with the methods for checking system efficiency.

 

Intended Audience: 

Environmental compliance managers, environmental consultants, plant engineers, health and safety personnel and those involved with air pollution inspection and air permitting.

 

Course Topics:

·         Regulatory Approach to VOC Control

·         Storage Facilities/Refining

·         Solvent Cleaning

·         Organic Chemistry Review

·         VOC Source Inspection/Safety

·         VOC Control Technology

·         VOC Emission Sources

·         Pollution Prevention

·         Gasoline Marketing Facilities

 

 

 

 

 

Inspection Techniques for Fugitive VOC Emission Sources

 

Course Director:  Jerry Winberry                                                                                         Level 3

 

Length:  2 day

 

Benefits: 

This is a companion course to General VOC Source Regulation and Inspection.  With additional course material, students learn to conduct complete and effective Level II inspections of air pollution sources subject to fugitive VOC leak detection and prevention regulations.

 

Intended Audience: 

Environmental compliance managers, process engineers, waste treatment plant supervisors, health and safety personnel, air permitting personnel and consultants.

 

Course Topics:

·         Fugitive VOC Leak Detection and Repair Standards

·         Leak Monitoring Procedures

·         NSPS and NESHAP Standards

·         Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements

·         Inspection Procedures

·         Equipment/Performance Standards

·         Hazardous Organic NESHAP (HON) Regulations

·         Inspection Safety

·         Portable VOC Analyzers

 

 

 

 

 

Level IV

 

NOx Emissions Control

 

Course Director:  Brian Doyle, Ph.D., PE                                                                                       Level 4

 

Length:  2 day

 

Benefits: 

High ambient levels of ozone have caused new standards and requirements for most major sources of nitrogen oxides.  These include utility, commercial and industrial boilers;  stationary gas turbines; and internal combustion engines.  This course provides a general review of the regulations, and types of combustion sources.  Current methods of reducing NOx formation by combustion modification as well as available back end control technologies are presented.

 

Intended Audience: 

Owners and operators of industrial boilers, turbines and other regulated NOx sources, plant engineers, regulatory personnel, environmental managers and environmental consultants.

 

Course Topics:

·         Federal and State Regulatory Requirements

·         NOx Formation Processes

·         Control Technology Approaches

·         Boiler Tune-Ups

·         Combustion Modifications

·         Catalytic and Non-Catalytic Reduction

·         Emissions Monitoring

 

 

 

 

 

Compliance Assurance (and Periodic) Monitoring

 

Course Co-Directors:  Brian Doyle, Ph.D., PE and Peter Westlin, USEPA - 

                                                                                    Emissions Measurement Center                           Level 4

 

Length:  2 day

 

Benefits: 

Title V requires sufficient monitoring for owners to certify compliance of major sources and EPA has now promulgated regulations and guidance governing the preparation of enhanced process monitoring plans by regulated sources.  The CAM rule represents a major shift from the traditional ways that stationary sources have demonstrated compliance with operation and emission standards by providing and alternative to costly continuous monitoring systems.  This course covers the current regulatory status of Title V monitoring programs and presents a number of source examples.  It also discusses monitoring options for some of the most common control devices.

 

Intended Audience: 

Plant engineers, air pollution consultants, those responsible for emissions reporting and compliance documentation as well as regulatory agency personnel.

 

Course Topics:

·         Regulatory Basis for Enhanced Monitoring

·         Alternatives to CEMS

·         Parametric Measurements

·         Current Status of Federal Regulations and Guidance

·         State Regulations

·         Recordkeeping and Reporting

·         Certification Procedures

 

 

 

 

 

Inspection of Gas Control Devices & Selected Industries

 

Course Director:  Jerry Crowder, Ph.D., PE                                                                                            Level 4

 

Length:  2.5 days

 

Benefits: 

This course is an extension of Basic Source Inspection Techniques, Level I.  Site-specific information is used to identify shifts in the operating variables affecting emissions from control equipment and significant industrial processes.  The inspection approach and the inspection techniques for particle control devices are reviewed.  Operating principles and inspection techniques for general gaseous emission control devises (absorbers, adsorbers, incinerators and condensers) and specific control applications (flue gas desulfurization and nitrogen oxide control systems) are presented.  Process descriptions and inspection issues are also discussed for fossil fuel fired boilers, waste incinerators, metallurgical processes and asphalt plants.  Written and video case studies are used to reinforce the material.

 

Intended Audience: 

Public and private sector inspectors, plant engineers and safety and industrial hygiene personnel.

 

Desired Background:  

Completion of Basic Source Inspection Techniques.

 

Course Topics:

·         General Inspection Procedures

·         Particle Control Devices

·         Gaseous Emission Control Devices

·         Flue Gas Desulfurization Systems

·         Nitrogen Oxide Control Systems

·         Fossil Fuel Fired Boilers

·         Waste Incinerators

·         Metallurgical Processes

·         Asphalt Plants

 

 

 

 

Area Source MACT

 

Course Director:  Larry Bernson, Ph.D.                                                                                                    Level 4

 

Length:  2 days

 

Benefits: 

This course provides an overview of the USEPA hazardous air pollutant regulatory program.  Students will be provided with a basic knowledge of the Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) program, along with a detailed examination of specific area source MACT rules.

 

Intended Audience: 

This course is designed for environmental compliance personnel and those responsible for facility inspection and air permitting requirements.

 

Course Topics:

·         USEPA Hazardous Air Pollutant Regulatory Program

·         Air Pollution and Health Risk

·         General Facility Inspection and Reporting Techniques

·         National Perchloroethylene Air Emission Standards for Dry Cleaning Facilities

·         National Emission Standards for Chromium Emissions from Hard and Decorative Chromium Electroplating and Chromium Anodizing Tanks

·         National Emission Standards for Halogenated Solvent Cleaning

 

 

 

 

Surface Coating Sampling, Transport and VOC Content Calculations

 

Course Director: Larry Bernson, Ph.D.                                                                                      Level 4

 

Length: 3 days

 

Benefits:

This course is designed to provide students with detailed procedures related to the sampling and handling of coatings and inks that are to be analyzed using the techniques contained within USEPA Reference Methods 24 or 24A, as applicable.  Following the procedures provided in this course, the student should be able to demonstrate accountability for, and documentation of, sample integrity from the time a sample is collected until receipt by the analytical laboratory.  These sampling and handling procedures are intended to document each stage of the sample's life cycle until it reaches the laboratory (i.e., collection, transport, and delivery).  Additionally, this course discusses "what to do with" the data that the student obtains, either from laboratory analyses or from facility records and other documents related to the coating (e.g., MSDS, data formulation sheets, etc.).  Numerous practical calculations are provided that present "step-by-step" computation procedures for calculating the VOC content in surface coatings.   This information is used to determine compliance status with surface coating VOC content limits, process mass emission rate limits and facility annual emission rates.

 

Intended Audience:

This course is designed for field inspectors, environmental compliance managers and technical support personnel with responsibility for sampling surface coatings and/or analyzing surface coating data.

 

Course Topics: