United States Environmental Protection Agency

General Permit or Permit by Rule for New or Modified Minor 

Sources of Air Pollution in Indian Country

http://www.epa.gov/air/tribal/tribalnsr.html

Background Document: Air Quality Permit by Rule for New or Modified True 

Minor Source Petroleum Dry Cleaning Facilities in Indian Country

Version 1.0

Last Modified: March 23, 2015

1. Petroleum Dry Cleaning Source Category Definition 

A petroleum dry cleaning facility may consist of dry cleaning dryers, washers, filters, stills, settling tanks, and 

boilers. Dry cleaning facilities normally use either petroleum solvents or perchloroethylene (PCE) as the cleaning 

solvents. The final Air Quality Permit by Rule for New or Modified True Minor Source Petroleum Dry Cleaning 

Facilities in Indian Country only covers dry cleaning facilities that are located at true minor New Source Review 

(NSR) sources and use petroleum solvents.

2. Source Category Characterization

Dry cleaning involves the cleaning of fabrics with nonaqueous organic solvents. The dry cleaning process 

requires three steps: (1) washing the fabric in solvent, (2) spinning to extract excess solvent, and (3) drying by 

tumbling in a hot air stream. There are two general types of cleaning fluids that are used in the industry: 

petroleum solvents and synthetic solvents. Petroleum solvents, such as Stoddard or 140-F, are inexpensive 

combustible hydrocarbon mixtures similar to kerosene. Synthetic solvents, such as PCE, are nonflammable, but 

are more expensive halogenated hydrocarbons. 

There are two basic types of dry cleaning machines, transfer and dry-to-dry machines. Transfer machines 

accomplish washing and drying in separate machines. Dry cleaning as a batch process in transfer machines can 

result in a large amount of volatile organic compounds (VOC) or hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions due to 

vaporization of solvent during the transfer process. Dry-to-dry machines are single units that perform all of the 

washing, extraction, and drying operations. Since cleaning and drying take place in the same compartment of 

dry-to-dry machines, significant amounts of VOC and HAP emissions are eliminated from dry-to-dry machines 

(AP-42, Chapter 4.1-Dry Cleaning). Most petroleum dry cleaning machines in operation today are “dry-to-dry” 

machines (EPAs Memo 2010).

3. State Minor Source Permit Programs

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) researched state government websites for general permits and 

permits by rule for this source category, examined them for applicability to a permit for Indian Country, and 

used appropriate elements in the development of the documents and regulations in the Permit by Rule for this 

source category. The EPA has identified the following states and local governments that have specific NSR minor 

programs (such as general permits, registrations, permits by rule, etc.) for dry cleaning facilities using petroleum 

solvent, PCE, or both: Arizona, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Maricopa County in 

Arizona. The requirements for the state permitting programs related to dry cleaning facilities are summarized in 

Attachment A. Permits from these states were chosen for examination because of characteristics they possess:

 Readily available; 

 Clear throughput limits; and 
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 Organization of the regulations followed the typical form for federal NSR permits:

o Limitations and standards, 

o Monitoring, testing, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements. 

For the 7 state programs reviewed, 5 of them have solvent usage limits and this limit ranges from 1,000 

gallons/year to 6,800 gallons/year. Assuming that the VOC content of the solvents used is 8.34 lbs/gallon, these 

solvent usage limits are equivalent to VOC emission limitations of 4.17 tons per year (tpy) to 28.4 tpy. The state 

permit program for Oklahoma does not have a solvent usage limit but contains a VOC emission limitation of 100 

tpy and a HAP emission limitation of less than 10 tpy for a single HAP and less than 25 tpy of all HAPs combined. 

Therefore, the VOC emission limitations for the programs reviewed range from 4.17 tpy to 100 tpy. 

In addition to the solvent usage limit and VOC emission limitation, the state programs include the NSPS, Subpart 

JJJ (Standards of Performance for Petroleum Dry Cleaners) requirements for petroleum dry cleaning facilities 

and NESHAP, Subpart M (National Perchloroethylene Air Emission Standards for Dry Cleaning Facilities) 

requirements for PCE machines. For state permit programs in Arizona, the permits also include capacity limits 

for fuel combustion units, such as limiting the maximum capacity for each boiler to less than 10 MMBtu/hour. 

4. Requirements for Permits by Rule

4.1 Documents for Permits by Rule

The EPA developed a standardized set of permit documents in support of the Permit by Rule for dry cleaning 

facilities. These consist of the following documents: 

 Questionnaire: Assists the facility owner or operator in determining whether they are eligible for the 

Permit by Rule;

 Screening Processes for Threatened and Endangered Species and Historic Properties: For the permits by 

rule, we have separated the screening processes from the Notification of Coverage Forms and created a 

separate document, “Procedures to Address Threatened and Endangered Species and Historic 

Properties for New or Modified True Minor Sources in Indian Country Seeking Air Quality Permits by 

Rule”;

 Notification for Coverage under the Permit by Rule: States the criteria for qualification, gathers technical 

information on the source, facility location, and source contact, requests information on the facility, the 

facility’s actual emissions for those sources undergoing modifications, and requests that the source 

certify they will comply with the requirements, which are included in the rule for dry cleaning facilities at 

40 CFR 49.163;

 Instructions: Guides the applicant in filling out the Notification of Coverage under the Permit by Rule;

 Air Quality Permit by Rule, Terms and Conditions: Contains the requirements and regulations with which 

the source must comply. The emission limitations, monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting 

requirements are in the permit, including requirements for sources located in nonattainment areas. 

(Note that all of the requirements and regulations with which the source must comply in a permit by 

rule are included in the rulemaking action the EPA has taken for this source category at 40 CFR 49.163.); 

and

 Potential to Emit (PTE) Calculator Spreadsheet: Allows applicants to calculate their PTE, based on owner 

inputs of the specific equipment present at their source, assuming continuous operation throughout the 

year. The PTE Calculator spreadsheet generates potential emissions, based on these inputs. The 

spreadsheet illustrates the correlation between equipment, raw material throughput, and emissions.
Page 3 of 14

4.2 Exemption and Qualification for Permits by Rule

Facilities applying for the Permit by Rule must meet the following criteria:

 Must be a true minor NSR source; and

 Be able to comply with the emissions limitations established for the Permit by Rule.

New facilities with a PTE (or modifications to existing facilities with an emissions increase) lower than the minor 

NSR thresholds specified in the provisions of the Federal Indian Country Minor NSR Rule at 40 CFR 49.153 are 

exempt from the minor NSR program. The minor NSR thresholds are listed in Table 1 below. Facilities applying 

for the Permit by Rule may calculate their PTE using the PTE calculator provided to determine if their project is

below these thresholds and, thus, exempt from the minor NSR program.

Table 1: Minor NSR Thresholds in 40 CFR 49.153

Pollutant Attainment Area Nonattainment Area

Carbon Monoxide (CO) 10 tpy 5 tpy

Particulate Matter 

(PM) 10 tpy 5 tpy

PM10 5 tpy 1 tpy

PM2.5 3 tpy 0.6 tpy

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) 10 tpy 5 tpy

Nitrogen Oxides (NOX) 10 tpy 5 tpy

VOC 5 tpy 2 tpy

Under current EPA policy, only true minor NSR sources qualify for the Permit by Rule. Therefore, facilities will be 

required to compare their PTE to the NSR major source thresholds to determine if they qualify for the Permit by 

Rule. The NSR major source threshold for attainment areas is 250 tpy of any criteria pollutant. The NSR major 

source thresholds for nonattainment areas are summarized in Table 2 below:

Table 2: NSR Major Source Thresholds for Nonattainment Areas

Pollutant Nonattainment Classification NSR Major Source Threshold

Ozone Marginal 100 tpy of VOC or NOX

Moderate 100 tpy of VOC or NOX

Serious 50 tpy of VOC or NOX

Severe 25 tpy of VOC or NOX

Extreme 10 tpy of VOC or NOX

PM10 Moderate 100 tpy

Serious 70 tpy

CO Moderate 100 tpy

Serious 50 tpy

SO2, NO2, PM2.5 No nonattainment classification 100 tpy

If the facility’s PTE is above the NSR major source threshold of 250 tpy, or above any applicable nonattainment 

area thresholds listed in Table 2 (for any pollutant for which the area in which the source is locating or modifying 

is designated nonattainment), then the facility does not qualify for the Permit by Rule. The following documents 

are available to assist sources in the screening and application process:
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 Questionnaire;

 Notification for Coverage under the Permit by Rule; 

 Instructions for the Notification for Coverage under the Permit by Rule; and

 PTE calculator.

For facilities not exempt from the minor NSR program and having a PTE below the NSR major source thresholds, 

the facilities will further evaluate if they meet the throughput limits and operating requirements established in 

this Permit by Rule. The specific requirements for the Permit by Rule are discussed in Sections 4.3 and 4.4. The 

emissions associated with the throughput limits are lower than the NSR major source thresholds and were

derived as described below in Section 5. 

4.3 Specific Permit Requirements for Permits by Rule

The terms and conditions of the Permit by Rule are based on the required permit content and analyses in the 

Federal Indian Country Minor NSR Rule. The required permit content is listed in 40 CFR 49.155(a) – What 

information must my permit include? Below we describe the basis for the permit conditions.

40 CFR 49.155(a)(1) – General Requirements

The rule establishes general requirements that each permit must identify: the effective date of the permit; the 

date by which the owner/operator must commence construction in order for the permit to remain valid; the 

emission units subject to the permit and their associated emission limitations; and monitoring, recordkeeping, 

and reporting requirements to assure compliance with the emission limitations. The Permit by Rule contains all 

of this required information, except for the emission units subject to the permit. Because of the nature of 

permits by rule we believe it is more appropriate to identify the emission units covered by the Permit by Rule in 

the Notification of Coverage. Each permit contains a separate section that specifically identifies the emission 

limitations and standards, monitoring and testing, recordkeeping, and reporting and notification requirements.

The General Terms and Conditions in the Permit by Rule are a standardized set of boilerplate conditions 

included with permits by rule. 

40 CFR 49.155(a)(2) – Emission Limitations

The permit must contain the emission limitations determined by the reviewing authority under 40 CFR 49.154(c) 

for each affected emissions unit. 40 CFR 49.154(c) – How will the reviewing authority determine the emission 

limitations that will be required in my permit? – identifies the case-by-case control technology review that must 

be used by the reviewing authority to determine the appropriate level of control. In carrying out the case-bycase control technology review, the reviewing authority must consider the following factors:

1. Local air quality conditions;

2. Typical control technology or other emission reduction measures used by similar sources in surrounding 

areas;

3. Anticipated economic growth in the area; and

4. Cost-effective emission reduction alternatives.

In addition, the reviewing authority must require a numerical limit on the quantity, rate or concentration of 

emissions for each regulated NSR pollutant emitted by each affected emissions unit, for which such a limit is 

technically feasible. The emission limitation required may also be included as pollution prevention techniques, 

design standards, equipment standards, work practices, operational standards or any combination thereof. 

However, the emission limitations must assure that each affected emission unit will comply with all 
Page 5 of 14

requirements of 40 CFR parts 60, 61, and 63, as well as any federal or tribal implementation plans that apply to 

the unit. Finally, the emission limitations required may not rely on a stack height that exceeds good engineering 

practice or any other dispersion technique, except as allowed by 40 CFR 51.118(b). To address the requirements 

for establishing emission limitations the following considerations were used for setting the limits in the Permit 

by Rule for petroleum dry cleaners:

1. Local air quality conditions – To address this requirement, the Permit by Rule sets more stringent limits 

on solvent use for sources located in any ozone nonattainment area and additional operational 

requirements for sources located in serious, severe, or extreme ozone nonattainment areas.

2. Typical control technology or other emission reduction measures used by similar sources in surrounding 

areas – For sources locating in attainment areas we looked at the control requirements specified by 40 

CFR parts 60, 61 and 63. These regulations establish minimum technology and emission limitations that 

must be met nationally and also meet the requirements of 40 CFR 49.154(c)(4) to ensure compliance 

with parts 60, 61, and 63. For this permit rule we considered regulations that apply to the equipment at 

petroleum dry cleaners:

 The NSR Rule (40 CFR 49.155(a));

 Existing applicable NSPS regulations: 40 CR Part 60, Subpart JJJ, Standards of Performance for 

Petroleum Dry Cleaners;

 The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) rule for Dry Cleaners Using Solvent 

Other Than Perchloroethylene (South Coast AQMD Rule 1102) for facilities located in ozone 

nonattainment areas (these regulations cover emissions from facilities that are located at a 

petroleum dry cleaning plant with a total manufacturer’s rated dryer capacity equal to or 

greater than 84 pounds); and

 State permit examples.

Review of the regulations resulted in permit conditions requiring that all petroleum dry cleaning dryers 

must be solvent recovery dryers and that care must be taken to ensure equipment is operated properly 

and solvents are properly stored. 

List of requirements from 40 CFR 60 Subpart JJJ included in the Permit by Rule:

 40 CFR 60.622(a) – requirement for solvent recovery dryer;

 40 CFR 60.622(b) – requirement for solvent filter; and

 40 CFR 60.622(c) – requirement for leak inspections and posting a label on the dryer.

3. Anticipated economic growth in the area – The reviewing authority may consider anticipated economic 

growth when determining whether coverage under the Permit by Rule is justifiable. Considering, 

however, that the Permit by Rule sets emission standards that are consistent with what is required for 

petroleum dry cleaners across the country in both attainment and non-attainment areas, we expect that 

this will rarely be a factor. 

4. Cost-effective emission reduction alternatives – The Permit by Rule sets emission standards that are 

consistent with what is required for petroleum dry cleaners across the country, based on the ozone 

attainment status where the source is locating. As such, the chosen technologies are considered widely 

available and consideration of more cost-effective alternatives is not necessary at this time. We intend 
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to periodically review technology costs in the future to determine when more stringent, cost-effective 

technologies become widely available.

40 CFR 49.155(a)(3) – Monitoring Requirements

The Permit by Rule must include monitoring that is sufficient to assure compliance with the emission limitations 

that apply to the source. The Permit by Rule requires regular inspection of dry cleaning dryers and maintenance.

40 CFR 49.155(a)(4) – Recordkeeping Requirements

The Permit by Rule must include recordkeeping that is sufficient to assure compliance with the emission 

limitations and monitoring requirements, including certain statements listed in 40 CFR 49.155(a)(4)(i) and (ii). In

addition to the recordkeeping requirements in 40 CFR 49.155(a)(4)(i), the Permit by Rule also requires records of 

required inspection and maintenance of dry cleaning equipment and quantities and types of dry cleaning 

solvents used. 

40 CFR 49.155(a)(5) – Reporting Requirements

The Permit by Rule includes the reporting requirements listed in 40 CFR 49.155(a)(5)(i) and (ii) related to annual 

reports and reporting of deviations. 

40 CFR 49.155(a)(6) – Severability Clause

The Permit by Rule includes a severability clause to ensure the continued validity of the other portions of the 

permit in the event of a challenge to a portion of the permit.

40 CFR 49.155(a)(7) – Additional Provisions

The Permit by Rule contains the additional provisions required for each permit. These conditions are found in 

the General Provisions of the Permit by Rule.

4.3.1 Requirements for Sources Located in Nonattainment Areas

There are additional requirements for sources located in nonattainment areas that go beyond those found in the 

NSPS requirements. Since some tribes are located in ozone nonattainment areas, additional requirements to 

reduce/control the VOC emissions (precursor for ozone) from petroleum dry cleaning facilities located in ozone 

nonattainment areas are necessary. In order to develop the additional requirements for petroleum dry cleaning 

facilities in ozone nonattainment areas, the EPA has reviewed the policy and procedures developed by the South 

Coast Air Quality Management District and will include part of the requirements contained in California Air 

Quality Rule for Dry Cleaners Using Solvent Other Than Perchloroethylene (South Coast AQMD Rule 1102) into 

this Permit by Rule for petroleum dry cleaning facilities located in serious, severe, or extreme ozone 

nonattainment areas. These additional requirements include equipment specifications for dry cleaning system, 

specifications for closed-loop machines, and leak check and repair requirements. The specific requirements are 

included in Attachment B of this document and in Attachment C to the Permit by Rule.

4.4 Information on Completing Screening Processes Prior to Submitting a Notification of 

Coverage under the Permit by Rule

Prior to seeking coverage under this Permit by Rule, sources must obtain confirmation from the EPA that the 

source has satisfactorily completed the screening processes specified for the Endangered Species Act and the 

National Historic Preservation Act. The document entitled “Procedures to Address Threatened and 

Endangered Species and Historic Properties for New or Modified True Minor Sources in Indian Country
Page 7 of 14

Seeking Air Quality Permits by Rule” contains the EPA’s guidance to assist sources in completing these 

processes.

5. Emission Limitations1 and Surrogate Throughput Limits 

5.1 Developing the Surrogate Limits and Limitations

The EPA developed solvent usage emissions limitations as surrogates for establishing ton per year emissions 

limitations for sources in both attainment areas and nonattainment areas. The solvent usage limits in the Permit 

by Rule reflect the emission rates that are listed in Table 3 for petroleum dry cleaning facilities located in ozone 

nonattainment and ozone attainment areas. The selected emission rate for sources located in attainment areas 

is consistent with state programs. The selected emission rate for sources located in nonattainment areas is 

suggested by the EPA.

Table 3: Emission Rates Used to Determine Emission Limitations for Petroleum Dry Cleaning Facilities

Pollutant 

of 

Concern

Ozone 

Nonattainment 

Areas

Ozone Attainment, 

Unclassifiable or 

Attainment/Unclassifiable

Areas

Source of 

Emissions

VOC 7 tpy 25 tpy Dry cleaning units 

and steam boilers

Table 4 contains the throughput limits for the Permit by Rule for petroleum dry cleaning facilities located in 

ozone nonattainment and ozone attainment, unclassifiable or attainment/unclassifiable areas that are 

surrogates for the ton per year emission rates listed in Table 3. The EPA developed the solvent usage limits for 

sources in both attainment, unclassifiable or attainment/unclassifiable and nonattainment areas based on (1) 

the emission rates in Table 3 and (2) assumptions about the equipment configuration at a typical source. 

 Table 4: Surrogate Throughput Emission Limitations for Petroleum Dry Cleaning Facilities

Throughput Limit

 Ozone 

Nonattainment 

Areas 

Ozone Attainment, 

Unclassifiable or 

Attainment/Unclassifiable

Areas

Cleaning Solvent 

Usage

1,300 

gallons/year 5,600 gallons/year

5.2 Emission Limitations

Two considerations form the basis for the upper eligibility limitations for permits by rule:

1. Are there any EPA regulation-based emission limitations?

2. Where do state programs establish eligibility limits? 

 

1 The definition of emission limitation used in this Background Document is the one provided in the Federal Indian Country 

NSR rule (described in Section 4.3) and includes requirements established by the reviewing authority that relate to the 

operation of a source, which allows for the use of production throughput limits.
Page 8 of 14

5.2.1 EPA Regulation-Based Emissions Limitations 

There are no specific EPA regulation-based emissions limitations for petroleum dry cleaning facilities. In general, 

facilities in attainment areas with a PTE of any criteria pollutant equal or greater than 250 tpy are NSR major 

sources. Facilities with a PTE of any criteria pollutant equal to or greater than 100 tpy or HAP emissions greater 

than 10 tpy for a single HAP and 25 tpy for total HAPs are subject to Title V operating permit program. However, 

most dry cleaning facilities have actual emissions for criteria pollutants much less than 100 tpy. 

5.2.2 State Program Limitations

The EPA researched the similar type of permits developed by Maricopa County in Arizona and the states of 

Arizona, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Washington and the results are summarized in 

Attachment A. The VOC emission limitations for these state programs range from 4.25 to 100 tpy. Basing the 

permit emissions limitations on the upper VOC value of 25 tpy for attainment areas is within the range of the 

state permit programs reviewed.

5.3 Calculating the Throughput Limits

The EPA determined the solvent usage emission limitations by calculating the annual usage rates that would be 

equivalent to the ton per year emissions rates selected in Table 3. VOC is mainly emitted from the use of 

cleaning solvents at dry cleaning facilities but is also emitted from combustion units (such as the boilers used to 

provide steam). The following assumptions are adopted for this calculation:

 The VOC content of all the solvents applied is assumed to be 8.34 lbs/gallon (worst case scenario);

 Only natural gas, propane, and butane are used in the fuel combustion units at the affected facilities; 

and

 The total heat input capacity of all the fuel combustion units at the affected facilities is 30 MMBtu/hour. 

Based on the emissions factors in AP-42 for combustion units, the VOC emissions from the combustion 

units are 1.44 tpy. This capacity limit was selected because it is consistent with the boiler capacity limit 

established in the state general permit program developed by Maricopa County in Arizona (See 

Attachment A). 

Attachment C contains example calculations showing how solvent usage limits in Table 4 corresponds to the 

VOC emission limitations in both ozone attainment and ozone nonattainment areas as shown in Table 3.
Page 9 of 14

References:

2008 National Emission Inventory Data, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/net/2008inventory.html

40 CFR 49.151 – 40 CFR 49.165, Federal Minor New Source Review (NSR) Program in Indian Country.

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/textidx?c=ecfr&sid=ffc06a883374e41e6772cd842b1ac2d4&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40cfr49_main_02.tpl

40 CFR Part 60, Subpart Dc - Standards of Performance for Small Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam 

Generating Units. 

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/textidx?c=ecfr&sid=4502b9bec7883393acc0ba9745803908&rgn=div6&view=text&node=40:6.0.1.1.1.12&idno=40

40 CFR Part 60, Subpart JJJ - Standards of Performance for Petroleum Dry Cleaners.

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/textidx?c=ecfr&sid=a4ffb0a8d823382f497b95a61ef26817&rgn=div6&view=text&node=40:6.0.1.1.1.75&idno=40

40 CFR Part 63, Subpart M - National Perchloroethylene Air Emission Standards for Dry Cleaning Facilities.

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/textidx?c=ecfr&sid=6a37e67cbe4f9c3ec15b1bf1635016be&rgn=div6&view=text&node=40:9.0.1.1.1.13&idno=40

AP 42, Fifth Edition, Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors, Volume 1: Stationary Point and Area Sources.

http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/ap42/

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, DRAFT, “Petroleum Solvent Dry Cleaning Industry Profile,” Graham 

Gibson and Colin Hayes, ERG; August 4, 2010.

South Coast Air Quality Rule 1102- Dry Cleaners Using Solvent Other Than Perchloroethylene.

http://www.aqmd.gov/rules/reg/reg11/r1102.pdf
Page 10 of 14

Attachment A – Summary of the State Permitting Programs for Dry Cleaning Facilities

State Permit 

Type

Type of 

Facilities 

Covered

Emission 

Limitation

VOC Containing 

Materials 

(Solvent & 

Coating) Usage

Limit

Other Limitations Weblink

AZ General 

Permit

PCE Dry 

Cleaning N/A < 2,100 gallons/year for PCE

< 10 MMBtu/hour for each 

boiler; and 

NESHAP, Subpart M.

http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/permits/do

wnload/gndryapp.pdf

AZMaricop

a 

County

General 

Permit

Both 

Petroleum 

and PCE Dry 

Cleaning

N/A

< 2,100 

gallons/year of PCE

< 6,800 

gallons/year of 

petroleum solvents

Limit to dry-to-dry PCE machines;

< 10 MMBtu/hour for each 

boiler;

< 36 MMBtu/hour for all boilers;

< 260 hp for all emergency 

generators; and

NESHAP, Subpart M.

http://www.maricopa.gov/aq/divisions/permit

_engineering/docs/pdf/Dry%20Cleaner%20Gen

eral%20Permit.pdf

NJ General 

Permit

Petroleum 

Dry Cleaning VOC < 4.25 tpy 

< 1,000 

gallons/year

Limit to dry-to-dry machine; and

No PCE.

http://www.epa.ohio.gov/dapc/genpermit/dry

cleaning.aspx

OH General 

Permit

PCE Dry 

Cleaning N/A < 2,100 gallons/year of PCE

Limit to dry-to-dry PCE machines; 

and 

NESHAP, Subpart M.

http://www.epa.ohio.gov/dapc/genpermit/dry

cleaning.aspx

OK General 

Permit

Both 

Petroleum 

and PCE Dry 

Cleaning

VOC < 100 tpy

HAP < 10/25 tpy N/A

NSPS, Subpart JJJ for new units;

NESHAP, Subpart M;

Not use thermal devices for 

control; and

No use of TCE or CFC-113.

http://www.deq.state.ok.us/AQDnew/resource

s/factsheets/dryclean.html

PA General 

Permit

Both 

Petroleum 

and PCE Dry 

Cleaning

VOC < 50 tpy

VOC < 25 tpy for 

selected counties

HAP < 10/25 tpy

N/A NSPS, Subpart JJJ for new units.

http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/air

waste/aq/permits/gp.htm

WA General 

Order 

PCE Dry 

Cleaning N/A < 2,100 gallons for PCE

Limit to dry-to-dry PCE machines; 

and 

NESHAP, Subpart M.

http://apps.ecy.wa.gov/permithandbook/perm

itdetail.asp?id=116
Page 11 of 14

Attachment B – Petroleum Dry Cleaning Facilities

For facilities located in serious, severe, or extreme ozone nonattainment areas, the permittee shall 

operate and maintain the solvent dry cleaning system in accordance with the requirements specified 

below and in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations: 

Section 1: General Specifications 

1. For any dry cleaning system that is equipped with cartridge filters containing paper or carbon or a 

combination thereof, the cartridge filters shall be fully drained in sealed filter housing for at least 24 

hours before removal.

2. All parts of the dry cleaning system where solvent may be exposed to the atmosphere or workroom 

shall be kept closed at all times except when access is required for proper operation and 

maintenance.

3. Wastewater evaporators shall be operated to ensure that no liquid solvent or visible emulsion is 

allowed to vaporize to the atmosphere.

Section 2: Additional Specification for Closed-Loop Machines

A closed-loop machine means dry cleaning equipment in which washing, extraction, and drying is 

performed within the same single unit and which re-circulates and recovers the solvent-laden vapor.

4. A closed-loop machine shall not exhaust to the atmosphere or workroom during operation except 

when the vacuum pump exhausts to maintain a continuous vacuum. 

5. For any closed-loop machine that is not equipped with a locking mechanism, the operator shall not 

open the door of a closed-loop machine prior to completion of the drying cycle. 

6. For any closed-loop machine that is equipped with a locking mechanism, the operator shall not 

inactivate the locking mechanism and open the door of a closed-loop machine prior to completion 

of the drying cycle. 

Section 3: Leak Check and Repair Requirements 

7. No less frequently than monthly, the owner or operator shall inspect the dry cleaning system for 

liquid and vapor leaks, including, but not limited to, the following: 

a. Hose connections, unions, couplings, valves, and flanges; 

b. Machine door gasket and seating of the machine cylinder; 

c. Filter head gasket and seating; 

d. Pumps; 

e. Base tanks and storage containers; 

f. Water separators; 

g. Filter sludge recovery; 

h. Seals and gaskets of distillation unit(s); 

i. Diverter valves; 
Page 12 of 14

j. Saturated lint from lint trap basket; 

k. Button trap lid; 

l. Cartridge or other types of filters; 

m. Seals, gaskets and the diverter valve of the refrigerated condenser; 

n. Exhaust stream ducts; 

o. Lint trap ducts; and, 

p. Gaskets and ducts of the carbon adsorber. 

8. To inspect for a vapor leak, the operator shall use at least one of the following techniques:

a. Soap bubble technique in accordance with the procedures in EPA Method 21, Section 4.3.3 –

Alternative Screening Procedure; or

b. A non-halogenated hydrocarbon detector; or 

c. A portable hydrocarbon analyzer or an alternative method approved by the reviewing authority. 

9. To inspect for a liquid leak, the operator shall visually inspect the equipment for liquid leaking in a 

visible mist or at the rate of more than one drop every three minutes.

10. Any liquid leak or vapor leak that has been detected by the operator shall be repaired within three 

(3) working days of detection. If repair parts are not available at the facility, the parts shall be 

ordered within two working days of detecting such a leak and the operator shall provide written 

notification to the reviewing authority that explains the reason(s) for delaying the leak repair. Such 

repair parts shall be installed within five working days after receipt. A facility with a leak that has not 

been repaired by the end of the seventh (7th) working day after detection shall not operate the dry 

cleaning equipment, until the leak is repaired. 
Page 13 of 14

Attachment C 

Emissions Calculations for Solvent Usage Limits 

Assumptions:

(1) The VOC content of all the solvents applied is assumed to be 8.34 lb/gallon (worst case 

scenario);

(2) Only natural gas, propane, and butane are used in the fuel combustion units at the affected 

facilities; and

(3) The total heat input capacity of all the fuel combustion units at the affected facilities is 10 

MMBtu/hour.

(1) Solvent Usage Limit for Ozone Attainment Areas: 5,600 gallons per year (see Table 4)

VOC Emissions from Solvent Usage

= Annual solvent consumption limit x VOC content x lbs to tons conversion

= 5,600 gallons/year x 8.34 lbs/gallon x 1 ton/2,000 lbs 

= 23.35 tpy

VOC Emissions from Combustion Units

= Maximum heat capacity of the combustion units x fuel heat content x emission factor x 

 8,760 hours/year x lbs to tons conversion

= 30 MMBtu/hour x (1 kgal/91.5 MMBtu) x 1 (lb/kgal) x 8,760 hours/year x 1 ton/2,000 lbs

= 1.44 tpy

(Note: Emission factor is for propane combustion, which is the worst case scenario among using 

NG, propane, and butane)

Total VOC Emissions from the Affected Petroleum Dry Cleaning Facility

= VOC Emissions from solvent usage + VOC emissions from combustion units

= 23.35 tpy + 1.44 tpy

= 24.79 tpy

(2) Solvent Usage Limit for Ozone Nonattainment Areas: 1,300 gallons per year (see Table 

4)

VOC Emissions from Solvent Usage

= Annual solvent consumption limit x VOC content x lbs to tons conversion

= 1,300 gallons/year x 8.34 lbs/gallon x 1 ton/2,000 lbs 

= 5.42 tpy

VOC Emissions from Combustion Units

= Max. Heat capacity of the combustion units x fuel heat input x emission factor x 

 8,760 hours/year x lbs to tons conversion

= 30 MMBtu/hour x (1 kgal/91.5 MMBtu) x 1 (lb/kgal) x 8,760 hours/year x 1 ton/2,000 lbs

= 1.44 tpy
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(Note: Emission factor is for propane combustion, which is the worst case scenario among using 

NG, propane, and butane)

Total VOC Emissions from the Affected Petroleum Dry Cleaning Facility

= VOC Emissions from solvent usage + VOC emissions from combustion units

= 5.42 tpy + 1.44 tpy

= 6.86 tpy