Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Environmental Quality › Oil, Gas & Minerals Division › Oil and Gas Operations › Part 11 - HYDROGEN SULFIDE MANAGEMENT › Section R. 324.1122 - Vessels used for storing hydrogen sulfide-bearing liquid hydrocarbons or hydrogen sulfide-bearing brine; equipment requirements

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 1122.
(1) A
				  permittee of a well shall ensure that a vessel which is located at an H2S well
				  site or in a central production facility serving an H2S well and which is used
				  for the storage of hydrogen sulfide-bearing liquid hydrocarbons or hydrogen
				  sulfide-bearing brine is equipped with a sealing, pressure-vacuum-type hatch,
				  except that a pressure-vacuum-type hatch is not required on a storage vessel if
				  the venting of vapor to the atmosphere is permitted under subrule (4) of this
				  rule. A hatch shall be kept closed when a tank is not being gauged.
(2) If a storage vessel described in subrule
				  (1) of this rule releases a total 24-hour volume of 5 mcf or more of vapors,
				  then a permittee of a well shall ensure that the vessel is equipped with a vent
				  line for conveying released gasses and vapors to an incinerator, flare, or
				  vapor recovery system. A flashback prevention system shall be installed on the
				  line between a vessel and the incinerator or flare. If a vapor recovery system
				  is used to control tank vapor emissions, then a flare or incinerator shall be
				  available for standby or emergency use. Installing a vapor recovery system does
				  not exempt a flare or incinerator from being in compliance with the
				  requirements of R 324.1123.
(3) If
				  a storage vessel described in subrule (1) of this rule releases a total daily
				  volume of 5 mcf or more of vapors, then a permittee of a well shall install a
				  fence around the vessel equipped with a gate. A fence shall be located not less
				  than 20 feet from the base of a storage vessel. A permittee shall ensure that
				  warning signs with the word "Danger" or "Caution" followed by the words "Poison
				  Gas" are installed on all sides of the fence. If the supervisor or authorized
				  representative of the supervisor finds that a threat to the public safety
				  exists due to emissions of sulfur-bearing gas or vapor, then fencing other than
				  that specified in R 324.102(p) may be required.
(4) If a storage vessel described in subrule
				  (1) of this rule releases a total daily volume of 5 mcf or less of vapor, then
				  it may be vented to the atmosphere if the vent is located not less than 10 feet
				  above the tank top and if the opening of the vent is within the diked area or
				  not less than 20 feet above the ground if the opening of the vent is outside
				  the diked area. The supervisor may prohibit venting of vapor to the atmosphere
				  if a verified chronic nuisance odor results from the sulfur-bearing compounds
				  being vented.
(5) If the hydrogen
				  sulfide concentration at the tank thief hatch is more than 500 ppm by volume,
				  then a permittee of a well shall ensure that a tank has a latched gate at the
				  foot of the catwalk stairs. A permittee of a well shall ensure that a sign
				  reading "Self-contained Breathing Apparatus is Recommended Beyond This Point if
				  Hatches are to be Opened" is posted on the gate.
(6) The supervisor may require the use of a
				  tank gauging system that does not require the opening of the tank hatches if a
				  verified chronic nuisance odor results from tank gauging.
(7) A person or a permittee of a well shall
				  not install a tank which is used for the storage of hydrogen sulfide-bearing
				  liquid hydrocarbons or brine from an H2S well if the separator or treater
				  immediately upstream of the tank has an operating pressure of more than 250
				  psig unless an independent registered engineer certifies that the facility is
				  designed and constructed such that any release of liquids or gas to the tank
				  shall not cause a release of hydrogen sulfide to the atmosphere.