Shell Chemical LP - Issuance of ATC & PTO for the Installation of Two Catalyst Impregnation Vessels (Air District App No. 31567)
Summary
SCH Number
2024030470
Public Agency
Bay Area Air Quality Management District
(BAAQMD)
Document Title
Shell Chemical LP - Issuance of ATC & PTO for the Installation of Two Catalyst Impregnation Vessels (Air District App No. 31567)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/13/2024
Document Description
This permit action is to issue an Authority to Construct for the installation of the
following new equipment:
Source 6008 Ethylene Oxide Catalyst Impregnation Vessel #1 for A-Train
Material Handling, 700 gallons, abated by pulse-jet baghouse A-616
Source 6009 Ethylene Oxide Catalyst Impregnation Vessel #2 for A-Train
Material Handling, 700 gallons, abated by pulse-jet baghouse A-616
and for Alteration of the following existing equipment:
Source 6025 A-Train Catalyst Dryer
Source 6026 A-Train Catalyst Conveyor System
Source 6027 Ethylene Oxide Catalyst Packing Station for A-Train
Sources 6008 and 6009, Ethylene Oxide Catalyst Impregnation Vessels #1 and #2 for A-Train, will replace Source 6001, an existing 500-gallon capacity Ethylene Oxide Catalyst Impregnation Vessel, located on the A-Train manufacturing line. This project will allow the A-train catalyst manufacturing line to operate continuously by alternating between the new vessels and operate more efficiently (higher uptime) since either Source 6008 or 6009 can be operated while the other is being loaded. In contrast, the current operation with just Source 6001 limits Shell to operate the A-train catalyst manufacturing line as a batch process. The Air District will lower the existing "dry materials" catalyst permitted throughput limit from 9,125 tons per year to 7,884 tons per year in permit condition 26292 for Sources 6008, 6009, 6025, 6026, and 6027 to ensure this project does not debottleneck the A-train catalyst manufacturing line and lead to an expansion of use.
Contact Information
Name
Samuel Dennis
Agency Name
Bay Area Air Quality Management District
Job Title
Air Quality Engineer
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Jeff Luengo
Agency Name
Shell Catalysts & Technologies
Job Title
PIMZ Environmental Manager
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Martinez
Counties
Contra Costa
Regions
Citywide, Countywide, San Francisco Bay Area
Cross Streets
Bridgehead Road
Zip
94553
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
(CEQA Guidelines § 15301) (CEQA Guidelines § 15302) (CEQA § 21084(a); CEQA Guidelines § 15061(b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
The project is exempt under CEQA Guidelines § 15301 because the lowered permit condition throughput limit of “dry materials” will ensure that the A-train catalyst manufacturing line’s capacity is not increased. Therefore, there is no expansion of use. The project is also exempt under CEQA Guidelines § 15302 because the new equipment will have substantially the same location, capacity, and will be used for the same purpose as the replaced unit. As required under Air District Regulation 2-1-426.1, a completed Form Appendix H has been submitted by the applicant that demonstrates that the project has no potential for causing any significant environmental impacts. Therefore, approval of the project also qualifies for the “common sense” exemption because there is clearly no possibility the project will have a significant effect on the environment.
County Clerk
Contra Costa
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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