In my last post, I reminded everyone that we are keeping up with the EPA and their National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Major Sources: Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers and Process Heaters. Look here for the latest ruling https://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/boiler/boilerpg.html.

I was reminded of a time a few years ago when I learned of the concept of BAT (Best Available Technology). We were proposing to install a new packaged watertube boiler at a local paper mill. We were helping the owner apply for permitted emissions with the state agency responsible for enforcing the EPA mandated air quality standards.

I was trying to determine what the agency wanted in order to satisfy the BAT requirement.

I was told to propose the expected emissions and that they would let me know if they were acceptable. I then asked “We would like to know what you will accept so that we may meet your requirements”, and was told again to propose the expected emissions and that they would let me know if they were acceptable. Don’t ask me why but I let this volley persist for a couple of more times. I guess I was younger and had more energy to waste.

In hindsight I should have figured that the Best Available Technology was what it was.

I should have skipped that first step and relied on a quality manufacturer to give me some good numbers, install the equipment properly, and carefully adjust it for proper output.

The final result could only be the Best Available Technology.

Well now, the term has evolved to MACT (Maximum Achievable Control Technology).

Just remember this, It is what it is. We can help you get it.