Updated Grain Elevator PTE Calculation Tool Includes New Reduction Credit

An updated version of a tool to facilitate the calculation of potential to emit (PTE) of regulated air pollutants from country grain elevators, grain terminal elevators, and country grain terminal elevators now includes a new reduction credit for three-sided, roofed enclosures. The tool and a user’s manual are available for free download at www.iwrc.org.

The calculation tool now allows owners and operators of grain elevators to include emissions reduction credit for the use of a three-sided, roofed enclosure structure at grain receiving stations (dump pits) in the calculation of the PTE for particulate matter with a diameter less than or equal to 10 microns, referred to as PM-10. The calculation tool had previously allowed owners and operators to only take emissions reduction credit for dump pit enclosures that vented to an air pollution control device, such as a cyclone or baghouse.

The primary purpose of the calculation tool is to assist grain elevator owners and operators with calculating their PTE. The tool’s calculations help grain elevator owners determine to which permitting rules their facility are subject.

The calculation tool was developed by the Iowa Air Emissions Assistance Program (IAEAP) of the Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC), located at the University of Northern Iowa , in partnership with the Agribusiness Association of Iowa (AAI) and the DNR. For questions related to downloading and installing the calculation tool, please contact the IAEAP at 1-800-422-3109.