Evaluating emissions from feed mills associated with cattle feed yards

Feed mills associated with cattle feed yards are experiencing the effects of the Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA's) of 1990 through the implementation of Title V of the act. This law requires any feed mill that qualifies as a major pollutant source (i.e. by emitting more than 90.7 tonnes (100 tons) of a regulated pollutant annually) to obtain from its state air pollution regulatory agency (SAPRA) a federal operating permit (FOP). Currently, annual emissions are determined using emission factors published in the 1988 AP-42 and 1995 interim AP-42. Due to the absence of scientifically based data, these emission factors grossly over estimate the emissions for a feed mill and could categorize a large number of these facilities as major sources of particulate matter. If a facility is determined to be a major source, then they are subject to monetary fees imposed by the CAAA for each ton of particulate matter emitted annually. One emission source common to most feed mills associated with cattle feed yards is the exhaust from the cyclone separating steam flaked grain. This paper will describe the process used to determine scientifically based emission factors for this type of cyclone used at feed mills.

Evaluating emissions from feed mills associated with cattle feed yards Conference Paper