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Performance Testing for Stationary Source Air Emissions — Test Planning and Reporting

The Performance Test Program maintains test plan examples to assist companies and test consultants in meeting the requirements of Minnesota rules when designing a test plan. These sample performance test plans are designed to meet the minimum requirements of Minn. R. 7017.2030. Note that your test plan is subject to the review and written approval of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). The written approval may contain clarifications or modifications to the test plan as submitted. Example Test Plan formats are available for the categories listed below:

  • Miscellaneous
  • Boilers
  • Asphalt Plants
  • Crushing and Conveying
  • Solvent Based Printing
  • Materials Conveying
  • Waste Combustors - Class IV
  • Waste Combustors - Class A, II, III, C, and D

Test Plan Examples

Note: All text in italics are suggestions and comments for the test plan writer. Its purpose is to assist in drafting a complete test plan.

Test Plan Completeness Criteria

Complete and accurate test plans are required by the MPCA to ensure that your test plan is reviewed in a timely manner. Incomplete test plans can cause delays in scheduled performance testing and could potentially effect the quality and completeness of your submitted test report.  

Use the PDF Document Test Plan Completeness Criteria form as a check list to ensure your test plan includes all required information.

Pretest Meeting

A pretest meeting gives the facility, the testing company and MPCA staff the opportunity to discuss the test plan and testing activities in order to help ensure all procedural and technical requirements of the rule are met. These meetings also assist MPCA staff in understanding the processes at the facility. Meetings can often be held over the telephone or via e-mail exchange, if a complete and accurate test plan has been submitted. To prepare for your pre-test meeting use the checklist below.

Pre-Test Meeting Checklist

For your pre-test meeting you should be prepared to discuss the following topics and/or questions.

Proposed operating rates of the emission unit(s) during the performance test

What control equipment is associated with the equipment being tested?

Why are the proposed operating rates considered to be “worse case” operating conditions?

What are the normal operating rates of the associated control equipment?

How will operating data be recorded during the test, and what are the parameters that are typically monitored?

What control equipment parameters are typically monitored?

What are the normal operating rates of the emission unit in question?

How will the control equipment be operated during the performance test?

Importance of accurately recording process rates and other parameters regularly during the testing program

Importance of accurately recording control equipment operating rates and other parameters regularly during the testing program

Importance of operating at 90% or greater than the maximum rated capacity of the emission unit

Discussion addressing any potential operating or control equipment limits resulting from performance testing

When was the unit tested last? Or is this the initial test?

What is the regular test frequency for the emission unit? Has it been established yet?

What is the purpose of the performance test? Compliance, Engineering etc.

What is the compliance history of the emission unit? (if applicable)

Are the test ports located according to EPA method 1 criteria?

What test methods are proposed/and are their any unusual circumstances?

When are the tests scheduled to take place?

Issue regarding sampling time as it relates to detection limit (where applicable)

Reporting emissions in the test report, i.e. units of measurement and comparison to emission limits

Reporting operating and process data in the test report, i.e. Units of measurement, how often to take readings etc.

Importance of test report certification and timely test report submittal

Options regarding the submittal of a test report, in addition to hard copy, on CD-ROM vs. a microfiche

Complete Test Report

Complete and accurate test reports are required by the MPCA to ensure that your test report is reviewed in a timely manner. Incomplete test reports can cause delays and can potentially be rejected if adequate information to determine compliance with emissions standards or other applicable requirements is not included.

The Performance Test Report Completeness Criteria formis a checklist that you may use to ensure that your test report includes all required information. This information can also be found in Minn. R. 7017.2035 subp. 3. The form referred to is available on the Performance Testing Forms page.

Last modified on November 16, 2009 02:00
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