Process Unit Links

Once you have established and classified all of your process units, use the Process Link form to specify how they are linked together. Established links identify the potential emissions flow directions at your entity.

Set up a link by assigning the process unit that is first in the emission flow and one that is second. Then specify the time period during which the linkage is effective. For example, if a tank is linked to a control device, you would select the tank as the beginning link and the control device as the ending link. This link indicates that all emissions will flow from the tank to the control device from the effective date, and not the reverse. However, the tank could also be linked to another process unit at the same time. Some materials from the tank might be directed to the control device, while the remaining ones flow to a reactor. For this reason, you must also validate the types of emissions and streams that may flow between the two linked process units by specifying the process flow filter criteria. You can indicate that only product, or air, waste, or water emissions may pass between the two process units and that the stream is generated, abated, or controlled.

• A stream is generated if it originates at the beginning process unit, meaning the stream did not flow from another process unit into the beginning process unit. An example is a storage location.

• A stream is abated or controlled if the beginning process unit is a control device through which the stream is passing. Controlled streams are cleansed emission streams, meaning they are the streams that result from the cleaning effect of the control device. They exit the control device and are directed to an emission point. The abated stream is the quantity of material that is "caught" by the control device and removed from the controlled stream.  

To define process unit links

1. Click Data Entry > Process Unit Information > Process Links in the Navigation Tree.
   
   The Process Links list appears.

2. Click the New button.
   
   The Process Link form is displayed.

3. Select an Entity from the list.
   
   Tip:  The lookup tool next to the Beginning Process Unit and Ending Process Unit field can be used to select an entity/process unit combination.

4. Select a Beginning Process Unit and an Ending Process Unit from the list for each field.
   
   If the appropriate process unit is not listed, click the Ellipsis button next to the field and add it.

5. Enter an Effective Date or click the Calendar button and select one.

6. Enter numerical values that represents the corresponding hour, minutes, and seconds. Be sure to select the appropriate AM/PM designation.

7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for the Shutdown Date. When this field is left blank, the link will always be effective.

8. Identify emission flow filter information by expanding the Process Flow Filter Criteria section, if necessary, and clicking Add Process Flow Information.

9. Select an Output Type and a Stream Type from the list for each field and click OK.
   
   The filter criteria is displayed as a line item in the Process Flow Filter Criteria section. Edit existing filter criteria using the buttons adjacent to the line item.

10. Repeat steps 8 and 9 to add other process flow filter criteria.

11. Click the Save button on the form.