EMISSIONS MEASUREMENT

Introduction.

An accurate quantitative analysis of the discharge of pollutants from a process must be determined prior
to the design and/or selection of control equipment. If the unit is properly engineered by utilizing the
emission data as input to the control device and the code requirements as maximum-effluent
limitations, most pollutants can be successfully controlled. Sampling is the keystone of source analysis.
Sampling methods and tools vary in their complexity according to the specific task; therefore, a degree
of both technical knowledge and common sense is needed to design a sampling function. Sampling is
done to measure quantities or concentrations of pollutants in effluent gas streams, to measure the
efficiency of a pollution-abatement device, to guide the designer of pollution-control equipment and
facilities, and/or to appraise contamination from a process or a source. A complete measurement
requires a determination of the concentration and contaminant characteristics as well as the associated
gas flow. Most statutory limitations require mass rates of emissions; both concentration and volumetric-
flow-rate data are therefore required.

The selection of a sampling site and the number of sampling points required are based on attempts to get representative samples. To
accomplish this, the sampling site should be at least eight stack or duct diameters downstream and two diameters upstream from any flow
disturbance, such as a bend, expansion, contraction, valve, fitting, or visible flame. Once the sampling location has been decided on, the flue
cross section is laid out in a number of equal areas, the center of each being the point where the measurement is to be taken. For rectangular
stacks, the cross section is divided into equal areas of the same shape, and the traverse points are located at the center of each equal area, as
shown in Fig. 22-27. The ratio of length to width of each elemental area should be selected. For circular stacks, the cross section is divided into
equal annular areas, and the traverse points are located at the centroid of each area. The location of the traverse points as a percentage of
diameter from the inside wall to the traverse point for circular-stack sampling is given in Table 22-34. The number of traverse points necessary
on each of two perpendiculars for a particular stack may be estimated from Fig. 22-28. Once these traverse points have been determined,
velocity measurements are made to determine gas flow. The stack-gas velocity is usually determined by means of a pitot tube and differential-
pressure gauge. When velocities are very low (less than 3 m/s [10 ft/s]) and when great accuracy is not required, an anemometer may be used.
For gases moving in small pipes at relatively high velocities or pressures, orifice-disk meters or venturi meters may be used. These are
valuable as continuous or permanent measuring devices. Once a flow profile has been established, sampling strategy can be considered. Since
sampling collection can be simplified and greatly reduced depending on flow characteristics, it is best to complete the flow-profile
measurement before sampling or measuring pollutant concentrations.

Sampling Methodology The following subsections review the methods specified for sampling commonly regulated pollutants as well as
sampling for more exotic volatile and semivolatile organic compounds. In all sampling procedures, the main concern is to obtain a
representative sample; the U.S. EPA has published pollutants so that uniform procedures can be applied in testing to obtain a representative
sample. Table 22-35 provides a list of some of the most commonly employed test methods. A complete listing of all EPA test methods can be
found by going online to the USEPA Technology Transfer Network Emission Measurement Center at www.epa.gov/ttn/emc/promgate.html.
These are the CFR Promulgated test methods published in the Federal Register and are the federal government’s official legal versions. The test
methods reviewed in the following subsections address measuring the emissions of the following pollutants: particulate matter, sulfur
dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, fluorides, hydrogen chloride, total gaseous organics, multiple metals, volatile organic
compounds, and semivolatile organic compounds. Each sampling method requires the use of complex sampling equipment that must be
calibrated and operated in accordance with specified reference methods. Additionally, the process or source that
is being tested must be operated in a specific manner, usually at rated capacity, under normal procedures.

Velocity and Volumetric Flow Rate The U.S. EPA has published Method 2 as a reference method for determining stack-gas velocity and
volumetric flow rate. At several designated sampling points, which represent equal portions of the stack volume (areas in the stack), the
velocity and temperature are measured with instrumentation shown in Fig. 22-29. Measurements to determine volumetric flow rate usually
require approximately 30 min. Since sampling rates depend on stack-gas velocity, a preliminary velocity check is usually made prior to testing
for pollutants to aid in selecting the proper equipment and in determining the approximate sampling rate for the test. The volumetric flow rate
determined by this method is usually
within 10 percent of the true volumetric flow rate.
Sources of Methods and Information For the person trying to obtain current information or to enter into the field of source measurements,
several particularly helpful information sources are available. The U.S. EPA methods fall in two groups—those used by EPA’s Office of Air
Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) and those used by EPA’s Office of Solid Waste (OSW). The Emission Measurement Technical
Information Center (EMTIC) at Research Triangle Park, N.C., is supported by EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. Perhaps the
most efficient of several available forms of assistance is the EMTIC Bulletin Board System (BBS). Test methods are included along with
announcements, utility programs, miscellaneous documents, and other information. The EMTIC/BBS may be reached through TTN 2000 on the
Internet at http://www.epa.gov/ttn. An EMTIC representative can be reached by telephone at 919-541-0200. EMTIC sponsors workshops and
training courses jointly with EPA’s Air Pollution Training Institute. Training videotapes, a newsletter, and other mailings are also available from
EMTIC. An excellent source for information concerning OSW’s SW-846 Methods is the Methods Information Communication Exchange (MICE).
MICE can be reached on the Internet at mice@lan828.ehsg.saic.com. A telephone call to the MICE line, at 703-821-4690, will put the
information seeker in touch with an automated information service or with a live representative. Although the function of MICE is to provide
information, they will usually send copies of up to three methods. They will not provide copies of the entire SW-846 Methods Manual. The SW-
846 Methods Manual may be obtained on CD-ROM or hard copy from National Technical Information Service (NTIS). The NTIS order number for
the CD-ROM which includes the third edition and updates 1–3 is PB97-501928INQ. NTIS has a web site at http://www.ntis.gov and may also be
reached by telephone at 703-487-4650. SW-846 may also be obtained from the Government Printing Office (GPO). Ordering information
for GPO is Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods, SW-846 Manual, 3d ed., Document No.
955-001-000001. Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., November 1986.The full
document is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, telephone 202-783-3238. GPO also has a web site at http://www.
access.gpo.gov.
For more information or copies of the California Environmental Protection
Agency, Air Resources Board Methods (a.k.a. CARB Methods),
contact http://www.arb.ca.gov/testmeth/testmeth.htm or telephone the
Engineering and Laboratory Branch at 916-263-1630.
EPA reports may be ordered from NTIS at the web site or telephone
number given above.