United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Atmospheric Research and Exposure ^
Assessment Laboratory -a
Research Triangle Park NC 27711 -,
Research and Development
EPA/600/S3-89/049 July 1989
dEPA Project Summary
Quality Assurance Procedures:
Method 28 Certification and
Auditing of Wood Heaters
G. D. Rives, M. W. Hartman, R. C. Olin and T. E. Ward
The full report is a comprehensive
document intended to be used an as
aid for wood heater manufacturers
and testing laboratories in performing
particulate matter sampling of wood
heaters according to EPA protocol,
Method 28. These procedures may be
used In research and development,
and as an aid in auditing and
certification testing. A detailed, step-
by-step quality assurance guide Is
provided to aid in the procurement
and assembly of testing apparatus, to
clearly describe the procedures, and
to facilitate data collection and
reporting. Suggested data sheets are
supplied that can be used as an aid
for both recordkeeping and certi-
fication applications. Throughout the
document, activity matrices are
provided to serve as a summary
reference. Checklists are also sup-
plied that can be used by testing
personnel. Finally, for the purposes
of ensuring data quality, procedures
are outlined for apparatus operation,
maintenance, and auditing. These
procedures combined with the
detailed description of the sampling
and analysis protocol will help
ensure the accuracy and reliability of
emission testing results.
This Project Summary was devel-
oped by EPA's Atmospheric Research
and Exposure Assessment Laboratory,
Research Triangle Park, NC, to an-
nounce key findings of the research
project that is fully documented in a
separate report of the same title (see
Project Report ordering Information at
back).
Introduction
Quality Assurance Procedures: Method
28, Certification and Auditing of Wood
Heaters has been prepared as an aid for
wood heater manufacturers and testing
laboratories in performing the wood
heater operation procedures specified in
Appendix A, 40 CFR 60 (Method 28), and
in ensuring data quality and reliability.
Method 28 must be used for operation of
the wood heater when using Method 5G
for determining wood heater emissions.
Therefore the user may also refer to
Quality Assurance Procedures: Method
5G, Determination of Particulate Emiss-
ions from Wood Heaters from a Dilution
Tunnel Sampling Location.
Method Highlights
EPA Method 28 contains all the re-
quirements and describes the apparatus
and procedures for the emission certi-
fication testing of wood heaters. The
apparatus and procedures are used with
various sampling methods (e.g., Method
28A, Method 5H). Method 28 is unique in
that its purpose is to ensure consistency
in wood heater emissions rather than to
sample the emissions. For this reason, tc
get accurate and repeatable emissior
sampling data, it is extremely importan
to follow procedures described in Methoc
28 closely. Following test procedure;
closely is ultimately to the advantage o
both the wood heater manufacturer an<
the test laboratory.
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Quality Assurance Procedures
Highlights
These procedures, Quality Assurance
Procedures: Method 28, Certification and
Auditing of Wood Heaters, are to be used
as an aid in assembling the testing
apparatus, to list and describe the
required procedures, and to facilitate the
data reporting. Activity matrices are
provided at the end of the appropriate
sections. For data reporting, Section 11.0
consists of blank data sheets which can
be reproduced and used in data
collection and reporting. Examples of the
use of these sheets are given in the
manual.
Section 1.0 presents the specifications,
criteria, and design features for the
equipment and materials required to set
up and operate a wood heater according
to Method 28. This section is intended to
inform the user of the apparatus selection
options and the rationale for selecting a
particular piece of equipment. The
activity matrix given at the end of Section
1.0 can be used as a convenient checklist
for equipment procurement and initial
acceptance check procedures.
Section 2.0 provides an item-by-item,
step-by-step guide to the required cali-
bration procedures and calibration
frequencies. Some of the apparatus (e.g.,
platform scale and moisture content
meter) require calibration before each
certification test while other pieces of
apparatus require calibration semi-
annually.
An activity matrix is provided at the
end of Section 2.0 as a summary of the
calibration procedures.
Section 3.0 describes procedures that
are conducted before emission sampling
begins. These procedures include firebox
volume measurements, wood heater
installation, apparatus check and calibra-
tion, catalytic combustor and wood heater
aging, validation of secondary air
adjustments, test fuel measurements and
crib construction, measurement of the
facility conditions, and presampling burn
activities. Illustrations, examples, and an
activity checklist are provided to assist
testing personnel in performing and
documenting pretest procedures. An
activity matrix provides a summary of the
purpose, specifications, and time and
frequency of each pretest activity.
Section 4.0 lists and describes the
activities performed during the test run.
These activities include beginning the
test run, measurement of test run data at
10-minute intervals, adjustment of fuel
and air supply settings, test run comple-
tion, and recording of data. An activity
matrix is provided listing in chronological
order each activity performed during the
test run.
Illustrations and examples are provided
to assist testing personnel in performing
and documenting test run activities.
Section 5.0 describes the activities
required at the end of the certification
test run. These include: the measurement
of test facility condition parameters,
recording the wood heater surface
temperatures, and sampling train and
equipment leak checks. Recommended
procedures also include performing a
calibration check on the platform scale
and measurement of the fluid level in the
liquid seal.
Section 6.0 describes calculations
necessary for performing and reporting
Method 28 procedures. Calculations for
determining weighted paniculate emi
sion rates, dry burn rates, and f
validating secondary air adjustment a
provided. Examples are included.
Section 7.0 summarizes recommend!
tions on maintenance of equipmen
Section 8.0 describes recommende
audit procedures, including both perforrr
ance audits and system audits. A table i
provided that summarizes these proce
dures. Section 9.0 contains a copy c
Method 28 as proposed in the Feden
Register (40 CFR 60.530). Section 10.1
provides the reader with a list of thi
references used in the preparation of thi!
document. Section 11.0 provides sheet;
that can be used for calculations
recordkeeping, and data reporting. These
sheets may be removed and duplicated.
Conclusions and
Recommendations
It is concluded that these procedures
will be helpful in ensuring and
establishing the quality of the data when
sampling according to the requirements
of Method 28. This will be beneficial for
data producing activities including
research and development, and as an aid
for certification and auditing. This docu-
ment may be used in combination with
Method 28 for designing an individualized!
quality assurance program. *
Copies of the checklists and summary
activity matrices provided herein may be
supplied to testing personnel to ensure
that the described quality assurance
procedures are followed. Also, copies of
blank data sheets can aid the user in
ensuring and establishing data quality in
sampling activities.
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G. D. Rives, M. W. Hartman, and R. C. Olin are with Radian Corporation. Research
Triangle Park. NC 27711; the EPA author, T. E. Ward (also the EPA Project
Officer, see below), is with the Atmospheric Research and Exposure Assessment
Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711.
The complete report, entitled "Quality Assurance Procedures: Method 28
Certification and Auditing of Wood Heaters," (Order No. PB 89-198 2871 AS; Cost:
$21.95, subject to change) will be available only from:
National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161
Telephone: 703-487-4650
The EPA Project Officer can be contacted at:
Atmospheric Research and Exposure Assessment Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Center for Environmental Research
Information
Cincinnati OH 45268
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