United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Industrial Environmental Research
Laboratory
Research Triangle Park NC 27711
Research and Development
EPA-600/S9-82-005d July 1983
Project Summary
Third Symposium on the
Transfer and Utilization of
Particulate Control Technology:
Volume IV. Atypical Applications
F. P. Venditti, J. A. Armstrong, and M. Durham
Summarized herein is Volume IV of
the four volumes of proceedings of the
Third Symposium on the Transfer and
Utilization of Particulate Contol
Technology held in Orlando, FL, March
9-12, 1981. Volume IV papers discuss
a wide variety of applications of
particulate control devices and
techniques: dry scrubbers, cyclones,
electrostatic precipitators (ESPs), and
Venturis for collecting particulates
under high pressure and high
temperature; fugitive emissions; and
opacity modeling, plume sampling, and
flyash light absorption.
Volumes I, II, and III are described in
three separate project summaries.
This Project Summary was developed
by EPA's Industrial Environmental
Research Laboratory, Research
Triangle Park, NC, to announce 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
The papers in these four volumes of
proceedings were presented at the Third
Symposium on the Transfer and Utiliza-
tion of Particulate Control Technology in
Orlando, FL, March 9-12, 1981,
sponsored by the Particulate Technology
Branch of EPA's Industrial Environmental
Research Laboratory at Research Tri-
angle Park, NC.
The symposium brought together
researchers, manufacturers, users,
government agencies, educators, and
students to discuss new technology and
provided an effective means for the
transfer of this technology out of the
laboratories and into the hands of the
users.
The three major categories of control
technologies ~ electrostatic precipitators
(ESPs), scrubbers, and fabric filters -- were
the major concern of the symposium.
These technologies were discussed from
the perspectives of economics, new
technical advancements in science and
engineering, and applications. Several
papers dealt with combinations of
devices and technologies, leading to a
concept of using a systems approach to
particulate control, rather than device
control. Additional topic areas included
novel control devices, high-
temperature/high pressure applications,
fugitive emissions, and measurement
techniques.
The symposium was conducted as a
series of parallel sessions, each
containing four to six related papers. The
sessions were scheduled to avoid conflict
due to simultaneous sessions dealing
with the same topic. Each series of
related sessions represented a thread of
technology. These parallel threads,
extending over the total period of the
symposium, provided a highly integrated
approach to the total subject of
particulate control technology, with
strands of specialized technologies.
These strands of specialized technologies,
or perspectives, provided the basis for the
division of the papers into four volumes,
each volume containing a set of related
session topics so as to provide easy
access to a unified technology area.
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Volume IV Papers
Volume IV, summarized here, consists
of papers grouped in the categories of
advanced energy applications, fugitive
emissions, opacity studies, measure-
ments, and emissions from mobile
sources. The combining of the papers
under the heading "Advanced Energy
Applications" provides, to persons
dealing with new energy concepts, a
localized collection of particulate control
topics imbedded in the jargon of the
energy research community, thereby
enabling them to associate particulate
control with the other more familiar
technology of energy extraction. With the
background obtained from a review of
these papers, the energy-oriented
technologist will then find it possible to
delve into the more specialized sections
of the other volumes. The application of
particulate control devices to high-
pressure, high-temperature combustion
systems comprised the majority of these
papers. Among the devices described for
hot gas cleanup were ESPs, granular-bed
filters, and cyclones. The energy
technologies encompassed in these
presentations were magnetohydrody-
namics, fluidized-bed combustion, oil
shale incinerators, solvent refinement of
coal, and advanced gas/solids separators
for coal conversion. The technology of
control of fugitive emissions covered the
use of techniques and processes as well
as technological discrete devices. Studies
on the use of windscreens as well as
charged-fog and spray charging were
presented. Sampling and measurement
techniques unique to fugitive emission
applications were also presented. The
subject of opacity as a special segment of
technology was well-covered in this
volume by a small collection of papers. An
overview of opacity dealt with the rela-
tionship of flyash-light-absorption to
opacity. Other work treated the sampling
and measurement of plumes and the
modeling of smoke plume opacity. The
topic "Measurements" covered a large
portion of Volume IV with papers devoted
to analysis of sulfuric acid, development
of sampling trains, and design and use of
real-time mass monitors. Much of the
measurements material was related to
inhalable particulates. Finally, Volume IV
contains several papers on particulate
removal from exhausts generated by
mobile energy sources. These papers
were all dedicated to the diesel exhaust
problem and dealt with mechanical
removal as well as electrostatic and
electrostatically augmented removal
techniques.
Section A — Advanced Energy
Applications
High Temperature Particle
Collection with A.P. J. EPxPDry
Scrubber
S. Yung, Air Pollution Technology
The A.P.T. EPxP Dry Scrubber is a novel
device for controlling fine particle
emissions at high temperatures and
pressures. It uses relatively large
particles as collection centers for the fine
particles in the gas stream. Fine particles
and collector granules are contacted in a
venturi-type contactor, and fine particles
are collected by the granules through the
mechanisms of inertia! impaction,
diffusion, and electrostatic deposition.
For maximum efficiency, the particles are
precharged and the collectors are
polarized.
Bench scale (0.5 AmVmin) and pilot
scale (4.8 AmVmin) experiments have
been run at temperatures from 20°C to
820°C to determine the performance
characteristics of the system. This paper
presents the system design and
experimental results for the bench and
pilot scale tests.
Particle Collection in Cyclones
at High Temperature and
High Pressure
R. Parker, Ft. Jain, S. Calvert, Air Pollution
Technology
This paper presents the results of an
experimental study of cyclone efficiency
and pressure drop at temperatures up to
700°C and pressures up to 25 atm. The
cyclone efficiency was found to
decrease at high temperature and
increase at high pressure for a constant
inlet velocity.
Available theoretical models could not
predict the observed effects of high
temperature and pressure on collection
efficiency. Pressure drop models predict
the effects of temperature and pressure
fairly well.
Collection efficiency data correlated
well against Reynolds Number and the
square root of Stokes' Number. This
correlation accurately accounted for the
effects of both temperature and pressure.
These data are for a 2-in. diameter
cyclone at relatively low velocities (less
than 5 m/s). Data for a 6-in. cyclone
similar configuration and operating
635°C, 700 kPa, and 36 m/s also agrei
well with this correlation.
Operating Results of Electro-
static Precipitators at High
Temperature and High Pressure
P. L Feldman, Research Cottrell
ESP under extreme conditions (
temperature and pressure has bee
under investigation for over 50 year
This paper presents the results of fiv
pilot systems with combined operatin
experience to 1700°F and 850 psii
These five pilot ESPs provide a stron
data base for sizing, design and operatic
of a high temperature, high pressure ESI
Development questions remair
however, in design of the system, i
selection of materials, and in the actu
application to pressurized fluidized-be
combustors.
Control of Particulates in
Process Area 12, Solvent
Refined Coal Process
W. Wilks. P. D. Wilkinson, Catalytic, In
The Solvent Refined Coal (SRI
Process is a major undertaking in tr
DOE Synthetic Fuel Progran
International Coal Refining Co. (ICRC),
partnership of Air Products an
Chemicals and Wheelabrator-Frye,
now in the design stage of a 6000 t/
demonstration plant. In many facets '
the process, 100% definitive solutior
are not readily available, which is part <
the reason for the relatively la re
demonstration plant. The environment
problems, on the other hand, were solve
with established control philosophies ar
procedures.
Catalytic, Inc. is responsible for th
design, engineering, and specii
equipment procurement in one proce:
area. This paper describes th
environmental effort of Catalytic, Inc. i
solving the particulate problems in th;
area. The contents include the identific;
tion of the emission points, the definitic
of the problem areas, the application i
basic control principles, and th
equipment selection and design based c
accepted and proven approaches.
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Non-plugging Retaining
Structure for Granular Bed
Filter for HTHP Application
A. M. Presser, E.F.B.
Electrically augmented granular
bed filters, modeled after commercial
Electrified Filter Bed (EFB) technology,
are being considered as HTHP paniculate
control devices. High efficiency filtration
in a moving granular bed is achieved
through the combined action of inertia!
impaction and electrical image forces.
Plugging of granule-retaining structures
by buildups of sticky dust, a fundamental
problem encountered in HTHP gas
cleanup, is prevented by large inlet
louvers backed by a shallow "fast face"
region. In this region, granules are moved
at a significantly faster rate than in the
remainder of the bed, sweeping away
dust accumulations.
A 100-hour test of an EFB collecting
Burgess No. 10 pigment dispersed in 0.38
NmVsec (800 scfm) of room-
temperature air at concentrations up to 5
g/Nm3 showed no filter plugging. Dust
buildups on superfluous metal
structures, which might lead to problems
in longer tests, were eliminated in
another set of similar tests.
Particulate Emissions Control
from a Coal-Fired Open-Cycle
Magnetohydrodynamics/Steam
Power Plant
H. H. Wang. University of Tennessee
A coal-fired open-cycle magnetohydro-
dynamic (MHO) power plant will generate
participates that differ significantly from
those produced in conventional coal
combustion. Potassium is added to the
extremely hot combustion gases (approx.
2727°C) to increase gas conductivity and
to capture the sulfur as potassium
sulfate. This material, along with coal ash
constituents that have been melted
and/or vaporized and recondensed, form
the particulates that must be collected.
The size distribution of these particles,
along with chemical composition and
dust loading, must be experimentally
verified. A test facility designed to fire 0.9
kg/s of coal is under construction at the
University of Tennessee's Space Institute
near Tullahoma, TN. In order to specify
and design the most appropriate panicu-
late collection device for the Coal-Fired
Flow Facility, available information has
been reviewed concerning MHD
particulates and high efficiency collection
devices. ESPs, fabric filters, and high
energy venturi scrubbers, with and
without agglomerating pretreatment,
were considered.
Real Time Coarse Particle Mass
Measurement in a High Temper-
ature and Pressure CoalGasifier
Process Treatment
J. Wegrzyn, Brookhaven National
Laboratory
A sampling system, using a probe
appropriate for direct extractive sampling
of erosive range particulate matter from a
coal gasifier outlet, has been designed,
constructed, and calibrated at
Brookhaven National Laboratory. The
sampling train is scheduled to be tested at
Morgantown Energy Technology
Center's 42-in. bed coal gasifier. This
system consists of four modules: 1) a null
balance extractive probe with porous
lined tubing, 2) a stem-type virtual
impactor separator, 3) a filter tape
collector, and 4) a Beta-attenuation total
mass detector. The key design feature of
this system is the stem-type virtual
impactor, which separates (at the
ambient gas-stream conditions) the
coarse particles from the sampling
stream, so that upon filtration, no
condensible vapors or any fine particles
ever pass through the filter tape. The
system can provide coarse particle mass
flux data with a time resolution of 30
seconds or better.
The Design, Engineering, and
Start-up of a Venturi Scrubber
System on an Oil Shale Off-Gas
Incinerator
P. A. Czuchra. FMC Corp.
This paper describes the design, engi-
neering, and start-up of a venturi
scrubber removing.particulate matter and
S02 from an oil shale retort off-gas incin-
erator. Since oil shale recovery is a new
technology, little data exist as to what
conditions are to be expected going to the
scrubber. Therefore, certain assumptions
concerning the design conditions had to
be made. The assumptions made to
develop the design criteria for the
scrubber system are discussed, along
with the preliminary results concerning
the accuracy of these assumptions.
Fluidized-Bed Combustion Hot
Flue Gas Cleanup Perspective
on Cyclones and Other Devices
R. Henry, Argonne National Laboratory
Pressurized fluidized-bed combustion
combined cycle generation of electricity
promises appreciably higher efficiencies
and less impact upon the environment
than conventional boilers with flue gas
desulfurization. Implementation of the
combined cycle requires that flue gas to
be expanded in the gas turbine be cleaned
of particulates to tolerable levels. This
cleanup problem is currently the focus of
research and development into several
types of advanced second-generation
hardware; to date, the best performance
has been obtained with the more
conventional type cyclones. These
performance data have been compared to
theory, and predictions for performance
for several cyclones in series show that
required turbine tolerance levels should
be attainable with reasonably sized
equipment. Hot gas cleanup downstream
from the turbine might still be required
with some coal/sorbent combinations to
comply with EPA's NSPS, but further
development and demonstration of
conventional cyclones appears justified,
and, in fact is planned by several indus-
trial developers.
Pressurized and Non-Pressurized
Acoustic Agglomerators for
Hot-Gas Cleanup Applications
K. H. Chou. State University of NY
at Buffalo
The application of an acoustic agglom-
erator (AA) as a dust particle precondi-
tioner has been recently investigated in
our laboratory. Several experiments have
been conducted with the following AA
parameter values: AA tube diameter, 1 to
18 in.; flow rate, up to 200 scfm;
pressure, 1 to 7 atm; temperature, room
to 500°C; sound pressure level, up to 170
db; sound frequency, 0.4 to 20 kHz; and
acoustic generator types, siren, whistles,
and EM speakers.
The major advances are: 1) AA works
effectively when acoustic-induced
turbulence is initiated at about 160 db
(this threshold value is experimentally
determined and is shown to be
independent of the tube size); 2) the
acoustic turbulent agglomeration rate is
relatively independent of the sonic
frequency (to avoid the mechanical
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vibration and the intensive sonic
attenuation loss along the AA tube, the
optimum frequency is in the range of 0.8
to 1.2 kHz); and 3) the immediate
application of AA technology is limited by
the lack of experience in large-scale
sound generator design and operation
(our preliminary results show that large
air-jet choppers driven by dusty air and
pneumatically controlled oscillation
metallic-diaphragm generators are two
possibilities with the least R&D cost).
Alkalis and Their Contributions
to Corona Current at High
Temperature and High Pressure
R. W. L. Snaddon, General Electric Co.
Corona is being investigated as a
means of providing the charging neces-
sary for the electrostatic augmentation of
particle removal from high temperature,
high pressure (HTP) gas streams. In
applications such as coal fired combined
cycle power generation, the HTP gases
resulting from the combustion of fossil
fuels usually contain alkali in the vapor
phase. Because of the low ionization
energies associated with alkalis, it has
been feared that the presence of these
species in concentrations as low as a few
parts per million might give rise to
prohibitively large currents. This paper
describes an experimental investigation
of the effects of injecting alkali salt into a
HTP gas stream. The results are
discussed in the light of the chemical
equilibria governing the concentration of
species in these systems.
Hot Gas Cleanup in Pressurized
Fluidized-Bed Combustion
L N. Rubow, Gilbert Associates
Pressurized Fluidized-Bed Combustion
(PFBC) for electric power generation
provides a direct combustion process for
coal and low-grade fuels with the
potential for improved thermal
conversion efficiency, reduced costs, and
acceptable environmental impacts. For
the successful operation of combined
cycle PFBC power plants, the gas cleanup
system must be able to reduce the
paniculate loading and, possibly, alkali
metal concentrations, in the combustion
off-gas to levels compatible with gas
turbines and environmental standards.
With the rapid development of PFB
combustors, hot gas cleanup threatens to
become a bottleneck in the development
of a combined cycle power generation
system.
This paper summarizes the status of
hot gas cleanup development for PFBC,
including approaches taken for hot gas
cleanup, an outline of present
development programs, and a review of
other special problems associated with
HTP gas cleanup. Special attention is
given to recent PFBC cyclone tests in
series, with encouraging results.
Projections of performance for
commercial-sized equipment and the
effect of cleanup system requirements on
the PFBC cycle have also been analyzed.
Venturi Scrubbing for Control of
Particulate Emissions from Oil
Shale Retorting
G. M. Rinaldi, Monsanto Research Corp.
During September 1980, a mobile
pilot-scale venturi scrubber, owned by
EPA and operated by Monsanto Research
Corp., was tested for control of particulate
emissions from Laramie Energy
Technology Center's 150-ton simulated
in-situ oil shale retort. The retort off-gas
flow of 500 acfm, discharged from a heat
exchanger at a temperature of 140°F and
saturated with water, was scrubbed at
liquid-to-gas ratios of 10to 20gpm/1000
acfm. Sampling and analysis of the
scrubber inlet and outlet gases were
conducted to determine particulate
control efficiency. In addition, sulfur
compounds (S02, H2S, COS), nitrogen
compounds (NOx, NH3, HCN), hydrocar-
bons, CO, and trace elements were
measured to assess the effects of water
scrubbing on these species and to provide
further characterization of oil shale
retorting emissions.
Overview of the Department of
Energy's Pressurized Fluidized-
Bed (PFB) Combustor Cleanup
Technology Program
W. Moore, U.S. Department of Energy
An overview of DOE Fossil Energy's
HTP cleanup program for meeting PFB
combined cycled requirements is
presented. Overall scope, objectives, and
schedules are reviewed for individual
projects. This program is structured to
accommodate both new approaches and
those concepts at the subpilot scale
level. Program focus is on innovative
particulate and alkali removal concep
including, at the laboratory sea
magnetic and electrostatic granular b
filtration, acoustic agglomeration, c
plate scrubbing, and ceramic membra
filtration. The subpilot concepts incluc
an electrocyclone, a ceramic felt bag,
ESP, and a fixed granular bed filter. T
laboratory scale projects provide possil
backup approaches for the near-tei
subpilot concepts that are scheduled I
testing in the 1982-1983 time frame
the government-furnished facility
Curtiss Wright Corporation (CWi
Woodridge, NJ. Following these subpi
tests, a pilot scale cleanup system will
selected for integration/test with the
MW electrical pilot plant presently unc
construction at CWC.
The Cyclocentrifuge — An
Advanced Gas/Solids Separat
for Coal Conversion Processe
P. R. Albrecht, Mechanical Technology Ir
Various coal conversion processes 1
the emerging U.S. energy program ha
focused renewed attention on the need
develop efficient gas cleanup systerr
The Cyclocentrifuge is one approai
being funded by the Department
Energy to remove particulate matter fro
coal-derived fuel gas for use in combini
cycle power generation. The Cyclocent
fuge is an inertia! separation devic
using a bladed centrifuge rotor to create
high centrifugal force on the particula
within a cyclone shell. Laboratc
development testing of a 1000 acfm ui
at near ambient conditions is describe
Tests results include velocity profit
within the unit and particulate separatii
efficiency measurements. The design o
high temperature unit is briefly di
cussed, and plans to test this unit usii
1000°F, 250 psi synthesis gas from a cc
gasifier are outlined.
Section B — Fugitive Emissior
Demonstration of the Use of
Charged Fog in Controlling
Fugitive Dust from Large-Sea
Industrial Sources
E. T. Brookman, TRC-Environmental
Consultants, Inc.
A unique method for the control of pi
ticulate emissions works on the princi|
4
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that most industrial pollutants acquire an
electrostatic charge as they are dispersed
into the air. Exposing this charged
airborne material to an oppositely
charged water fog enhances contact
between the particulates and the fog
droplets, resulting in rapid agglomeration
and particle fallout. A device that
generates charged fog has now been
substantially developed and is being
offered commercially by the Ritten Corp.
TRC-Environmental Consultants, Inc.
has been contracted by EPA/IERL-RTP to
test the Ritten Corp.'s Fogger IV on
several large-scale fugitive dust sources.
This paper presents preliminary test
results in terms of percent reduction in
both TSP and the inhalable fraction of
TSP, and visibility improvement. The
changes in fogger effectiveness due to
variations in operational parameters are
also discussed.
The Control of Fugitive
Emissions Using Windscreens
D. H. Carries, TRC-Environmental
Consultants, Inc.
Studies have been completed which
demonstrate that wind screens can effec-
tively reduce fugitive emissions from
industrial sources. The equations
developed by Raine and Stevenson,
which describe wind velocity reduction in
the vicinity of a wind screen, were
compared to results from field tests
conducted by TRC on a commercially
available screen. These results verify that
wind screens significantly reduce
incident winds and, therefore, present a
viable solution to fugitive emissions
problems. Some commercially available
wind screens are reviewed in this paper
and their respective costs are presented.
A hypothetical test case demonstrates
the theoretical effectiveness of a wind
screen to reduce emissions. The source
for the test case is an active coal pile
where sediment transport results from a
combination of winds and activity on the
pile.
The Influence of Aggregate Pile
Shape and Orientation on
Paniculate Fugitive Emissions
D. J. Martin, TRC-Environmental
Consultants, Inc.
While it has long been recognized that
pile shape and orientation have some
influence on the amount of paniculate
matter emitted, quantitative data have
been lacking. This is due primarily to the
inherent difficulties of any field program
which would attempt to establish such a
relationship. To correct this lack, studies
were conducted in a wind tunnel to
determine quantitatively how pile shape
influences emissions. It was found that
the slope of the pile played an important
part with respect to the acceleration of
the wind up the front of the pile. Also, it
was shown that emissions from the top of
the pile depended on the orientation of
the pile with respect to the wind. The
implications of this study are that fugitive
emissions from a pile can be reduced
significantly simply by changing its shape
slightly and reorienting it with respect to
the wind. Estimates of the potential
reduction are given.
Also, it is shown that use of water
sprays, chemical stabilizers, and wind
screens can be made more cost-effective
by selectively applying them to the high
emission areas of the piles.
Spray Charging and Trapping
Scrubber for Fugitive Particle
Emission Control
S. Yung, Air Pollution Technology, Inc.
The Spray Charging and Trapping
(SCAT) scrubber system uses air curtains
and push jets to contain, divert, and
convey the fugitive emissions into a
charged spray scrubber.
Experiments were performed on an
8,000 cfm bench-scale scrubber to verify
the theory and to demonstrate the
feasibility of collecting fugitive particles
with charged sprays. The effects of
charge levels, nozzle type, drop size, gas
velocity, and liquid-to-gas ratio were
determined experimentally. The experi-
mental data and theoretical predictions
are presented in this paper.
A prototype SCAT system was built and
tested in crosswind conditions and on a
hot, buoyant smoke plume. Theoretical
predictions and experimental data are
presented.
Improved Street Sweeper for
Controlling Urban Inhalable
Particulate Matter
S. Calvert, Air Pollution Technology, Inc.
Dust emissions from paved roads are a
major source of urban inhalable
paniculate matter. A.P.T. is conducting
an experimental program to develop
design modifications which can be used
to improve the ability of municipal street
sweepers to remove inhalable dust
particles from the street.
A commercial regenerative air sweeper
has been purchased and modified. Major
modifications include a charged spray
scrubber for fine particle collection and a
gutter broom hood to help contain
redispersed dust particles. Design
information and preliminary test data are
presented.
A Wind Tunnel for Dust
Entrainment Studies
E. J. Shaughnessy, Duke University
Wind-blown dust from open sources
constitutes a major portion of the ambient
particulate matter; e.g., waste dumps and
raw-material storage piles are significant
sources of fugitive emissions of
potentially toxic substances. A wind
tunnel has been fabricated at EPA's IERL-
RTP. This tunnel is used to assess
potential emissions from different dust
types and source configurations, and to
evaluate control techniques to reduce
these emissions.
The aerodynamics of the tunnel are
designed to study the effects of velocity
profiles and turbulence on dust
entrainment. A sampling protocol was
developed to measure emission rates
from several model sources. The paper
describes the aerodynamics of the
tunnel, the experimental procedures, and
experimental data on emission rates with
and without control options.
Techniques and Equipment for
Measuring Inhalable Paniculate
Fugitive Emissions
H. J. Kolnsberg, TRC-Environmental
Consultants, Inc.
EPA has initiated an extensive program
to measure IP emissions from industrial
sources to obtain data for the
development of IP emission factors.
About half of the effort has been reserved
for fugitive emissions measurements at a
variety of industrial sites.
To respond to the special demands of
sampling in the limited IP size range, the
recognized sampling methods have been
modified or restricted and a number of
specialized sampling devices have been
developed. It is expected that the modified
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methods and special devices used and
the results achieved in their initial appli-
cations will provide the bases for future
standard sampling procedures once an IP
standard has been adopted.
Balloon Sampling to Character-
ize Panicle Emissions from
Fugitive Sources
J. A. Armstrong, Denver Research
Institute
A tethered-balloon sampling system
has been successfully used to investigate
the vertical extent of fugitive dust
emissions from various operations at a
surface coal mine. Three lightweight,
wind-directional particle samplers were
flown simultaneously at different heights
by a single balloon positioned at selected
distances downwind from the mine
operations.
A program to extend this sampling
method has been started. A series of
balloon systems equipped with IP
samplers capable of sequential filtration
will be used to characterize fugitive
emissions from point, line, and area
sources. The multiple balloon sampling
technique will be coupled with the
exposure profiling method to determine
source emission factors. In addition, the
balloon network will also allow the
downwind transport of fugitive emissions
to be accurately characterized.
Results of the initial surface coal mine
study, as well as the status of the current
program, are presented.
An Electrostatically Charged
Fog Generator for the Control of
Inhalable Particles
C. V. Mathai, AeroVironment, Inc.
Practical and efficient methods for the
control of fugitive dust in the inhalable
size range are currently of great
importance to environmental
researchers. A new modified prototype of
an electrostatically augmented spray
nozzle (fogger) has been developed and
was field-tested recently.
This paper presents details of the
significant modifications to the fogger to
enhance the efficiency of fugitive dust
control using charged water fog. The new
method of charging the water droplets
provides a charge-to-mass ratio of the
water droplets in the range to yield
maximal capture efficiency. Results from
the field tests of the fogger to evaluate its
potential to control fugitive dust particles
from non-traditional sources under
various ambient conditions are
presented.
Relative Effectiveness of
Chemical Additives and Wind
Screens for Fugitive Dust
Control
D. C. Drehmel. U.S.E.P.A.
A wind tunnel was designed and built
to test the factors affecting
reentrainment of dust. Initial tests
determined the effects of dust type,
particle size, moisture content, and
velocity distribution. With the basic
parameters defined, a series of chemical
additives were tested. These chemicals
were mixed with water and applied to the
top surface of the test dust. Chemical
coatings thus formed shifted the curve
relating emissions to wind speed by
increasing the threshold for
reentrainment. Curves for coal dusts
were steeper, indicating that failure of
the coating occurred generally, once
some small failure occurred locally.
Particle Impact Comparison
Between Controlled Stack
Emissions for a 2000 MW
Electrical Generating Station
H. E. Hesketh, Southern Illinois
University
The impact on air quality is evaluated in
regard to EPA's National Ambient Air
Quality Standards and PSD increments
for a coal burning 2000 MW electrical
generating station. This hypothetical
western station is in mountainous terrain
with elevations of up to 6000 ft within 20-
30 mi. The comparison is based on the
use of NSPS control for the boilers and
BACT control for the fugitive emissions.
The "Valley" model is used for this impact
evaluation.
The combustion emissions are
estimated, using a run of mine coal and
cleaned coal at two different stack
heights. The flue gas emission control
system consists of a cold-side ESP
followed by a flue gas scrubber. Fugitive
emissions include estimates of controlled
emissions from coal piles, conveyors,
stackers, and dumpers. The importance
of fugitive emission control relative to
stack emissions in meeting PSD and air
quality requirements is shown.
Operating Experience and the
Techniques in the Control of
Coal Dust Emissions from Large
Storage Pile at Nanticoke TGS
N. Krishnamurthy, Ontario Hydro Corp.
The large coal storage and handling
operation at Nanticoke Thermal
Generating Station has caused signifi-
cant coal dust control problems,
Investigations were made to identify the
principal sources of airborne coal dust
The dust emission rates and particle size
distribution from different sources were
measured, and dispersion was
calculated.
The impact of these emissions on the
area surrounding the station was
estimated. Physical model studies were
carried out in an open channel watei
flume to determine the optimum shape o
the coal pile and derive optimurr
techniques in operation. Several coa
dust control agents to reduce the dust^
character of the coal were tested anc
evaluated. The application of thes(
results to the Nanticoke TGS coal-pile
management and experience is
discussed.
Section C — Opacity
Modeling Smoke Plume Opacit]
from Paniculate Control
Equipment
D. S. Ensor, Research Triangle Institute
The ability to predict plumi
opacity expected for control by contrc
equipment, such as baghouses, ESPs
and scrubbers, is important in meeting ai
pollution regulations. A number c
different kinds of models have bee
written for programmable calculators
personal microcomputers, and large
scale computers. This paper describe
the uses of these models, parametri
studies conducted with the program;
and model verification.
Tethered Balloon Plume
Sampling of a Portland
Cement Plant
J. A. Armstrong, Denver Research
Institute
A remote-controlled tethered-balloc
sampling system was used to collei
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aerosols from a portland cement plant
which had a persistent plume opacity
problem. The persistent plume was
always associated with the prior
formation of a water condensate plume
which, at times, would be detached from
the stacks of the plant's ESP. When the
ambient air temperature was high
enough so that the water condensate
plume did not form,clearstackconditions
existed.
Aerosol samples were collected from
both persistent and clear plumes. The
plume sampling was conducted
concurrently with in-stack gas sampling
performed by the Gaseous Emissions
Research Section of EPA's ESRL. The
plume samples were analyzed by
scanning and transmission electron
microscopy to determine the
concentration and composition of the
collected aerosols. The field program is
discussed, as well as analytical results
and hypotheses of the persistent plume
formation.
The Relationship of Fly ash Light
Absorption to Smoke Plume
Opacity
S. J. Cowen, Meteorology Research, Inc.
The contribution of flyash light absorp-
tion to smoke plume opacity for coal-fired
boilers is estimated in this work by two
methods: 1) the optical absorptive
properties can be directly measured by
using the Integrating Plate Method (IPM),
or 2) it can be estimated by measuring the
carbon soot content of the flyash. The
optical properties are then input into the
smoke plume opacity model to determine
their relative contribution. The
measurement of the optical properties of
flyash may also be useful for comparison
with ambient aerosols to identify the
relative contribution of primary
particulates to downwind visibility. The
IPM technique compares the light
absorption through a clean Nuclepore
'ilter to one with a single layer of aerosol
by integrating the scattered light with an
opal glass, so' only absorption is
measured. The light absorption is a
strong function of particle size, so careful
sizing is required for accurate
measurement. The absorption data are
more easily interpreted if the ash sample
contains only submicron particles.
Section D — Measurements
A Special Method for the
Analysis of Sulfuric Acid Mists
P. Urone, University of Florida
A number of organic dye precursors
were investigated for their use as specific
reagents for the detection and
measurement of sulfuric acid mists in air.
The underlying principle of the method
was to have the sulfuric acid react with
the organic dye to form a sulfonated
product which would produce a specific
color that could not be caused by other
acids or pollutants in air.
At least five organic dyes were found to
react with sulfuric acid to form a uniquely
colored sulfonation product. In all casea
reversal of the reaction was a recurring
and serious problem. It was found that
slight heating of the precursor-coated
glass fiber filter with the collected
sulfuric acid aerosol would fix the
sulfonated product and make possible the
detection and estimation of the sulfuric
acid aerosol. Basic theory is discussed,
and methodology, sensitivity, and
reproducibility are shown.
A Microcomputer-Based
Cascade-lmpactor Data-
Reduction System
M. Durham. Denver Research Institute
This cascade-impactor data-reduction
system incorporates the Radio Shack
TRS-80 computer. To provide the
computational facilities required to
reduce raw impactor data to a particle-
size distribution, the 50% cut-points for
each stage are calculated ; then the
cumulative mass distribution is deter-
mined. A linear regression analysis is
then applied to this distribution in log
probability space to determine the log
normal distribution parameters. A spline
fit routine is used to mathematically
describe the cumulative distribution and
to generate the first derivative curve, or
the Delta Mass/Delta Log Dp curve. A
mathematical function is used to extrap-
olate the data to the maximum particle
diameter to determine the amount of
mass below the inhalable particulate
matter (IP) 15 yum cut. Additional
programs provide the capability to
statistically combine similar runs and to
calculate the efficiency of a control device
as a function of particle size.
Development of a Sampling
Train for Stack Measurement
of Inhalable Particulate
A. D. Williamson, Southern Research
Institute
A new system consisting of two
cyclones operated in situ, followed by a
diluter operated outside the process
stream, has been developed to measure
the emission of inhalable particles from
stationary pollution sources. Collection
efficiency of 50% for 15 /urn particles was
achieved in the initial cyclone at flow
rates of 11, 20, and 23 l/min, respectively,
at temperatures of 23, 93, and 150°C. At
each condition the collection efficiency of
the second cyclone was found to be 50%
for the particles of 2.5 ±0.6(jm diameter.
From the second cyclone, the fine
particles pass through a heated probe
into the dilution device. The temperature
and relative humidity of the dilution air
are adjustable, and dilution ratios from
10:1 to 40:1 are possible, with standard
operation at a dilution of 25:1. Provision
is made to sample the resulting "plume"
in the diluter with absolute filters,
cascade impactors, electrical aerosol
analyzers, optical particle counters, or
diffusion batteries.
Inhalable Particulate Matter
Sampling Program for Iron and
Steel: An Overview Progress
Report
R. McCrillis, U.S. EPA
EPA's Office of Research and Develop-
ment has entered into a major program to
develop IP emission factors. The
Metallurgical Processes Branch of EPA's
IERL-RTP is responsible for the iron and
steel industry segment of this program.
To date, implementation has proceeded
along two major lines of action: 1) the
classical route from literature review
through prioritization of sources,
identification of sources for which
existing data is adequate, selection of
plants, testing, and reporting results; and
2) meshing the IP requirements with that
of other EPA sampling programs, thus
reducing overall cost to EPA and
minimizing inconvenience to the host
plants.
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Development of IP
Emission Factors
D. L Harmon, U.S. EPA
In response to the Clean Air Act
Amendments of 1977, EPA is considering
an IP ambient air standard. Emission
factors for inhalable particles are
required for implementation of the
standard. Steps have been taken to
develop IP sampling techniques,
extrapolate existing data on particulate
characteristics to the IP size range, and
select sampling strategies for major
sources, based on national and regional
impact within budgetary constraints.
Three year contracts were awarded to
three contractors in September 1979, to
conduct plant surveys and source
characteristics for IPs. A list of major
sources has been developed and testing
is underway.
Inhalable Particulate Emission
Factor Program Purpose
and Development
F. M. Noon an. U.S. EPA
EPA is reviewing the technical criteria
and data bases to determine whether the
establishment of a particle size based
National Ambient Air Quality Standard
for IP is warranted. The Clean Air Act
would require states to develop and
submit revisions to their state
Implementation Plans. The revisions
would necessitate the collection and use
of information from existing and future
sources. Thus, a need exists to initiate
development of an emission factor data
base.
The basis and objectives of the IP pro-
gram to obtain emission factors are
presented. Due to the limitations of
resources and the large number of
sources to be characterized, source
categories had to be selected for the
program. The criteria for selection and
prioritization of source categories are
presented.
Inhalable Particulate Emission
Factors for Blast Furnace
Casthouses in the Iron and
Steel Industry
P. D. Spawn, GCA/Technology Division
This paper presents the results of IP
measurements on blast furnace
casthouses. Historically, emissions from
the blast furnace casting operation
(tapping of iron) have been uncontrolled
and emitted through building roof
monitors. Consequently, mass emission
factors and particulate size distributions
could be neither easily, nor accurately,
measured.
In the fall of 1980, GCA measured total
mass and the IP fractions at two controlled
casthouses. These tests were performed
on the inlets to the baghouse control
devices, thus providing an uncontrolled
casthouse emission factor. Concurrent
with emission measurements, furnace
operation and the emission sources
inside the casthouse were documented to
enable comparison of these tests to other
uncontrolled casthouses.
Inhalable Particulate Emissions
from Vehicles Traveling on
Paved Roads
R. Bohn, M. Small, Midwest Research
Institute
This paper gives results of a field
sampling program to test the quantity of
dust emissions from vehicles traveling on
paved urban roads. The sampling protocol
focused on the exposure profiling
technique. Emission factors were
determined for total suspended
particulate, inhalable particulate, and
fine particulate. The vehicle exhaust
component of the total emissions was
separated from the traffic entrained
particulate on the basis of lead/bromine
ratios obtained through an elemental
analysis of the collected particulate.
Samples of the dust found on the road
surface silt. The relationships of
measured emission factors to road
surface silt loadings and vehicle charac-
teristics were investigated.
Quality Assurance for Particle-
Sizing Measurements
C. E. Tatsch. Research Triangle Institute
Quality assurance for particle-sizing
may be considered in three components:
1) planning, 2) implementation, and 3)
appraisal. The first two components
relate to activities designed to ensure that
the data generated will satisfy project
requirements. The last relates to
activities designed to assess and
document the quality of the reported data.
Suitable resources for routine end-to-end
field calibration of particle-sizing systems
are not readily available. Only certain
subsystem parameters may be checked in
the hostile environments generally
associated with such tests. Therefore,
thoughtful execution of a well-designed
test plan is crucial to the production
high quality data.
Appraisal of data quality consists o
combination of qualitative ai
quantitative checks on operations crit'u
to measurement data quality, a
includes reviewing the adequacy of, a
adherence to, written operatii
procedures. Quantitative checks m
include checks of various subsyste
components, such as flowrate, noz;
quality, weighing checks, and co-locat
measurements. Emphasis must be on t
comparability of test data, wi
increasing potential for improvii
precision and accuracy of particle-sizi
data.
Particulate Emissions
Characterization for
Oil-Fired Boilers
D. Mormile, Consolidated Edison
Company of New York, Inc.
The size distribution and composite
of particulate matter emissions frc
three oil-fired boilers, representative
utility usage, were determined 1
nominal operation under full-lot
operating conditions. The selected boile
were a 360 MW tangentially fired boili
a 346 MW faced fired boiler, and
150,000 Ib/hr steam flow steam sendo
boiler. In addition, the variability of the
particulate characteristics, with chang
in excess air level andatomizationquali
was assessed.
Sizing characteristics were establish!
with a low pressure, cascade impact
system (University of Washington), i
electric aerosol analyzer (which classifi
size according to electric mobility), ai
electron microscopy techniques wi
automatic counting. Particle compositii
analyses utilized atomic absorption <
bulk samples and electron dispersive '.
ray (EDX), Auger Microprobe, ai
electron spectroscopy (ESCA) c
individual particles.
A Continuous Real-Time
Particulate Mass Monitor for
Stack Emission Applications
J. C. F. Wang, Combustion Researi
Division
Mass loading and size distribution a
the critical parameters which EPA us
8
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for air pollution monitoring and control.
Commercially available instruments for
detection of particulates are either optical
types, which do not measure particle
mass directly, or sampling types, which
do not provide real-time measurements.
Last year, we demonstrated the feasibility
of using the tapered-element oscillating
microbalance (TEOM) for real-time
particle mass measurements at room
temperatures. We are now developing for
high-temperature applications (up to
300°C) a new TEOM which features
periodic backflush for long-duration
continuous operations and an interface to
a multi-staged cyclone-train for real-time
aerodynamic particle size distribution
measurements. Fractional particulate
mass loading, at 50% cut size of 1, 3, and
10 /urn, is obtained using the modified
cyclones in the Source Assessment
Sampling System (SASS). Test data on
the performance of this new monitor are
reported.
Section E — Mobile Sources
Studies of Particulate Removal
from Diesel Exhausts with
Mechanical Techniques
M. G. Faulkner, Southern
Research Institute
A series of tests, designed to
characterize the collection of particulate
emissions from diesel exhaust by several
different mechanical methods, are
discussed. The source of particulate
emissions is a 5.7 liter GM diesel truck.
The control devices which are discussed
include fiber filters, gravel bed filters, and
trap/cyclones. The overall mass
collection efficiencies, fractional mass
collection efficiencies, and operating
characteristics of these devices were
determined by measurements of inlet and
outlet total mass loadings and particle
size distributions.
Three different fiber filter materials
were investigated and collection
efficiencies as high as 90% were
achieved, coupled with a quick pressure
rise culminating in gas sneakage. The
gravel bed device achieved efficiencies
which increased from 45% to 70% as
system backpressure increased. The
trap/cyclone (Japanese Aut-Ainer)
achieved collection efficiencies of about
35% with a low pressure drop.
Update on Status of
Connecticut's Control Program
for Transportation-Related
Particulate Emissions
H. L Chamberlain, Northeast Utilities
Connecticut's unique State Imple-
mentation Plan (SIP) is presented.
Results of extensive testing to further
define transportation-related TSP emis-
sions in Waterbury, CT, are summarized,
and preliminary conclusions regarding
control strategies are discussed.
Control programs include both exhaust
controls for exhaust emissions and fugi-
tive controls for reentrained particulate
material.
The success and cost of these controls
are of interest, both as a means of
achieving air quality standards and as a
potential source of reductions for "offset"
and "banking" programs. Potential inter-
action of mobile and stationary source
controls exists.
Studies of Particulate
Removal from Diesel Exhausts
with Electrostatic and Electro-
statically Augmented Techniques
J. L DuBard, Southern Research Institute
Laboratory experiments on a 5.7 liter
GM diesel truck have established the
concept of removing particulate
emissions from diesel exhaust by a
combination of agglomeration and trap-
ping devices. A two-stage ESP is used to
agglomerate the primary particulate
matter, resulting in an order-of-
magnitude increase in mass median
diameter. The agglomerated particulate
is characterized. Aerosol sampling data
are presented for the variation in particle
size distribution and the efficiency of
trapping the agglomerated particulate in
cyclones, fiber filters, and a granular bed
filter. Overall mass removal efficiencies
greater than 80% have been achieved
with an ESP/granular bed filter system
for a duty distance greater than 500 miles
at constant highway speed. Methods of
cleaning the devices and removing
collected particulate are discussed. A
design for a prototype exhaust cleaning
system for a light-duty diesel vehicle is
based on these data.
F. P. Venditti, J. A. Armstrong, and M. Durham are with the Denver Research
Institute, Denver, CO 80208.
Dale L. Harmon is the EPA Project Officer (see below).
The complete report, entitled "ThirdSymposium on the Transfer and Utilization of
Particulate Control Technology: Volume IV. Atypical Applications," (Order No.
PB 83-149 617; Cost: $32.50, 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:
Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
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