United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Industrial Environmental
Research Laboratory
Research Triangle Park NC 27711
Research and Development
EPA-600/S8-84-011 June 1984
SERA Project Summary
Feasibility Study for Adapting
Present Combustion Source
Continuous Monitoring Systems
to Hazardous Waste Incinerators
Edward F. Peduto
The U.S. EPA is sponsoring research
programs to investigate sampling and
analysis methods for hazardous waste
incineration. These investigations are
focused on the adaptation of existing
methods for identifying and quantifying
constituents listed in the Code of
Federal Regulations (40 CFR 261). As
part of this program, the adaptability of
existing continuous emission monitor
systems (CEMS) to hazardous waste
incineration sources was investigated.
Measurement categories of interest
include SO2, NO*, CO, CO2, O2, HCI,
and organic materials. This report
focuses on commercially available
sample conditioning and measurement
systems, and gives results of this
adaptability study in the form of a
guidelines document to be used by EPA
and industry personnel.
Study results indicate that commer-
cially available extractive continuous
monitors can be adapted to incinerators
through proper sample conditioning.
Conventional sample conditioning
systems that dry and remove particu-
late matter from the sample gas should
be constructed to withstand HCI gas
concentrations of up to 17 percent v/v
and temperatures reaching 1700°C
(3000°F). Available continuous moni-
toring instrumentation provides the
ranges and sensitivities needed to
accurately measure concentrations of
the organic and inorganic components
of interest.
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 order-
ing information at back).
Introduction
Proper disposal of hazardous wastes is
one of the key environmental problems of
this decade. To address this problem, the
U.S. Congress in 1976 passed Federal
Law 94-580, the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act (RCRA). Regulations
promulgated under the authority of this
legislation established the framework for
a strong federal hazardous waste
management program (U.S. EPA, Regula-
tions for Hazardous Waste Management,
40 CFR, Parts 260-265, 267). These
regulations define wastes that are haz-
ardous and set standards for waste gen-
erators, transporters, and hazardous
waste management facilities. In addition,
the hazardous waste regulations set forth
applicable physical, chemical, biological,
and thermal processes that can be used
to treat hazardous wastes.
The U.S. EPA estimates that in 1979
only 5 percent of the total hazardous
waste stream in the U.S. was disposed of
by incineration, yet 60 percent of the total
wastes could have been successfully
destroyed using current incinerator tech-
nology.
Supporting an incineration research
program of EPA's Industrial Environ-
mental Research Laboratory at Cincinnati
(lERL-Cin), the Agency's Industrial
Environmental Research Laboratory at
Research Triangle Park (IERL-RTP) began
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to investigate sampling and analytical
methods. These investigations focus on
the adaptation of existing methods for
identifying and quantifying the
components listed in regulations for
hazardous waste management (40 CFR
261, Subtitle C).
Objectives and Approach
This task investigates the areas of inor-
ganic and organic continuous
monitoring, specifically the feasibility of
adapting commercially available extrac-
tive continuous emissions monitoring
systems (CEMS) for use on hazardous
waste incinerator sources and providing
a user's guidelines manual to assist in the
selection of monitoring equipment. The
investigation was restricted to
instrumentation for measuring SO2, NOx,
CO, C02, O2, HCI, and hydrocarbons.
The program was conducted in two
segments. Initially an engineering as-
sessment of current incinerator technol-
ogy was conducted to define the
environment in which a hazardous waste
' incinerator CEMS must operate. Ranges
of expected temperatures, pressures, and
flue gas constituents were developed for
the three generic regions within an
incinerator system: the combustion zone,
before the air pollution control device,
and after the air pollution control device.
The secpnd segment involved deter-
mining the adaptability of available
combustion measurement systems for
the three sample locations. Principles of
sample conditioning methods and
inorganic and organic analyzer detection
techniques were reviewed. Available
equipment was surveyed by contacting
instrumentation vendors and operators
or owners of commercial hazardous
waste incinerators.
~tt U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1984 — 759-015/7718
Detailed results of the program are in a
two-volume report. Volume 1 gives
results of the adaptability study and
guidelines for designing and selecting a
CEMS for use on incinerators.
Volume 2 gives an analysis of the
characteristics of RCRA-listed hazardous
wastes and introduces data on the design
and performance characteristics of three
types of incinerators—liquid injection,
rotary kiln, and fluidized bed. In addition,
control device information and a detailed
summary of the conditions and concen-
trations to be expected in the three zones
of interest are given. Pertinent
conclusions are given in the final section
of Volume 2.
Conclusions
The sample conditioning system, if
properly designed and maintained, will
allow adaption of commercially available
continuous gas monitors to hazardous
waste incinerators. Conventional
combustion and ambient monitors pro-
vide the appropriate ranges and sensitiv-
ities considering present performance
requirements and anticipated concentra-
tion ranges. High concentrations of HCI
gas and moisture are prime considera-
tions in the design of a sample condition-
ing system. Temperatures of up to 1700°C
in the combustion zone monitoring
location also require consideration when
selecting materials of construction.
Ceramics and Hastelloy of Inconel steels
are the construction materials of choice.
Conditioning system designs should
include an extractive probe and coarse
filter followed by a moisture trap, fine
filter, and a drying step prior to instru-
mental sample analysis. In some cases,
acid gas concentrations can be reduced
without affecting the sample constituents.
More data are needed to establish the
effects of typical acid gas removal
mechanisms (by bubbler, absorber) on
the integrity of SOx, NOx and organic
species.
E. F. Peduto is with GCA/Technology Division, Bedford, MA 01730.
Merrill D. Jackson is the EPA Project Officer (see below).
The complete report consists of two volumes, entitled "Feasibility Study for
Adapting Present Combustion Source Continuous Monitoring Systems to
Hazardous Waste Incinerators:"
"Volume 1. Adaptability Study and Guidelines Document," (Order No. PB
84-187814; Cost: $11.50)
"Volume 2. Review and Estimation of Incineration Test Conditions," (Order
No. PB 84-187 806; Cost: $11.50)
The above reports will be available only from: (cost subject to change)
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, NC27711
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Center for Environmental Research
Information
Cincinnati OH 45268
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
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