United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Environmental Monitoring
Systems Laboratory
Research Triangle Park NC 27711
Research and Development
EPA-600/S4-84-024 May 1984
Project Summary
Technical Assistance Document

The  Use  of Portable  Volatile
Organic Compound  Analyzers
for  Leak  Detection
Ralph M. Riggin
  This document has been prepared for
the purpose of providing guidance on
the selection  and  use of portable
volatile organic compound analyzers
for monitoring process leaks. The types
of VOC analyzers capable of performing
U.S. EPA Method 21 determinations,
their  principles of  operation,
advantages,  and  limitations  are
discussed. Sections providing guidance
on the operation of each of four types of
VOC analyzers-photoionization, flame
ionization, infrared, and catalytic com-
bustion-are included in the document.
  This Project Summary was developed
by  EPA's  Environmental Monitoring
Systems Laboratory, Research Triangle
Park. NC. to announce key findings of
the research project that is fully docu-
mented in a separate report of the same
title (see Project Report ordering infor-
mation at back).


Introduction
  In order to achieve the National Ambi-
ent  Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for
ozone,  the Clean Air Act (CAA) requires
states to  issue regulations limiting the
amount of VOCs which can be emitted
from various sources. While some VOC
emissions are  from  classical  point
sources (e.g.,  stacks, automobiles), a
large proportion of  VOCs  enter  the
atmosphere as fugitive emissions (leaks
in  valves, pumping systems, flanges,
seals, and other types of process  equip-
ment).  Consequently,  detection  and
control of such  fugitive  emissions is
important to the overall reduction of VOC
emissions.
  Effective  control  of  fugitive  VOC
emissions requires the availability of a
practical  method  for determining the
location of leaks and other sources of
fugitive  emissions. While  several
sampling and analysis methods are
available for determining VOC emissions,
most require sophisticated equipment,
highly trained personnel, or extensive
completion time.
  The U.S.  Environmental  Protection
Agency  (EPA)   publishes   Control
Technique Guideline documents which
serve as an information base concerning
useful methods for controlling fugitive
VOC emissions for specific industries.
Recently, the EPA published a  method,
designated as Method 21  (presented in
Appendix A of the document), intended
for use as a rapid screening.procedurefor
VOC emission points. Method 21 is highly
flexible in that the user can select any
type of monitoring device which meets
the  specifications  and  performance
requirements discussed in the document.
However, the  method  gives  little
guidance as to which type of analyzer is
most suitable for particular monitoring
situations.
  The primary objectives  of this  docu-
ment are to present a detailed summary
of the available VOC monitoring approach-
es and to  provide guidance  to  users
concerning the advantages, limitations,
and performance characteristics of the

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   available   techniques.  Manufacturers'
   literature and various reports have been
   used as  background material for this
   document.
     Section 2 of this document summarizes
   the  performance   requirements   and
   specifications listed in Method 21  for
   VOC analyzers and provides a summary
   of the various techniques, limitations and
   performance   characteristics.   The
   remaining four sections provide detailed
   guidance on the operation of the four
   major types of VOC  analyzers, flame
   ionization, photoionization, infrared
   adsorption,  and  catalytic  combustion
   detectors.
     Each  section describes the  system
   operation,  calibration,  routine
   maintenance, quality  control/perform-
   ance verification procedures, and safety
   requirements of a particular type of VOC
   analyzer. Relevant features  of specific
   models of commercially available VOC
   analyzers  are  also  tabulated  in  the
   document.
          Ralph M. Riggin is with Battelle Columbus Laboratories, Columbus. OH 43201.
          Roosevelt Rollins is the EPA Project Officer (see below).
          The complete report,  entitled "Technical Assistance Document: The  Use of
            Portable Volatile Organic Compound Analyzers for Leak Detection," (Order No.
            PB 84-179 993; Cost: $10.00, 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:
                  Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory
                  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                  Research Triangle Park. NC 27711
                                           ft U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE; 1984 — 759-015/7683

United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Center for Environmental Research
Information
Cincinnati OH 45268
'D
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300

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