United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Environmental Monitoring
Systems Laboratory
Research Triangle Park NC 27711
Research and Development
EPA-600/S4-84-024 May 1984
BEPA 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 fourtypesof
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 screeningprocedurefor
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, limitationsand
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 CompoundAnalyzers 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, NC27711
ft U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE; 1984 — 759-015/7683
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Center (or Environmental Research
Information
Cincinnati OH 45268
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
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