EPA-600/4-75-003
DECEMBER 1975
Environmental Monitoring Series
     TECHNICAL  ASSISTANCE  DOCUMENT  FOR THE
           CHEMILUMINESCENCE  MEASUREMENT  OF
                                    NITROGEN  DIOXIDE
                              Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
                                     Office of Research and Development
                                    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                               Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711

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                RESEARCH REPORTING SERIES

Research reports of the Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency,  have been  grouped into five series. These five  broad
categories were established to facilitate further development and application of
environmental technology. Elimination of traditional grouping was consciously
planned to foster technology transfer and a maximum interface in related fields.
The five series are:

     1.    Environmental Health Effects Research
     2.    Environmental Protection Technology
     3.    Ecological Research
     4.    Environmental Monitoring
     5.    Socioeconomic Environmental Studies

This report has been assigned to the ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING series.
This series describes research conducted to develop new or improved methods
and  instrumentation for the identification and quantification of environmental
pollutants at the lowest conceivably significant concentrations. It also includes
studies to determine the ambient concentrations of pollutants in the environment
and/or the variance of pollutants as a function of time or meteorological factors.
This document is available to the public through the National Technical Informa-
tion Service, Springfield, Virginia 22161.

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          TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE DOCUMENT

     FOR THE CHEMILUMINESCENCE MEASUREMENT

             OF NITROGEN DIOXIDE


                      by
            Elizabeth Carol Ellis
           Quality Assurance Branch
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
 Research Triangle Park, North Carolina  27711
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND SUPPORT LABORATORY
      OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
     U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
 RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NORTH CAROLINA 27711

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                                   DISCLAIMER

     This report has been reviewed by the Environmental Monitoring and Support
Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and approved for publication.
Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or
recommendation for use.
                                      ii

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                                   PREFACE
     The Environmental Protection Agency has replaced the original reference
method for nitrogen dioxide with automated reference methods based on the gas
phase chemiluminescence measurement principle and prescribed calibration pro-
cedures.  This document provides technical information and illustrative examples
to aid in the understanding of the measurement principle and particularly of
the two specified calibration procedures.  It should be used as  a complement to
both the regulatory specifications as well as individual analyzer instruction
manuals and should serve to provide practical guidance to the analyst on the
use and calibration of reference method analyzers -— the end result being NO^
measurements of quality.  For easy reference, the regulatory specifications
(prescribed in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations,  Part 50,  Appendix F)
are included as an addendum.
     The author gratefully acknowledges the assistance of other  members of
the Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory who helped make this
document possible.  Michael E. Beard, Robert G. Fuerst, and  John H. Margeson
of the Quality Assurance Branch and Kenneth A. Rehme, Frank  F. McElroy, and
Larry J. Purdue of the Environmental Monitoring Branch each  contributed
through discussions and critical evaluation of the manuscript.
                                     m

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                                  ABSTRACT

     Gas phase chemiluminescence has been designated as the reference measure-
ment principle for the measurement of nitrogen dioxide (N02) in the ambient
atmosphere.  Continuous analyzers based on this measurement principle may be
calibrated with N02 either from the gas phase titration of nitric oxide (NO)
with ozone (03) or from an N02 permeation device.  This document presents
pertinent technical information to aid in the understanding of the measurement
principle and the prescribed calibration procedures and also includes illus-
trative examples on how to implement the calibration procedures.  The discussion
includes recommendations on how to recognize and eliminate potential errors in
the individual calibration procedures as well as with the use of N02 chemilumi-
nescence analyzers.  Suggestions on the design and construction of calibration
apparatus and procedures for handling and certifying both NO and N02 calibration
standards are included also.
                                    1v

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                                  CONTENTS

Preface	iii
Abstract	   iy
Figures	   vi

     1.   Introduction	    1
     2.   Chemiluminescence Measurement Principle 	    3
               Chemiluminescent Reaction of NO with (L  	    3
               Interferences  	    4
               Analyzer designs 	    5
     3.   Calibration Procedures  	    8
               General descriptions 	    8
               Alternative A:  Gas phase titration of an NO
               standard with 03	    9
                    Preliminary GPT design considerations 	   10
                    Zero air source and flow control   	   12
                    NO in N2 standard	   14
                    Reaction, mixing and sampling chambers   	   17
                    N0-03 reaction requirements 	   17
                    Application of dynamic parameter  	   19
                    Completeness of N0-03 reaction  	   23
                    N0? analyzer calibration  	   23
                    Certification of NO standard	   26
               Alternative B:  N02 permeation device  	   28
                    Components of calibration system  	   29
                    Standard N02 permeation device  	   32
                    Design of calibration system  	   33
                    N02 analyzer calibration  	   34
                    Certification of N02 or NO standard	   37
                    Intercomparison of N02 and NO standards	   38

References	   39
Addendum	   41

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                                   FIGURES

Number                                                                 Page

  1    Schematic diagram of a typical GPT calibration system 	  11

  2    Schematic diagram of a typical calibration apparatus
       using an N02 permeation device	30
                                     vl

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                                   SECTION 1
                                 INTRODUCTION

     In April 1971 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated
national primary and secondary ambient air quality standards for six air
pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide (N02).   At the same time EPA published
reference methods that were to be used by EPA and by state and local air
pollution agencies in measuring ambient concentrations of the six pollutants.
                         2
Subsequent investigations  convinced EPA that the reference method for N02 was
severely deficient and the Administrator, in June 1973, announced his intention
to propose amendments to Federal regulations which would w.thdraw the original
N02 reference method and designate a new one.   Extensive laboratory and field
evaluation of three manual and two automated methods for the measurement of
N02 ensued.  When those evaluations were completed, EPA proposed that the
original N02 reference method be replaced by "automated reference methods"
based on the gas phase chemiluminescence measurement principle and associated
calibration procedures.  In December 1976, this proposal became a Federal
           4
regulation.
     In accordance with EPA's Equivalency Regulations,  an N02 analyzer based
on the gas phase chemiluminescence measurement principle could be designated
as a "reference method" provided it is calibrated by specified procedures and
also conforms to prescribed performance specifications.  A description of the
measurement principle, two alternative calibration procedures and N0« analyzer
performance specifications are published in the Federal Register.4  However,

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there are several aspects of the measurement principle and calibration
procedures that warrant more detailed explanations than are possible in the
Federal Register description.  The basis for the following discussion is
the results of laboratory evaluations  and field monitoring studies by the
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory (EMSL) of EPA.  These comments
are directed toward persons having a need to make N02 measurements with
chemiluminescence analyzers and are offered primarily to assist the analyst
in obtaining N02 measurements  of  quality.

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                                   SECTION 2
                    CHEMILUMINESCENCE MEASUREMENT PRINCIPLE

CHEMILUMINESCENT REACTION OF NO WITH Og
     In the reaction of nitric oxide (NO) with ozone (Oo), some of the resultant
N02 is produced in an electronically excited state; the excited N02 immediately
decays to the ground state or normal N02 while emitting light in the spectral
region from about 600 nm to 2400 nm with a peak at about 1200 nm.   This phenom-
enon is known as chemiluminescence.  The intensity of the light generated  in  the
N0-03 reaction is proportional to the reactant concentraticn  of NO and the re-
action is applicable to the direct measurement of atmospheric concentrations
of NO.7
     Atmospheric concentrations of N02 are measured indirectly by chemilumi-
nescence by first reducing the N02 to NO, then reacting the resultant NO with
ozone and measuring the light intensity from the reaction. "     In practice,
in chemiluminescence N02 analyzers, the N02 in a sample of air is first re-
           11 12
duced to NO  '   by means of a converter; any NO, which is normally present
in ambient air, passes through the converter unchanged causing a resultant
total NO  concentration equal to NO + N0?.  A portion of the  air sample is
        «                               ^
also reacted with 0, without having passed through the converter.   This
latter NO measurement is subtracted from the former measurement (NO + N02)
to yield the final N02 measurement.
     Since the detection of N02 by this chemiluminescence technique is
directly dependent on the analyzer's capability to reduce N02 to NO, it is
                                     3

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important that the conversion be essentially quantitative over a wide range
of N02 concentrations.  Accordingly, the determination of the converter
efficiency of an analyzer is an integral part of both calibration procedures
with the additional requirement that the converter be replaced or serviced
if its demonstrated efficiency should be less than 96 percent.

INTERFERENCES
     The chemiluminescence detection of NO based upon the reaction of NO
with Og is not subject to interference from any of the common air pollutants
such as 03> N02, carbon monoxide, ammonia and sulfur dioxide.   However, some
unsaturated hydrocarbons react with 03 to luminesce in the visible region of
the spectrum; a red sharp-cut optical filter is used to eliminate this possible
interference by absoring emissions below 600 nm.
     Any compounds other than N02 that will be converted to NO in the converter
will interfere with the measurement of the NO  (NO + N0?) —and hence the
                                             A         £
N02 — concentration.  There are two basic types of converters in current
use —thermal and chemical.  Thermal converters, which are made of metallic
materials such as stainless steel, operate at temperatures between 600° and
800°C and "thermally" reduce N02, N02  +  NO + 1/2 02-   At lower temperatures,
N02 conversion is not quantitative.  Ammonia is the principal interferent of
concern with thermal converters since ammonia is oxidized to NO above about
600°C on a variety of metallic surfaces.  Ammonia is generally not an inter-
ferent with chemical converters which operate at temperatures as low as 200°C
and generally no higher than 400°C.  Chemical converters are made from a
variety of materials:  pure metals like molybdenum, tungsten or platinum;
various alloys; spectroscopic carbon and some nonabsorptive charcoals; and
carbon impregnated with various metals.  Although of differing material com-
                                    4

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position, chemical converters reduce N02 to NO by forming an oxide of the
converter material, e.g., C + NO^  ->  CO + NO.  By the nature of the
conversion process chemical converters will eventually expend themselves.  This
is no great disadvantage, however, since the carbon type converters are inex-
pensive to replace and the metal based converters are easily reactivated by
exposing the converter surface to a reducing gas such as hydrogen.   Although
ammonia is not oxidized to NO by chemical converters at normal  operating
temperatures, other unstable nitrogen compounds such as peroxyacetyl  nitrate
(PAN), some amines and certain organic nitrites and nitrates will  decompose
quantitatively to form NO.    The ambient concentration of these compounds
is usually so low in most areas of the country that this interference can be
disregarded.  However, when the concentrations of interferent compounds
are significant relative to the NOp concentration, the interference should
be taken into account.  If possible, the magnitude of the ir.terferent com-
pounds should be determined by an independent method and the N02 concentrations
adjusted accordingly.  Alternatively, it may be necessary to determine the
                                          5
N02 concentrations by an equivalent method  that is not affected by the
interferents of concern.

ANALYZER DESIGNS
     Chemiluminescence NOo analyzers employ one of two basic configurations
for the NO and NO  measurements —dual  or cyclic.  In dual  type analyzers,
                 /\
the air sample is divided at the analyzer inlet and half passes continuously
through a converter to one reaction chamber while the other half passes
continuously (through an equivalent converter volume) to a second reaction
chamber.  The NO and NO  concentrations  are measured continuously with either
                       n
a single detector time shared between the two reaction cells or a pair of
                                      5

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matched detectors — one for each reaction cell.  In contrast, cyclic analyzers



have a single reaction chamber and detector and must alternate between the NO



and NOX measurements, i.e., the air sample alternately by-passes or passes



through the converter.  With this cyclic operation, NO and NO  readings are
                                                             n


taken one after the other and short term changes in inlet concentration can



lead to skewing of resultant N02 values.  This  is not a serious problem



provided the cycle time is held to a minimum and any negative N02 values



are included in the data averaging process.



     It should be noted that the use of an integrating volume on the intake



of an analyzer to average any short term changes is discouraged since it



introduces a distortion in the N0/N02 ratio due to the perturbation of a



photostationary state between NO, 0^ and N02-  This distortion develops



because in the atmosphere the two reactions,



                              NO + 0, ->• N09 + 09
                                    «j     £    £


               and


                              N02  su^ght N0 + 0>



maintain an equilibrium.  When there is no sunlight, such as in an inte-



grating volume, the dissociation of N02 does not take place but the oxidation



of NO still occurs.  Thus, after a short time, the NO measured will be below



the true value and N02 will be higher than the true value.



     Separate range selectors for NO and N02 are a useful  feature of an



analyzer especially when it is located in a geographical  area where the NO



concentration is high relative to the N02 concentration.   Independent zero



and span controls and range selectors for NO, N02 and NOX  are often a common



feature of cyclic type analyzers.  For dual channel  analyzers with a shared



detector, only one zero and one span control  are provided; the NO and NO
                                                                        /\


measurements must be made on the same concentration range.  The two detector

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design provides zero and span controls for both NO and NO  with range
                                                         J\
selectors which may or may not operate independently depending on the
electronic design of the detector circuitry.
                                   14
     In a recent collaborative test   ten participants used ten chemilumi-
nescence N0« analyzers (both cyclic and dual  channel  designs representative
of three manufacturers of N02 analyzers) to monitor the same N02 concentrations
over a range of 0.03 to 0.16 ppm.*  The results of the test for the particular
analyzers involved indicate an average bias of -5% and a relative standard
deviation in the measurements of 6% and 14% for within- and between-laboratory
variation, respectively.  A lower detectable  limit of approximately 0.01  ppm
(22 yg/m )  when using a 0.0 to 0.5 ppm range is also reported.
*ppm = part per million.
 ug/m  = microgram per cubic meter at 25°C and 760 mm Hg.

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                                   SECTION 3
                            CALIBRATION PROCEDURES

GENERAL DESCRIPTIONS
     There are two allowable N02 calibration procedures   (see addendum):  gas
phase titration  (GPT) of an NO standard with 03 to produce N02 or alternatively
the dilution of  NOp emitted from a permeation device.  Both calibration pro-
cedures are applicable to many calibration ranges; for ambient air measurements
the normal working range is 0.0 to 0.5 ppm N02 or less.   The particular N02
concentrations used for calibration  should cover tfe working range and should
include values that are representative of those normally  encountered at the
location of interest as well as concentrations below and  near the National
Ambient Air Quality Standard of 0.05 ppm N02-
     The accuracy of the NOo calibration is dependent on  the analyzer's converter
efficiency; therefore, a determination of converter efficiency is a required part
of the calibration procedures.  The  measurement of converter efficiency requires
a source of NO as well as N02-  In essence, calibration consists of the following:
           1.   Calibration of NO and NO  responses of the analyzer using an NO
               standard.
           2.   Calibration of N02 response with concurrent determination of
               converter efficiency  using standard N02 from GPT or from a
               permeation device.
 It appears that  GPT may be the preferred N02 calibration  scheme since both
 NO and N0« are so readily available  by this technique.  On the other hand, some
 users may  find it more convenient to couple an N02 permeation device with an NO
                                      8

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source rather than work with ozone titrations.  Given that an  NO source  is
required in both calibration procedures, the user has a choice of adding an
ozone source or an N02 permeation device to complete the calibration system.
     One important feature of the two prescribed calibration procedures  is
the requirement that working calibration standards be traceable to National
Bureau of Standards (NBS) Standard Reference Materials (SRM).  For the GPT
calibration option, commercially available mixtures (pressurized cylinders
of NO in Np) should be used for routine calibration but the NO content of
such mixtures must be periodically assayed against an NBS traceable NO in N2
or N02 permeation device standard.  It is also necessary to determine any
trace N02 that may be present in the commercial NO calibration mixtures.  In
the alternative calibration procedure using an N02 permeation device plus an
NO cylinder, only one of the two standards need be periodically assayed against
an NBS traceable standard.  The remaining standard is the.i periodically
referenced to the first for consistency.  Procedures for certifying an NO
cylinder or N02 permeation device against either an NO or N02 NBS traceable
standard are included below.
     Details of some reliable analytical techniques as well as the apparatus
for both calibration schemes are described in the sections below.   The suggested
component parts have been used extensively and have been found to perform
satisfactorily; however, these suggestions in no way assert that other apparatus
can not be used effectively.

ALTERNATIVE A:  GAS PHASE TITRATION OF AN NO STANDARD WITH 03
     This calibration technique is based upon the rapid gas phase reaction
between NO and 03 to produce N02 as described in Equation i.6'15'16
     NO + 03 ->- N02 + 02; k = 1.0 x 107 liter mole"1 sec"1              (1)

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The quantitative nature of the reaction is used in a manner such that, once the
concentration of reacted NO is known, the concentration of N0« is determined.
Ozone is added to excess NO in a dynamic calibration system, and a chemilumi-
nescence NO analyzer  is used  to measure changes in NO concentration.  Upon the
addition of 0^, the decrease  in NO concentration observed on the calibrated
NO analyzer is equivalent to  the concentration of N02 produced.  The amount
of N02 generated is varied by changing the concentration of 0, added.
     Figure 1 shows the suggested placement  of the component parts of a typical
gas phase  titration apparatus.  Such systems are also available commercially.
All connections between components  in the system should be made with glass or
       (R)
Teflon     or  other nonreactive material.  The discussion below is restricted
to apparatus  capable  of producing sample flows between one and ten liters per
minute  (1/min) at the manifold.  This is the flow range over which gas phase
titration  of  excess NO with 03 has  been most widely used and investigated.

Preliminary GPT  Design Consideration
      In setting  up the apparatus some general considerations are important.
Firs-.;,  determine  the  minimum  total  flow required at the sample manifold.  This
flow  is controlled by the number and sample  flow rate demand of the individual
analyzers  to  be  connected to  the manifold at the same time.  Allow at least
10  to  50%  flow  in excess of the required total flow.  The operational
characteristics of the ozone  source  delimit  the maximum flow of the calibration
system.  One  ozone source that has  been used extensively for gas phase titration
consists of a quartz  tube fixed adjacent to  a low pressure mercury vapor lamp.
Ozone-free air  is passed through the tube and is irradiated with 185-nm light
                       17 18
 from the mercury  lamp.  '     The level of irradiation is controlled by an
 adjustable opaque sleeve that fits  around the lamp.  Ozone concentrations are
                                       10

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o
                                                                               VENT
                                                                  OUTPUT
                                                                 MANIFOLD
      NO
      STD.
                                VENT

r1"
                                                      EXTRA OUTLETS CAPPED
                                                        WHEN NOT IN USE
                                                                                   TO INLET OF ANALYZER
                                                                                    UNDER CALIBRATION
                            Figure 1. Schematic diagram of a typical GPT calibration system.

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varied by adjustment of the sleeve to expose the air in the quartz tube to
various levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation.  At a fixed temperature, pressure,
air flow and level of irradiation, ozone is produced at a constant rate.  A
change in air flow causes an inverse change in the ozone concentration when
all other variables are held constant.    This type of ozone source can generally
supply up to 3 ppm 03 at air flows in the range of 1 to 10 1/min, depending on
the size of the generator.
     To determine the operational characteristics of a particular ozone
generator, adjust the ozone source to near maximum irradiation then measure
the 0, produced at different levels of air flew through the generator, e.g.,
1  to 10 1/min.  (A calibrated ozone monitor or other means of measuring Og
concentrations is necessary.)  A plot of the 0, concentration versus the
reciprocal air flow should be linear.  The air flow that gives the desired
maximum 0, concentration, as determined by the maximum concentration of NOg
needed for calibration, represents the maximum total flow for a calibration
system using the generator.  Of course, lower air flows can be used to generate
the required 03 concentrations by simply reducing the level of irradiation of
the UV lamp.   If the air flow characteristics of the ozone generator do not
meet  the minimum total flow requirements of the analyzer under calibration,
then  either the generator must be replaced or the number of analyzers to be
calibrated simultaneously must be reduced.

Zero  Air  Source and  Flow Control
      Purified  cylinder or compressed air is suitable for the zero air; however,
 if large  volumes  of  zero air are required for the calibration or especially if
continuous operation  is desired, purified compressed air would be preferred.
The zero  air must be  free of contaminants, such as NO, NOg. 0- or reactive
                                     12

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hydrocarbons, that will  cause a detectable response on the NO or N02 analyzer
or that might react with either NO or N02 in the calibration system.  To meet
these specifications, the air can be purified by passing it through silica
gel for drying, treating it with ozone to convert any NO to H^2> and passing
it through a mixture of activated charcoal (6-14 mesh) and molecular sieve
(6-16 mesh,type 4A) to remove any NOo, excess 03 or hydrocarbons.
     Silica gel maintains its drying efficiency until it has absorbed 20% of
its weight and it can be regenerated indefinitely at 120°C.  The addition of
cobalt chloride to the surface of the gel provides an indicating ability; this
type of gel contained in a transparent drying column is recommended.  The mixture
of activated charcoal and molecular sieve also has a finite absorption capability.
Since it is difficult to determine when the mixture's absorption capacity has been
exceeded, it is recommended that the mixture be replaced at regular intervals —
at least every three months for an absorption volume of about 100 cm .
     To control and measure the air flow to an accuracy of +_ 2%, as required by
the calibration procedure, the following apparatus and procedures  have been used
successfully.  Maintain the air source at a constant pressure between about 140
and 210 kPa* (20-30 psig ) using a single stage or two stage gas pressure
regulator; general purpose gas regulators work satisfactorily.   When a constant
air pressure is maintained upstream, fine metering needle valves can be used to
maintain constant air flows in the calibration system.  Volumetric flowmeters
such as rotameters are an inexpensive means of measuring and monitoring the air
flows.  Mass flowmeters can also be used for this purpose.  Either type of flow-
meter must be calibrated, the former under the actual conditions of use, against
*kPa = kilopascal (pascal = 1 newton/m )
 psig = pound per square inch gauge.
                                     13

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a primary standard volume meter, e.g., a spirometer or a soap bubble meter,
or against an intermediate standard volume meter, e.g., a wet test meter,
                                                      •I g
that is traceable to a primary standard meter.  (Nelson   discusses flowmeter
calibration in Chapter 3 of his book.)  As depicted in Figure 1, the zero
air is split into two streams to allow only a portion of the total air flow
to pass through the ozone generator.  (Guidelines on splitting the air
stream are discussed below.)  The calibration range of the flowmeters used
on each stream should reflect the respective air flow through that stream.
      In an alternative apparatus design, all cf the zero air passes through
a single  flow controller and flowmeter; the stream then splits with a portion
of the air passing through a capillary restrictive orifice to the entrance of
the ozone generator and the remainder flowing directly to the mixing chamber.
When  the  total air flow is held constant, the proportion of air flow through
 the orifice  and  the generator remains constant.  The capillary orifice should
 be of the proper length and internal diameter to allow the desired portion of
 the total air flow to pass through  the ozone generator. •

 NO  n N2  Standard, Associated Delivery Apparatus and Handling Procedures
      Pressurized cylinders of NO  in N~ at levels between 50 and 100 ppm are
 available commercially as working calibration standards.  The buyer should
 specify  that oxygen-free  nitrogen be used as the diluent gas for the standard
mixture   to  minimize  the  problem  of N02 formation within the cylinder.  In any
 case, the standard NO mixture must  contain no more than 1.0 ppm NOo as impurity.
 Since the manufacturer's  certification of the NO content of NO in N2 mixtures
 has sometimes  been found  to  be  unreliable, the  calibration procedure requires
 that  the NO  content  of  such mixtures be assayed initially and periodically
 thereafter  against an NBS traceable NO or N02 standard.  Traceability may be
                                    14

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made to NO SRM 1683 or 1684 or to N02 SRM 1629.  (The certification procedure
is discussed below.)  It is suggested that the recertification of working NO
standards be done on a quarterly basis since the long term stability of NO
mixtures has not been firmly established.
     Special apparatus and procedures apply when handling a reactive, toxic
gas like NO even at concentrations of 50 to 100 ppm.  It is imperative that
the integrity of the NO standard be maintained when the gas is transferred
from the pressurized cylinder to the reaction chamber.  In addition, pre-
cautions must be taken to assure that the gas is not allowed to leak to the
surroundings during the transfer.  All materials and surfaces that the NO gas
                                                                          (B)
contacts must be clean and of an unreactive material such as glass, Teflon
or stainless steel.  The cleanliness of the NO pressure regulator and asso-
ciated gas delivery system can not be overemphasized.  Sone of the problems
of NOg impurity in the calibration system have been traced to the conversion
of the standard NO to NOo by oxygen or other contaminants trapped within the
pressure regulator and gas delivery system rather than N02 impurity within the
standard cylinder.  Small amounts of NOp formed within the pressure regulator
have been found to be especially persistent.
     One Useful, optional feature for the NO regulator is a purge port or
purge assembly accessory.  With purge capabilities, the regulator as well
as the delivery system can be easily evacuated or purged with an inert gas
such as nitrogen after the regulator is connected to the NO cylinder but
before the cylinder control valve has been opened.  Even if the NO regu-
lator has no purge port, regulator and delivery system contamination can
be minimized and eliminated by using the following procedure:
          1.   Connect the pressure regulator and delivery system to
               the NO cylinder and evacuate the entire system before

                                     15

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               opening the cylinder control valve.
          2.   Open the cylinder control valve and flush the system with NO
               for about 15 seconds at a delivery pressure of about 415 kPa
               (60 psig).
          3.   Close the cylinder control valve and re-evacuate the system.
               Repeat the flushing and evacuation procedures, alternately,
               about five times.
When flushing is complete, reduce the delivery pressure to the normal value
between 140 and 240 kPa (20 and 35 psig), close the NO flow control valve,
and also close the cylinder control valve until NO is required for calibrations.
The regulator should be kept pressurized and attached to the NO cylinder except
when the cylinder is being transported to a different location.  Any time that
the pressure regulator must be removed from the NO cylinder, the decontamination
procedures must be repeated before reuse.
     The pressure regulator for the NO cylinder must be constructed of non-
reactive materials; a two stage regulator (for safety precautions as well  as
more accurate pressure regulation) that has internal parts and diaphram of
stainless steel and a Teflon    or Kel-F®  seat with the capability to
accurately deliver a pressure of 210 kPa (30 psig) is recommended.  (NOTE:  All
NO cylinders require a regulator with a size 660 C6A connection fitting.)   A
fine metering stainless steel needle valve can be used to control the NO flow
to the required accuracy of +_ 2%.  Since the accuracy of the NO flow measurement
is so important to the overall accuracy of the GPT calibration procedure,  special
attention and due care should be given to this measurement.  The recommended
procedure for measuring the NO flow is to measure it directly with a soap bubble
                                                                     19
meter each time the flow requires alteration.  A calibrated rotameter   may
serve as an "in-line" monitor of the NO flow, but it is not recommended for
absolute measurement of the NO flow.  Alternatively, a calibrated mass flow
meter19 may be used to both measure and monitor the NO flow accurately.
                                    16

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Reaction, Mixing and Sampling Chambers
     The NO stream combines with the 03 stream at the exit of the ozone
generator (See Figure 1).   Immediately upon mixing of the two gas streams,
the N0-03 reaction begins  and it continues to completion in the reaction
chamber, provided the reaction chamber is of adequate volume.  The final
mixture of NOg and excess  NO mixes with the bulk of the zero air and flows
to the manifold for sampling.  Glass Kjeldahl connecting bulbs make satisfactory
reaction and mixing chambers.  It is important in the design of these chambers
that their entrance and exit ports be located at a maximum separation so that
the bulk of the chamber volume is utilized for reaction or mixing.  A mixing
                                             3
chamber volume of approximately 150 to 250 cm  is adequate for thorough mixing
of the calibration gases and diluent air; however, the volume requirements of
the reaction chamber are more critical and these will be discussed in detail
                                                                  (R)
below.  The sample manifold may be constructed of glass or Teflon    (or other
nonreactive material) with enough ports to accomodate the maximum number of
analyzers to be calibrated simultaneously.  In addition, the manifold should
have a vent of sufficient diameter to assure atmospheric pressure at the
sampling ports and sufficient length to prevent ambient air from entering the
manifold.

NO-O^ Reaction Requirements and Dynamic Parameter Specification
     The key to a quantitative reaction between NO and 0, in gas phase
titration is to provide a  reaction chamber of sufficient volume to allow the
reactants to remain in close proximity for a minimum time such that the
reaction goes to completion.  But how does one know when this condition has
been met without performing an involved calculation of reaction times from
                                       17

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the rate equation and the initial NO and 03 concentrations in the reaction
chamber?  As discussed earlier, the zero air stream is split such that only
a portion of the air passes through the ozone generator, increasing the
concentration of CL at the generator exit even though the Og mass flow is
constant.  Thus, locally high concentrations of 03 and NO are created in the
reaction chamber, which in turn provides for quantitative reaction in a much
shorter time — and therefore within a much smaller volume — than would
otherwise be possible.  For example, if only ten percent of the total flow
(at  the manifold) is passed through the ozone generator, then the initial
concentrations of NO and Og in the reaction chamber are ten times greater
than what their respective concentrations would be if all of the zero air
was  passed  through the generator; thus, the N0-03 reaction time decreases
                                                             20
by an order of magnitude.  It has been determined empirically   that the
NO-Og reaction goes to completion (less than 1% residual 03) if the following
criterion is met:  The product of the concentration of NO in the reaction
chamber,  [NO]Rp,  (in ppm) times the residence time of the reactants in the
reaction  chamber, tR, (in minutes) must be at least 2.75 ppm-minutes or greater.
This product is called the dynamic parameter specification, PR.  Expressed
algebraically, the specified condition is

               [NO]RC x tR = PR (£2.75 ppm-min)                       (2)
      where
                [NO]RC  =  [NO]STD(F  fp   )                              (3)
                    KL        DIU  I-  +  C
      and        t0  =  c   "c    <   2 minutes.                           (4)
                 K    hO    hNO
                                     18

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In the above equations
     [NO]STD =  concentration  of the undiluted NO standard,  ppm
                                             3
         VRC =  vo''ume °f reaction chamber,  cm
                                                3
          FO =  air flow through 03 generator, cm /min
                          3
         FNO =  NO flow, cm /min
                                                         3
          FT =  FO + FNQ + FD  = total  flow at manifold,  cm /min
          F  =  diluent  air flow, cm /min.
Application of Dynamic Parameter Specification
     As the specification is written,  a wide range of combinations  of  reactant
NO concentrations and residence times  is possible, giving  the analyst  broad
latitude in designing a 6PT calibration system to meet individual requirements.
For rapid calibration, it is suggested that the residence  time be restricted  to
times shorter than 2 minutes.  Now the question arises as  to how the dynamic
parameter specification is used in actual  practice to set  up a 6PT  dynamic
calibration system.   The following approach is recommended.
          1.   Select the total flow,  FT,  for the calibration system as
               measured at the sampling manifold, the recommended range  for
                                      3
               FT is 1000 to 10,000 cm /min.  For a particular system  the
               minimum value for FT is determined from the sample flow
               requirements of the analyzer(s) under calibration with  pro-
               vision made for a suitable excess flow.  (An excess  flow  of
               at least 10 to 50% is suggested.)  The maximum value for  FT
               is determined by the operation characteristics of the particular
               ozone source.  Considering the restraints on FT, the analyst
               should select a suitable value for FT>
          2.   Select a suitable volume, VR-, for the reaction chamber.   This
               volume will be fixed (and can be estimated) if a commercial
               calibration system is used.   The recommended range for  VRC is
               100 to 500 cm3.
                                     19

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3.   Select an NO cylinder to be used for 6PT that has a nominal
     concentration in the range of 50 to 100 ppm NO.  The exact
     cylinder concentration, [NO]STD, is determined by referencing

     the cylinder against an NBS traceable NO or N02 standard.
     (This procedure is discussed below.)

4.   Once Fy, VR~ and [NO]STD are determined, calculate the flow

     of NO, FNQ, required to generate an NO concentration at the

     manifold, [NO]QUT, of 90% of the upper range limit (URL) of

     the NO range.  For example, if the URL for NO is 0.5 ppm,
     then the required NO concentration is 0.45 ppm.

                       [NO]n||T x FT
                F   =      OUT    T
                hNO      LNO]ST[)     '

5.   Calculate the flow required through the 0., generator, FQ,

     which results in the product of the reactant NO concentration
     and the residence time being equal to 2.75, i.e., set the left
     hand side of Equation 2 equal to 2.75 and solve for FQ using
     Equations 3 and 4.  The resulting expression is
,  . / [NO]STD X FNO X
'"O "V        2775
                                                 F
                                              "  rNO
     NOTE:  The value of FQ determined by Equation 6 is the maximum

     value for FQ.  Lower values of FQ may be used.

6.   Calculate the diluent air flow, FD<
                 FD ' FT - F0 - FNO '


7.   Calculate the reactant NO concentration from Equation 3.

8.   Calculate the residence time in the reaction chamber from
     Equation 4.  For a rapid calibration, the residence time
     should be less than 2 minutes.

9.   As a final check, calculate the dynamic parameter, PR, for
     the reactant NO concentration and the residence time as
     determined in steps 7 and 8 above,
     PR = [NO]RC x tR = [NO]STD (F    F  .) (F       ) .      (2')
      K       Kl    K       ilu  ho    NO    0    NO
                            20

-------
     Varying any single  parameter on the right-hand side of Equation 2' affects
     PR as follows:
               a.    Decrease  in  FQ -»- increase in PR.
               b.    Increase  in  VRC ->• increase in PR.
               c.    Increase  in  F.|Q + increase in PR.
          Example.   Calibrate two N09 analyzers, each requiring a sample flow of
      3
250 cm /min.  The calibration range for each is 0 to 0.5 ppm N02.  Set up a GPT
dynamic calibration  system using an available ozone generator that will produce
about 0.5 ppm 03 at  a  total air flow of about 5 1/min.
          1.   Select  the total flow, FT<
               FT (minimum) = 2(250) + 500 (excess)
                                    3
                           = 1000 cm /min
               FT (maximum) = 5000 cm /min
                                   3
                    Let  FT =  3000 cm /min.
          2.   Select  a  reaction chamber volume, VRC.  A Kjeldahl connecting
               bulb  of about  300 cm  in volume is available.
                                    3
                        VRC  = 300 cm.
          3.   An NO cylinder containing 80.0 ppm NO in N2 is available.
                        [NO]STD = 80.0 ppm.
          4.   Calculate FNQ.  The required NO concentration is 0.45 ppm
               (90%  of  URL of 0.5 ppm).
                                      x FT  _  (0.45 ppm) (3000 cm3/min.)
                                            _
                                 [NO]$TD                 80 ppm
                                            = 16.9 cm /min.
          5.    Calculate
Fo=V
   •/
 [NO]STD x FNQ x  VRC
       2.75           "   ""NO
(80.0 ppm)(16.9 cm3/min)(300 cm3)
                               )(
                                75 ppm-min
                            3              3
                  =  384.0  cm /min  - 16.9 cm /min
                          3
                  =  367  cm /min.
                                   21

-------
          6.    Calculate
               FD = FT " F0 " FNO
                  = (3000 - 367 - 16.9) cm3/min
                  = 2616 cm /min.
          7-   [NO]   - [NO]
                   RC
                   KL

                                     16'9
                             ppm
                                 (367 + 16.9) cnT/min
                      = 3.52 ppm.
               84.  _     l\U
               tp ~  p	T—F	
                R    F0 + FNO
                              (300 cm3)
                    367 cm /min + 16.9 cm /min
                  = 0.781 min.

          9.   PR = [NO]RC x tR
                  = (3.52 ppm)(.781  min)
                  = 2.75 ppm-min.
     A GPT system with the following operating conditions will  be suitable to
perform the calibration:
          FT = 3000 cm /min
         VRC = 300 cm3
         FJ.Q =16.9 cm /min
                       3
          FQ = 367.1 cm /min
          FD = 2616 cm /min.
     Changes in the above conditions are possible as long as the dynamic
parameter £ 2.75 is maintained.
                                     22

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heck for Completeness of NO-P, Reaction
    After the gas phase titration apparatus has been assembled, the completeness
f the N0-03 reaction may be verified before proceeding with the calibrations.
his verification must be made if the dynamic parameter for the GPT system is
ess than 2.75.   A chemiluminescence 03 analyzer (calibrated to within +_ 50%)
annected to the manifold is required for this experiment.   Generate an NO
oncentration near 90% of the upper range limit of the desired  NO range;  for
 to 1.0 ppm and 0 to 0.5 ppm ranges, the required NO concentration is about
.9 and 0.45 ppm NO,  respectively.   Next, adjust the ozone  source to generate
nough Og to produce  an N02  concentration of approximately  80%  of the upper
ange limit of the N02 range.  For an NOo range of 0 to 0.5 ppm,  the required
3 and N02 concentrations would be about 0.4 ppm.   (The suggested upper range
imit for N02 analyzers that are calibrated  for ambient air nonitoring purposes
s 0.5 ppm or less.)   This is the most critical  point in the gas  phase titration
ince about 90%  of the available NO must be  reacted for the reaction to be
amplete. Note the response  of the ozone monitor.   There should be no
stectable Og response measured by the Og analyzer if the NO-Og reaction  goes
a completion in the  reaction chamber.   An 0^ response greater  than 1% of the
i/ailable 0^ concentration indicates an incomplete NO-Og reaction.

3p Analyzer Calibration
    Once the gas phase titration system has been  assembled and is operative
id the NO working standard  has been certified (see the following section),  the
:tual  calibration of an NOp chemiluminescence analyzer is  straightforward.
le object of the calibration is to determine the  NO, N0? and NO  responses
                                                       £       X
F the analyzer  as a  function of known NO and N02  concentrations.  This requires
                                   23

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that adjustments be made to the zero and span controls of the analyzer; the

number and function of these controls will vary according to analyzer design.

For analyzers with only one zero or span control, the respective zero or span

adjustments are made with respect to the NO response of the analyzer.  Once

these adjustments are made the N09 and NO  responses are then exact, or else,
                                 b       A

reduced by a factor equivalent to the converter efficiency of the analyzer.

Adjustments to analyzers with two zero or two span controls are made with

respect to the NO and NO  responses — both span adjustments are made using
                        A

an NO source; the NO? response is again fixed and reflects any inefficiency

of the converter.  Zero and span adjustments to analyzers with three separate

zero or span controls must be made for all three analyzer responses — NO,  NO
                                                                             n

and NO? .  For these analyzers, the NO and NO  span adjustments are made using
      £                                      J\

a known NO concentration and the NO? adjustment is made using a known NO?

concentration.  By adjusting the NO  span control with essentially NO only,
                                   A

the converter efficiency can be determined.  For a particular analyzer, the

instruction manual will provide an in-depth discussion of its design and

operational controls.

     A brief outline of the 6PT calibration procedure follows:

          1.   Select the analyzer calibration ranges for NO, NO  and N09.
                                                                X       b

          2.   Connect strip chart recorders to the analyzer recorder
               terminals.  Consult the recorder instruction manual  for
               procedures on making zero, gain, span, damping and other
               operational  adjustments.

          3.   Allow the analyzer to sample zero air.  (The NO source
               should be vented to exhaust.)  Make adjustements to the
               analyzer zero control(s) such that the analyzer and
               recorder responses are offset by + 5% of the full scale
               range.  (For a calibration range of 0 to 0.5 ppm, the zero
               offset would be equivalent to 0.025 ppm.)
                                     24

-------
Adjust the NO flow to generate an NO concentration of
about 80% of the upper range limit of the NO range.  After
the analyzer's responses stabilize, adjust the NO span
control such that the NO recorder response reflects the
exact NO concentration generated plus the NO zero offset.
Also, adjust the NO  span control (for analyzers equipped
                   A
with two or three span controls) such that the NO  recorder
                                                 A
response reflects the sum of the following:  the NO con-
centration, any N02 impurity concentration in the NO working

standard and the NO  zero offset.  No NOV span adjustment
                   A                    A
is necessary for analyzers with only one span control.

NOTE:  If the analyzer NO and NO  responses fail to stabilize
(all flows constant) with the NO response gradually increasing
and the NO  response gradually decreasing, check for contami-
          A
nation of the NO pressure regulator and delivery system.

Generate about five additional NO concentrations over the
NO/NO  range and record the analyzer NO and NOV responses
     A                                        A
(taken from the strip chart recorders) to each concentration.
Plot the NO and NOV calibration curves as explained in the
                      4
calibration procedure.

Generate an NO concentration of about 90% of the NO range.
Using the NO and NO  calibration curves, measure and record
                   A
the NO concentration as [N0]rtv,^ and the NOU concentration

«
Adjust the 03 generator to generate sufficient 03 to produce
an N02 concentration of about 80% of the selected N02 range.
When the analyzer responses have stabilized, measure (from
calibration curves) and record the resultant NO and NO  re-
                                                      A
sponses as [N0]..am and [NOv!LQm, respectively.  No N09 span
               i Gill        X rcHi                      t
adjustement is necessary for analyzers with one or two span
controls.  For analyzers with three span controls, adjust the
N02 span control  so that the N02 recorder response reflects
the sum of the following:  the N02 concentration generated by
GPT ([NO]Q .  - [NO]reJ, any N02 impurity in the NO standard
and the N02 zero offset.  Record the stable N02 response.

Adjust the ozone generator to obtain at least five other N02
concentrations over the N02 range and record the analyzer's
stable NO, NOX and N02 responses (strip chart readings) to
each concentration.  Plot the NO, calibration curve as ex-
                                *    4
plained in the calibration procedure.

                     25

-------
          9.   Determine the converter efficiency.  The total N02 concentration
               generated at the manifold [N02]out, during the GPT is given by
               the sum of the N02 concentration from GPT plus any N09 impurity
               from the NO cylinder.                                i

                                    * [NO]rem> + N02 ™purity.              (8)
               The total N0~ concentration converted to NO in the analyzer,
               [N0]conv, is'given by

                                                 - [N0x]rem).               (9)

               The slope of a plot of CN02]conv versus [N02]Q t is the average
               converter efficiency of the analyzer.  If the converter efficiency
               is less than 96%, replace or service the converter.
Certification of NO in NO Working Standard Against NBS Traceable Standards
     The NO content of the NO working standard must be periodically assayed
against NBS traceable NO or N02 standards.  Any N02 impurity in the cylinder must
also be assayed.  Certification of the NO working standard should be made on a
quarterly basis or more frequently as required.  Procedures are outlined below  for
certification against either an NO or N02 NBS traceable standard.  The simplest
and most straightforward procedure is to certify against an NO standard. NOTE:
If the assayed N02 impurity concentration, [N02]IMp,  is greater than the 1  ppm
                                           4
value allowed in the calibration procedure,  make certain that the NO delivery
system is not the source of contamination before discarding the NO standard.
     Certification of NO Working Standard Against an NBS Traceable NO Standard.
Use the NBS traceable NO standard and the GPT calibration procedure to
calibrate the NO, NO  and N02 responses of a chemiluminescence analyzer.   Also
determine the converter efficiency of the analyzer.   Refer to the calibration
procedure4 for exact details; ignore the recommended zero offset adjustments.
                                    26

-------
     Generate several NO concentrations by dilution of  the NO working  standard.
Use the nominal NO concentration, [NO]no|T), to calculate the diluted concen-
trations.  Plot the analyzer NO response  (in ppm) versus the nominal diluted  NO
concentration and determine the slope, SNQM.  Calculate the NO concentration
of the working standard, [NO]STD, from
                    [NO]STD = [NO]NQM x SNQM.                          (10)

 If the nominal NO concentration of the working standard is unknown, generate
 several NO concentrations to give on-scale NO responses.  Measure and record
 FjYQ and FT for each NO concentration generated.  Plot the analyzer NO response
 versus f^Q/Fj and determine the slope which gives [NO]STD directly.
     The analyzer NO  responses to the generated NO concentrations reflect any
                    A
 NOp impurity in the NO working standard.  Plot the difference between the
 analyzer NO  and NO responses versus FMQ/FT-  The slope of this plot is [NOp
     In the procedure above it is possible to assay the NO content of the working
 standard without first calibrating the NO and NO  responses of the analyzer.  This
                                                A
 is done by simply comparing relative NO responses of the working NO standard to
 the NBS traceable NO standard.  The NOp impurity can be determined from the
 analyzer NO  responses provided the converter efficiency is known.
           A
     Certification of NO Working Standard Against an NBS Traceable NO,, Standard.
Use the NO working standard and the GPT calibration procedure to "calibrate"
the NO, NO  and N09 responses of a chemi luminescence analyzer.  Refer to the
          A       £
calibration procedure  for exact details; ignore the recommended zero offset
adjustements.  For this pseudo-calibration use the nominal NO cylinder value
and assume no N02 impurity is in the cylinder.  For an analyzer with dual detectors,
                                      27

-------
the NO  span adjustment must be made by diverting the sample flow around the
      A


converter and routing it directly to the NO  detector.  This operation
                                           A


electronically balances the two detectors.



     From the GPT data, plot the analyzer NO,, response versus the N0« concen-



tration generated by GPT.  Determine the slope, SNQM, and the X-intercept of



the curve.  Generate several N0« concentrations by dilution of the NBS



traceable N02 standard.  Plot the analyzer N02 response versus N02 concen-



tration.  Determine the slope, SNB<..  Calculate the NO concentration of the



working standard, [NO]<.jD, from
                    [NO]STD - [NO]NOH x        .                          (11)
Calculate the N02 impurity from
                               (X-intercept) FT     S


                                              ~  X
                                     F
                                     hNO
ALTERNATIVE B:  N02 PERMEATION DEVICE


                            21
     In a permeation device,   an easily liquifiable gas such as N0» is con-



densed inside an inert container, all or part of which is constructed from a


                                 (R)
polymeric material (often Teflon^ ).  Gas escapes from the container by



dissolving in and permeating through the polymer walls at a temperature



dependent rate.  The rate of gas effusion (in yg/min) at a constant temperature



can be established by gravimetric determination of the weight loss of the



permeation device over a known period of time.  In this calibration procedure,



the NO and NO  responses of a chemi luminescence analyzer are first calibrated
             A


with an NO standard; next accurately known concentrations of N02 are produced



dynamically by diluting the effusion from an N02 permeation device with various



                                    28

-------
flows of clean air to obtain a calibration for NOp.  Either the NOp permeation
device or the NO source may be chosen as the reference standard for calibration.
The remaining standard must be assayed against the reference standard for
consistency.

Components of a Permeation Device Calibration System
     Figure 2 shows a diagram of a typical permeation device calibration system.
Such systems have been described in the literature  '   and they are also
commercially available.   All  connections between components in the system should
                   (B)
be glass or Teflon    or other nonreactive material.   The system consists of
four functional sections:
          1.   A controlled-temperature section that houses the NOo permeation
               device and is flushed continuously with purified, dry zero air
               or nitrogen.
          2.   A regulated source of clean, dry zero air for dilution of the
               NOp gas effluent from the permeation device.  The source should
               be capable of providing air flows up to about 20 1/min.
          3.   An NO standard and delivery system.
          4.   A dilution-mixing, sampling and exhaust section.
The suggestions for preparing, regulating and measuring zero air flows  discussed
in connection with gas phase titration are applicable to this calibration system
also.  In addition, an NO standard with delivery system and a suitable  dilution-
mixing, sampling and exhaust assembly were also discussed above.  Therefore, the
latter three sections of the permeation device calibration system do not warrant
further discussion.  A description of the constant temperature section  follows.

     Constant Temperature Section.  Temperature control is the primary  concern
in using an N02 permeation device as a standard N02 source.  For example, a
change in temperature of about 0.5°C effects a change in the permeation rate
                                      29

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CO
o
                     o
                                                                                                    VENT
                                                       EXTRA OUTLETS CAPPED
                                                         WHEN NOT IN USE
                                                                                     TO INLET OF ANALYZER
                                                                                      UNDER CALIBRATION
                                                                                                                     THERMOMETER
PERMEATION
  DEVICE /
                                                                                                                                         I
                                                                                                                      CONSTANT TEMPERATURE
                                                                                                                            CHAMBER
                                   Figure 2. Schematic diagram of a typical calibration apparatus using an NO2 permeation device.

-------
of the device of about four percent (4%).  For this reason, it is important
that the temperature of the device be maintained at a constant value within
+ 0.1°C and that it be closely monitored when the device is in use.
     Generally, the NOg permeation device is housed in a temperature-controlled
glass container that has an entrance and exit port at opposite ends; a glass
thermometer accurate to + 0.05°C may be placed beside the device to  monitor its
                                                                   3
temperature.  A small  fixed zero air or nitrogen flow (about 100 cm  /min) that
is maintained at the same temperature as the permeation device flushes the N02
out of the device housing into a mixing chamber where the N02  is  diluted with
clean dry zero air.  A valve, e.g., a three-way stopcock, placed  at  the exit of
the device housing may be used to divert the NOo stream to a vent when clean
air is required at the manifold for making the necessary z»ro  adjustments to the
analyzer.
     To maintain the temperature of the permeation device to within  +_ 0.1°C of
the desired value, the device and housing may be either placed physically inside
a constant temperature chamber as depicted in Figure 2 or they can be located
external to the constant temperature chamber with the heat transfer  medium
circulated around the device housing, e.g., a jacketed condenser (West or
Liebig type).  The flushing zero air or nitrogen passes through a heat exchanger,
e.g., a coil of copper tubing, contained in the constant temperature chamber
before passing over the device to adjust its temperature to that of  the device.
For a calibration system to be used in a laboratory or other permanent location,
a circulating water bath makes an excellent constant temperature chamber.  Many
circulating water baths are available that are capable of temperature control  to
i0.1°C over a suitable temperature range (usually 15°C to 35°C for  most cali-
bration work).  Commercial calibration systems often use circulating air in
                                    31

-------
the constant temperature chamber; such a chamber has the advantage of being
more portable than a water bath.

     Flush Gas for Permeation Device.  In Figure 2 the zero air stream is
split to allow a small air flow to pass continuously over the permeation
device.  Alternatively, the flush gas could be supplied from a cylinder of
prepurified dry air or nitrogen.  Whatever its source is extremely important
that the flushing stream be extra dry so that moisture does not condense on
the surface of the device.  Water condensate could react with the effusing
N02 to form an acid mist thus changing the N02 concentration.  A transparent
drying column containing a mixture of molecular sieve (e.g., 6-16 mesh, type 4A)
and indicating calcium sulfate (e.g., Drierite) has been used effectively as a
moisture scrubber on the flush gas line.

Standard NOp Permeation Device
     The diffusion properties of NOo has made the construction of stable, accurate
N02 permeation devices no easy feat.  For this reason due care must be given to
their handling for reliable use.  Permeation devices are available from commercial
sources and from NBS as a Standard Reference Material (SRM 1629).   The NBS device
has a certified permeation rate of approximately 1  ^g/min at about 25°C.
Permeation rates of commercial devices vary according to size and recommended
operating temperature.  Both NBS and commercial manufacturers provide explicit
instructions on the use of their respective devices which the user should follow
for accurate measurements.
     Most permeation devices must equilibrate for at least 24 hours at the
certified or operating temperature before the permeation rate stabilizes.
                                   32

-------
Equilibration times may be longer and the permeation rate may be erratic if
the device is subjected to extreme temperature variations when not in use.
It was mentioned above that the flush gas over the permeation device must be
extra dry.  This is especially true of the NBS device and many others which
have a large surface area for N02 permeation.  Some commercial devices which
have a very small permeating area and are designed to operate at elevated
temperatures (40 to 60°C) may not be as susceptible to trace moisture in the
flush gas.  Additional information regarding the use of permeation devices
                                                 22-24
for calibration purposes is documented elsewhere.
     If the NOp permeation device is to be used as the reference standard for
calibration, then the permeation rate of the device must be traceable to an
NBS NO in NZ standard (SRM 1683 or 1684) or N02 standard (SRM 1629).   Otherwise,
the permeation device need only be periodically assayed against  the reference
NO standard to assure consistency between the two  working standards.   Procedures
for certifying the reference standard against NBS  traceable NOo  or NO in N2
standards and for intercomparing the N02 and NO working standards  are discussed
below.

Basic Design Considerations for a Calibration System
     When designing a calibration system, the analyst should first determine
the relevant operational criteria that the system  must meet.  The  calibration
range(s)  that the system must accommodate should be considered along  with the
corresponding total air flow that will be required.  For maximum flexibility,
the system should be designed for use with the widest applicable range (normally
0 to 0.5  ppm N02 for ambient air measurements); it will serve more sensitive
ranges when necessary.  Since the N02 concentration is inversely proportional  to
                                     33

-------
the total flow at the manifold, the minimum required N0? concentration sets
the upper limit of the dilution air flow.  For example, using one NBS permeation
device that generates about 1 yg N02/min, a total air flow of about 18 1/min is
required to generate about 0.03 ppm N02-  Lower concentrations would, of course,
require higher dilution air flows.  A second consideration is the number of NOp
analyzers that can be calibrated simultaneously with the calibration system.
This is controlled not only by the sum of the respective analyzer sample flow
rates but also and most importantly, by the minimum total  flow of the cali-
bration system at the manifold.  Air flow is a minimum when the NOp concentration
is a maximum.  As specified in the calibration procedure,  the maximum required
N02 concentration is about 80% of the calibration range.  For example, again
using one NBS permeation device and specifying an NOp analyzer range of 0 to
0.5 ppm N02, a total flow of about 1.3 1/min is required to generate about 0.4
ppm NOp.  Allowing about 0.3 1/min as excess flow, only about 1.0 1/min flow is
available at the manifold for calibration of the N02 analyzer(s).  If the lower
limit of the total flow of the N02 calibration gas is insufficient to meet the
flow demand of the NOp analyzer(s), then the problem could be solved by cali-
brating and using the analyzer(s) on a more sensitive range whenever possible
and appropriate.  Alternatively, two or more permeation devices could be used
in parallel to generate NOp concentrations at the upper end of the calibration
range.  For example, two NBS devices would permit the doubling of the total
flow at the manifold.  By venting the effluent of all but  one of the devices,
N02 concentrations in the lower portion of the range could be easily provided.

NOp Analyzer Calibration
     Ont_e L!ic permeation device system has been assembled  and is operative and
tuc NO and NCp Corking standards have been intercompared with rccpcct to
                                     34

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the certified standard (see the following section), the actual calibration  of




an N02


       chemiluminescence analyzer is straightforward.  The object of the




calibration is to determine the NO, N0~ and NO  responses of the analyzer as
                                      £-       X


a function of known NO and NOp concentrations.  This requires that adjustments




be made to the zero and span controls of the analyzer; the number and function




of these controls will vary according to anlyzer design.   For analyzers with




only one zero or span control, the respective zero or span adjustments are




made with respect to the NO response of the analyzer.   Once these adjustments




are made the N09 and NO  responses are then exact, or else, reduced by a factor
               L-       A



equivalent to the converter efficiency of the analyzer.   Adjustments  to analyzers




with two zero or two span controls are made with respect  to the NO  and  NO
                                                                         /\



responses — both span adjustments are made us'ny an NO  source,  the NOo response




is again fixed and reflects any inefficiency of the converter.   Zero  and span




adjustments to analyzers with three separate zero or span  controls  must be  made




for all three analyzer responses — NO, NO  and NO?.  For  these analyzers,  the
                                          X       C-



NO and NO  span adjustments are made using a known NO  concentration and the N0~
         X                                                                    L-


adjustment is made using a known N0~ concentration.   By adjusting the NO  span
                                   £                                    /\


control with essentially NO only, the converter efficiency can  be determined.




For a particular analyzer, the instruction manual  will provide  an in-depth




discussion of its design and operational  controls.




     A brief outline of the calibration procedure follows:




          1.   Select the analyzer calibration ranges  for  NO, NO  and N09.
                                                                X       C.


          2.   Connect strip chart recorders to the analyzer recorder terminals.

               Consult the recorder instruction manual for procedures on making

               zero, gain, span, damping, and other operational  adjustments.




          3.   Allow the analyzer to sample zero air.   (The NO and N02 sources

               Should be w°.r>ted tO «?vhaijst.)  Matp ari-in<;tmpr)t<;  tn thp ana1v7Pr

               zero control(s) such that the analyzer and recorder responses

               are offset by + 5% of thp full ?cale vannp.  (For a calibration

               range of 0 to 0.5 ppm, the zero offset would be equivalent to

               0.025 ppm.)

                                     35

-------
 4.    Ad.iust  the  NO  flow to  generate  an  NO  concentration of about
      80%  of  the  upper ranqe limit  of the NO  range.  After the
      analyzer's  responses stabilize, ad.iust  the  NO  span control
      such that the  NO recorder  response reflects the  exact NO
      concentration  generated plus  the NO zero offset.  Also  ad.iust
      the  NO   span control (for  analyzers eguioped with two or  three
           y\
      span controls)  such that the  NO recorder response reflects
                                     y\
      the  sum of  the  following:   the  NO  concentration, any NOp  im-

      purity  concentration in the NO  working  standard  and the NO
                                                               y\
      zero offset.   No NO span  adjustment  is necessary for analyzers
                         J\
      with only one  span control.

      NOTE:   If the  analyzer NO  and NOx  responses fail to stabilize
      (all  flows  constant) with  the NO response gradually increasing
      and  the NO  response gradually  decreasing,  check for contami-
               A
      nation  of the  NO pressure  regulator and delivery system.

 5.    Generate about  five additional  NO  concentrations over the NO/NO
                                                                    A
      range and record the analyzer NO and  NOV responses (taken from
                                            /\
      the  strip chart recorders)  to each concentration.  Plot the NO and

      NO   calibration curves as  explained in the  calibration  procedure.
       A

 6.    Divert  the  NO  flow to  exhaust and  the NOp flow to the manifold.

      Ad.iust  the  dilution air flow, FQ,  to  generate an N02 concentration

      of about 80% of the upper  range limit of the NOp range.   After the

      analyzer response stabilizes, ad.iust  the N02 span control (only

      for  analyzers with three span controls) so  that the NOp recorder
      response reflects the  sum  of  the NOp  concentration from the
      permeation  device plus  the  NOp  zero offset.  Record the stable
      NOp  and  NO  responses.
       £       «
 7.    Generate at least five additional  NOp concentrations by varying

      the  dilution air flow;  record the  stable N02 and NOX responses

      to each  concentration.   An  equilibration time of at least ten
     minutes  is  suggested between  concentration  changes.   Plot the   4
      NOp  calibration curve  as explained in the calibration procedure.

8.    Determine the converter efficiency.   The N02 concentration at the

     manifold, [N^out* ls  emulated  from the  permeation rate and
      the  total flow  at the manifold.  The  N02 concentration converted

      to NO by the analyzer  is given  by  the NO  response to the
                                             n
     generated N02 concentrations.    The slope of a plot of the NO
     response versus  [NOp]   . gives  the average converter efficiency
     of the analyzer.   If the converter efficiency is less  than 96%,
      replace  or  service  the converter.

                           36

-------
Certification of Working N02 or NO in N2 Standard Against NBS Traceable Standard
     Either the NOo permeation device or the NO source may be chosen as the
reference standard for calibration.  The reference standard must be certified
aqainst an NBS traceable standard.  The remaining standard must then be assayed
against the reference standard for consistency.  To show consistency, the NOo
generated by a permeation device is compared to the N02 generated by gas
phase titration of the NO standard.  Certifications and intercomDarisons
should be done quarterly or more frequently as required.
     If the NO standard is chosen as the reference standard,  it may be certified
aqainst an NBS traceable N02 or NO standard.  These certification procedures
were outlined above under the discussion of gas phase titration and need not be
repeated here.  Certification of an N02 standard against  NBS  traceable standards
and the intercomparison of the NO and N02 standards are discussed below.

     Certification of N02 Working Standard Against ar NBS Traceable NOp Standard.
The N02 chemiluminescence analyzer need not be in calibration for these
measurements.  Generate several N02 concentrations by dilution of the NBS
traceable NOo standard.  Plot the analyzer N02 response versus N02 concentration
and determine the slope, SNB<-.  Generate several N02 concentrations by dilution
of the working N02 standard to give on-scale N02 responses.   Measure the total
flow at the manifold, F,., for each N02 concentration generated.   Plot the
analyzer N02 response versus 1/F,. and determine the slope, SSTD.   Calculate the
permeation rate, R, from
                                                                           (13)
     where
              K = 0.532 yl N02/ug N02 (at 25°C and 760 mm Hg)
                                     37

-------
     Certification of NOo Working Standard Against an NBS Traceable NO Standard.
Use the NBS traceable NO standard and the GPT calibration procedure to calibrate
the NO, NO  and N09 responses of a chemiluminescence analyzer.  Refer to the
          A       L.
GPT calibration procedure  for exact details; ignore the recommended zero
offset adjustments.  Generate several N02 concentrations by dilution of the
working N02 standard to give on-scale N02 responses.  Measure the total flow
at the manifold, FT, for each N02 concentration generated.  Plot the analyzer
N02 response versus 1/Fj and determine the slope, SST[).  Calculate the per-
meation rate, R, from
                                   .                                     04)
Intercomparison of NOo and NO Working Standards.
     To compare the working N02 standard to a certified NO working standard,
simply follow the same procedure as outlined above for "certifying an N02
working standard against an NBS traceable NO standard".  The N02 and NOX span
adjustments must take into account any N02 impurity in the NO working standard.
To make comparison between a working NO standard and a certified N02 standard,
follow the same procedure as outlined for "certifying a working NO standard
against an NBS traceable N02 standard".  This procedure was discussed in the
GPT section.
                                     38

-------
                              REFERENCES


 1.   Environmental  Protection Agency, Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations,
     "Part 50 -  National  Primary and Secondary Ambient Air Quality Standards,"
     Federal  Register,  36,  8186, April 30, 1971.

 2.   T.  R.  Hauser and C.  M.  Shy, Envir.  Sci.  Tech.. 6_, 890 (1972).

 3.   Environmental  Protection Agency, Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations,
     "Part 50 -  Reference Method for Determination of Nitrogen Dioxide,"
     Federal  Register.  38_,  15174, June 8, 1973.

 4.   Environmental  Protection Agency, Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations,
     "Part 50 -  Measurement Principle and Calibration Procedure for the
     Measurement of Nitrogen Dioxide in  the Atmosphere (Gas Phase
     Chemiluminescence)," Federal Register, 41, 52688, December 1, 1976.

 5.   Environmental  Protection Agency, Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations,
     "Part 53 -  Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods,"
     Federal  Register.  40_(33), 7044, February 18, 1975 as amended in
     Federal  Register,  41_,  52692, December 1, 1976.

 6.   E.  C.  Ellis and J. H.  Margeson, "Evaluation of Gas Phase Titration
     Technique as Used  for  Calibration of Nitrogen Dioxide Chemilumi-
     nescence Analyzers."  Environmental Protection Agency, Research
     Triangle Park, N.  C.  EPA Publication No. EPA-650/4-75-021,
     April  1975.

 7.   A.  Fontijn, A. J.  Sabadell, and R.  J. Ronco, "Homogeneous
     Chemiluminescent Measurement of Nitric Oxide with Ozone,"
     Anal.  Chem., 42_, 575 (1970).

 8.   D.  H.  Stedman, E.  E. Daby, F.  Stuhl, and H. Niki, "Analysis of
     Ozone and Nitric Oxide by a Chemiluminescent Method in Laboratory
     and Atmospheric Studies of Photochemical Smog," J_. Air Poll.
     Control  Assoc.. 22_,  260 (1972).

 9.   B.  E.  Martin,  J. A.  Hodgeson and R. K. Stevens, "Detection of
     Nitric Oxide Chemiluminescence at Atmospheric Pressure," Presented
     at  164th National  American Chemical Society Meeting, New York City,
     August 1972.

10.   R.  K.  Stevens  and  J. A. Hodgeson, "Application of Chemiluminescent
     Reactions to the Measurement of Air Pollutants, " Anal. Chem.. 45,
     443A (1973).                                      	

                                  39

-------
11.  J. A. Hodgeson, K. A. Rehme, B. E. Martin, and R.  K.  Stevens,
     "Measurement for Atmospheric Oxides of Nitrogen and Ammonia  by
     Chemiluminescence," Preprint, Presented at 1972 Air Pollution
     Control Association Meeting, Miami, Florida, June  1972,  Paper
     No. 72-12.

12.  L. P. Breitenbach and M. Shelef, "Development of a Method for
     the Analysis of N0? and NH~ by NO-Measuring Instruments,"
     J.. Air Poll. Control AssocT. 23, 128 (1973).

13.  A. M. Winer, J. W. Peters, J. P. Smith and J. N. Pitts,  Jr.,
     "Response of Commercial Chemiluminescent N0-N0« Analyzers to
     Other Nitrogen-Containing Compounds," Envir. Sci.  Tech.. 8,
     1118 (1974).

14.  P. C. Constant, M. C. Sharp and G. W. Scheil, "Collaborative
     Testing of Methods for Measurement of NO, in Ambient Air,"
     EPA Report No. 650/4-75-013, February 1975.

15.  K. A. Rehme, B. E. Martin, and J. A  Hodgeson, "Tentative Method
     for the Calibration of Nitric Oxide, Nitrogen Dioxide and Ozone
     Analyzers by Gas Phase Titration," Environmental Protection  Agency,
     Research Triangle Park, N.C., EPA Publication No.  EPA-R2-73-246,
     March 1974.

16.  M. A. A. Clyne, B. A. Thrush and R. P. Wayne, Trans.  Faraday
     Soc.. 60, 359 (1964).

17.  J. A. Hodgeson, R. K. Stevens, and B. E. Martin, "A Stable Ozone
     Source Applicable as a Secondary Standard for Calibration of
     Atmospheric Monitors," ISA Transactions. Jl, 161 (1972).

18.  NBS Technical Note, No. 585, pp. 11-25 (January 1972).   Available
     through:  Superintendent of Documents, Government  Printing Office,
     Washington, D. C.  20402.  Price 70$.

19.  G. 0. Nelson, Controlled Test Atmospheres, (Ann Arbor Science
     Publishers, Inc., Ann Arbor, 1971), Chapter 3.

20.  K. A. Rehme and C. F. Smith, Environmental Monitoring and Support
     Laboratory, Environmental Protection Agency, private communication.

21.  A. E. O'Keeffe and G. C. Ortman, "Primary Standards for  Trace  Gas
     Analysis."  Anal. Chem.. 38, 760 (1966).

22.  F. P. Scaringelli, A. E. O'Keeffe, E. Rosenberg, and J.  B. Bell,
     "Preparation of Known Concentrations of Gases and  Vapors with
     Permeation Devices Calibrated Gravimetrically," Anal. Chem., 42,
     871 (1970).

23.  H. L. Rook, E. E. Hughes, R. G. Fuerst and J. H. Margeson,
     Operation Characteristics of NOo Permeation Devices,"
     Anal. Chem., In press.

24.  Calibration in Air Monitoring. ASTM STP 598, (American Society for
     Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, 1976).

                                  40

-------
ADDENDUM
    41

-------
     Part 50 of Chapter  I, Title  40,  Cc.-le of Foderel Regulations,
is {••r.:'!i'/iG;1 by -revising Appendix F to  rr.cri as follows:

APj'tN'Jix F - KEAV.JREMENT PRINCIPLE A?ID  CALIBRATION PROCEDURE FOR
             THE MEASUREMENT Of NITROGEN DIOXIDE IN THE ATMOSPHERE
             (GAS PHASE CHEMJLUHlNtSCEiiCE)
Pr'ij^"i].-j_c end Ajp.pl "I Cubi_li_ty_
     1.   Atmospheric concentrations  of nitrogen dioxide (N02)
are measured indirectly by photometrically measuring the light
intensity, at wavelengths greater than  600 nanometers,  resulting
from the che.Tiiluminescent reaction of nitric oxide (NO) with
ozone (03)."*2*3'  N02  is first  quantitatively reduced to
Mr''0"'' by means of a converter.  NO, which commonly  exists in
ambient 
-------
generally  low  relative  to K02 and valid N02 measurements may  be
obtained.   In  certain geographical Erear, where  the  concentration
of these potential  interferences is  known or  suspected  to  be  high
relative to N0?,  the use of an  equivalent method for the measure-
ment of NOp is reccrrraundec!.
     2.2   The  use of integrating flasks on the snmrile inlet line
of chemiluminescence NO/NO /NCk analyzers is  stroiioly discouraged.
The sample residence time between the  sampling point and the
analyzer should be  kept to n minimum to avoid erroneous NCL
measurements resulting  from the reaction of ambient  levels of NO'
and 0^ in  the  sampling  system.
     2.3   The  use of participate filters on the  sample  inlet line
of chemiluminescence NO/NO /NOp analyzers is  optional and  left to
the discretion of the user or the manufacturer.   Use  of the
filter should depend on tho analyzer's susceptibility to inter-
ference, malfunction, or damage due  to parti oilates.  Users ore
cautioned  that participate matter concentrated on a filter may
cause erroneous N0? measurements and therefore filters should be
changed frequently.
     3i   An analyzer based on  this  principle will ba considered
a reference method only if it has been designated as  a reference
method in accordance with Part  S3 of this chapter.
Calibration
     !•   AI1^.r!i>iLLvJ?..A - Gas Phase  ti (.ration (GPT) of an NO
standard with CL.
                               44

-------
      ggui pmgn t r equ i red :  Stable 0-j generator.



                           Chenii luminescence NO/NC^/NOg analyzer


                           with strip chart recorder (s).



                           KO concentration standard.



     1.1  Principle.  Tin's calibration tcichniqi:? is based upon



the rapid gas phase reaction between NO and CL to produce stoichio-

                                                                   /0\

metric quantities of N(L in accordance with the following equation:v '




     NO + 03 + N02 + 02                                          (1)




The quantitative nature of this reaction is such that when the NO


concentration is known » the concentration of NOp can be determined.



Ozone is added to excess NO in a dynamic calibration system, and
the NO channel  of the chemi luminescence NO/NO /NOp analyser is


used as an indicator of changes in NO concentration.  Upon the



addition of 03> the decrease in NO concentration observed on the



calibrated NO channel is equivalent to the concentration of NOp


produced.  The amount of NOp generated may be varied by adding


variable amounts of 0~ from a stable uncalibrated Q~ genera tor.



     1.2  Apparatus.  Figure 1, a schematic of a typical GPT



apparatus, shows the suggested configuration of the components



listed below.  All  connections between components in the calibration



system downstream from the 0.. generator should be of glass,

      ©
Teflon , or other non-reactive material.



     1.2.1  Air flow controllers. Devices capable of maintaining



constant air flows  within .J2" of the required flowrate.
                               45

-------
     1.2.2  NO flow controller.  A device capable of maintaining
constant !!0 flows within ±23 of the required flov.rate.  Component
parts in contact with the NO should be of a non-reactive material.
     1.2,3  Air flowmeters.  Calibrated flowmeters capable of
measuring an.d monitoring air flowrates with an accuracy of ±2% of
the measured flowrate.
     1.2.4  NO flowineter.  A calibrated flowmeter capable of
measuring and monitoring NO flowrates with an accuracy of ±2% of
the measured flowrate.  (Rotameters have been reported to operate
unreliably when measuring low NO flows and are not recommended.)
     1.2.5  Pressure regulator for stanoard NO cylinder.  This
regulator must have a non-reactive diaphragm and internal parts
and a suitable delivery pressure.
     1.2.6  Ozone generator.  The generator must be capable of
generating sufficient and stable.levels of 03 for reaction with
NO to generate N02 concentrations in the range required.  Ozone
generators of the electric discharge type may produce NO and NOg
and are not recommended.
     1.2.7  Valve.  A valve may be used as shown in Figure 1 to
divert the 110 flow when zero air is required at the manifold.
The valve should be constructed of glass, Teflon , or other non-
reactive material.
     1.2.8  Reaction chamber.   A chamber, constructed of glass,
Teflon", or  other non-reactive material,  for the quantitative
reaction of  ()-, with excess NO.   T!;e chamber should bo of sufficient
                              46

-------
volume (VL,.) such that the residence time (tR) mests the require-
ments specified in 1.4.  For practical reasons, tR should be less
than 2 minutes.
     1.2.9  Mixing chamber.  A chamber constructed of glass,
Teflon', or other non-reactive material and designed to provide
thorough mixing of reaction products and diluent air.  The residence
time is not critical  when the dynamic parameter specification
given in 1.4 is met.
     1.2.10  Output manifold.  The output manifold should bo
constructed of glass, Teflon , or other non-reactive material and
should be of sufficient diameter to insure an insignificant
pressure drop at the  analyzer connection.  The system must: have a
vent designed to insure atmospheric pressure at the manifo'id and
to prevent ambient a.ir from entering the manifold.
     1.3  Reagents.
     1.3.1  NO concentration standard.  Cylinder containing 50 to
100 ppm NO in N2 with less than 1 ppm N02.  The cylinder must be
traceable to a National Bureau of Standards NO in N2 Standard
Reference Material (SRM 1683 or SRM 1684) or N02 Standard Reference
Material (SRM 1629).   Procedures for certifying the NO cylinder
(working standard) against an NBS traceable JJO or N02 standard
and for determining the amount of N02 impurity are given in
reference 13.  The cylinder should be recertified on a regular
busis as determined by the local quality control program.
                              47

-------
     1.3;2  Zero air.  Air, free of contaminants which will cause

a detectable response on the NO/NO/NO,, analyzer or which might
                                  rk   £
react with either NO, 03, or NOo in the gas phase titration.  A

procedure for generating zero air is given in reference 13.

     1.4  Dynamic parameter specification.
                                •                            •
     1.4.1  The 03 generator air flowrate (FQ) and NO flowrate

(FNQ) (see Figure 1) must be adjusted such that the following

relationship holds:
                   x *R >.  2-75 ppm-mirutes                      (2)



            CNO]RC  =  [NO]    (--)                        (3)
                KU               -
                       DP
            tD  =  r  .  c    < 2 minutes                         (4)
             R     F0 * FNO
where:  PR     =  dynamic parameter specification, determined

                  empirically, to insure complete reaction of the

                  available 03> ppm-minute

        [NO]RC =  NO concentration in the reaction chamber, ppm

        tp     =  residence time of the reactant gases in the

                  reaction chamber, minute

        [NO]STD=  concentration of the undiluted NO standard, ppm
                                  3
        ^NO    =  NO flowrate, scm /min
                                                o
        FQ     =  03 generator air flowrate, scm /min
                                                     o
        V,    -  volume of the reaction chamber, scm
                               48

-------
     1.4.2  The flow conditions  to be used in the GPT system are
determined by the following  procedure:
          (a)  Determine  Fy,  the total flow required at the
output manifold (F-r = analyzer demand plus 10 to 50% excess).
          (b)  Establish  [NOJQ,.,. as the highest NO concentration
(ppm) which will  be. required  at  the output manifold.  [NOjnijT
should be approximately equivalent to 90% of the upper range
limit (URL) of the N02 concentration range to be covered.
          (c)  Determine  FNQ  as

                  MOUT^T
          •NO       TNCOSTD
          (d)  Select a convenient or available reaction chamber
volume.   Initially,  a trial VRC may be selected to be in the
                                    3
range of approximately 200 to 500 son .
          (e)  Compute F0 as
          '.-V
[NO]STD x FNQ x VRC
	T.75	FNO
          (f) . Compute tR as
                      NO
Verify that  tR < 2 minutes.  If not, select a reaction chamber
with a  smaller VRC-

-------
         • (g)  Comput3 the diluent air flowrate as

          FD  -  FT-F0-FNO
                                         3
where:    FD  = diluent air flowrate, son /min
          (h)  If FQ'turns out to be impractical for the desired
system, select a reaction chamber having a different VRC and
recompute FQ and FQ.

NOTE:  A dynamic parameter lower than 2.75 ppm-minutes may be
used if it can be determined empirically that quantitative reaction
of (L with NO occurs.  A procedure for making this determination
as well as a more detailed discussion of the above requirements
and other related considerations is given In reference 13.

     1.5  Procedure.
     1.5.1  Assemble a dynamic calibration system such as the one
shown in Figure 1.
     1.5.2  Insure that all flowmeters are calibrated under the
conditions of use against a reliable standard such as a soap-
bubble meter or wet-test meter.  All volumetric flev/rates should
be corrected to 25°C and 760 mm Hg.   A discussion on the cali-
bration of flowineters is given in reference 13.
     1.5.3  Precautions mi'st be taken to remove Op and other
contaminants from the NO pressure regulator and delivery system
prior to t\,c start of calibration to avoid any conversion of the
standard NO to NO.,.   Failure to do so can cause significant
                              50

-------
errors in calibration.  This problem may be minimized by



(1) carefully evacuating the regulator, when possible, after tha



regulator has been connected to the cylinder and before opening



the cylinder valve; (2) thoroughly flushing the regulator and



delivery system with NO after opening the cylinder valve; (3) not



removing the regulator from the cylinder between calibrations



unless absolutely necessary.  Further discussion of these pro-



cedures is given in reference 13.



     1.5.4  Select the operating range of the NO/NO /NCL analyzer
                                                   «   k


to be calibrated.  In order to obtain maximum precision and



accuracy for NCL calibration, all three channels of the analyzer



should be set to the same range.  If operation of the NO and NO
                                                               A


channels on higher ranges is desired, subsequent recalibration of



the NO and NO  channels on the higher ranges is recommended.
             4\




NOTE:  Some analyzer designs may require identical  ranges for NO,



NOX, and NOp during operation of the analyzer.





     1.5.5  Connect the recorder output cable(s) of the NO/NO /N02



analyzer to the input terminals of the strip chart  recorder(s).



All adjustments to the analyzer should be performed based on the



appropriate strip chart readings.  References to analyzer responses



in the procedures given below refer to recorder responses.



     1.5.6  Determine the GPT flow conditions required to meet



the dynamic parameter specification as indicated in 1.4.
                                51

-------
     1.5.7  Adjust the diluent sir ?nd 03 operator air flows to



obtain  the  flows determined  in 1.4.2.  The total air flow must



exceed  the  total demand of the cinaiyz^r(s) connected to the



output  manifold to insure that no ambient air is pulled into the



manifold vent.  Allow the analyzer to sample zero air until



stable  NO,  NO  , and  NO^ responses are obtained.  After the



responses have stabilized, adjust the analyzer .zero control(s).





NOTE:   Some analyzers may have separata zero controls for NO,



NO  , and N0~.  Other analyzers may have separate zero controls
  A         £


only for NO and NO , while still others may have only one zero
       •           "


control common to all three  channels.





Offsetting  the analyzer zero adjustments to +5% of scale is



recommended to facilitate observing negative zero drift.  Record



the stable  zero air  responses as Z^g, ZMQ , and ZNQ .



     1.5.8  Preparation of NO and NOV calibration curves.
                                    A


     1.5.8.1  Adjustment of  NO span control.  Adjust the NO flow



from the standard NO cylinder to generate an NO concentration of



approximately 80% of the upper range limit (URL) of the NO range.



The exact f!0 concentration is calculated from:





                 Fwn x [NO]
                      . r  .

                        0
where:  [N°"JniJT  ~  diluted NO concentration at the output



                    manifold, pp.-n
                                52

-------
 Sample this NO concentration until  the HO and NOX responses have



 stabilized.  Adjust the NO span control to obtain a recorder



..response as indicated below:






                                       [NO]OUT

      recorder response (% scale)  =  (  .. "    x 100) + 1        (10)
                                         UKL              INU






 where:   URL  =  nominal upper range limit of the NO channel,  ppm





 NOTE:  Some analyzers may have separate span controls for NO,



 NO ,  and NOp.  Other analyzers may  have separate span controls



 only  for NO and NO , while still others may have only one span
                   A


 control  common to all three channels.   When only one span control



 is available, the span adjustment is made on the NO channel of



 the analyzer.





 If substantial  adjustment of the NO span control  is necessary,  it



 may be  necessary to recheck the zero and span adjustments by



 repeating steps 1.5.7 and 1.5.8.1.   Record  the NO concentration

                                                              o
                                                              •3

 and the analyzer's NO response.



      1.5.8.2  Adjustment of NO  span control.   When adjusting the
                               A


 analyzer's NO  span control, the presence of any N09 impurity in
              A                                     *•


 the standard NO cylinder must be taken into account.   Procedures



 for determining the amount of NOp impurity in the standard NO



 cylinder are given in reference 13.  The exact NO  concentration
                                                  xv


 is calculated from:
                              53

-------
where:  [KOx]0iJT  =  diluted NOX concentration at the output
                     manifold, ppm
        [NOgljjjp  =  concentration of N00 impurity in the standard
                     NO cylinder, ppm
Adjust the NO  span control to obtain a recorder response as
indicated below:
                                      [NO ]ou,
     recorder response  (% scale)  =   (—jjR||u' x 100) + ZNQ      (12)
                                                           n
NOTE:  If the analyzer has only one span control, the span adjust-
ment is made on the NO channel and no further adjustment is made
here for NO .
           A
If substantial adjustment of the NO  span control is necessary,
                                   A
it may be necessary to recheck the zero and span adjustments by
repeating steps 1.5.7 and 1.5.8.2.  Record the NO  concentration
                                                 A
and the analyzer's NO  response.
     1.5.8.3  Generate several additional concentrations (at
least five evenly spaced points across the remaining scale are
suggested to verify linearity) by decreasing F..Q or increasing
Fp.  For each concentration generated, calculate the exact NO and
NO  concentrations using equations (9) and (11) respectively.
                               54

-------
Record the analyzer's NO and NO  responses for each concentration.



Plot the analyzer responses versus the respective calculated NO



and NO  concentrations and draw or calculate the NO and NO
      A                                                   s*


calibration curves.  For subsequent calibrations where linearity



can be assumed, these curves may be checked with a two-point



calibration consisting of a zero air point and NO and NO., concen-
                                                        A


trations of approximately 80% of the URL.



     1.5.9  Preparation of N02 calibration curve.



     1.5.9.1  Assuming the NO^ zero has been properly adjusted



while sampling zero air in step 1.5.7, adjust FQ and FQ as deter-



mined in 1.4.2.  Adjust F.,0 to generate an NO concentration near



90% of the URL of the NO range.  Sample this NO concentration



until the NO and NO  responses have stabilized.  Using the NO



calibration curve obtained in 1.5.8, measure and record the NO



concentration as [NO]  .  .  Using the NO  calibration curve



obtained in 1.5.8, measure and record the NO  concentration as
     1.5.9.2  Adjust the 0., generator to generate sufficient 0^



to produce a decrease in the NO concentration equivalent to



approximately 80% of the URL of the NOp range.  The decrease must



not exceed 90% of the NO concentration determined in step 1.5.9.1.



After the analyzer responses have stabilized, record the resultant



NO and NOV concentrations as [NO!, , and [N0lom.
         A                       i ClU        /> I t,fli


     1.5.9.3  Calculate the resulting NO- concentration from:
                               55

-------
                                      NO    0    D

where:   C^JnUT  =  Diluted ^2 concen-trati°n at tne output
                     nanifold, ppm
         [N0]o  .   =  original NO concentration, prior to addition
                     of Og, ppm
         [NO]      =  NO concentration remaining after addition of
                     03, ppm
Adjust the NO,, span control to obtain a recorder response as
indicated below:
     recorder response  (% scale) =  (—x TOO) •» ZNQ
NOTE:  If the analyzer has only one or two span controls, the
span adjustments are mads on the NO channel or NO and NO  channels
and no further adjustment is made here for NO.
If substantial adjustment of the N02 span control is necessary,
it may.be necessary to rccheck the zero arid span adjustments by
repeating steps 1.5.7 and 1.5.9.3.  Record the N02 concentration
and the corresponding analyzer NOg and NOX responses.
     1.5.9.4  Maintaining the same Fj,,g, FQ, and FD as in 1.5.9.1,
adjust the ozone generator to obtain several  other concentrations
of NOp over- the NOp range (at least five evenly spaced points
                              56

-------
across the remaining scale are suggested).  Calculate esch NC^
concentration using equation (13) and record the corresponding
analyzer N0~ and NO  responses.  Plot the analyzer's NOp responses
versus the corresponding calculated NOp concentrations and draw
or calculate the NCL calibration curve.
     1.5.10   Determination of converter efficiency.
     1.5.10.1  For each NOp concentration generated during the
preparation of the N02 calibration curve (see 1.5.9) calculate
the concentration of NOp converted from:
                                                                 (15)
where:  C^2^CONV=  concentrai;ion °f NO- converted, ppni
        [NO ]  .  -  original  NO  concentration prior to addition
           x OPT 9              x
                    of 00, ppm
                        j
        [NO ]    =  NO  concentration remaining after addition of
           X i CHI      X
                      03, ppm
Plot [NOg^CONV ^'"ax1's^ versus CN02^0UT (x~axi's) anci draw or
calculate the converter efficiency curve.   The slope of the curve
times 100 is the average converter efficiency, E£.  The average
converter efficiency must be  greater than  96%; if it is less than
9G%, replace or service the converter.

NOTE:  Supplemental  information on calibration and other procedures
in this method are given in reference 13.
                               57

-------
      2.   Alternative B - N02 permeation device.
 Major equipment required:  Stable (L generator.
                            Chemiluminescence NO/NO /N0? analyzer
                                                   n   £
                            with strip chart recorder(s).
                            NO concentration standard.
                            N02 concentration standard.
      2.1   Principle.  Atmospheres containing accurately known
 concentrations of nitrogen dioxide are generated  by means  of a
 permeation device.*  '  The permeation device emits NCL at a
 known constant rate provided the temperature of the device is
 held constant (±0.1°C) and the device has been accurately  cali-
 brated at the temperature of use.  The NCL emitted from the
 device is diluted with zero air to produce N02 concentrations
•suitable  for calibration of the N02 channel  of the NO/NOX/N02
 analyzer.  An NO concentration standard is used for calibration
 of the NO and NO  channels of the analyzer.
                 A
      2.2   Apparatus.  A typical  system suitable for generating
                                          f
 the required NO and N02 concentrations is shown in Figure  2.  All
 connections between components downstream from the permeation
 device should be of glass, Teflon®, or other non-reactive  material.
      2.2.1   Air flow controllers.   Devices capable of maintaining
 constant  air flows within ±2% of  the required flowrate.
      2.2.2   NO flow controller.   A device capable  of maintaining
 constant  NO flows within ±2% of the required  flowrate.   Component
 parts in  contact with the NO must  be of a non-reactive material.
                               58

-------
     2.2.3  Air flowmeters.  Calibrated flownetcrs capable of
measuring and monitoring air flowratcs with an accuracy of ±2% of
the measured flowrate.
     2.2.4  NO flowrneter.  A calibrated flowmeter capable of
measuring and monitoring NO flowratss with an accuracy of ±2% of
the measured flowrate.  (Rotameters have been reported to operate
unreliably when measuring low NO flows and are not recommended.)
     2.2.5  Pressure regulator for standard NO cylinder.  This
regulator must have a non-reactive diaphragm and internal parts
and a suitable delivery pressure.
     2.2.6  Drier.  Scrubber to remove moisture from tiie permeation
device air stream.  The use of the drier is optional with N02
permeation devices not sensitive to moisture.  (Refer to the
supplier's instructions for use of the permeation device.)
     2.2.7  Constant temperature.chamber.  Chamber capable of
housing the NO^ permeation device and maintaining its temperature
to within ±0.1°C.
     2.2.8  Temperature measuring device.  Device capable of
measuring and monitoring the temperature of the N02 permeation
device'with an accuracy of ±0.05°C.
     2.2.9  Valves.  A valve may be used as shown in Figure 2 to
divert the NO- from the permeation device when zero air or NO is
required at the manifold.  A second valve may be used to divert
the NO flow when zero air or N0~ is required at the manifold.
                              59

-------
The valves should be constructed of glass, Teflon®, or other non-
reactive material.
     2.2.1C  Mixing chamber.  A chamber constructed of glass.
Teflon , or other non-reactive material and designed to provide
thorough mixing of pollutant gas streams and diluent air.
     2.2.11  Output manifold.  The output manifold should be
constructed of glass, Teflon , or other non-reactive material and
should be of sufficient diameter to insure an insignificant
pressure drop at the analyzer connection.  The system must have a
vent designed to insure atmospheric pressure at the manifold and
to prevent ambient air from entering the manifold.
     2.3  Reagents.
     2.3.1  Calibration standards.  Calibration standards are
required for both NO and NO,.  The reference standard for the
calibration may be either an NO or N02 standard.  The reference
standard must be used to certify the other standard to ensure
consistency between the two standards.
     2.3.1.1  NOp concentration standard.  A permeation device
suitable for generating N02 concentrations at the required
flowrates over the required concentration range.  If the permeation
device is used as the reference standard, it must be traceable to
a National Bureau of Standards  NO,, Standard Reference Material
(SRM 1629) or NO in N2 Standard Reference Material (SRM 1683 or
SRM 1684).  If an NO cylinder is used as the reference standard,
the N02 permeation device must  be certified against the NO
                              60

-------
standard according to the procedure given in reference 13.  The



use of the permeation device should be in strict accordance with



the instructions supplied with the device.  Additional infor-



mation regarding the use of permeation devices is given by



Scaringelli et al/11* and Rook et al.^12^



     2.3.1.2  NO concentration standard.  Cylinder containing 50



to 100 ppm NO in Np with less than 1  ppm NOp.  If the cylinder is



used as the reference standard, it must be traceable to a National



Bureau of Standards NO in N2 Standard Reference Material  (SRM



1683 or SRM 1684) or N02 Standard Reference Material (SRM 1629).



If an NOp permeation device is used as the reference standard,



the NO cylinder must be certified against the NOp standard



according to the procedure given in reference 13.  The cylinder



should be recertified on a regular basis as determined by the



local quality control program.  A procedure for determining  the



amount of NOp impurity in the NO cylinder is also given in



reference 13.



     2.3.3  Zero air.  Air, free of contaminants which might



react with NO or NO, or cause a detectable response on the
                   1*


NO/NO /NOp analyzer.  When using permeation devices that  are
     A   £,


sensitive to moisture, the zero air passing across the permeation



device must be dry to avoid surface reactions on the device.



(Refer to the supplier's instruction?; for use of the permeation



device.).  A procedure for generating zero air is given in



reference 13.
                               61

-------
      2.4  Procedure.
      2.4.1   Assemble  the calibration  apparatus  such  as  the  typical
.one shown in Figure 2.
      2.4.2   Insure that all  flowmet.ers  are calibrated under the
 conditions  of use against a  reliable  standard such as a soap-
 bubble meter or wet-test meter.   All  volumetric flowrates should
 be corrected to 25°C  and 760 mm  Hg.   A  discussion on the calibration
 of flowmeters is given  in reference 13.
      2.4.3   Install the permeation device  in the constant tempera-
                                                          o
 ture chamber.  Provide  a small fixed  air flow (200-400  son  /min)
 across the  device. The permeation device  should always have a
 continuous  air flow across it to prevent large  buildup  of NOp in
 the system  and a consequent  restabilization period.  Record the
 flowrate as Fp.   Allow  the device to  stabilize  at the calibration
 temperature for at least" 24  hours.  The temperature  must be
 adjusted and controlled to within ±0.1°C or less of  the calibration
 temperature as monitored with the temperature measuring device.
      2.4.4   Precautions must be  taken to remove  Og and other
 contaminants from the NO pressure regulator and  delivery system
 prior to the start of calibration to  avoid any conversion of the
 standard NO to NOp.   Failure to  do so can cause  significant
 errors  in calibration.   This problem  may be minimized by
 (1)  carefully evacuating the regulator, when possible, after the
 regulator has  been  connected to  the cylinder and before opening
 the  cylinder valve; (2)  thoroughly flushing the  regulator and
                                 62

-------
 delivery  system with NO after opening the cylinder valve; (3) not



 removing  the  regulator from the cylinder between calibrations



..unless  absolutely  necessary.  Further discussion of these procedures



 is  given  in reference 13.



      2.4.5  Select the operating range of the NO/NO/NO,, analyzer
                                                    /»   £


 to  be calibrated.   In order to obtain maximum precision and



 accuracy  for  N02 calibration,  all  three channels of the analyzer



 should  be set to the same  range.   If  operation of the NO and  NO
                                                                n


 channels  on higher ranges  is desired, subsequent recalibration  of



 the NO  and NO  channels on the higher ranges  is recomn.ended.
              A                           -




 NOTE:  Some analyzer designs may require identical  ranges for NO,



 N0x, and  NGp  during operation of the  analyzer.





      2.4.6  Connect the recorder output cable(s)  of the NO/NOV/N09
                                                              X    £


 analyzer  to the input terminals  of the strip  chart  recorder(s).



 All  adjustments to the analyzer  should be performed based on  the



 appropriate strip  chart readings.   References to  analyzer responses



 in  the  procedures  given below refer to recorder responses.



      2.4.7  Switch the valve to  vent  the flow from  the  permeation



 device  and adjust  the diluent air  flowrate, FD> to  provide zero



 air at  the output  manifold.   The  total  air flow must exceed the



 total demand  of the analyzer(s)  connected to  the  output manifold to



 insure  that no ambient air is  pulled  into the manifold  vent.



 Allow the analyzer to sample zero  air until stable  NO,  NO , and
                                                          J\


 NOp  responses  are  obtained.  After the responses  have stabilized,



 adjust  the analyzer zero control(s).
                               63

-------
      NOTE:   Some analyzers may have  separate zero controls  for



 NO,  NOX,  and NO^.   Other analyzers may have separate zero controls



.only for  NO  and  NO   while still  others may have only one zero
                   X


 control conmon to all three channels.





 Offsetting the analyzer zero adjustments to +5% of scale is



 recornnsnded  to facilitate observing  negative zero drift.  Record



 the  stable zero  air responses as  ZNO,  ZNQ , and Z..Q .

                                          A          £

      2.4.8   Preparation of NO and NO  calibration curves.
                                     A


      2.4.8.1  Adjustment of NO span  control.  Adjust the NO flow



 from the  standard NO cylinder to  generate an NO concentration  of



 approximately 80% of the upper range limit  (URL)  of the NO  range.



 The  exact NO concentration is calculated from:
                  FMn x  [NO]QTn

      [NO]OUT  =    N?   tF                                       (16)
          OUT       h   *  F
where:   [NO]nilT   =  diluted  NO concentration at the output manifold,
             UU I
                  r>

                      ppm


                                    3
         F.,n       =  NO flowrate, scm /mm
         NO


         [NO]SyD   =  concentration of the undiluted NO standard,



                      ppm



         F_        =  diluent  air flowrate, scm /min



Sample tiiis  NO concentration until the NO and NO  responses have
                                                A


stabilized.  Adjust the NO span control to obtain a recorder



response as  indicated below:
                               64

-------
                                      [NO]OUT

     recorder response (X scale)  =  (  URj;   x TOO) + ZNQ       (17)







where:  URL  =  nominal upper range limit of the NO channel, ppm





NOTE:  Some analyzers may have separate span controls for NO,



NO , and N02*  Other analyzers may have separate span controls



only for NO and NO , while still others may have only one span
                  A


control common to all three channels.  When only one span control



Is available, the span adjustment is made on the NO channel  of



the analyzer.





If substantial adjustment of the NO span control is necessary, it



may be necessary to recheck the zero and span adjustments by



repeating steps 2.4.7 and 2.4.8.1.  Record the NO concentration



and the analyzer's NO response.



     2.4.8.2  Adjustment of NO  span control.  When adjusting the
                              A


analyzer's NO  span control, the presence of any N0~ impurity in
             A                                     t


the standard NO cylinder must be taken into account.  Procedures



for determining the amount of NOo impurity in the standard NO



cylinder are given in reference 13.  The exact NO  concentration
                                                 A


is calculated from:
     nn       -  FNO
     ["
                               65

-------
where:   [NOX]OUT   =   diluted  NOX  concentration at the output
                      " manifold,  ppm
         [NC^lj^p   =   concentration of NOp  impurity in the standard
                      NO  cylinder, ppm
Adjust  the  NOX  span  control to obtain a convenient recorder
response as indicated below:
     recorder  response  (%  scale)  =   (—g^- x 100) + ZNO      (19)
NOTE:   If the analyzer has only one span control, the span adjust-
ment is made on the NO channel and no further adjustment is made
here for NO

If substantial adjustment of the NO  span control is necessary,
                                   rt
it may be necessary to recheck the zero and span adjustments by
repeating steps 2.4.7 and 2.4.8.2.  Record the NO  concentration
and the analyzer's NO  response.
                     A
     2.4.8.3  Generate several additional concentrations (at
least five evenly spaced points across the remaining scale are
suggested to verify linearity) by decreasing F^Q or increasing
FD.  For each concentration generated, calculate the exact NO and
NO  concentrations using equations (16) and (18) respectively.
  J\
Record the analyzer's NO and NO  responses for each concentration.
Plot the analyzer responses versus the respective calculated NO
and NO  concentrations and draw or calculate the NO and NO^
                             66

-------
calibration curves.  For subsequent calibrations where linearity
can be assumed, these curves may be checked with a two-point
calibration consisting of a zero air point and MO and NO
                                                        A
concentrations of approximately 80% of the URL.
     2.4.9  Preparation of N02 calibration curve.
     2.4.9.1   Remove the NO flow.   Assuming the N02 zero has been
properly adjusted while sampling zero air in step 2.4.7, switch
the valve to provide N02 at the output manifold.
     2.4.9.2  Adjust F^ to generate an N0~ concentration of
approximately 80% of the URL of the N02 range.  The total  air
flow must exceed the demand of the analyzer(s) under calibration.
The actual concentration of N02 is calculated from:
                      --                                        <20>
where:  [NOolnn-r  =  diluted N02 concentration at the  output
                       manifold, ppm
        R         =  permeation rate,  yg/min
        K         =  0.532 yl  N02/yg N02 (at 25°C and  760  m  Hg)
      .  Fp        B  air flowrate across permeation  device,
                          3. .
                       scm /nun
                                              3
        FD        -  diluent air flowrate,  scm /min
Sample this  N02  concentration until  the  NOX and NOj,  responses
have stabilised.   Adjust the NO- span  control  to obtain  a  recorder
response as  indicated below:
                               67

-------
     recorder response  (% scale)  =  (—' x 100) + ZNQ      (21)
NOTE:   If the analyzer has only one or two span controls, the



span adjustments are made on the NO channel or NO and NO  channels
                                •                        "


and no  further adjustment is made here for N02-





If substantial adjustment of the NCL span control is necessary,



it may  be necessary to recheck the zero and span adjustments by



repeating steps 2.4.7 and 2.4.9.2.  itecord the N02 concentration



and the analyzer's N0? response.  Usi ic; the T'O  calibration curve
                     £                        A


obtained in step 2.4.8, measure and record the NO  concentration
                                                 A


as [KOX]M.



     2.4.9.3  Adjust FQ to obtain several other concentrations of



WL over the N02 range (at least five evenly spaced points across



the remaining scale are suggested).  Calculate each N02 concen-



tration using equation (20) and record the corresponding analyzer



N0p and NOX responses.  Plot the analyzer's N02 responses versus



the corresponding calculated NOp concentrations and draw or



calculate the N02 calibration curve.



     2.4.10  Determination of converter efficiency.



     2.4.10.1  Plot [NOXJM (y-axis) versus [K02]QUT (x-axis) and



draw or calculate the converter efficiency curve.   The slope of



the curve times 100 is the average converter efficiency, EC> The



average converter efficiency must be  greater than 96«; if it is



less than %*', replace or service the converter.
                               68

-------
NOTE:   Supplemental  information on calibration and other pro-
cedures 1n this method are given in reference 13.
     3.   Frequency  of calibration.  The frequency of calibration,
as well as the number of points necessary to establish the cali-
bration curve  and  the frequency .of other performance checks, will
vary from one  analyzer to another.   The user's quality control
program should provide guidelines  for initial establishment of
these variables and  for subsequent alteration as operational
experience is  accumulated.   Manufacturers of analyzers should
include in their instruction/operation manuals information and
guidance as to these variables  and on other matters of operation,
calibration, and quality control.

-------
                              REFERENCES
1.   A. Fontijn, A. 0. Sabadell, and R. J. Ronco, "Homogeneous
Chemiluminescent Measurement of Nitric Oxide with Ozone," Anal.
Chem., 42_, 575 (1970).

2.   D. H. Stedman, E. E. Daby, F. Stub], and H. Niki, "Analysis
of Ozone and Nitric Oxide by a Chemiluminescent Method in Laboratory
and Atmospheric Studies of Photochemical Smog," J. Air Poll.
Control Assoc., 22, 260 (1972).

3.   B. E. Martin, J. A. Hodgeson, and R. K. Stevens, "Detection
of Nitric Oxide Chemiluminescence at Atmospheric Pressure,"
Presented at 164th National ACS Meeting, New York City, August
1972.

4.   J. A. Hodgeson, K. A. Rehme, B. E. Martin, and R. K. Stevens,
"Measurements for Atmopsheric Oxides of Nitrogen and Armenia by
Chemiluminescence," Presented at 1972.APCA Meeting, Miami, Florida,
June 1972.

5.   R. K. Stevens and J. A. Hodgeson, "Applications of Chemi-
luminescence Reactions to the Measurement of Air Pollutants,"
Anal. Chem., 45_, 443A (1973).

6.   L. P. Breitenbach and M. Shelef, "Development of a Method
for the Analysis of N09 and NH7 by NO-Measuring Instruments," J_._
Air Poll. Control As sot.. 23., T28 (1973).

7.   A. H. Winer, J. W. Peters, J. P. Smith, and J.  N. Pitts,
Jr., "Response of Commercial Cherniluminescent NO-NOp Analyzers to
Other Nitrogen-Containing Compounds," Environ. Sci.Techno!., 8_,
1118 (1974).

8.   K. A. Rehme, B. E. Martin, and J. A. Hodgeson,  "Tentative
Method for the Calibration of Nitric Oxide,  Nitrogen Dioxide, and
Ozone Analyzers by Gas Phase Titration," EPA-R2-73-246, March
1974. -

9.   J. A. Hodgeson, R. K. Stevens, and B. E. Martin, "A Stable
Ozone Source Applicable as a Secondary Standard for Calibration
of Atmospheric Monitors," ISA Transactions.  1J_, 161  (1972).

10.  A. E. O'Keeffe and G. C. Ortman, "Primary Standards for
Trace Gas Analysis," Anal. Chem., 38, 760 (1956).
                                70

-------
11.  F. P. Scaringelli, A. E. O'Keeffe, E. Rosenberg, and J. P.
Bell, "Preparation of Known Concentrations of Gases and Vapors
with Permeation Devices Calibrated Gravimetrically," Anal. Chem.,
42, 871 (1970).

12.  H. L. Rook, E. E. Hughes, R.  S.  Fuerst,  and J. H. Margeson,
"Operation Characteristics of N0?  Permeation  Devices," Presented
at 167th National  ACS Meeting, Los Angeles, California, April
1974.

13.  E. C. Ellis,  "Technical  Assistance Document for the Chemi-
luminescence Measurement of Nitrogen  Dioxide," EPA-E600/4-75-003
(Available in draft form from the  United States Environmental
Protection Agency, Department E (MD-76), Environmental Monitoring
and Support Laboratory,  Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
27711).

(Sec. 4, Pub. L. 91-604, 84 Stat.  1678 (42 U.S.C. 1857c-4))
                              71

-------
o
                                                        03
                                                     GENERATOR
                                                                            REACTION
                                                                            CHAMBER
                                                                               VENT
       NO
      STO.
                                                                   OUTPUT
                                                                 MANIFOLD
                                 VENT
IT         U            I,
                                                       EXTRA OUTLETS CAPPED
                                                         WHEN NOT IN USE
                                            MIXING
                                           CHAMBER
                            TO INLET OF ANALYZER
                             UNDER CALIBRATION
                             Figure 1.  Schematic diagram of a typical GPT calibration system.

-------
o
                                                                                VENT
                                   EXTRA OUTLETS CAPPED
                                     WHEN NOT IN USE
                                                                TO INLET OF ANALYZER
                                                                 UNDER CALIBRATION
                                                                                                THERMOMETER
                                                                                           PERMEATION
                                                                                             DEVICE  /
                                                                                                                    I
                                                                                                 CONSTANT TEMPERATURE
                                                                                                       CHAMBER
               Figure 2.  Schematic diagram of a typical calibration apparatus using an NO2 permeation device.

-------
                                   TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
                            (Please read Inunctions on the reverse before completing}
 1. REPORT NO.
 EPA-600/4-75-003
2.
                             3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION-NO.
 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE
 TECHNICAL  ASSISTANCE DOCUMENT  FOR THE CHEMILUMINESCENCE
 MEASUREMENT OF NITROGEN DIOXIDE
                               REPORT DATE
                               October 1976
                                                           6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
 7. AUTHOR(S)'
                                                           8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO
 Elizabeth Carol Ellis, Ph.D.
 I. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
  U.S.  Environmental Protection  Agency
  Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
  Quality Assurance Branch
  Research Triangle Park, NC   27711
                              10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
                                1HA327
                              11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
 12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
  Environmental Monitoring  and  Support Laboratory
  Office of Research and Development
  U.S.  Environmental Protection Agency
  Research Triangle Park, NC  27711
                              13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
                                Final
                              14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
                                EPA-ORD
 15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
 16. ABSTRACT
       Gas phase chemiluminescence has been designated as  the  reference measure-
  ment principle for the measurement of nitrogen dioxide  (N02)  in the ambient
  atmosphere.  Continuous  analyzers based on this measurement  principle may be
  calibrated with N0? either from the gas phase titration  of nitric oxide (NO)
  with ozone (OJ or from  an NO,, permeation device.  This  document presents
  pertinent technical information to aid in the understanding  of the measurement
  principle and the prescribed calibration procedures and  also includes illus-
  trative examples on how  to implement the calibration procedures.  The discussion
  includes recommendations on how to recognize and eliminate potential errors in
  the individual calibration procedures as well as with the use of N02 chemilumi-
  nescence analyzers.   Suggestions on the design and construction of calibration
  apparatus and procedures for handling and certifying both NO and N02 calibration
  standards are included also.
                                KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
                  DESCRIPTORS
                                              b. IDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS
                                           c. COSATI Field/Group
  Nitrogen Dioxide
  Calibration
  Chemiluminescence
  Air Pollution
                 N09  Measurement
                 N0«  Calibration
                 Gas  Phase Titration
                 N02  Permeation Device
  13B
 8. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT

  RELEASE TO PUBLIC
                19. SECURITY CLASS (ThisReport)
                  Unclassified
21. NO. OF PAGES
    79
                20. SECURITY CL.ASS (Thispage)
                  Unclassified
                                           22. PRICE
EPA Form 2220-1 (9-73)
                                             70.

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