f I \ LU o Process Measurements Review Volume 1, Number 1 Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27711 First Quarter, 1978 WHAT IS THE PROCESS MEASUREMENTS REVIEW? PMB SYMPOSIUM: ADVANCES IN PARTICLE SAMPLING AND MEASUREMENT The Process Measurements Branch (PMB) of the EPA Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory (IERL/RTP) is responsible for the development, assessment, and application of measurement techniques for the energy and in- dustrial process research and development programs conducted by the IERL/RTP. The PMB program is twofold, addressing both en- vironmental assessments and control tech- nology applications. The Process Meas- urements Review, published quarterly, will report on items of interest in these areas. Articles describing advances in sampling, analysis, quality assurance, and on-line process control will be featured. While this first issue is primarily based on work sponsored by PMB, future issues will feature articles submitted by other organizations. Suggestions for future articles are actively solicited (see page 8). The Process Measurements Review is available to anyone involved in or interested in measurement techniques applicable to the characterization and evaluation of energy and industrial processes and control equipment. If you would like to be on the Proc- ess Measurements Review mailing list, com- plete and return the request form on page 7. "Advances in Particle Sampling and Measurement," a symposium sponsored by the IERL/RTP Process Measurements Branch will be from May 15 through May 17, 1978 at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina. The symposium will be a gathering of experts in the areas of particle sampling and measur- ing technology. Eighteen invited speakers will discuss the status of current research and development in this science, with ample time allotted for questions, discussions, and infor- mation exchange. Take this opportunity to talk with the experts in this field. For further infor- mation please contact Kenneth M. Gushing at Southern Research Institute, (205) 323-6592. The views expressed in the Process Measurements Review do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the En- vironmental Protection Agency. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommenda- tion for use by EPA. ------- Process Measurements Review Volume 1, First Quarter, 1978 ORGANIZATION OF THE PROCESS MEASUREMENTS BRANCH ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT MEASUREMENT PROGRAMS The Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory of the U.S. Environmental Protec- tion Agency has the responsibility of develop- ing control technology for energy and in- dustrial processes. Within IERL/RTP, the Process Measurements Branch is responsible for all measurement programs. Major areas of responsibility include: Methods evaluation and development Review of test programs Review of proposals Evaluation of results On-site troubleshooting Special field studies In addition to the permanent technical staff, which includes chemists, engineers, and techni- cians, other professionals are on staff by ap- pointment from universities. As indicated below, these professional staff members have been assigned select areas of measurement technology responsibility. Organic Sampling and Analysis, Bioassay Procedures Manual Particulate Mass and Size, Electronics Particulate Instrumentation, High Temperature Sampling, Quality Assurance Frank Briden Inorganic Analysis, Computer Facilities PMB staff members can be contacted at (919)541-2557. Larry Johnson Ray Merrill Bruce Harris Bill Sensing BUI Kuykendal Ben Smith Presently, much emphasis within the PMB is being placed on. measurements for the en- vironmental assessments program. The ultimate goal of this program is to assure that effluent streams from industrial or energy processes are environmentally acceptable or that adequate control technology either exists or can be developed for those processes. Twelve major contracts have been funded by the engineering branches in IERL/RTP to develop engineering, industrial, and energy processes data. These methodology programs are described in the "Current Status Guide to IERL/RTP Environmental Assessment Methodology" (draft). To characterize the effluent streams from in- dustrial or energy processes, two different ap- proaches to a sampling and analysis program were considered by the PMB. Because of its cost effectiveness, a three-level phased ap- proach was selected. In a program employing this phased approach, all streams would be in- itially characterized during Level 1 using generalized screening methods. This would allow the ranking of the streams on the basis of their relative hazard. The most hazardous streams would then be subjected to the more complex sampling and analytical methods of Level 2 to identify and quantify specific organic and inorganic species. Finally, during Level 3, continuous monitoring of certain indicator compounds in the streams would take place to provide data for use in the design and development of control devices. To provide technical assistance and support in the administration of the environmental assessments program, an Environmental Assessments Steering Committee has been formed. The Committee is composed of experts in environmental measurements from the government and the private sector. Within the Committee there is a Bioassay Subcommittee, which addresses biological measurement of en- ------- .Process Measurements Review Volume 1, First Quarter, 1978 vironmental pollutants and bioassay inter- pretation problems. The Steering Committee's objective is to evaluate the concept of the phased approach and to correlate biological, chemical, and engineering data to provide a meaningful assessment of the effect a pollutant has on the environment. In June of 1976, the PMB issued a document, EPA-600/2-76-160a, delineating sampling and analysis procedures for Level 1 Environmental Assessment Studies. Since that time, PMB has been reviewing these methods and evaluating alternatives in an attempt to simplify data ac- quisition and optimize information recovery. While examining, among other things, actual field experiences, this investigation has iden- tified several modifications that will improve the original procedures. The evaluation of the original procedures will continue and further modifications are expected. Brief descriptions of changes are on page 5 of this issue. Three key manuals describe the phased ap- proach in detail. They are: 1. IERL-RTP Procedures Manual: Level 1 Environmental Assessment (EPA-600/2- 76-160a, PB 257-850/AS). 2. IERL-RTP Procedures Manual: Level 1 Environmental Assessment Biological Tests for Pilot Studies (EPA-600/- 7-77-043, PB 268-484/AS). 3. Environmental Assessment Sampling and Analysis: Phased Approach and Techniques for Level 1 (EPA-600/- 2-77-115, PB 268-563/AS). These documents are available from the Na- tional Technical Information Service. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT USER'S UPDATE SERVICE The phased approach to the environmental assessment of energy and industrial processes is based on the use of specified procedures for sampling and analysis. Research Triangle In- stitute (RTI) at Research Triangle Park (RTF), N.C. is under contract to the EPA Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory to inter- pret and supplement these Level 1 procedures. This service is intended to provide current in- formation on the phased environmental assess- ment technology to those involved in sampling, analysis, and technical support. RTI will act as a receiving agent for questions, comments, and problems. Matters that cannot be resolved in- house will be transmitted to the appropriate in- dividual in the Process Measurements Branch, IERL/RTP, for resolution. Problems of general concern will be studied and could result in pro- cedural revisions. Questions and comments of general interest will be reported in future issues of the Process Measurements Review. For assistance from the User's Update Ser- vice, please contact Ann Turner at RTI, (919)541-6893. We encourage your participation in this information exchange process. MEASUREMENTS SYMPOSIUM HELD The Process Measurement Branch of IERL/RTP held a symposium for environmen- tal assessment measurements in Atlanta on February 13-15, 1978. The first day's pro- ceedings consisted of an overview of the En- vironmental Assessment program, including presentations of its concepts and uses by various groups both within and outside of the Environmental Protection Agency. The highlight of this session was the keynote ad- dress by Stephen J. Gage, Assistant Ad- ministrator for Research and Development of the EPA. Included in Tuesday's session on Measure- ment Technologies were presentations on the measurements of inorganic, organic, and fugitive emissions, the field evaluation of the SASS train and Level 1 procedures, and the sampling of high-temperature, high-pressure systems. The final day of the symposium focused on Industrial and Energy Processes Applications. Among the processes discussed were petro- leum refining, textile industries, nonferrous metal processing, conventional combustion systems, fluidized-bed combustion, glass in- dustries, gasification and synthoil/synthane processes, waste-as-fuel processes, and oil shale processes. Proceedings of the symposium will be published in June. ------- Process Measurements Review Volume 1, First Quarter, 1978 QUALITY ASSURANCE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT/CONTROL TECHNOLOGY CONTRACTORS To improve the quality of data derived from environmental assessment and control technology studies, IERL/RTP has included a comprehensive program of quality assurance (QA) activities within the structure of the Laboratory's measurement program. In addition to improving data quality, the goals of the QA program include assuring, assessing, and documenting the quality of data derived. IERL/RTP, in cooperation with the quality assurance contractor, Research Triangle Institute, expects several benefits from the QA program. Perhaps one of the most important benefits is the increased acceptance and use of program-generated data, which is due to increased credibility. Other benefits include identification of potential sources of error in measurement systems, establishment of an in- creased awareness of common data quality problem areas, and establishment of a central location for documentation of measurement methods and data quality. Currently, several QA activities are available to environmental assessment/control technology con- tractors. These are intended to assess and document their measurement data quality. Research Triangle Institute is performing both performance and systems audits on field and central laboratory operations. Performance audits are quantitative and involve challenging analyzers or other measure- ment systems with audit standards or devices built around or traceable to National Bureau of Standards-Standard Reference Materials (NBS-SRM). Such audits are conducted routinely for various parameters and measurement systems, many of which are listed below. Gaseous Parameters Oxides of nitrogen Sulfur species Low molecular weight alkanes Fixed gases Liquid Parameters Various nutrients in water Various minerals in water Various physical parameters of water solutions (e.g., pH, conductivity, turbidity) Extraction of organics Measurement Systems Volumetric flow, velocity, etc. Parr bomb combustion-spark source mass spectroscopy Infrared analysis Low resolution mass spectroscopy Liquid chromatography Temperature Systems audits, conducted by experienced personnel, consist of on-site evaluations of an organiza- tion's ability to perform a specific measurement. The audit is based on a review of facilities, equip- ment, recordkeeping, personnel training procedures, etc. The scope of this audit can vary, covering anything from a laboratory's ability to conduct Level 1 analyses to a team's ability to properly use a SASS train. The result of these audits is a report documenting the quality of data being produced by a particular measurement process. This report also identifies any problem areas incurred, thus enabling project personnel to remedy the problem(s) and thereby improve data quality. Contractors desiring these services should ask their EPA project officers to contact William B. Kuykendal, the IERL/RTP quality assurance coordinator and project officer for the QA contract. ------- Process Measurements Review Volume 1, First Quarter, 1978 REVISIONS TO IERL-RTP PROCEDURES MANUAL: LEVEL 1 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT, EPA-600/2-76-160a Change 1 - "Silica Gel Drying in Fourth SASS Impinger" Chapter III, Page 39 Date Accepted: December 15, 1977 The original procedure specified the use of Drierite in the fourth SASS impinger for gas drying. However, Drierite, in some cases, had to be renewed frequently during a sampling run due to limited capacity. Silica gel has been found to have a greater capacity than Drierite and, accordingly, reduces the workload on the field sampling team. Change 2 "Hydrogen Peroxide for First SASS Impinger" Chapter III, Page 39 Date Accepted: December 15, 1977 Oxidizing conditions must be maintained in the first SASS impinger to neutralize reducing gases before the sample is scrubbed in the trace metals collection solutions. The 6M hydrogen peroxide originally specified for use in the first impinger did not always provide sufficient ox- idizing potential and has been replaced by 750 ml of a 30 percent solution of nonstabilized hydrogen peroxide. Change 3 - "Passivation of Series 300 Stainless Steel" Chapter HI, Page 36 Date Accepted: December 15, 1977 The SASS stainless steel components require initial cleaning and periodic cleaning thereafter whenever the system is placed in operation. However, the 1:1 nitric acid originally specified for cleaning and passivation is a more rigorous procedure than required, sometimes resulting in excessive corrosion. Therefore, the cleaning specification has been changed to state that contact with 15 percent nitric acid for 30 minutes is sufficient. Change 4 "Cooling of Liquid Chromatography Columns" Appendix C, Page 127 Date Accepted: January 19, 1978 Sufficient heat of adsorption is generated during the LC analysis to warrant external cool- ing of the column. The original procedure specified the use of towels soaked with acetone to accomplish this. However, this cooling is not efficient and the procedure has been modified to require that all columns be water jacketed. The water coolent must remain between 18-22° C and at a flow rate of 5 ml/min. Change 5 - "Deletion of Liquid Chromatography Fraction 8" Chapter VIII, Page 101 Date Accepted: January 27, 1978 Elution of samples from the silica gel liquid Chromatography column currently involves the use of eight solvent fractions. Laboratory data indicate that silica gel is dissolved by the eighth fraction of this solvent system. Data also indicate that no organics are desorbed from the column by this fraction. Therefore, use of the eighth fraction is deleted. The first seven fractions only will be used for separation of sample components. Revisions appear in condensed form. For complete change notices, contact Ann Turner at RTI. ------- Process Measurements Review Volume 1, First Quarter, 1978 FROM THE FIELD OF MEASUREMENTS FOR CONTROL TECHNOLOGY The following abstracts of publications report on developments in the field of measurements for control technology. In this and future issues, the Process Measurements Review will be focusing on such pertinent ad- vances in this, as well as the environmental assessments field. These publications are available from the National Technical Informa- tion Service. A. C. Eckbreth, P. A. Bonczyk, and J. F. Ver- dieck, Review of Laser Raman and Fluorescence Techniques for Practical Com- bustion Diagnostics, EPA-600/7-77-066, PB 269-653/AS. This report reviews various laser techniques potentially suitable for "point" temperature and concentration measurements in flames. From these, four techniques are selected for detailed evaluation including: (1) spontaneous Raman scattering, (2) near-resonant Raman scattering, (3) laser fluorescence, and (4) coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS). The spectroscopy of species of interest in combustion monitoring is discussed and the application of the foregoing techniques to detection of these species is examined. The basic principles of physics employed in the operation of these techniques as well as characteristics of the method such as sensi- tivity and signal-to-noise ratio are discussed. Problem areas are examined and variations on the basic technique introduced. Practical con- siderations are reviewed with emphasis on noise sources, medium perturbations, laser and signal transmission, and signal averaging in temporally fluctuating media. Measurement systems are described including cost esti- mates, probability of success assessments, and risk assignments. Application of these tech- niques to temperature measurement is presented. General conclusions, suggesting future research efforts required for the evalua- tion and development of the more promising diagnostic approaches, are given. W. B. Smith, P. R. Cavanaugh, K. M. Gushing, W. Farthing, and R. R. Wilson, Technical Manual: A Survey of Equipment and Methods for Particulate Sampling in Industrial Process Streams, Southern Research Institute, draft report, SORI-EAS-78-51 3630-19TM, (EPA Con- tract 68-02-2131). This technical manual describes the in- struments and techniques available for measuring the concentration or size distribu- tion of particles suspended in process streams. The standard (or well established) methods are described, as well as some experimental methods and prototype instruments. To the ex- tent that the information could be found, an evaluation of the performance of each instru- ment is included. The manual contains descriptions of in- struments and procedures for measuring mass concentration, opacity, and particle size distribution. Procedures for planning and im- plementing tests for control device evaluation are discussed. A glossary and an extensive bibliography are also included. W. B. Smith, K. M. Gushing, and J. D. McCain, Procedures Manual for Electrostatic Precipitator Evaluation, EPA-600/7-77-059, PB 269-698/AS. This manual describes methods to be used in characterizing the performance of electrostatic precipitators for pollution control. A detailed description of the mechanical and electrical characteristics of these control devices is given. Procedures are described for measuring the particle size distribution, the mass concen- tration, and the concentrations of major gaseous components of flue gas-aerosol mix- ture. Also given are procedures for measuring the electrical resistivity of the particles. A discussion and outline, which describe the development of a test plan for the evaluation of a precipitator, are also included. ------- Process Measurements Review Volume 1, First Quarter, 1978 RECENT PUBLICATIONS OF INTEREST N. Zimmerman, D. C. Drehmel, and J. H. Abbott, Characterization and Generation of Metal Aerosols, EPA-600/7-78-013, NTIS No. PB 277013, (2/78). L. M. Schalit and K. J. Wolfe, SAM/IA: A Rapid Screening Method for Environmental Assessment of Fossil Energy Process Ef'fluents,EPA-600/ 7-78-015, NTIS No. PB 277088, (2/78). R. Stone and R. Kahle, Environmental As- sessment of Solid Residues From Fluid- ized-Bed Fuel Processing, EPA-600/ 7-77-139, NTIS No. PB 276879, (12/77). K. J. Bombaugh, Analyses of Grab Samples From Fixed-Bed Coal Gasification Proc- esses, EPA-600/7-77441, NTIS No. PB 276608, (12/77). R. E. Barrett, W. L. Margard, J. B. Purdy, and P. E. Strup, Sampling and Analysis of Coke-Oven Door Emissions, EPA-600/ 2-77-213, NTIS No. PB 276485, (10/77). G. T. Brookman, J. J. Binder, and W. A. Wade III, Sampling and Modeling of Non-Point Sources at a Coal-Fired Utility, EPA-600/ 2-77-199, NTIS No. PB 274-369, (9/77). L. G. Felix, G. I. Clinard, G. E. Lacey, and J. D. McCain, Inertial Cascade Impactor Substrate Media for Flue Gas Sampling, EPA-600/7-77-060, NTIS No. PB 276583, (6/77). J. Adams, K. Menzies, and P. Levins, Selection and Evaluation of Sorbent Resins for the Collection of Organic Com- pounds, EPA-600/7-77-044, NTIS No. PB 268-559, (4/77). D. B. Harris, Procedures for Cascade Impactor Calibration and Operation in Process Streams, EPA-600/2-77-004, NTIS No. PB 263-623, (1/77). Copies of these publications may be ordered from: National Technical Information Service. U.S. Department of Commerce 5285 Port Royal Road Springfield.Virginia 22151 Request for the Process Measurements Review Name. .Position or Title. Company. Address _ IStmt) (Zip CĞd*l IPboM) Return to: Ann Turner Research Triangle Institute P.O. Box 12194, Building 6 Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27709 (919)541-6893 Check if applicable: Incorrect address Discontinue ------- Process Measurements Review Volume 1, First Quarter, 1978 The Process Measurements Review is prepared by the Research Triangle Institute, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27709 for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory, Process Measurements Branch, Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27711 under EPA Contract No. 68-02-2156. The EPA Task Officer is James A. Dorsey (919-541-2557) and the RTI Editor is Raymond M. Michie, Jr. (919-541-6492). Contributors to this issue were Nancy H. Gaskins, Donald E. Lentzen, Ann R. Turner, and Eva D. Estes. Comments on this issue and sug- gestions for future topics are welcome and may be addressed to either the Task Officer or the Editor. United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27711 Official Business Penalty for Private Use $300 Postage and Fees Paid Environmental Protection Agency EPA 335 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region V, Library 230 South Dearborn Street Room 1455-A Chicago, Illinois 60604 If your address is incorrect or you do not wish to continue receiving the Process Measurements Review, please fill out the Request Form on page 7, check the ap- propriate box, and return it to the designated address. ------- |