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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.
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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-
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.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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Return to:
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Research Triangle Institute
P.O. Box 12194, Building 6
Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27709
(919)541-6893
Check if applicable:
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Discontinue
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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.
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