Environmental Technology Verification
Baghouse Filtration Products
GE Energy
QG061 Filtration Media
(Tested May 2007)
Prepared by
RTI International
ETS Incorporated
HRTI
INTERNATIONAL
Under a Cooperative Agreement with
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPA
EF/EF/
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Environmental Technology Verification
Report
Baghouse Filtration Products
GE Energy
QG061 Filtration Media
(Tested May 2007)
Prepared by
RTI International
ETS Incorporated
EPA Cooperative Agreement CR 831911-01
EPA Project Manager
Michael Kosusko
Air Pollution Prevention and Control Division
National Risk Management Research Laboratory
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
September 2007
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Environmental Technology Verification Report GE Energy QG061 (May 2007)
Notice
This document was prepared by RTI International* (RTI) and its subcontractor ETS, Inc. (ETS) with
partial funding from Cooperative Agreement No. CR 831911-01 with the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). The document has been subjected to RTI/EPA's peer and administrative reviews and has
been approved for publication. Mention of corporation names, trade names, or commercial products does
not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use of specific products.
RTI International is a trade name of Research Triangle Institute.
11
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Environmental Technology Verification Report GE Energy QG061 (May 2007)
Foreword
The Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program, established by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), is designed to accelerate the development and commercialization of new or
improved technologies through third-party verification and reporting of performance. The goal of the
ETV Program is to verify the performance of commercially ready environmental technologies through the
evaluation of objective and quality-assured data so that potential purchasers and permitters are provided
with an independent and credible assessment of the technology that they are buying or permitting.
The Air Pollution Control Technology Verification Center (APCT Center) is part of the EPA's ETV
Program and is operated as a partnership between RTI International (RTI) and EPA. The center verifies
the performance of commercially ready air pollution control technologies. Verification tests use approved
protocols, and verified performance is reported in verification statements signed by EPA and RTI
officials. RTI contracts with ETS, Inc. (ETS) to perform verification tests on baghouse filtration
products, including filter media.
Baghouses are air pollution control devices used to control particulate emissions from stationary sources
and are among the technologies evaluated by the APCT Center. The APCT Center developed (and EPA
approved) the Generic Verification Protocol for Baghouse Filtration Products to provide guidance on
these verification tests.
The following report reviews the performance of GE Energy's QG061 filtration media. ETV testing of
this technology was conducted during May and June 2007 at ETS. All testing was performed in
accordance with an approved test/QA plan that implements the requirements of the generic verification
protocol at the test laboratory.
in
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Environmental Technology Verification Report GE Energy QG061 (May 2007)
Availability of Verification Statement and Report
Copies of this verification report are available from:
• RTI International
Engineering and Technology Unit
P.O. Box 12194
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Air Pollution Prevention and Control Division (E343-02)
109 T. W. Alexander Drive
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Web Site:
http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/std/etv/vt-apc.html#bfp (electronic copy)
IV
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Environmental Technology Verification Report
GE Energy QG061 (May 2007)
Table of Contents
Page
Notice [[[ ii
Foreword [[[ iii
Availability of Verification Statement and Report [[[ iv
List of Figures [[[ vi
List of Tables [[[ vi
List of Abbreviations and Acronyms [[[ vii
Acknowledgments [[[ ix
Section 1. Introduction [[[ 1
Section 2. Verification Test Description [[[ 1
2.1. Description of the Test Rig and Methodology [[[ 2
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Environmental Technology Verification Report
GE Energy QG061 (May 2007)
List of Figures
Figure 1. Diagram of FEMA test apparatus.
List of Tables
Table 1. Summary of Control Test Results 4
Table 2. Summary of Verification Results For GE Energy's QG061 Filtration Media 8
VI
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Environmental Technology Verification Report
GE Energy QG061 (May 2007)
APCT Center
APPCD
BFP
cfm
cm
cm w.g.
dia.
AP
dscmh
EPA
ETS
ETV
FEMA
fpm
ft3
g
G/C
gr
gr/dscf
GVP
g/dscm
g/h
g/m2
hr
in.
in. w.g.
kg/m2
kPa
m
mbar
min
m/h
List of Abbreviations and Acronyms
Air Pollution Control Technology Verification Center
Air Pollution Prevention and Control Division
baghouse filtration product
cubic feet per minute
centimeters
centimeters of water gauge
diameter
pressure drop
dry standard cubic meters per hour
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
ETS, Incorporated
environmental technology verification
filtration efficiency media analyzer
feet per minute
cubic feet
grams
gas-to-cloth ratio (filtration velocity)
grains
grains per dry standard cubic foot
generic verification protocol
grams per dry standard cubic meter
grams per hour
grams per square meter
hours
inches
inches of water gauge
kilograms per square meter
kilopascals
meters
millibars
minutes
meters per hour
vn
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Environmental Technology Verification Report GE Energy QG061 (May 2007)
m3/h cubic meters per hour
mm millimeters
MPa megapascals
ms milliseconds
NA not applicable
oz/yd2 ounces per square yard
Pa pascals
PM particulate matter
PM2s particulate matter 2.5 micrometers in aerodynamic diameter or smaller
psi pounds per square inch
psia pounds per square inch absolute
PTFE polytetrafluoroethylene
QA quality assurance
QC quality control
RTI RTI International
s seconds
scf standard cubic feet
scfm standard cubic feet per minute
VDI Verein Deutscher Ingenieure
w.g. water gauge
ug micrograms
um micrometers
C degrees Celsius
F degrees Fahrenheit
R degrees Rankine
o
o
Vlll
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Environmental Technology Verification Report GE Energy QG061 (May 2007)
Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the support of all those who helped plan and conduct the verification activities.
In particular, we would like to thank Michael Kosusko, EPA's Project Manager, and Paul Groff, EPA's
Quality Assurance Manager, both of EPA's National Risk Management Research Laboratory in Research
Triangle Park, NC. Finally, we would like to acknowledge the assistance and participation of GE Energy
personnel who supported the test effort.
For more information on GE Energy's filtration media, contact:
Alan Smithies
GE Energy
417 SE Thompson Drive
Lee's Summit, MO 64082
(816)356-8400
alan.smithies@ge .com
For more information on verification testing of baghouse filtration products, contact:
Jenia Tufts
RTI International
P.O. Box 12194
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194
(919)485-2698
jtufts@rti.org
IX
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Environmental Technology Verification Report GE Energy QG061 (May 2007)
SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION
This report reviews the filtration and pressure drop (AP) performance of GE Energy's QG061.
Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) testing of this technology/product was conducted during a
series of tests May 23, 2007 and June 01, 2007, by ETS, Inc. (ETS), under contract with the Air Pollution
Control Technology Verification Center (APCT Center). The objective of the APCT Center and the ETV
Program is to verify, with high data quality, the performance of air pollution control technologies. Control
of fine particle emissions from various industrial and electric utility sources employing baghouse control
technology is within the scope of the APCT Center. The APCT Center program area was designed by RTI
International (RTI) and a technical panel of experts to evaluate the performance of particulate filters for
fine particle (PM2 5) emission control. Based on the activities of this technical panel, the Generic
Verification Protocol for Baghouse Filtration Products was developed. This protocol was chosen as the
best guide to verify the filtration performance of baghouse filtration products (BFPs). The specific
test/quality assurance (QA) plan for the ETV test of the technology was developed and approved in May
2000 with an approved update in February 2006. The goal of the test was to measure filtration
performance of both PM25 and total PM as well as the pressure drop characteristics of the GE Energy
technology identified above.
Section 2 documents the procedures and methods used for the test and the conditions over which the test
was conducted. A description of the GE Energy's QG061 filtration media is presented in Section 3. The
results of the test are summarized and discussed in Section 4, and references are presented in Section 5.
This report contains summary information and data from the test as well as the verification statement.
Complete documentation of the test results is provided in a separate data package and audit of data quality
report. These reports include the raw test data from product testing and supplemental testing, equipment
calibrations results, and QA and quality control (QC) activities and results. Complete documentation of
QA/QC activities and results, raw test data, and equipment calibrations results are retained in ETS's files
for seven years.
SECTION 2
VERIFICATION TEST DESCRIPTION
The baghouse filtration products were tested in accordance with the APCT Center Generic Verification
Protocol for Baghouse Filtration Products1 and the Test/QA Plan for the Verification Testing of
Baghouse Filtration Products2 This protocol incorporated all requirements for quality management, QA,
procedures for product selection, auditing of the test laboratories, and reporting format. The Generic
Verification Protocol (GVP) describes the overall procedures to be used for verification testing and
defines the data quality objectives. The values for inlet dust concentration, raw gas flow rate, and
filtration velocity used for current verification testing have been revised in consultation with the technical
panel since posting of the GVP. These revisions are documented in Section A7.1 of the test/QA plan.
The test/QA plan details how the test laboratory at ETS will implement and meet the requirements of the
GVP.
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Environmental Technology Verification Report GE Energy QG061 (May 2007)
2.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE TEST RIG AND METHODOLOGY
The tests were conducted in ETS's filtration efficiency media analyzer (FEMA) test apparatus (Figure 1).
The test apparatus consists of a brush-type dust feeder that disperses test dust into a vertical rectangular
duct (raw-gas channel). The dust feed rate is continuously measured and recorded via an electronic scale
located beneath the dust feed mechanism. The scale has a continuous read-out with a resolution of 10 g.
A radioactive polonium-210 alpha source is used to neutralize the dust electrically before its entry into the
raw-gas channel. An optical photo sensor monitors the concentration of dust and ensures that the flow is
stable for the entire duration of the test. The optical photo sensor does not measure concentration. A
portion of the gas flow is extracted from the raw-gas channel through the test filter, which is mounted
vertically at the entrance to a horizontal duct (clean-gas channel). The clean-gas channel flow is
separated in two gas streams, a sample stream and a bypass stream. An aerodynamic "Y" is used for this
purpose. The aerodynamic "Y" is designed for isokinetic separation of the clean gas with 40 percent of
the clean gas entering the sample-gas channel without change in gas velocity. The sample-gas channel
contains an Andersen impactor for particle separation and measurement. The bypass channel contains an
absolute filter. The flow within the two segments of the "Y" is continuously monitored and maintained at
selected rates by adjustable valves. Two vacuum pumps maintain air flow through the raw-gas and clean-
gas channels. The flow rates, and thus the gas-to-cloth ratio (G/C) through the test filter, are kept
constant and measured using mass flow controllers. A pressure transducer is used to measure the average
residual pressure drop of the filter sample. The pressure transducer measures the differential pressure
across the filter samples 3 seconds after the cleaning pulse. The pressure drop measurements are then
averaged as described in Appendix C, Section 4.4.1 of the GVP.1 High-efficiency filters are installed
upstream of the flow controllers and pumps to prevent contamination or damage caused by the dust. The
cleaning system consists of a compressed-air tank set at 0.5 MPa (75 psi), a quick-action diaphragm
valve, and ablowtube [25.4 mm (1.0 in.) dia.] with anozzle [3 mm (0.12 in.) dia.] facing the downstream
side of the test filter.
Mean outlet particle concentration is determined when a portion of the gas flow is extracted from the raw-
gas channel through the test filter, which is mounted vertically at the entrance to a horizontal duct (clean-
gas channel). The clean-gas flow is separated using an aerodynamic "Y" so that a representative sample
of the clean gas flows through an Andersen impactor that determines the outlet particle concentration.
The particle size was measured while a fine dust was injected into the air stream upstream of the filter
fabric sample.
The following series of tests was performed on three separate, randomly selected filter fabric samples:
• Conditioning period,
• Recovery period, and
• Performance test period.
To simulate long-term operation, the test filter was first subjected to a conditioning period, which consists
of 10,000 rapid pulse cleaning cycles under continuous dust loading. During this period, the time
between cleaning pulses is maintained at 3 seconds. No filter performance parameters are measured in
this period.
The conditioning period is immediately followed by a recovery period, which allows the test filter fabric
to recover from rapid pulsing. The recovery period consists of 30 normal filtration cycles under
continuous and constant dust loading. During a normal filtration cycle, the dust cake is allowed to form
on the test filter until a differential pressure of 1,000 Pa (4.0 in. w.g.) is reached. At this point the test
filter is cleaned by a pulse of compressed air from the clean-gas side of the fabric. The next filtration
cycle begins immediately after the cleaning is complete.
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Environmental Technology Verification Report GE Energy QG061 (May 2007)
Performance testing occurs for a 6-hour period immediately following the recovery period (a cumulative
total of 10,030 filtration cycles after the test filter has been installed in the test apparatus). During the
performance test period, normal filtration cycles are maintained and, as in the case of the conditioning and
recovery periods, the test filter is subjected to continuous flow and constant dust loading.
The filtration velocity (G/C) and inlet dust concentrations are maintained at 120 ± 6 m/h (6.6 ± 0.3 fpm)
and 18.4 ± 3.6 g/dscm (8.0 ±1.6 gr/dscf), respectively, throughout all phases of the test.
2.2 SELECTION OF FILTRATION SAMPLE FOR TESTING
Filter fabric samples of QG061 were supplied to ETS directly from the manufacturer (GE Energy) with a
letter signed by Alan Smithies, the engineering manager for fabric filter/membrane at GE Energy,
attesting that the filter media were selected at random in an unbiased manner from commercial-grade
media and were not treated in any manner different from the media provided to customers. The
manufacturer supplied the test laboratory with nine 46 x 91 cm (18 x 36 in.) filter samples. The test
laboratory randomly selected three samples and prepared them for testing by cutting one test specimen of
150 mm (5.9 in.) diameter from each selected sample for insertion in the test rig sample holder. The
sample holder has an opening 140 mm (5.5 in.) in diameter, which is the dimension used to calculate the
face area of the tested specimen.
2.3 CONTROL TESTS
Two types of control tests were performed during the verification test series. The first was a dust
characterization, which is performed monthly. The reference dust used during the verification tests was
Pural NF aluminum oxide dust. The Pural NF dust was oven dried for 2 hours and sealed in an airtight
container prior to its insertion into the FEMA apparatus. The dust characterization results had to meet the
requirements of a 1.5 ± 1.0 urn maximum mass mean diameter and between 40 and 90 percent less than
2.5 um to continue the verification test series.
The second control test, the reference value test, is performed quarterly using the reference fabric and the
FEMA apparatus. The reference value test determines the weight gain of the reference fabric as well as
the maximum pressure drop. The results of the test verify that the FEMA apparatus is operating
consistently within the required parameters. Reference values tests are conducted and the average fabric
maximum pressure drop must be 0.60 cm w.g. ± 40% and the fabric weight gain average must be 1.12 g ±
40%.
The results of the control tests are summarized in Table 1.
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Environmental Technology Verification Report
GE Energy QG061 (May 2007)
Table 1. Summary of Control Test Results
Mass mean diameter, um
% Less than 2.5 um
Weight gain, g
Maximum AP, cm w.g.
Requirement
1.5 ± 1.0
40 to 90%
1.12 ±40%
0.60 ± 40%
Measured value
1.32
72.2
1.00
0.49
Met requirements?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
AP = pressure drop.
Three reference value control test runs were conducted.
2.4 ANALYSIS
The equations used for verification analysis are described below.
Af = Exposed area of sample filter, m2
Cds = Dry standard outlet particulate concentration of total mass, g/dscm
C2.5ds = Dry standard outlet particulate concentration of PM25, g/dscm
d = Diameter of exposed area of sample filter, m
Fa = Dust feed concentration corrected for actual conditions, g/m3
Fs = Dust feed concentration corrected for standard conditions, g/dscm
G/C = Gas-to-cloth ratio, m/h
Mt = Total mass gain from Andersen impactor, g
M2 5 = Total mass gain of particles equal to or less than 2.5 um diameter from Andersen impactor, g.
This value may need to be linearly interpolated from test data.
N = Number of filtration cycles in a given performance test period
Pavg = Average residual pressure drop, cm w.g.
Pj = Residual pressure drop for ith filtration cycle, cm w.g.
Ps = Absolute gas pressure as measured in the raw-gas channel, mbar
Qa = Actual gas flow rate, m3/h
Qds = Dry standard gas flow rate, dscmh
Q2.5ds = Dry standard gas flow rate for 2.5 um particles, dscmh
Qst = Standard gas flow rate for a specific averaging time, t, dscmh
t = Specified averaging time or sampling time, s
tc = Average filtration cycle time, s
Ts = Raw-gas channel temperature, °F
Wf = Weight of dust in feed hopper following specified time, g. Because of vibrations causing
short-term fluctuations to the feed hopper, this value is measured as a 1-min average.
w; = Weight of dust in feed hopper at the beginning of the specified time, g. Because of vibrations
causing short-term fluctuations to the feed hopper, this value is measured as a 1-min average.
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Environmental Technology Verification Report GE Energy QG061 (May 2007)
Conversion factors and standard values used in the equations are listed below.
460 = 0 °F, in °R
1,013 = Standard atmospheric pressure, mbar
528 = Standard temperature, °R
Area of Sample Fabric, Af
Af=(B*d2)/4
Actual Gas Flow Rate, Qa
0, = OH. * T (I. + 460) * 1013]
L Ps * 528 J
Gas-to-Cloth Ratio, G/C
G/C = Qa / Af
Standard Dust Feed Concentration, Fs, for a specified time, t
Fs = (Wl-wf)/(Qst*t)
Actual Raw Gas Dust Concentration, Fa
Fa = Fs * [ (I.+ 460)* 1013 1
L " Ps * 528 J
Dry Standard Clean Gas Particulate Concentration, Total Mass, Cds
Cds = Mt / [ Qds * t * (1 - %H2O/100) ]
Dry Standard Clean Gas Particulate Concentration, PM2 5 C2 5ds
C2.5ds = M2 5 / [ Q2 5ds * t * (1 - %H20/100) ]
Filtration Cycle Time, tc
tc=t/N
Average Residual Pressure Drop, Pavg
Pavg = ZP/N
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Environmental Technology Verification Report
GE Energy QG061 (May 2007)
DUST FEED FROM EXTERNAL HOPPER
DUST CHARGE NEUTRALIZER
RECTANGULAR CHANNEL
111 x 292 mm (4-3/8x11-1/2")
PHOTOMETER
FILTER FIXTURE AND TEST FILTER
CYLINDRICAL EXTRACTION TUBE
CLEAN-GAS SAMPLE PORT
RAW-GAS SAMPLE PORT
CLEANING SYSTEM
BACKUP
FILTER
MASS FLOW
CONTROLLER
ABSOLUTE FILTER AND
ANDERSENIMPACTOR
MASS FLOW
CONTROLLER
Figure 1. Diagram of FEMA test apparatus
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Environmental Technology Verification Report GE Energy QG061 (May 2007)
SECTION 3
DESCRIPTION OF FILTER FABRIC
The GE Energy QG061 filtration media is a woven glass substrate with an expanded, microporous
membrane, thermally laminated to the filtration/dust cake surface.
SECTION 4
VERIFICATION OF PERFORMANCE
4.1 QUALITY ASSURANCE
The verification tests were conducted in accordance with an approved test/QA plan.2 The EPA quality
assurance manager conducted an independent assessment of the test laboratory in June 2005, and found
that the test laboratory was equipped and operated as specified in the test/QA plan.
The ETS QA officer and the APCT Center's QA staff have reviewed the results of this test and have
found that the results meet the overall data quality objectives as stated in the test/QA plan. It should be
noted that, because of the highly efficient nature of the filter medium being tested, the impactor substrate
weighings for these results were below the reproducibility of the balance. The relative percent error in the
post filter weighing measurements cannot be computed because most of the values were near zero. As a
result of this occurrence, the tests do not meet the data quality objectives (DQOs) stated in the test/QA
plan for mass gain associated with outlet concentrations. However, as stated in the test protocol, "for
highly efficient fabrics, the mass gains stated for these quality objectives may not be achieved in the
specified test duration. For these tests it is acceptable for the indicated DQO not to be met."
Deviations from the test plan include organizational personnel changes.
The ETS QA officer and the APCT Center's QA staff have also reviewed the results of the control tests,
which are summarized in Section 2.3, Table 1. The dust characterization control test met the appropriate
requirements of the test/QA plan and verification protocol. The reference fabric tests meet maximum
pressure drop and weight gain requirements established for reference fabric performance in the GVP,
indicating the measurement system is operating in control.
4.2 RESULTS
Table 2 summarizes the mean outlet particle concentration measurements for the verification test periods.
Measurements were conducted during the 6-hour performance test period. The performance test period
followed a 10,000-cycle conditioning period and a 30-cycle recovery period.
Table 2 summarizes the three verification tests that were performed under standard verification test
conditions. The average residual AP across each filter sample at the nominal 120 m/h (6.6 fpm) filtration
velocity [for a flow rate of 5.8 m3/h (3.4 cfm)] is also shown in Table 2. This AP ranged from 2.99 to
3.45 cm w.g. (1.18 to 1.36 in. w.g.) for the three filter samples tested. The residual AP increase ranged
from 0.04 to 0.15 cm w.g. (0.02 to 0.06 in. w.g.) for the samples tested. All three standard condition
verification runs were used to compute the averages given in Table 2. The PM2 5 outlet particle
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Environmental Technology Verification Report
GE Energy QG061 (May 2007)
concentration average for the three runs is <0.0000167 g/dscm. The total PM concentration average for
the three runs is <0.0000167 g/dscm.
Table 2. Summary of Verification Results for GE Energy's QG061 Filtration Media
Test run number
PM25 (g/dscm)b
Total PM (g/dscm)
Average residual AP (cm w.g.)
Initial residual AP (cm w.g.)
Residual AP increase (cm w.g.)
Mass gain of sample filter (g)
Average filtration cycle time (s)
Number of cleaning cycles
4V7-R1
<0.0000167C
<0.0000167
3.45
3.37
0.15
0.10
174
124
4V7-R2
<0.0000167
<0.0000167
3.31
3.26
0.12
0.12
171
126
4V7-R3
<0.0000167
<0.0000167
2.99
2.97
0.04
0.13
203
106
Average"
<0.0000167
<0.0000167
3.25
3.20
0.10
0.12
183
119
All three verification runs were used to compute averages.
One or more of the impactor substrate weight changes for these results was near the reproducibility limit of the
balance.
The measured value was determined to be below the detection limit of 0.0000167 grams per cubic meter. The
detection limit is for a six-hour test and based on VDI 3926.
4.3 LIMITATIONS AND APPLICATIONS
This verification report addresses two aspects of baghouse filtration product performance: outlet particle
concentration and AP. Users may wish to consider other performance parameters such as service life and
cost when selecting a baghouse filtration fabric for their application.
In accordance with the GVP, this verification statement is applicable to baghouse filtration products
manufactured between signature of the verification statement and three years thereafter.
SECTION 5
REFERENCES
Generic Verification Protocol for Baghouse Filtration Products, RTI International, Research
Triangle Park, NC, February 2000. Available at
http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/std/etv/pubs/05 vpbfp.pdf. .
Test/QA Plan for the Verification Testing of Baghouse Filtration Products (Revision 2), ETS,
Inc., Roanoke, VA and RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, February 2006. Available
at http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/std/etv/pubs/600etv06095 .pdf
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