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VALIDATION OF A METHOD FOR ESTIMATING POLLUTION EMISSION RATES FROM AREA SOURCES USING OPEN-PATH FTIR SPECTROSCOPY AND DISPERSION MODELING TECHNIQUES
Citation:
Piccot, S., D. Kirchgessner, S. Masemore, W. Herget, S. Srinivasan, AND E. Ringler. VALIDATION OF A METHOD FOR ESTIMATING POLLUTION EMISSION RATES FROM AREA SOURCES USING OPEN-PATH FTIR SPECTROSCOPY AND DISPERSION MODELING TECHNIQUES. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-95/002.
Description:
The paper describes a rapid and cost effective methodology developed to estimate emissions factors of organic compounds from a variety of area sources. he methodology involves using an open-path Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer to measure concentrations of hydrocarbon and other compounds in plumes emanating from area sources. eteorological measurements are also collected and used in conjunction with an appropriate plume dispersion model to relate measured plume and background concentrations to an emission rate for the source. he study was conducted to validate the performance of the measurements methodology, and to support the development of measurements methodology protocols, field setup guidelines, data analysis procedures, and other information needed to conduct more effective and accurate measurements. ased on the results, the methodology appears to be capable of estimating emissions from an area source with at least +/-25 to 30% accuracy.