You are here:
AN EVALUATION STUDY OF EPA METHOD 8
Citation:
Knoll, J. AND M. Midgett. AN EVALUATION STUDY OF EPA METHOD 8. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/4-80/018 (NTIS PB80181936), 1980.
Description:
Techniques used in EPA Method 8, the source test method for acid mist and sulfur dioxide emissions from sulfuric acid plants, have been evaluated. Evidence is shown that trace amounts of peroxides in isopropyl alcohol result in the conversion of sulfur dioxide to sulfate and cause positive errors in acid mist values. Methods for measuring and purifying IPA are described. No conversion of sulfur dioxide to sulfate on filters or filter supports were observed. Collection efficiencies of train components are described and two alternate indicators are evaluated. Solid ammonium sulfates's use as audit samples is discussed. Field testing is also described in which paired-probe techniques were employed. They showed that, when sulfur trioxide is absent from the effluent streams, acid mist is efficiently collected by a single filter, even when the isopropyl alcohol-containing impinger is eliminated. Both ammonia and dimethyl analine, which are employed as gas scrubbers, cause sulfur dioxide to be retained in the isopropyl alcohol and result in large positive interferences in acid mist values. Ferric oxide, present in the effluents of steel pickling operations, causes a large negative interference in acid mist values.