Grantee Research Project Results

Compact Nephelometer System for On-Line Monitoring of Particulate Matter Emissions

EPA Grant Number: R831276C007
Subproject: this is subproject number 007 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant CR831276
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: UT Center for Infrastructure Modeling and Management
Center Director: Hodges, Ben R.
Title: Compact Nephelometer System for On-Line Monitoring of Particulate Matter Emissions
Investigators: Hall, Matthew J.
Institution: The University of Texas at Austin
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: December 1, 2003 through November 30, 2004
Project Amount: Refer to main center abstract for funding details.
RFA: Gulf Coast Hazardous Substance Research Center (Lamar University) (1996) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Targeted Research

Objective:

There are many possible applications for the characterization of particulate matter emissions. These may include the characterization of emissions from incinerators, boilers, coal power plants and diesel engines. Unlike several other devices that can measure particle size such as the scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), this instrument could be integrated into an exhaust stream because it can make the measurements in undiluted exhaust. Another difference from other particulate instruments is that this device would be quite fast, capable of making a set of measurements in less than 1 s. Proposed Federal particulate matter standards will drastically tighten emissions in the next several years. Because of the potential advantages of such an instrument it may well make a good future standard for particulate measurements. The current standard is a filter-based system that is cumbersome to use. shows large test-to-test variations, and only measures the total particulate mass emissions.

The objective of the proposed three year project is to develop a new instrument for the characterization of particulate matter emissions, a "compact nephelometer". The instrument would measure both the mass concentration of particulate matter emissions and its mean particle diameter, in real-time.

Approach:

A nephelometer is an instrument that simultaneously measures the angular dependent intensity pattern of laser light scattered from a sample of particulate laden exhaust. From the magnitude of the intensities and from the shape of the scattering pattern both particulate size distribution and mass concentration can be instantly determined. The device will measure the particulate size distribution and mass concentration over a wide range of dilution ratios on a continuous-basis. This is something that no other instrument is currently capable of. Due to recent developments in the fields of high-sensitivity low-cost semiconductor photodiodes and lasers, the cost of the instrument would be very low relative to other advanced measurement techniques in current use (perhaps as low as about $5000). The technology is not widely known, which is why it has not been strongly pursued by others. We had the advantage of working with a nephelometer. Our one-off instrument was designed for Argonne National Labs. We recently completed a project with them in which we successfully adapted the instrument for characterizing engine particulates. The instrument is very complicated and expensive (about $80,000), relying on optical fibers to transport scattered light from the sample chamber to a camera system.

Expected Results:

Our concept would eliminate the camera and optical fibers by using photodiodes, yielding a more robust system that would be faster, more sensitive, and much less expensive. Due to the simplicity of the system it could be adapted to make in-situ measurements, not just measurements of sampled flows, as is current practice. A prototype system having a toot-print of about 1 ft² will be built and tested in several types of particulate laden flows. Software will be developed to allow automated on-line data acquisition and analysis.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this subproject: View all 1 publications for this subproject | View all 64 publications for this center

Supplemental Keywords:

RFA, Scientific Discipline, Air, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, Waste, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, air toxics, Environmental Chemistry, Monitoring/Modeling, Environmental Monitoring, Hazardous Waste, Environmental Engineering, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Hazardous, emission control strategies, hazardous waste treatment, emissions monitoring, emission control technologies, advanced treatment technologies, air pollution control, emissions, emission control, particulate matter mass, nephelometer, air pollution control technology, emissions contol engineering, air emissions, air quality, aerosol analyzers, atmospheric chemistry

Progress and Final Reports:

Final

Main Center Abstract and Reports:

CR831276    UT Center for Infrastructure Modeling and Management

Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R831276C001 DNAPL Source Control by Reductive Dechlorination with Fe(II)
R831276C002 Arsenic Removal and Stabilization with Synthesized Pyrite
R831276C003 A Large-Scale Experimental Investigation of the Impact of Ethanol on Groundwater Contamination
R831276C004 Visible-Light-Responsive Titania Modified with Aerogel/Ferroelectric Optical Materials for VOC Oxidation
R831276C005 Development of a Microwave-Induced On-Site Regeneration Technology for Advancing the Control of Mercury and VOC Emissions Employing Activated Carbon
R831276C006 Pollution Prevention through Functionality Tracking and Property Integration
R831276C007 Compact Nephelometer System for On-Line Monitoring of Particulate Matter Emissions
R831276C008 Effect of Pitting Corrosion Promoters on the Treatment of Waters Contaminated with a Nitroaromatic Compounds Using Integrated Reductive/Oxidative Processes
R831276C009 Linear Polymer Chain and Bioengineered Chelators for Metals Remediation
R831276C010 Treatment of Perchlorate Contaminated Water Using a Combined Biotic/Abiotic Process
R831276C011 Rapid Determination of Microbial Pathways for Pollutant Degradation
R831276C012 Simulations of the Emission, Transport, Chemistry and Deposition of Atmospheric Mercury in the Upper Gulf Coast Region
R831276C013 Reduction of Environmental Impact and Improvement of Intrinsic Security in Unsteady-state
R831276C014 Integrated Chemical Complex and Cogeneration Analysis System: Greenhouse Gas Management and Pollution Prevention Solutions
R831276C015 Improved Combustion Catalysts for NOx Emission Reduction
R831276C016 A Large-Scale Experimental Investigation of the Impact of Ethanol on Groundwater Contamination
R831276C017 Minimization of Hazardous Ion-Exchange Brine Waste by Biological Treatment of Perchlorate and Nitrate to Allow Brine Recycle
R831276C018 Integrated Chemical Complex and Cogeneration Analysis System: Greenhouse Gas Management and Pollution Prevention Solutions