The principal objective of this project was to identify and evaluate monitoring instrumentation which represents the current state-of-the-art in measurement of total mercury emissions from stationary sources. During the laboratory test program the uniformity of response of each instrument acquired for the program to expected forms of mercury emissions from stationary sources including particulate and organo-mercury compounds as well as elemental mercury vapor was established. Field tests were conducted at the following sources: (1) secondary processing of mercury; (2) chloralkali production; and (3) nonferrous (zinc) smelting. From the evaluation of these data the investigators conclude that available mercury measuring instrumentation can be adapted for the measurement of total mercury emissions from certain sources, in particular, chlor-alkali plants. The transporting and conditioning of the sample poses considerable difficulties requiring additional research. Manual control was accomplished during the field and laboratory portions of the program. Manual control in the field was sufficient for these studies; however, continuous monitoring could not be accomplished by this means.

Performed by Walden Research Division of Abcor, Inc., contract no. 68-02-0590, project no. 26AAN, program element no. 1AA010. "June 1974." "EPA/650-2-74-039." EPA Project Officer: Roy L. Bennett. Includes bibliographical references.