Infrared spectral study of industrial stack plumes was performed to investigate the feasibility of pollution efflux monitoring by remote observation. The conclusions of this study are: (1) Measurement of industrial stack pollution rates is feasible with simple optical systems using common optical components and relatively inexpensive detectors. However, a degree of sophistication is necessary in the electronics to remove the burden of exponential calculations from the operator/analyst. Such computations are amenable to state-of-the-art analog computational techniques. (2) A large number of a parameters are significant in reception of radiation from a given plume. For a low temperature process this can result in rather complex organics being generated which tend to clutter the spectra. (3) Pollution densities over 0.3% are readily determined quantitatively for most gases when the plume temperature is over 200F, when a small to moderate amount of particulate or other gray body radiation is present. (4) Coal burning systems produce a minimum of H2O vapor which obscures SO2 to a degree; coal burning power plants are expected to show distinct SO2 spectra at densities as low as 50 ppm when the particulate exhaust is under control. (Author)

"Prepared for Public Health Service, BSS-EH, Washington, D.C." "Reproduced by the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Va." PB-187391. Date on cover: 1969.