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CHARACTERIZATION OF FUGITIVE MERCURY EMISSIONS FROM THE CELL BUILDING AT A U.S. CHLOR-ALKALI PLANT
Citation:
Kinsey*, J S., J. Swift, AND J. Bursey. CHARACTERIZATION OF FUGITIVE MERCURY EMISSIONS FROM THE CELL BUILDING AT A U.S. CHLOR-ALKALI PLANT. ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT. Elsevier Science BV, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 38(4):623-631, (2003).
Description:
The paper discusses an extensive measurement campaign that was conducted of the fugitive (non-ducted) airborne elemental mercury [Hg(0)] emissions from the cell building of a chlor-alkali plant (CAP) located in the southeastern United States. The objectives of this study were to determine the total Hg(0) mass flux from the cell building under a range of typical wintertime meteorological conditions and to perform an air flow balance for the building and compare various Hg monitoring methods under a variety of sampling conditions. To meet these objectives, Hg(0) concentration, air velocity, and tracer gas concentration were monitored in the cell building roof vent over a 9-day period. In addition, tracer gas concentration and air velocity were also monitored during selected time periods in other building openings. The results of the study found an average Hg(0) emission rate in the roof vent of 0.36 g/min. Also, potential Hg(0) transport from openings other than the roof vent was observed during one 24-h sampling period as determined from the tracer gas study. Finally, the air flow balance performed for the building "closed" within 79 to 100% depending on the calculation procedure used, and the concentration of Hg(0) determined with the long-path ultraviolet differential optical absorption spectrometer (UV-DOAS) compared favorably with similar measurements conducted using a hand-held electrical resistance analyzer.