Particulate Emissions

Particulate emissions increase plume opacity and can have a detrimental impact on the environment. The EPA has regulations on particulate emissions from stationary sources such as power plants. A service offered by ESA is measurement of particulate emissions including total particulates, solid and condensable particulates, PM10, PM2.5 and particle size distribution.

Particulate sampling is done in accordance with the EPA Methods 5, 17, 201, as well as other more situational methods. The sample is collected isokinetically from the stack by a heated stainless steel probe. The sample is drawn into a thermostatically controlled filter housing containing a preweighed fiber filter. Using this sampling and collection technique, the particulate emission rate can be determined. Particulate loading can be recorded on a per-unit-heat input basis once a fuel analysis and fuel input data have been collected.

In addition to loading and emission rates, ESA can analyze flyash samples to determine specific operational performance parameters including:

• loss on ignition (LOI)
• unburned carbon
• total unburned combustibles
• ash fusion temperature
• proximate analysis

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