AN INTRODUCTION TO

SOURCE SAMPLING

Presented by
Gerald Woollatt
LEVEGO
Stationary Source Emission Measurement
Specialists
 Particulate Matter vs. Gaseous
Emissions
 Source emissions classified broadly into
Isokinetic sampling for particulate matter and
non-isokinetic sampling for gaseous emissions
When do we need to sample?
Emission Data can be used:
Government
 To provide data for determining appropriate
emission limits.

 To provide data for determining compliance.

 To provide data for health risk assessments.

 To provide data for dispersion modeling.

 (continued)

Emission Data can be used:

Industry
To evaluate air pollution control equipment.

To provide information for design of new process

and control equipment.

To provide information on process operations.

Isokinetic Measurement of Source Emissions:

Particulate emissions from a source are

sampled isokinetically using a recognized
international standard such as US EPA
Method 5 sampling train. The collected
sample is analyzed to determine the
pollutant concentrations.

Isokinetic Sampling
 Misconceptions about
Isokinetic Sampling
 It is not a quick, simple exercise - fairly involved
and complex
 Time consuming - setting up equipment,
preliminary checks etc.
 Specifically used for determining flue gas
particulate concentrations in a duct or stack
 Equipment specifically designed for Isokinetic
Sampling

Isokinetic Sampling
 ISOKINETIC

 Iso – similar or the same

 Kinetic – Moving energy, motion

Isokinetic Sampling
 ISOKINETIC SAMPLING
 DEFINITION
Sampling at such a rate that the velocity and
the direction of the gas entering the sampling
Nozzle is the same as that of the gas in the
duct/stack at the same sampling point

Isokinetic Sampling
Schematic of Method 5 Sampling
Train

Isokinetic Sampling
Typical sampling location
and equipment

Isokinetic Sampling
(continued)

Isokinetic Sampling
(continued)
 Cross Section of
Measurement Position

Isokinetic Sampling
 Purpose of Sampling
Isokinetically

 The main objective of Isokinetic sampling is

to acquire a representative sample of flue
gas particulate concentrations

Isokinetic Sampling
 Factors that Necessitate the
Need for Isokinetic Sampling
 Physical properties of particulates in the
gas stream - density, shape, size etc.
 Heterogeneous nature of particulate
mixture in gas stream
 Uneven distribution of particles in gas
stream – turbulence, gravity etc.

Isokinetic Sampling
 Identifying a Proper Sampling
Location
 ISO, EPA, BS etc. provide requirements for
selecting proper sample locations
 Specific minimum requirements set out by
ISO9096- No. of Sampling ports, Distance from
fans or bends in system, no. of sampling points
required.
 Above minimum requirements are dependant on
the duct size
 Preliminary velocity to determine suitability of
sample location

Isokinetic Sampling
 Determining Sampling Points
 Concept of dividing duct in equal areas
 Need to sample at the minimum number of
sampling points set out by the standard in
order to get a proper representative sample
due to uneven distribution of particles in
gas stream
 No. of points depends on size of duct

Isokinetic Sampling
Diagrammatic Representation of
Sampling Points in a Duct/Stack

Isokinetic Sampling
 Errors Associated with not
Sampling Isokinetically
OVER SAMPLING

 Can result in an Increase or decrease in

particulate concentration.

 This is due to not sampling Isokinetically by

sampling above the flue gas rate
Isokinetic Sampling
(continued)

UNDER SAMPLING

 Can result in an increase or decrease in

particulate concentration.

 This is due to not sampling Isokinetically by

sampling below the flue gas rate

Isokinetic Sampling
 Under Sampling vs. Over Sampling
UNDER SAMPLING OVER SAMPLING
 High pressure created at  Low pressure created at
nozzle nozzle
 Large particles tend to  Large particles tend to
follow normal path follow normal path
 Small particles will be  Small particles will be
more easily moved from more easily moved from
their original path thus their original path thus
being deflected around being directed into the
the nozzle nozzle
 Lower percentage of  Higher percentage of
smaller particles collected smaller particles collected
 Not representative of  Not representative of
particulate dust burdens particulate dust burdens
or distribution or distribution
Isokinetic Sampling
Over Sampling and Under
Sampling
 Associated Errors that could
Influence Sampling Accuracy
 Moisture
 Gas Composition
 Nozzle, Probe direction
 Leakages on test equipment
 Test equipment not calibrated
 Non- compliance to minimum requirements of
relevant standard
 Not collecting enough particulate matter
 Unstable Process conditions
Isokinetic Sampling
 Theoretical Example

 Stack Monitoring
– 2 m diameter
– According to ISO 9096 - Two sample ports and twelve
points with a minimum sampling time of three minutes
per point
– Time required – minimum 36 minutes per test excl.
travel, pre-test preparation, set up
– Minimum of three tests required
– Additional analyses could result in an increase in test
period e.g particle size analyses, low particulate matter
concentrations

Isokinetic Sampling
 Gaseous Sampling Principles

 Homogenous nature of gases - therefore not

necessary to sample Isokinetically - this is
because
– Flue gases are presumed to mix thoroughly,
– Very small molecules therefore not adversely affected
by gravity.
– Properties of gases are such that a sample can be
taken at several predetermined points along the
diameter of the duct and still be representative with out
having to sample Isokinetically

Gaseous Sampling
 continued

 The sample is taken at a set flow rate, at each

point throughout the duct e.g. 1l/min
 A Velocity measurement is performed in
conjunction with the tests
 The velocity measurement is used to calculate
the emission rate of the gas sampled
 Time, Temperature, Contact time, Surface area,
affinity of the gas etc. all effect the sampling time
and nature of reagents used when sampling for
a specific gas and therefore have to be taken
into consideration
Gaseous Sampling
 Interferences
 Moisture- Many gases are absorbed by moisture,
sample line must be heated in most instances
e.g. HF, Volatile organics etc.
 Other gases present in the gas stream may
interfere with sampling reagents.
 Certain materials in the sampling line may
interfere with certain gases e.g. acid gases may
react with stainless steel present in the sampling
line
Gaseous Sampling
 Analyser
(O2, CO2, CO, SO2,
Non NO, NO2)
S Probe
with heated
T filtration line
A
C conditioning
Heated unit /
K Line condenser

Heated
Manifold

VOC’s /
UHC’s

Gaseous Sampling
 Relevant Standards used in
South Africa
 Air Pollution is currently governed by the National
Environmental Management: Air Quality Act
(AQA) No. 39 of 2004
 AQA: Section 21 regulations detail emission limits
for various processes and acceptable
methodology – Typically ISO and US-EPA
methods are acceptable.
 Methods Commonly Used

 Environmental Protection Agency

– US EPA Methods
 British Standards Institution
– British Standards
 International Standards Organisation
– ISO Methods
 Current challenges facing the
Source monitoring industry
 Shortage of human resources
 Shortage of technical expertise
– Lack of training and certification facilities in the country
 Lack of infrastructure, e.g. accredited laboratories (air
samples), calibration facilities, etc.
 Lack of knowledge by industry with regards to source
sampling requirements e.g. proper sampling locations,
necessity of process info /control parameters.
Question and Answer Session