Visible Emissions Evaluation Certification Training
Also Known As
Smoke School
BEFORE WE GET STARTED
DID YOU SIGN IN?
MEN WOMEN
RESTROOMS
LUNCH TIME
PLEASE DON’T TALK ON CELL PHONES DURING LECTURES
NO SMOKING
Lecture Objectives We want you to understand the following: - What visible emissions are - How they are caused - External factors that may influence them - How Visible Emissions can be controlled - The Georgia VE Regulations - How to properly evaluate VE
REGULATORY BACKGROUND
1881 City Air Pollution Laws
Chicago & Cincinnati
REGULATORY BACKGROUND
1. 1890 - Ohio regulated smoke emissions from steam boilers.
REGULATORY BACKGROUND
Ringlemann Number (1897)
A system where shades of gray can be reproduced by using a grid of black lines on a white background.
Used to determine boiler efficiency.
RINGLEMANN CHARTS
20% to 80%
REGULATORY BACKGROUND
OPACITY
THE AMOUNT, EXPRESSED IN PERCENT, THAT EMISSIONS REDUCE THE TRANSMISSION OF LIGHT AND OBSCURE THE BACKGROUND.
(5% increments)
REGULATORY BACKGROUND
Equivalent Opacity = (20 x Ringlemann No.)
- The opacity that is equivalent to the obscuring power of the black smoke characterized by a Ringlemann Number.
Due to the promulgation of 40 CFR 60 Method 9 in 1974, the State of Georgia no longer uses the Ringlemann System.
REGULATORY BACKGROUND
40 CFR 60, APPENDIX A
METHOD 9 - Promulgated 1974
- Visual determination of the emissions from stationary sources.
- Provides procedures for training, certification of observations and determination of plume opacity.
QUESTIONS
What are Visible Emissions
?
Questions
How are Visible Emissions Caused
?
PARTICLES
VARIOUS POLLUTION SOURCES
Combustion sources: smoke, soot, fly ash
Non-combustion sources: dust, fumes, mists, vapors, gases
Industrial Process Losses
-Chemical Processing -Mineral Processing -Petroleum Refining
-Solvent Evaporation
PARTICLES AND OPACITY
IF THE NUMBER OF PARTICLES IN A CERTAIN VOLUME OF AIR IS INCREASED, MORE LIGHT WILL BE BLOCKED.
External Factors That May Influence
Visible Emissions
How Can Visible Emissions
Be Controlled
?
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
LOW ENERGY SYSTEMS: (do not collect small particles as efficiently)
-SETTLING CHAMBER -CYCLONE HIGH ENERGY SYSTEMS: (do collect
small particles efficiently) -BAGHOUSE -WET SCRUBBER -ESP
LARGE PARTICLES FALL INTO HOPPER
50 MICRONSOR LESS
EXPANDED AREA TO SLOWDOWN GAS FLOW
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
SETTLING CHAMBER
CYCLONES centrifugal force
High efficiency -Collect particles down to 4 microns; requires high pressure at inlet. -< 3ft. in diameter. Low efficiency -Cannot collect smaller particles; -larger / less pressure
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
Baghouse - pressure, filter, 99%+
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
BAGHOUSE TIDBITS Different types of bags for different
types of exhaust. Uses particulate build-up on the
bags to clean more effectively. (pores smaller)
Sometimes use pulsed air to clean the bags. (hoppers)
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
WET SCRUBBER
Uses water to contact the particles and carry them out of the exhaust. No hoppers.
Can be very efficient.
Water needs to be cleaned and /or dried up. Settling pond.
WET SCRUBBER
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATOR
Very effective Moderate operating cost High installation cost Complex: may require original
contractor to repair
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
ESP OPERATION Charges particles
Attracts the charged particles to plates
Raps the plate to drop particles into the hopper
ESP
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
Questions
Some Meteorological Variables Which Influence Plume Transport, Dispersion & Opacity.
-WIND-WIND
-STABILITY-STABILITY
-PRECIPITATION -PRECIPITATION
-FRONTS-FRONTS
WIND SPEEDWIND SPEED
Affects plume dispersion. Affects plume dispersion.
High Winds = High Winds = Greater dispersion.Greater dispersion.
Low Winds = Low Winds = Less dispersion.Less dispersion.
Also affects plume rise.Also affects plume rise.
WIND DIRECTIONWIND DIRECTION
Determines the area over which Determines the area over which pollutants will move in relation to pollutants will move in relation to the source.the source.
STABILITYSTABILITY
Ability of the atmosphere to Ability of the atmosphere to
disperse pollutants.disperse pollutants.
Dominating factor in Dominating factor in
determining plume rise and determining plume rise and
dispersion.dispersion.
STABILITYSTABILITY
STABLE Atmosphere - STABLE Atmosphere -
Little vertical mixing.Little vertical mixing.
UNSTABLE Atmosphere - UNSTABLE Atmosphere -
Greater vertical mixing.Greater vertical mixing.
Cloud CoverCloud Cover
Determines the intensity of Determines the intensity of sunlight.sunlight.
Clear Sky - Unstable lower Clear Sky - Unstable lower atmosphere from surface heating.atmosphere from surface heating.
Cloudy Sky - Stable lower Cloudy Sky - Stable lower atmosphere.atmosphere.
Change of Temperature in the VerticalChange of Temperature in the Vertical
NORMAL Atmosphere - NORMAL Atmosphere -
Temperature decreases with Temperature decreases with
height.height.
INVERSION - Temperature INVERSION - Temperature
increases with height.increases with height.
INVERSIONINVERSION
Layer of air in which temperature Layer of air in which temperature
increases with height.increases with height.
Top of the layer acts like a cap to Top of the layer acts like a cap to
limit vertical dispersion.limit vertical dispersion.
Pollution often becomes trapped Pollution often becomes trapped
beneath the inversion cap.beneath the inversion cap.
Removes Removes pollutants from pollutants from the atmospherethe atmosphere
Natures Wet Natures Wet ScrubberScrubber
PRECIPITATIONPRECIPITATION
FRONTSFRONTS
Affect windsAffect winds
Affect temperaturesAffect temperatures
Affect stabilityAffect stability
Can help cause precipitationCan help cause precipitation
Questions
Advantages and Disadvantages of the
Opacity Method
SOME ADVANTAGES OF VISIBLE EMISSIONS EVALUATION
VALIDITY ESTABLISHED IN COURT. CAN QUALIFY WITH A SHORT PERIOD
OF TRAINING -TECHNICAL BACKGROUND.
SOPHISTICATED EQUIPMENT NOT REQUIRED.
EVALUATION NOT TIME CONSUMING. OFFERS METHODS OF SELF
MONITORING.
SOME DISADVANTAGES OF VISIBLE EMISSIONS EVALUATION
OPTIMUM POSITIONING NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE- THE GREATER THE DEVIATION FROM PRESCRIBED CONDITIONS THE LESS RELIABLE THE EVALUATION.
ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS - HIGH WINDS, RAIN, HAZE, - MAY INHIBIT RELIABLITY OR MAKE READINGS IMPOSSIBLE FOR A TIME.
NO UNIVERSAL CORRELATION BETWEEN OPACITY AND MASS EMISSIONS.
VE’S NOT READILY PERFORMED AT NIGHT.
Observer Position for Reading
Visible Emissions
PRESCRIBED CONDITIONSI.POSITION:
The observer shall be positioned with the sun in the 140° sector to his or her back.
The observer shall be positioned with the wind blowing the plume at approximately right angles to his or her line of sight if possible.
The observer shall be positioned so that the longer axis of a rectangular outlet is at approximately a right angle to his or her line of sight.
The observer shall be positioned from a point not less than three stack heights nor more than a quarter mile from the base of the stack.
PRESCRIBED CONDITIONS (continued)
II: OBSERVATION: The observer’s line of sight shall not
include more than one plume, when multiple stacks are visible.
The observer should view the plume at the point of greatest opacity, usually about one diameter above the stack exit.
The observer shall not stare at the plume continually, but view the plume only at the prescribed 15 second interval.
The observer shall view the plume against a background that contrasts with the color of the plume.
Point towards the Stack
140º Angle
sun
140
°
KEEP THE SUN AT YOUR BACK EVEN ON OVERCAST DAYS
Observer positioned with the longer axis of rectangular outlets at approximately right angles to the observer’s line of view.
The observers line of sight is perpendicular to the long axis of a rectangular outlet.
The observer is positioned froma point not less than THREE ( 3 ) stackheights and not more than 1/4 milefrom the source.
OBSERVER POSITION
3H2H1H
202020
21.022.428.2
ACTUALOPACITY
OBSERVED OPACITY
H STACK
45° 27° 18°
1H 2H 3H
OBSERVER’S LINE OF VIEW SHOULD NOT INCLUDE MORE THAN ONE STACK WHEN MULTIPLE STACKS ARE INCLUDED.
Condensed Water Vapor Plumes
CAUSES OF WET PLUMES
WATER PRODUCED BY FUEL COMBUSTION.
MOISTURE FROM DRYERS. WATER INTRODUCED BY WET
SCRUBBER. WATER INTRODUCED TO
CONTROL HEAT. WATER INTRODUCED TO
CONDITION GAS FLOW
SON, THAT’S JUST STEAM
AREA OF STEAM CONDENSATION
READHERE
AREA OF STEAM CONDENSATION
READHERE
READ HERE (PREFERRED)
The Smoke Generator and
How it Works
SMOKE GENERATOR TRAILER COMPONENTS
PROPANE TANK
STORAGE
WHITE SMOKE
VAPORIZATION CHAMBER
VENT
SMOKE GENERATOR TRAILER COMPONENTS
SMOKE GENERATOR TRAILER COMPONENTS
BLACK SMOKE COMBUSTION
CHAMBER
PLUME PRODUCTION
PROPANE
PLUME PRODUCTION
WHITE SMOKE
PLUME PRODUCTION
BLACK SMOKE
SMOKE PRODUCTION PLUME PRODUCTION
Reflection, Refraction or Absorption
PLUME MEASUREMENT AND CALIBRATION
TRANSMISSOMETER
PHOTOCELL LIGHT SOURCE
PLUME MEASUREMENT AND CALIBRATION
Field Procedures and
Documentation
METHOD 9 METHOD 9 INCLUDES: PROCEDURES FOR TRAINING
AND CERTIFICATION OF OBSERVERS.
PROCEDURES TO BE USED IN THE FIELD FOR DETERMINATION OF PLUME OPACITY.
THE APPEARANCE OF A PLUME DEPENDS UPON
A NUMBER OFVARIABLES WHICH MAYBE CONTROLLABLE IN
THE FIELD
OPACITY OBSERVATIONS SHALL BE MADE AT THE POINT OF GREATEST OPACITY.
OBSERVER SHOULD NOT STARE AT THE PLUME CONTINUALLY, BUT VIEWS THE PLUME ONLY AT THE PRESCRIBED 15 SECOND INTERVAL.
THE OBSERVER SHOULD VIEW THE PLUME AGAINST A BACKGROUND THAT CONTRAST WITH THE COLOR OF THE PLUME.
A BLACK PLUME SHOULD BE READ AGAINST A LIGHT BACKGROUND
A WHITE PLUME SHOULD BE READ AGAINST A DARK TEXURED BACKGROUND
PICK UP TEST SHEET POSITION YOURSELF (SUN AT BACK)
FILL OUT TOP PORTION OF FORM LOOK AT THE STANDARDS
FIELD QUALIFYING PROCEDURES
FIELD QUALIFYING PROCEDURES
•OBSERVE DEMONSTRATION OF STANDARDS
•PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE PLUME TESTS
•TESTING FOR BLACK AND WHITE SMOKE
•MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND GRADING PROCEDURES
•RETEST, IF NECESSARY
Don’t Look From Side To Side For information !!!
FIELD QUALIFYING PROCEDURES
TESTINGA trainee must assign opacity valuesto 25 black plumes and 25 white Plumes on one continuous form.
FIELD CERTIFICATION AND FORMS
Common Errors1. STARING AT THE PLUME 2. READING THE PLUME AT THE WRONG TIME
CHECK TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR TEST HAS:
Only One Circled answer on every line
Neatly marked changes
Signed
Then turn in the white original portion
Did You PASS ?
If the answers to the following questions are all yes,turn in the yellow copy.
• Were all answers within 15% opacity i.e., errors of 3 increments or less (+ or -)• Was the total error less than 38 for black smoke?
• Was the total error less than 38 for white smoke?
You must re-test if:
• There is an error of 4 increments or Greater anywhere on the Field Test Form
•The total error on either of the sets is
more than 37
QUESTIONS
THE END