Prototype particle stack sampler with virtual impactor nozzle and microcomputer calculating/display system. [H5 Stack Particulate Sampler/Calculator]

Technical Report · Wed Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:6291328

Elder, J C; Littlefield, L G; Tillery, M I; Ettinger, H J

A prototype particle stack sampler (PPSS) was developed to improve on the existing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method 5 sampling apparatus. Primary features of the stack sampler were: higher sampling rate; display (on demand) of all required variables and calculated values by a microcomputer-based calculating and display system; continuous stack gas moisture determination; a virtual impactor nozzle designed to separate fine and coarse particle fractions; a variable-area inlet to maintain isokinetic sampling conditions; and stainless-steel components rather than the glass specified by EPA Method 5. The calculating and display system incorporates a single component microcomputer, a single-chip 16-channel analog-to-digital converter, a programmable keyboard/display interface, and liquid crystal displays. The scientific calculations capability and associated display have been incorporated to perform and display the results of 24 equations. These results allow the operator to maintain isokinetic sampler probe temperatures, to maintain proper flow through the sampler probe, and to make sampler probe position changes when necessary. The basic sampling technique of particle collection on preweighed filters was retained; however, versatility in the form of optional in-stack filters and general modernization of the stack sampler have been provided in the prototype design. Laboratory testing with monodisperse dye aerosols has shown the present variable-inlet, virtual impactor nozzle to have significant wall losses and a collection efficiency that is less than 77%. This is primarily due to lack of symmetry in this rectangular jet impactor and short transition lengths dictated by physical design constraints (required by passage of the nozzle through a 7.6-cm (3-in.) diameter stack port). Electronic components have shown acceptable service in laboratory testing.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 6291328
• Report Number(s): LA-8876-MS; ON: DE81032018
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
AIR POLLUTION MONITORS
DESIGN
COMPUTER CODES
H CODES
PARTICULATES
SAMPLING
AIR SAMPLERS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ERRORS
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
GASEOUS WASTES
MICROPROCESSORS
NOZZLES
STACK DISPOSAL
COMPUTERS
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
EQUIPMENT
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
MANAGEMENT
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MICROELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
MONITORS
PARTICLES
POWER PLANTS
SAMPLERS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
010900 - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Environmental Aspects
200200 - Fossil-Fueled Power Plants- Waste Management