Evaluation of a hybrid sampling train for measuring trace elements and identifying mercury species in combustion flue gas

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiated an information collection request (ICR) on January 1, 1999 for coal-fired electric utility steam generating units (>25 MW) to document mercury levels in their fuels and emissions. The issuance of an ICR generally precedes the implementation of regulatory action by the EPA. The EPA has designated the Modified Ontario Hydro Method for stack gas sampling to measure total, elemental and oxidized mercury. This recommendation is based on extensive work by the University of North Dakota Energy and Environmental Research Center (UNDEERC) in evaluating a series of methodologies for determining mercury speciation. EPA has also designed the Method 29 sampling train for the sampling and measurement of the other elements identified as HAP's, i.e. As, Be, Cd, Co, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, and Hg. Extensive testing has shown that EPA Method 29 may not speciate mercury correctly; however, it may still be used to measure total mercury. Currently there are no emission restrictions on these elements from power plants, however studies are being conducted as to their health risk and environmental impact. The objective of the study is to evaluate a hybrid train consisting of components of both the Modified Ontario Hydro Method andmore » Method 29 sampling trains. Both sampling procedures are very labor intensive and require time to develop sampling expertise. The various sample trains are being tested in a 20 million Btu/hr demonstration boiler and a 2 million Btu/hr research boiler using a variety of fuels and combustion conditions.« less