SAMPLE CONDITIONING ISSUES EMISSIONS MONITORING FROM COMBUSTION PROCESSES

ABSTRACT

Preventing condensation within gas samples is important if accurate measurement of a soluble component is required - principally nitrogen dioxide within combustion products. Maintaining gas samples above the water or acid dew point is normally achieved by heating the sample transfer lines and gas analyser modules. This paper presents simple methods for the dew point calculation of fossil fuel combustion products and explores the influence of fuel type, air:fuel ratio, combustor pressure and water injection on the dew point, and hence the sample conditioning requirements for particular processes. Sample dilution, low pressure sampling and water removal options are considered as

alternatives to heating the sample stream.

The importance of nitrogen dioxide as a source pollutant is also discussed, along with the stringent measures needed to obtain an accurate partition of NO_x - into the monoxide and dioxide - within the sample and how these may conflict with the need to prevent condensation.

1. Background

Obtaining a representative stack gas sample and then ensuring that the components of interest do not undergo chemical or physical change within the sampling train are, self-evidently, crucial in obtaining a ‘good’ analysis. However, relatively little effort or expenditure is invested in the sampling system when compared with the cost of continuous emissions monitoring equipment. This situation has improved somewhat in recent years, largely as a result of problems in the field which have severe consequences for both end users and suppliers. There are now texts available which provide general coverage of this subject [1] and a description of the increasingly specific requirements of national standards, e.g., U.S. EPA Methods [2].

2. Introduction

It is the intention, in this paper, to draw together published data relating to the sampling and analysis of the ‘soluble’ components within combustion products which, in turn, is largely a question of preventing condensation within the sample train. The aims are to present information useful in the design of gas sampling systems and to promote a wider understanding of the subject. The emphasis is placed on nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) which is usually assumed to represent a small fraction of the total nitrogen oxides (NO + NO2) but which can, in certain circumstances, predominate. The term ‘nitrogen oxides’, or ‘NO_x’, does not include nitrous oxide (N2O) - a green-house gas found in trace quantities in combustion products and which can be an important intermediate in NO_x formation [3].

Emphasis is given to extractive stack gas sampling, whilst recognising that in-situ cross-duct ‘averaging’ devices are available [4]. The more stringent demands of ‘in-flame’ sampling are touched on briefly.