ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND

MANAGEMENT

ES 357; AIR QUALITY AND MONITORING

ASSINMENT ONE

GOTIFRIDI EMMANUEL, M 8089/T.2015

MWELA EDWARD 8122/T.2015

KIMELA SALOME 8097/T.2015

ITIKA KIBONA 8096/T.2015

Qn1. What is standard method for dust sampling? Describe sampling and analysis of
particulate lead in ambient air. Use diagram where applicable?

Answer; standard method for sampling dust are

 Cyclonic volumetric; sampling a volume of air on a collecting medium at a known flow

rate in a specified time.

Schematic diagram of a cyclonic inlet for size select sampling for particulates matter. (Smith, J. and
Surprenant, N.F. 2000)

 Or 90 degree Light scattering.

Procedure for particulate lead sampling

1. Determine the gas composition and correct to moisture content.

2. Determine the temperature and velocity at each traverse point.
3. Determine the empty weight of the thimble (W1).
4. Mark out the traverse points on the probe. The marks are normally
fixed by tying with asbestos thread.
5. Check all points for leakages.
6. Determine the flow rate to be sampled under isokinetic condition.
7. Insert the probe at the traverse point 1, very close to the stack. Start
the pump and adjust the flow so that the rotameter reads the
predetermined value.

8. Switch off the pump at the end of sampling time.

9. Read the vacuum at the dry gas meter (DGM) and also the
temperature
10. Move the probe to subsequent traverse points by repeating the steps
five to eight.
11. After completion of collection of samples, remove the probe and
allow it to cool.
12. Remove the thimble carefully. Some of the dust would have adhered
to the nozzle. This should be removed by trapping and transferred to
the thimble.
13. Weight the thimble with the sample. The difference in weight gives
the dust collected.
14. The volume of sample collected in either given by the dry gas meter
(m3) or by sampling rate given by Rotameter multiplied by the
sampling time.
15. Hence from (13) and (14), the emission rate can be calculated. This
will be at DGM conditions. This is to be corrected for temperature and pressure so as to
obtain values. (William T et al 1999)
 Qn2.Describe sampling of stack emissions from and industrial boiler emitting So2
and VOCs

The samples are collected using probe inserted into the stack and pollutants are collected in a
media and sent to a laboratory

Sampling of so2 from industrial boiler

Stack Sampling it take 3 hours long tests where there is insert 3 flexible lines into the stack and
take emission samples to run through a certified analyzer which detect the percentage of each gas
and convert to pounds for recording

Stack sampling of VOCs from industrial boiler is done by impingers these are glass tubes
designed for the collection of airborne particulates into liquid medium

Volume of air bubbles is pumped through the glass tube that contains a liquid specified in the
method by using air sampler

The liquid is then analyzed to determine airborne concentrations (USEPA,2007)

PROCEDURE

 Stack gas sampler was withdrawn from the stack through a heated stainless steel probe
and heated filter via sample line maintaining a temperature of 250 ferniheit
 The probe was inserted into a dedicated sample port at a single point in the gas stream.
 The outlet of the heated filter enclosure was connected to a sample conditioning system
for moisture removal
 The clean, dried sample was then transported to the analyzer via a Teflon sample line.
 A separate Teflon line was connected into the probe outlet for introduction of VOCs and
So2
Qn3. Basic consideration when choosing location for ambient air samples

 The sampling point should be as far as possible from any disturbing influence such as
elbows, bends, transition pieces, baffles.
 The sampling point, wherever possible should be at a distance of 5-10 diameters down-
stream from any obstruction and 3-5 diameter up-stream from similar disturbance.
(WHO,2005)

Qn4 List at least five important issues for consideration before setting out to take air
samples.

 Selection of a sampling procedure including procedure of analysis of the sample.

 Establishing sampling location.
 Establishing the period of sampling, frequency of sampling and duration.
 Also auxiliary measurement must be taken.
 Processing of the data.

Qn5. Why it is important to consider site meteorological parameter in the ambient air
before collecting air samples.

Meteorological parameter to be considered in the ambient air before taking sample includes
Wind speed and direction, solar radiation, Relative humidity and Temperature. These parameters
must be considered because they affect the gas concentration and distribution of the air pollutants
into different directions as shown below, hence such factors are important to be taken into
account before collecting air samples.

 Temperature, an increase in temperature increases the vapor pressure of most

chemicals. And also increases vapor emissions that results in the physical
displacement of saturated vapors that can produce short-term, relatively high
vapor concentrations. Continuing evaporation and/or diffusion may produce long-
term low vapor concentrations and may involve large areas.
  Wind speed, an increase in wind speed can affect vapor concentrations near a
free-standing liquid surface Dusts and particulate-bound contaminants are also
affected.
 Rainfall. Water from rainfall can essentially cap or plug vapor emission routes
from open or closed containers, saturated soil, or lagoons, thereby reducing
airborne emissions of certain substances.
 Relative humidity, dusts, including finely divided hazardous solids, are highly
sensitive to moisture content. This moisture content can vary significantly with
respect to location and time and can also affect the accuracy of many sampling
results.
 Vapor emissions. The physical displacement of saturated vapors can produce
short-term, relatively high vapor concentrations. Continuing evaporation and/or
diffusion may produce long-term low vapor concentrations and may involve large
areas. (Hill, R.H. and J.E. Arnold. 1979)

REFERENCE

 Hill, R.H. and J.E. Arnold. 1979. A personal air sampler for pesticides. Arch. Environ.
Contam. Toxicol. 8: 621-28.
 Iraneta PC, Collamati RA, Costello DN, Crowley RJ, Fernandez RL, Hopkins MR,
Knowles CE, Martin DM, A validation study for a new active sampler for the analysis of
formaldehyde in workplace and indoor air.
 William T. Winberry, Jr (1999). Compendium of Methods for the Determination of
Inorganic Compounds in Ambient Air. Enviro Tech Solutions
 Smith, J., and Surprenant, N.F., (2000) "Properties of Various Filtering Media for
Atmospheric Dust Sampling," Proceedings ASTM
 USEPA(2007) www.epa.gov
 WHO (2005). WHO air quality guidelines global update 2005