Introduction to BGIInstruments

Tom MerrifieldBGI Instruments

58 Guinan St.,Waltham, MA 02451T:+781 891-9380 info@bgiusa.com

http://www.bgiusa.com

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Introduction

EPA has begun evaluation of PM2.5 Continuous Monitoring Candidate Instruments for AQI and new regulatory network to compliment manual FRMFEM Class III Equivalency procedures in 1997 CFR perceived as technically near-impossible, cost-prohibitive Draft changes to NAAQS for 2003 may allow use of continuous monitors for PM2.5 reporting to AIRS and AQI

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U.S. EPA Ambient PM Timeline

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EPA, State, Tribal and Local AQ Priorities

– New PMc Coarse Particulate Matter NetworkNew PMc Coarse Particulate Matter Network

– (PMc) PM(PMc) PM1010 - PM - PM2.52.5 = PMc = PMc

– Develop continuous PM methods for AQI and AIRSDevelop continuous PM methods for AQI and AIRS

– Reduce labor costsReduce labor costs

– May improve data quality & usefulnessMay improve data quality & usefulness

– May increase public awarenessMay increase public awareness

– Reference (FRMs) & Equivalent (FEMs) program Reference (FRMs) & Equivalent (FEMs) program remains a critical component of NAAQS remains a critical component of NAAQS

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Methods for Ambient PM Sampling

– Reference methodReference method

–Gravimetric Filter collection & weighing (manual)Gravimetric Filter collection & weighing (manual)

– Candidate equivalent method(s)Candidate equivalent method(s)

–Beta attenuationBeta attenuation

– Harmonic Dampening(TEOM™ & Vibrating Harmonic Dampening(TEOM™ & Vibrating Crystal)Crystal)

– Light scatter & extinction (photometer & COH)Light scatter & extinction (photometer & COH)

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EPA Designation Status

Fine particulate monitor, model FPMPM10

Field trials completed. application and approval for PM10 June

PM2.5

EPA OAQPS with CASAC proposing regional equivalency and data quality management for PM2.5

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Model FPM Continuous PM Monitor – Pros

High sensitivity, zero stabilityShort-term measurements Our goals

Report hourly PM2.5 automatically for >7 days without site visitLittle PM2.5 bias in relationship to FRMSimilar operation and filter temperature like FRMFilter humidity controlled to < 45% with 8°C maximum overheat

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Model FPM Continuous PM Monitor – Cons

Interference of ambient humidity/artifacts

Exempt quantity of beta energy

No EPA approval for PM2.5 until June ‘03

No mass calibration or speciation

Time interval of one hour or greater

Cost of automation compared to manual FRM

Electronic data collection complexity

Validation of sample & data

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Introduction to the BGI Model FPM

BGI Model FPM (fine particulate matter monitor) PM2.5 Inlet with BGI Very Sharp Cut Cyclone (VSCC)PM2.5 concentration measured & reported on hourly and 24 hour averageContinuous operation of six weeksFilter change hourly to prevent loss of semi-volatile particulateNew generation of high sensitivity beta attenuation monitor (FPM BAM)

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BGI FPM

Sensitivity±1.5g/m3

Precisionr2 > 0.90 to FRMSite factor (optional)

Repeatability ± 2%

Active sample cycle56 minutes each hour4-minute diagnostic test each hour

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BGI Very Sharp Cut Cyclone Inlet 90-Day Operation between Maintenance

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EPA Field Comparison of Candidate PM2.5 Continuous Monitors to FRM

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FPM Outdoor Shelter

InletFRM design with VSCC

16.67 alpm

Temperature- controlled shelter

Backup data printer & error log

Mass Foil standardsZero stability test

High mass calibration

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Model FPM Outdoor and Indoor Models

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Calibration and Audit of FPM

Manual use of factory span and zero calibration tools-recommended each calendar quarter or when filter tape changed

Audit - Seasonal or annual comparison with FRM audit sampler.

EPA agreement not final, but >0.85 r

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Maintenance Requirements

Six weeks change filter tape

Validate flow rate, ambient temperature and barometric pressure sensors each six weeks

Clean PM10 FRM Inlet and PM2.5 VSCC each 3 months

Replace printer paper and printer cartridge each 3 months

Rebuild vacuum pump each 18 months

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Data Management & Collection

FPM includes hard copy field printer with hourly concentration and min/max for 24 hour. Faults reported in red ink

Analog output with 0-1 or 0-5 Volts DC which are scaled to concentration

RS-232 Digital Download using FPM-230 software

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FPM Applications

Air Quality Index (AQI)

New PM2.5 Continuous NAM/SLAMS Network

Epidemiology & public health studies

Hourly reports of PM2.5 concentrations

Digital and analog data communication

Cell phone compatible

PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 inlet compatible

Stand alone environmental shelter

NIST Traceable Volumetric Flow Rate, Temperature and Pressure Calibration/Audit Device for FRM

and Continuous Ambient Monitors

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Introduction

Federal, state and local agencies require flow calibration and audits on all ambient particulate samplers and monitors

Commercial claims of “primary flow” and “NIST traceability” are confusing

New NIST traceable volumetric flow rate, ambient temperature and pressure field calibration/audit device developed, tested

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Investigation

Primary standard vs. flow transfer standard

Requirements for field flow calibrator

Current methods available

How DeltaCal meets requirements

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NIST Primary & EPA Flow Transfer Standards

–NIST primary flow calibration facilityNIST primary flow calibration facility

–Colorado Engineering Experiment Station Colorado Engineering Experiment Station (CEESI)(CEESI)–Titanium Vessels - gravimetric analysis Titanium Vessels - gravimetric analysis standardstandard–Pressurized and weighed for volume. air flow Pressurized and weighed for volume. air flow measured through a NIST flow transfer Venturimeasured through a NIST flow transfer Venturi

–Flow transfer standardFlow transfer standard– Traceable Calibrator to NIST (CEESI) PrimaryTraceable Calibrator to NIST (CEESI) Primary

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CEESI - NIST Primary Calibration Lab

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Priorities of a Field Flow Calibrator

– NIST transfer standard, accuracy to < 2% NIST transfer standard, accuracy to < 2% – Calibrator must be field usable to EPA FRM specsCalibrator must be field usable to EPA FRM specs– Insensitive to atmospheric conditionsInsensitive to atmospheric conditions– Calibrator should not add artificial pressure to Calibrator should not add artificial pressure to sampler to interfere with electronic flow controllersampler to interfere with electronic flow controller– Portable & battery powered Portable & battery powered – Direct reading of flow rate, ambient temperature, Direct reading of flow rate, ambient temperature, & barometric pressure & barometric pressure – RS232 calibration report-digital calibration reportRS232 calibration report-digital calibration report

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“Flow Transfer Standard” Calibrators

– Bubble meterBubble meter

– GilibratorGilibrator™ (wet) - ™ (wet) - (excellent for indoor use)(excellent for indoor use)

– Frictionless pistonFrictionless piston - ( - (Not field hardened)Not field hardened)

– Bios/DryCal/DC-LiteBios/DryCal/DC-Lite™ (dry)- 3% low bias™ (dry)- 3% low bias

– Orifice- quartz tubeOrifice- quartz tube - - (sensitive to wind)(sensitive to wind)

– Streamline/ChinookStreamline/Chinook™ (dry) – adds system ™ (dry) – adds system pressure, double of a Venturipressure, double of a Venturi

– Venturi- Delrin™ plasticVenturi- Delrin™ plastic - - (field hardened with gust cap)(field hardened with gust cap)

– BGI DeltaCalBGI DeltaCal (dry) – flow, temperature & pressure (dry) – flow, temperature & pressure

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DeltaCal Calibration Kit

DeltaCal Measurements

• Barometric pressure• Ambient temperature• Filter temperature• Volumetric flow rate• Digital output for

recording and audit report

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Schematic Diagram of DeltaCal

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DeltaCal NIST Traceable Specifications

– Operable range –30 to 40COperable range –30 to 40C

– 2 to 20 aLPM 2 to 20 aLPM (US FRM & Continuous PM)(US FRM & Continuous PM)

– 10 to 50 aLPM 10 to 50 aLPM (Europe) (Europe)

– +/- 1% of NIST+/- 1% of NIST

– Temp sensor range –40 to 50CTemp sensor range –40 to 50C

– < +/- 0.5C Difference to NIST< +/- 0.5C Difference to NIST

– Pressure range 400-800mmHgPressure range 400-800mmHg

– < +/- 2mmHg of NIST< +/- 2mmHg of NIST

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DeltaCal Computer Screen Display

Historical record

User configurable

All readings in one display

Auto resolution

ASCII file export

Flow statistics

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BGI - NIST Traceable Flow Calibration Laboratory

– < Insert photo of BGI Test Bench >< Insert photo of BGI Test Bench >

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Conclusions

BGI DeltaCal is flow transfer standard traceable to NIST primary

Meets all requirements

Only field-hardened device with low pressure drop, includes wind gust cap

Cost includes 4 measurements, rather than 1

Affordable annual calibration by single vendor

US E.P.A. tested – exclusive for PEP QA program