By Ed Wallace, Project Chemist, Kelso, WA

EPA Method 29 measures hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions from stationary sources for mercury and other metals. The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires all major sources to meet HAP emission standards reflecting the application of maximum achievable control technology (MACT). These sources include industrial, commercial, and institutional boilers and process heaters. The other metals to be tested are antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, manganese, nickel, phosphorus, selenium, thallium and zinc.

(more…)

On September 13, 2004, the EPA promulgated Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) emissions standards for industrial boilers. Emission limits were established for total selected metals (TSM), mercury (Hg), and hydrochloric acid (HCl). The heat content and moisture content of the fuel is also discussed in the rule. The regulations include site-specific fuel analysis plans to demonstrate compliance. The regulations specify approved procedures for sample collection, sample processing, sample preparation, and chemical analysis. The approved methods are shown in Table 6 of the boiler MACT rule. The regulations also allow the use of equivalent methods and alternative methods. In order to meet site-specific emission limits, equivalent and alternative methods are often used in the fuel analysis plan. When alternative test methods are used a written request seeking approval of its use must be submitted to the EPA. The compliance date for these industrial boilers is September 13, 2007. Compliance can be demonstrated by fuel testing or with stack testing in combination with fuel testing.

This article is divided into two parts: recommended solid fuel testing techniques and recommended stack testing techniques for compliance with boiler MACT regulations.

(more…)