SOURCE EMISSION SAMPLING

The sample(s) analysed must be representative of the gas stream being tested. Therefore, the objective of
sampling is to ensure that the sampled gas stream is representative of either the total or a known portion of the source
emissions.

Representative sample – a sample which has the same characteristics as the gas stream passing the sampling
plane at the time of sampling.

PRELIMINARY SITE INSPECTION

Prior to testing, physical inspection of the source to be tested is used to establish the location of sampling access
holes and determine accessibility and work platform requirements (including power and safety). The inspection should
also determine if access holes are pre-existing, and that access hole covers can be removed for sampling (not corroded
shut). Preliminary determinations of temperature, velocity, pressure and moisture content can then be made.

Access holes – a hole in the stack or duct at the extremity of sampling traverse, through which sampling or
monitoring equipment is inserted.

NUMBER OF SAMPLES AND SAMPLING TIMES

A manual sampling program shall consist of a minimum of two test runs per pollutant with minimum sampling
times. The minimum sampling times do not apply to variable or batch processes. These cases may require sampling
during an entire cycle or taking sufficient samples to characterize the gas stream to meet the objective of the sample
program.

MANUAL SAMPLING

Virtually all stack tests require, as a minimum, the measurement of the following parameters to enable the
calculation of mass emission rates of the waste in the discharge:

 Gas velocity
 Gas pressure and temperature
 Gas composition and density
 Moisture
 Volumetric flow rate

To minimize the number of variables, tests should be conducted when there is constant flow through the duct.
This should remain constant over the period of the test. Sample conditioning is generally required to successfully
transfer the analyte to the collection medium. This often incorporates filtration, heating, cooling or condensation to
maintain the integrity of the sample.

SAMPLING EMISSIONS FOR PARTICLES

To obtain a representative sample of the gas stream containing solid or liquid particles, the sample must be
withdrawn from the emission source at a rate such that the velocity and the direction of the gas entering the sampling
nozzle is the same as the gas in the duct at the sampling point (isokinetic sampling). Generally, multi-point sampling at
selected points across the sampling plane is performed. The number of points is dependent upon the cross-sectional
area of the stack and distance of the sampling plane from flow disturbance within the stack.
 Gas stream – a gaseous mixture that may carry particulate matter, pollutants and waste in a stack or duct.

The degree to which a sample represents the particles in the total gas flow depends on:

 Homogeneity of the gas velocity within the sampling plane

 Sufficient sampling points used across the sampling plane
 Maintenance of isokinetic sampling conditions

Isokinetic gravimetric method – is the determination of total solid particulate matter emitted from stationary
sources. Solid particulate matter for this method is defined as particles
remaining after oven conditioning at 105±5°C for a minimum of one hour.

IDEAL OR SATISFACTORY SAMPLING PLANE

The ideal sampling position is likely to exist at least eight diameters downstream and two to three diameters
upstream from a flow disturbance. Sampling planes for isokinetic multi-point sampling must comply with these criteria,
which are:

 Minimum distances to flow disturbances

 The stack must have the required number of access holes to permit sample traverses for the dimensions
of the stack being tested
 Velocity and temperature surveys must meet the criteria
 Test reports must state the distance to the nearest upstream and downstream flow disturbances

Diameter – the internal diameter of a circular stack or the hydraulic diameter (four times the stack internal
area divided by the stack perimeter) for non-circular stack.

Sampling plane – the plane normal to the axis of the stack or duct at which the sampling takes place.

Sampling traverse – an imaginary line in the sampling plane along which the sampling points are located.

NON-IDEAL SAMPLING PLANE

Non-ideal sampling planes may be considered as those sampling planes that are closer to flow disturbances but
are at least one duct diameter upstream of the flow disturbance or greater than or equal to two duct diameters
downstream of the flow disturbance.

In the event that non-ideal sampling planes are used, the following criteria must be met:

 The stack must have the required number of access holes to permit sample traverses for the dimension
of the stack being tested
 Velocity and temperature surveys must meet the criteria
 A greater number of sampling point must be used to improve accuracy caused by the non-ideal nature
of the sampling plane.

Sampling point – one of a number of specific locations on a sampling traverse at which sampling takes
place.
NON-COMPLAINT SAMPLING PLANES

Non-complaint sampling planes may be considered as sampling planes that are closer to flow disturbances by
less than one duct diameter upstream of flow disturbance or less than two duct diameters downstream of the flow
disturbance and do not meet all the criteria.

If the sampling plane is found to be non-complaint an alternative sampling plane shall be sought. If sampling
planes are non-complaint and an alternative sampling plane cannot be found, an alternative sampling strategy should be
documented for approval by authority before testing is undertaken.

SAMPLING EMISSIONS FOR GASES

Multi-point sampling is generally not required for sampling gaseous emissions. However, in some situations,
notably after the junction of several different streams, stratification of the gas stream will persist for some distance
downstream.

A survey of a suitable constituent of the gas stream such as carbon dioxide or oxygen should be performed to
determine the degree of stratification. In cases where stratification does not exist, single point sampling at one quarter
the diameter across the stack, should be representative of the gaseous emission. However, when velocity and flow rate
are also to be determined the same criteria for multi-point isokinetic sampling shall be met.

If stratification exists, the gaseous emission determination will require multi-point sampling techniques, unless
an alternative sampling plane can be found.

In a closed system, where the gas composition is homogenous and unchanged, samples may be taken elsewhere
in the system. Similarly, velocity and volume flow rate measurements may be taken elsewhere as long as the
measurement position meets the same conditions used for particulate/aerosol sampling.

SAMPLING EMISSIONS FOR ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

The four environmental issues normally associated with stack emissions of organic compounds are:

 Toxicity and potential for detrimental environmental or human health effects,

 Odorous properties of the volatile species,
 Potential to participate in photochemical reaction to produce oxidants,
 Greenhouse gas or ozone-depleting potential

Emissions or organic compounds to the environment may be in various phases or combinations of phases (solid,
liquid or gas). Sampling techniques are therefore governed by the phase(s) of the compounds. To establish the most
appropriate sampling method for determination of organic compounds from emission sources, information on the
composition and expected concentration is required. Details of the process operation are also required to establish
whether the emission is intermittent, cyclic or continuous. Selection on the appropriate method will be based on factors
including:

 The chemical composition of the organic compounds emitted

 The expected concentration range
 The chemical and physical properties (boiling point, reactivity, solubility, etc.)
 The characteristics of the discharge (temperature, moisture, etc.)

When the type and concentration of the organic compounds in the discharge are unknown, it is recommended
that preliminary sampling and analysis be undertaken to identify and determine approximate concentrations of organic
compounds beforehand to facilitate the selection of an appropriate test method. Some of the information can be
obtained from literature surveys, plant personnel or previous experience with similar industrial processes.

SAMPLING ORGANIC EMISSIONS WITH BAGS/CONTAINERS

If the discharge contains only very volatile gaseous organic compounds, gas samples may be collected in an inert
sample container, then analysed by gas chromatographic techniques. With this sampling and analysis procedure, very
volatile organic compounds can be identified and quantified. Sampling using this technique with subsequent GC-FID (gas
chromatograph – flame ionization detector) or GC-MS (gas chromatography – mass spectrometry) analysis is generally
used for:

 Screening of emissions to identify unknown species, and

 Organic compounds that are non-reactive volatile species.

For container samples, analysis must be completed within 48-hours of sample collection. This procedure is
generally not applicable for high molecular weight hydrocarbons due to the potential for loss in the sample container. A
recovery evaluation is mandatory requirement of container sampling. The recovery evaluation will include a spike of
similar concentration to the sample and must remain in the container for the same duration that the collected sample
was in the container.