p. 1


# OAR Box 1811 Prepped by Keeia Richards



## Document

Number: 

# 29 ) ll-A-1 0 Docket Number: 

# A-84-2 2

Printed 10/30/2008 1:19:24

PM Sheet 29 of 82P. 2

Augus t 198 4

EVALUATIONO F TRAINE D VISIBL E EMISSION OBSERVER S FO R FUGITIVE EMISSIONOPACIT YMEASUREMENT

ENVIROWIENTAL SCIENCE S RESEARC H LABORATORY OFFIC E O F RESEARC H AN D DEVELOPMENT U.S . ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONAGENC Y RESEARC H TRIANGL E PARK , NORT H CAROLIN A2771 1P. 3

EVALUATIONO F TRAINE D VISIBL E EMISSION OBSERVER S FO R FUGITIVE EMISSIONOPACIT YMEASUREMENT b y Thoma s H . Ros e Easter n Technica l Associate s 241 2 Atlanti c Avenu e Raleigh , Nort hCarolin a 2765 8

Contrac t 68-02-348 0

Projec t Office r WilliamD . Conne r Emission s Measuremen t an d Characterizatio n Divisio n Environmenta l Science s Researc hLaboratory Researc hTriangl e Park , Nort hCarolin a 2771 1

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE S RESEARC H LABORATORY OFFIC E O F RESEARC H AN D DEVELOPMENT U.S . ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONAGENC Y RESEARC H TRIANGL E PARK , NORI H CAROLIN A2771 1P.4 .



### DISCLAIME R Thi s repor t ha s bee nreviewe dbyth e Environmenta l Science s Researc h Laboratory, U.S . Environmenta l Protectio nAgency , andapprove dfo r publi

cation . Approva l doe s no t signif ytha t th e content s necessaril yreflec t th e view s andpolicie s o f th e U.S . Environmenta l Protectio nAgency , no r doe s mentio no f trad e name s o r commerica l product s constitut e endorsemen t o r recommendatio nfo r use .

1 1P. 5

ABSTRAC T
Th e stac k o f a visibl e emissio n training schoo l smok e generato r wa s modifie d t o emi t whit e o r blac k snak e i n a horizonta l directio n nea r ground-leve l t o simulat e fugitiv e emissions . Traine d anok e observer s measure d th e opacit yo f thes e simulate d fugitiv e emission s agains t a dar k terrestria l background an d unde r clea r skylighting conditions . The ymeasure d bot hwhit e an d blac k emission s generate d a t four differen t opacitie s —15 , 20 , 3 0 and 40% . The observer s als o measure d th e sam e opacit yo f smok e plume s emitte d fro n a n unmodifie d training schoo l smok e generator . Thes e vertical-flo wsmokestac k plume s wer e evaluate d agains t a skybackground t o provid e referenc e dat a o n th e observer s abilit yt o measur e th e opacit yo f conventiona l stac k plume s unde r th e same clea r sky lighting condition s use d fo r th e fugitiv e plume tests . Th e observer s measure d opacitie s o f whit e fugitiv e emission s wit h accuracie s simila r t o th e conventiona l stac k emission s whe n opacitie s wer e i n th e rang e o f 1 5 t o 20% . A s opacit yincreased , however , th e observer s increasingl yunderestimate d opacity . A t 40 % opacity , observe r measurement s wer e lowe r o n averag e byabou t 8 % opacity . Th e opacitie s o f blac k fugitiv e emission s wer e underestimate d a t al l opacit ylevels . Opacit ywa s lowe r o n averag e by5 % opacit ya t th e 15 % opacit yleve l an d by 11 % opacit ya t th e 40 % opacit ylevel . I t wa s als o observe d tha t fo r bot h whit e an

d blac k simulate d fugitiv e emissio n plumes , th e observer s sensi

tivit yt o change s i n opacit ylevel s decline d relativ e t o th e conventiona l vertica l stac k plumes . Thi s repor t wa s submitte d i n fulfillmen t o f Contrac t No . 68-02-348 0 b yEaster n Technica l ssociate s unde r th e sponsorshi p o f th e U.S . Environ

menta l Protectio n Agency . Th e repor t cover s th e perio d o f Septembe r 30 , 198 0 t o Septembe r 30 , 198 1 and wor k wa s complete d Novembe r 16 , 1981 .

i nP. 6



### CONTENT S Abstrac t ii i Figure s v i Table s v i Acknowledgement s vi i 1 Introductio n1 2 Conclusion s an dRecommendation s 2 3 Experimenta l Desig n3

Tes t Locatio n3 Smok e Generator s 3 Observers

3 Observer Test s ... . 4 4 Dat a Acquisitio nandQualit yAssuranc e 7

Generato r Calibratio n7 Generato r Calibratio nErro r 7 Generato r Zer o andSpa nDrif t 7 Neutral-Densit yFilte r Specification s 7 Stri p Char t Dat a Recor d1 0 Confidenc e Intervals-Generato r Calibratio nand Operatio n1 0 Observer s 1 0 Documentatio n1 0 Tests-Plum e Configuratio n1 1 Obscurin g Mechanis n1 1 5 Result s 1 2 Reference s 1 8Pl.



### FIGURE S Numbe r Pag e 1 Modifie dsmok e generato r fo r emittin g simulate dfugitiv e emissio nplume s o f knownopacitie s 5 2 Conventiona l smok e generato r fo r emittin g verticl e stac k plune s o f knownopacitie s 6 3 Observe r opacit yevaluation s versu s transmissomete r measure dopacitie s o f conventiona l vertica l whit e smok e plume s viewe dagains t a skybackgroun do na clea r da y1 3 4 Observe r opacit yevaluation s versu s transmissomete r measure dopacitie s o f conventiona l vertica l blac k smok e plume s viewe dagains t a sk ybackgroun do na clea r da y1 4 5 Observe r opacit yevaluation s versu s transmissomete r measure dopacitie s o f simulate dwhit e fugitiv e plume s viewe dagains t a terrestria l backgroun do na clea r da y1 6 6 Observe r opacit yevaluation s versu s transmissomete r measure dopacitie s o f simulate dblac k fugitiv e plume s viewe dagains t a terrestria l backgroun do na clea r da y1 7
TABLE S 1 Conventiona l anok e Transmissomete r Calibratio nDat a 8 2 Simulate dFugitiv e smok e Transnissanete r Calibratio n Dat a 9 3 Tes t Condition s 1 2

v iP. 8

ACKNOWLEDGMENT S
Th e cooperatio n an

d assitanc e o f WilliamConne r o f th e U.S . Environ

menta l Protectio n Agenc yi s gratefull yacknowledged . W e ar e particularl y indebte d t o Ke n Averitte , Eugen e Jackson , JerryClayton , Davi d Daniel , Donn a Quidley , Erni e Fuller , Bryan t Foust , and Gar ySaunder s wh o partici

pate d a s smok e reader s i n th e fiel d portio n o f th e study . Th e modificatio n o f th e smok e generato r wa s designe d b yMr . Willi e Le e o f Environmenta l Industries . Analysi s o f th e dat a wa s performe d by Ms . JudyMaples , Mr . Davi d Savag e and Mr . Davi d Brand e o f Easter n Technica l Associates .

v i 1P. 9

SECTION1 INTRODUCTION

Manytype s o f airborn e particle s an d aerosol s ar e no t emitte d from conventiona l vertica l stacks . Instead , thes e emission s ma ycam e fra n windows , roo f monitors , vents , conveyo r belts , hoppers , storag e piles , constructio n sites , roads , an d a variet yo f othe r sources . Ofte n thes e unconfine d emission s originat e clos e t o th e ground an d mov e wit hth e wind i n a horizonta l direction ; however , unlik e conventiona l smokestac k plume s tha t ar e viewe d agains t th e sky , thes e emission s ar e usuall yviewe d agains t a darke r terrestria l background . Researcher s suc ha s Conne r (1,2) , Himi l (3) , an d Hoo d (4 ) hav e long recognize d tha t th e contras t betwa n th e plume an d th e backgrouind hav e a n effec t o n th e opacit yassigne d b yobserver s t o th e emissions . Th e introductio n t o EPARevise d Metho d 9 states : "Studie s o f th e theoryo f opacit yand fiel d studie s hav e demon

strate d tha t a plume i s mos t visibl e an d present s th e greates t apparen t opacit ywhe n viewe d agains t a contrasting background (5). " Atmospheri c visibilit ystudie s hav e reache d th e same conclusion s and eve n i n natur e i t i s wel l know

n tha t th e background matchin g abilit yo f chameleon s reduc e thei r visibility . Thi s stud

ywa s designe d t o determin e th e biases , i f any , introduce d whe n a certifie d Metho d 9 snok e reade r assign s opacit yvalue s t o ground

leve l emission s viewe d agains t non-sk ybackgrounds . Aconventiona l smok e generator , use d i n th e training an d certifi

catio n o f traine d visibl e emissio n (VE ) observers , wa s modifie d t o emi t snok e plume s horizontall ybelo wth e ey e leve l o f th e observers , wh o the n viewe d th e smok e plume s agains t a terrestria l background . T bdetermin e tha t th e observer s selecte d fo r th e pane l wer e capabl e o f makin g unbiase d opacit yreading s o f vertical-flo wstac k plume s unde r goo d viewing con ditions , a n unmodifie d generato r wa s use d t o produc e vetica l plune s fo r evaluatio n a t th e same time .P.1 0



### SECTIO N2 CONCLUSION S AN D RECOMMENDATION S Th e studyindicate dtha t th e pane l o f snok e reader s evaluate dth e opacitie s o f simulate dwhit e (horizontal-flow ) fugitiv e emission s wit h accuracie s simila r t o th e (vertical-flow ) stac k plum e opacit ymeasurement s whe nopacit ylevel s wer e aroun d1 5 - 20% . A s opacit ylevel s increased , however , th e pane l increasingl yunderestimate dthem ; opacit ywa s lowe r o n averag e byabou t 8 % opacit ya t th e 40 % opacit ylevel . Blac k (horizontal-flow ) fugitiv e emission s wer e underestimate da t al l opacit ylevels . A t 15 % opacity , th e observer s measure dth e emission s 5 % opacit ylow ; a t 40 % opacity , the ymeasure dthe m11 % opacit ylow . Overall , th e observe r panel' s sensitivit yt o opacit ychange s wa s les s fo r simulate d(horizontal-flow ) fugitiv e emission s tha nfo r conventiona l (vertical-flow ) stac k plumes . Th e chang e i npane l opacit ymeasuremen t pe r chang e i ntransnissanete r opacit ymeasuremen t decline dfrc mnea r 1.0 0 fo r stac k plume s t o 0.6 2 an d0.7 7 fo r whit e andblac k fugitiv e plumes , respectively . I t i s recommende dtha t controlle dtest s o f observe r andtransmis

scmete r opacit ymeasurement s o f simulate dblac k andwhit e fugitiv e emission s b e conducte dfo r othe r environmenta l lightin g conditions , e.g. , o na novercas t day . I t i s als o recommende dtha t a lowe r opacit yleve l aroun d5 o r 10 % b e include di nth e tests .P.1 1

SECTION3

EXPERIMENTAL DESIG

N
TES T LOCATION Th e fiel d test s wer e conducte d a t a locatio n i n Raleigh , Nort h Carolin a wher e th e topograph yo f th e sit e wa s wel l suite d fo r th e study . A n embankmen t allowe d th e reader s t o b e locate d abov e th e fugitiv e smok e generato r wher e the yviewe d th e plume s agains t a terrestria l (vegetation ) background . Fo r th e conventiona l vertica l stac k plume simulatio n th e othe r generato r wa s use d an d th e observer s move d down th e embankmen t wher e thei r vie wwa s mor e representativ e o f norma l stac k plume s wit ha skybackground . SMOK E GENERATOR S Tw o smok e generator s wer e utilzie d durin g eac hfiel d test . Th e generator s wer e commerciall yavailabl e unit s tha t ar e caimonl yuse d a t visibl e emissio n training schools . Bot hgenerator s mee t th e EP Aspecifi

cation s fo r Metho d 9 training and certificatio n a s specifie d i n th e Federa l Registe r (5) . Cin e generato r wa s modifie d t o emi t a horizonta l plume nea r ground level . Th e modificatio n wa s achieve d b yleaving th e stac k i n th e horizon

ta l (stored ) positio n and installing a 90 ° elbo wbetwee n th e lowe r vertica l sectio n o f th e stac k and th e uppe r horizonta l sectio n o f th e stack . Th e elbo wwa s caulke d an d shimme d t o preven t leaks . Thi s metho d o f generating a horizonta l plume wa s selecte d afte r stratificatio n test s showe d tha t th e smok e remain s uniforml ydisperse d i n bot hvertica l and horizonta l axe s nea r th e duc t exi t (wher e a transmissomete r wa s located ) and i n th e stac k exi t plumes . Th e stratificatio n test s consiste d o f viewin g a whit e plume agains t a blac k velve t background a t clos e range , and viewing a blac k plume agains t a whit e background . Th e appearanc e o f bot hplume s wa s uniformalong bot haxes . T bfurthe r simulat e the fugi

tiv e natur e o f a horizonta l fugitiv e plume , a pane l wa s place d i n fron t o f th e stac k end i n orde r t o bloc k th e observers * direc t vie wo f th e emissio n exi t point . Th e othe r snok e generato r wa s se t up wit hth e stac k i n th e norma l uprigh t positio n t o emi t vertical-flo wsmokestac k plume s i n th e conven tiona l manner . OBSERVER S Th e observer s selecte d fo r th e stud ywer e si xinspector s froma stat e agenc yan

d tw o ai r pollutio n personne l fra n loca l contractors . Eac hparticipan t possesse d a curren t Metho d 9 certificatio n and a pas trecor d o f accurat e smok e reading , a s evidence d b yhi s abilit yt o certif y promptl ya t a smok e school . Th e Metho d 9 certificatio n procedur e i s describe d i n th e Federa l Registe r (6) . Th e participant s range d i n ag e from2 6 t o 3 8 year s ol d wit ha n averag e ag e o f 31 . Thre e possesse d colleg e degrees , thre e had associat e degree s and th e othe r tw o had same educatio n beyond hig hschool . Thei r experienc e a t reading visibl e emission s range s fro mon e t o eigh t years , wit ha n averag e o f 4. 1 years . Sinc e th e tes t sessio n wa s relativel ylong , observe r fatigu e wa s o f concern . Th e genera l concensu s o f th e observers , however , wa s tha t n o fatigu e proble mwa s apparen t despit e th e fac t tha t theywer e require d t o rea d emission s fo r si xhours , thre e i n th e mornin g an d thre e i n th e afternoon . OBSERVE R TEST S Bot hblac k an

d whit e simulate d (horizontal-flow ) fugitiv e emission s and (vertical-flow ) stac k plume s wer e teste d unde r clea r skyconditions . Th e vertical-flo wplume s wer e teste d t o confirmtha t th e observer s wer e abl e t o assig n unbiase d opacit yvalue s t o conventiona l stac k plumes . During eac htest , th e observer s wer e require d t o observ e fo r 1 2 minutes . Withi n tha t 12-minut e period , ther e wa s a perio d o f jus t ove r si xminute s o f stead

yopacit ysmoke . Th e averag e o f 2 4 consecutiv e reading s bya n observe r during thi s six-minut e perio d wa s th e observer s EP AMetho d 9 evaluatio n o f th e snok e opacity . Th e opacit ylevel s selecte d fo r th e stud ywer e 40% , 30% , 20% , and 15% . Th e observer s wer e expose d t o th e same level s fromeac hgenerator , bu t i n randomorder . Observer s wer e give n n o revie wo f emissio n opacitie s prio r t o testing and wer e give n n o instruction s excep t ho wt o complet e the fiel d tes t for mand t o read o n signal . Opacit yvalue s wer e recorde d o n compute r compatibl e dat a form s i n bound books . Th e observer s wer e instructe d t o read b ya prerecorde d tap e a t 15-second interval s t o assur e Metho d 9 compatibilit yan d standard

izatio n o f th e time reference . A t th e same time , th e dat a logge r mad e a referenc e mar k o n th e transmissomete r stri p char t record . T o minimiz e an

ypotentia l bia s effect s tha t ma yresul t frcmobserve r fatigu e o r chang e i n th e sun angle , th e vertica l generato r wa s operate d fo r onl ya fe wruns , the n th e horizonta l generato r wa s operated . Thi s cycl e wa s repeate d throughou t th e six-hou r test . Consequently , observer s wer e require d t o shif t thei r observatio n position s betwee n thos e illus

trate d i n Figure s 1 and 2 .P.1 3



# ^^S^^~

Figur e 1 . Modifie d smok e generato r fo r emitting simulate d fugitiv e

emissio n plume s o f know n opacities .P.1 4

.•.•—'.•.•.•.••••• • r : .•.-!*.*:• " ••-:••;*.•• . ; ? " '•' ; *.•-.•*-'."" • :•'-• • V* . ".•-V : •?.•.•? • tl'.i.'jl - •-'••V'.«;*>.'-'J:.''V- ; .:'V; : . 

### :•• "••".••:i*i'.*:*.vv*.-Vw;.v.;*.-_-

^ . •".• . :":.-r.*.-r * .*.*•- • •*»«.V5:.- J V;•••-•-••;-• • •:•;..•••':-.•.•.V>*V>"- - :.'- 1
. i •- : .'-.\.vH' . "^.•..•..*. f ...* . ^ :..••*•/.>.•.•.*•.>.«p.v.*ij/— :

Figur e 2 . Conventiona l smok e generato r fo r emitting verticl e stac k

plume s o f knov

mopacities .P.1 5

SECTION4 DATAACQUISITIONAN D QUALIT YASSURANC E
Al l transmissanete r dat a wer e accumulate d o n a stri p char t recorde r operate d a t on e inc hpe r minute . Th e recorde r uni t wa s connecte d t o th e transnissanete r o f eac ho f th e generator s durin g it s phas e o f operation . I n additio n t o th e continuou s stri p char t trac e o f th e opacit ylevels , th e observatio n time s wer e als o marke d o n th e charts . Eac hV E observe r wa s provide d a bound boo k o f dat a form s adequat e t o las t ove r th e tes t period . Th e form s wer e designe d fo r eas e i n dat a reductio n an

d t o provid e informatio n o n th e tes t type , tes t nunber , positio n o f th e observe r i n relatio n t o th e sun , and th e viewin g condi

tions . GENERATO R CALIBRATION Bot hgenerator s wer e spa n calibrate d afte r allowing a minimumo f 3 0 minute s warmup b

yalternatel yproducing simulate d opacitie s o f 0 % and 100% . Th e stabl e 0 % and 100 % opacit yvalue s o f eac hgenerato r wer e verifie d b

yalternatel yswitching th e powe r t o th e ligh t sourc e o n and of f whil e th e snok e generato r wa s no t producing smoke . Thi s procedur e wa s performe d prio r t o conducting th e laboratorycalibratio n erro r test s describe d below , and th e actua l fiel d sessio n o f th e fugitiv e emission s study . j 

## f i GENERATO R CALIBRATIONERRO R , Th e erro r betwee n th e actua l respons e and th e theoretica l linea r respons e o f th e snok e mete r wa s measure d b yinserting a serie s o f thre e NB S traceabl e neutral-densit yfilter s o f nomina l opacit yo f 20 , 50 , and 75 % i n th e smok e mete r pathlength . Th e calibratio n erro r fo r th e transmissomete r i n eac hgenerato r wa s determine d b yth e filte r insertio n procedur e describe d i n th e Federa l Registe r (5) . Th e calibratio n result s ar e show

n i n Table s 1 and 2 . GENERATO R TRANSMISSCMETE R ZER O AN D SPA NDRIF T Zer o an d spa n check s o f th e transnissaneter s wer e performe d periodi

call yt o measur e th e amoun t o f opacit ydrif t fromth e generators . Thi s procedur e wa s conducte d a t th e end o f ever ytw o tests . NEUTRAL-DENSITYFLTE R SPECIFICATION S Nationa l Burea u o f Standard s (NBS ) traceabl e neutral-densit yfilter s o f nomina l opacit yo f 20 , 50 , and 75 % wer e use d t o calibrat e th e snok e generators . Thes e filter s wer e calibrate d withi n +2% .P.1 6



### TABL E 1 . CONVENTIONA L SMOK E TRANSMISSOMETE R FILTER CALIBRATIO NDAT A

Readin g Numbe r Transmisscmete r Readin g Filte r Valu e 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5 1 6 1 7 1 8 7 2 2 2 4 6 7 2 2 2 4 6 7 2 22. 5 4 6 7 2 21. 5 4 6 7 2 21. 5 4 6 23. 5 46. 5 72. 5 7 3 23. 5 4 7 7 3 23. 5 4 7 7 3 23. 5 4 7 7 3 23. 5 4 7 7 3 23. 5 4 7 23. 5 4 7 7 3

### TABL E 2 . SIMULATE D FUGITIV E SMOK E TRANSMISSOMETER FILTER CALIBRATIO NDAT A P.1 7



### Readin g Numbe r 

### 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5 1 6 1 7 1 8 Transmissomete r Readin g 80. 5 

### 5 2 18. 5 80. 5 

### 5 2 18. 5 80. 5 52. 5 

### 2 0 1 80. 5



### 5 2 18. 5 80. 5 

### 5 2 1 9 21. 5 

### 5 3 80. 5 Filte r Valu e 8 0 5 2 1 9 8 0 5 2 1 9 8 0 5 2 1 9 8 0 5 2 1 9 8 0 5 2 1 9 1 9 5 2 8 0STRI P CHAR T DATARECOR D

Eac htes t wa s recorde d o n stri p char t pape r bya continuou s trac e o f th e opacit yand listing th e following information : * - star t point , + - sto p point , tes t number , tes t type , eac hreading numbe r an d poin t a t whic ha reading wa s made . Calibratio n erro r check s include d filte r valu e - percen t opacity , measure d valu e - percen t opacity , calibrate d by , dat e o f calibration , location , generator , and filte r se t nunber . CONFIDENC E INTERVAL S - GENERATO R CALIBRATIONAN D OPERATION Statistica l analysi s wa s conducte d t o determin e th e 95 % confidenc e interval . Informatio n necessaryfo r thi s evaluatio n wer e (1 ) filte r calibratio n erro r (fro mmanufacturer) , (2 ) filte r calibratio n erro r chec k (actua l filte r valu e v s measure d filte r value) , (3 ) plum e configuratio n test s - on e tes t fo r eac ho f th e fou r level s wa s verifie d fo r eac hstudy . Th e qualit yassuranc e coordinato r recorde d th e 4 8 reading s pe r tes t from th e stri p chart . An audito r independentl yread th e sam e 4 8 reading s pe r tes t frcmth e stri p char t fo r dat a validatio n an d reductio n purposes . OBSERVER S Qualifie d observer s meetin g th e specification s o f Federa l Referenc e Metho d 9 wer e utilize d a s visibl e emission s evaluators . Meeting Metho d 9 specification s mean s tha t eac hobserver' s maximumaverag e deviatio n o n whit e and blac k snok e di d no t excee d 7.5 % opacit yan d n o singl e erro r exceede d 15 % opacit ydurin g thei r certificatio n test . Th e participant s wer e instructe d prio r t o eac hstud yno t t o discus s thei r reading s fo r th e tests . Th e observer s wer e no t show n an yplume s fo r referenc e opacitie s o n th e day s o f th e studies . Eigh t reader s participate d i n th e study . DOCUMENTATIONj Stri p Char t Dat a Calibratio n error , stri p chart s fo r eac htest , and stri p char t dat a form s wer e kep t o n a bound book . Eac hdat a for minclude s a tes t type , tes t number , participan t number , reade r position , background conditions , 4 8 fifteen-second interva l readings , and stri p char t dat a reductio n (perso n and date) . Participan t Dat a Eac hreade r receive d a bound boo k containing a participan t dat a form (individual' s background information) , fiel d tes t coding form , an d fiel d tes t dat a forms . Eac hfiel d tes t dat a for minclude s th e following : tes t type , tes t number , participan t nunber , reade r position , background condi

tions , 4 8 fifteen-second interva l readings , and th e participant' s signa

ture .



### 1 0P.1 9

Generato r Operato r Lo g Agenerato r dat a form , ccranent s sheet , and plume configuratio n curve s fo r al l test s wer e i n bound boo k forma t t o assis t th e generato r operato r i n providing accurat e opacit ylevel s fo r th e tests . Th e generato r dat a for minclude s a tes t number , tes t type , fla t trac e opacit ypercent , tim e perio d fo r fla t trac e opacity , generato r operator , generato r typ e - ETA fo r horizonta l o r EP Afo r vertical , time o f test , recorde r char t speet , and catments . TEST-PLUM E CONFIGURATION S Emission s wer e generate d a t fou r differen t opacit ylevels . Th e level s wer e selecte d a t randc mb ydi e tossing . Eac htes t wa s conducte d ove r a 12-minut e perio d (4 8 reading s a t 15-second intervals) . Th e timing o f th e tes t an

d reading interval s wer e verifie d b ystopwatches . During thi s time period , a six-minut e perio d fo r th e selecte d fla t trac e opacit y wa s generate d fo r th e require d 2 4 reading s a t 15-second intervals . Fla t trac e opacit ypercen t level s fo r bot hblac k an d whit e smok e wer e (1 ) 15% , (2 ) 20% , (3 ) 30% , and (4 ) 40% . OBSCURINGMECHANIS M A n obscuring mechanis n (plywoo d board ) wa s use d t o preven t th e reader s fra n directl yviewing th e emissio n poin t fromth e horizonta l stac k o f th e generator . Thi s wa s don e t o mak e th e plume mor e analogou s t o a fugitiv e plume .



### 1 1P.2 0

SECTION5 RESULT S

T o observ e th e effec t eac hsmok e colo r an d mod e o f emissio n ha d upo n th e observer s whe n the yevaluate d fugitiv e emissions , observe r result s wer e plotte d agains t actua l transnissanete r values . Al l test s wer e conducte d o n a clea r da ybetwee n 9 A Mand 3 EM . Tabl e 3 present s a matri xo f th e tes t condition s and a lis t o f th e correspondin g figure s wher e th e dat a ar e shown .

TABL E 3 . TES T CONDITION S

Plum e Configuratio n 9mok e Colo r Background Figur e Conventiona l stac k plum e Conventiona l stac k plume Simulate d fugitiv e plume Simulate d fugitiv e plume Whit e Blac k Whit e Blac k Clea r Sky

Clea r Sky Dar k terrestria l Dar k terrestria l 

### 3

4 5 6

Th e tes t result s o f V E observe r measurement s o f (vertical-flow ) stac k plume s unde r blu e sk ycondition s (Figure s 3 and 4 fo r whit e and blac k plunes , respectively ) she wtha t pane l (average d observer ) opacit ymeasure ment s an

d thei r regressio n line s wer e clos e t o th e 1 t o 1 lin e o f agree men t wit hth e smok e generato r transm i sscmete r opacit ymeasurement s ove r th e rang e o f opacitie s use d i n th e study . Slope s o f 1.1 7 and 1.0 1 wer e observed . Th e between-observe r variatio n o f th e dat a a s evidence d b yth e confidenc e interval s o f th e mean s wa s mor e tha n expecte d an d previousl y observe d fo r th e metho d (2,3) . Th e reaso n fo r thi s increase d variatio n wa s no t investigate d bu t ma yhav e bee n du e t o th e procedur e o f alternating th e observer s betwe n th e smok e generator s during th e test . Th e between

observe r variatio n i s no t th e focu s o f thi s study . I t i s th e pane l (average d observer ) opacit yreading s whe n viewin g th e conventiona l and simulate d fugitiv e plume s tha t ar e compare d t o determin e an ybia s i n Metho d 9 traine d V E observer s whe n evaluating fugitiv e plumes .



### 1 2P.2 1

60 -

5 0 - 

# % 0 oB p$< ° aE cR 

# i v«- tE yR 20 -



### 10 -

2 0 

# i MEA N •95 % CONFIDENC E INTERVA L

*"— **<—-<—

~REGRESSIO N LIN E

3 0 4 0 

### —r 

### 5 0 

# TRANSMISSOMETE R % opacit y 6' 0

Figur e 3 . Observe r opacit yevaluation s versu s transmissomete r measure d

opacitie s o f conventiona l vertica l whit e smok e plume s viewe d agains t a sk

ybackground o n a clea r day .



### 1 3P.2 2

6 0



# 7o 0 

# P a c i 

# t 0 B $ 4 0 

# E R V 3 0 

# E 

# yR

CONFIDENC E INTERVA L
REGRESSIO N LIN E 

# TRANSMISSOMETE R % opacit y 6 0

Figur e k. Observe r opacit yevaluation s versu s transmissomete r measure d

opacitie s o f conventiona l vertica l blac k smok e plume s viewe d agains t a sk

ybackground o n a clea r day .



### 1 4P.23 _

Th e simulate d fugitiv e emission s tes t result s fo r whit e plume s o n a clea r da y(Figur e 5 ) indicat e n o systemati c differenc e (bias ) betwee n observer s and transmissomete r value s fo r opacitie s around 1 5 - 20% . A t highe r opacitie s Figur e 5 indicate s a n increasing negativ e observe r bias . A t 40 % opacity , thi s bia s resulte d i n observe r pane l reading s around 8 % opacit ylowe r tha n th e transmissomete r values . Th e blac k simulate d fugitiv e emission s tes t result s (Figur e 6 ) indicat e lowe r observe r pane l value s a t al l opacit ylevels . A t 15 % opacit ythe ywer e 5 % opacit ylow , and a t 40 % opacit ytheywer e 11 % opacit ylowe r tha n th e transmisscmete r values . Th e dat a als o indicat e tha t th e observe r sensitivit yt o opacit y changes , a s evidence d b yth e slope s o f th e curves , decline d fo r bot hth e whit e an

d blac k fugitiv e emissio n plumes . Th e chang e i n observe r measure d opacitie s pe r chang e i n transmissomete r measure d opacitie s decline d from nea r 1. 0 fo r th e conventiona l verticl e stac k plume measurement s t o 0.6 2 and 0.7 7 fo r th e whit e an d blac k simulate d fugitiv e plume measurements .



### 1 5P.2 4

1 1 0 1

2 0 3 0 «^~—.—--. - REGRESSIO N LIN E

1 i 4 0 5 0 6 

# TRANSMISSOMETE R % opacit y•

Figur e 5 . Observe r opacit yevaluation s versu s transmissomete r measure d

opacitie s o f simulate d whit e fugitiv e plume s viewe d agains t a terrestria l background o n a clea r day .



### 1 66 0

5 0 - 

# % 0 oB p$- ° aE cR i V " 

# tE y . R 2 0 -

1 0 -



# TRANSMISSOMETE R

% opacit y

Figur e 6 . Observe r opacit yevaluation s versu s transmissomete r measure d

opacitie s o f simulate d blac k fugitiv e plume s viewe d agains t a terrestria l background o n a clea r day .



### 1 7P.2 6

REFERENCE S

1 . Conner , W.D . and J.R . Hodkinson . Optica l Propertie s and Visua l Effect s o f Smoke-stac k Plumes , U.S . Publi c Healt hServic e Repor t No . 999-AP-30 . NTI S P B 174-705 , Springfield , Virginia , 1967 . 8 9 pp . 2 . Conner , W.D . AConpariso n betwee n In-Stac k and Plume Opacit yMeasure ment s a t Oil-Fire d Fove r Plants , In : Proceeding s o f th e Fourt h Nationa l Conferenc e o n Energyan d th e Environment , Dayto n Sect . An . Inst , o f Chem . Eng. , Dayton , Ohio , 1976 . pp . 478-83 . 3 . Hamil , H.F. , R.E . Thomas , and N.F . Swynnerton . Evaluatio n an d Collab

orativ e Stud

yo f Metho d fo r visua l Determinatio n o f Opacit yo f Emission s fro n StationarySources , NTI S P B 25 7 948/OBA , Springfield , Virginia , 1975 . 7 0 pp . 4 . Hood , K.T. , and A.L . Caron . Th e Relationshi p betwee n Particulat e Mas s Borassio

n Rat e and Observed

Plum e Appearanc e frcmKraf t Recovery Furnaces , Pape r 74-AP-08 , presente d a t PNNIS-APCAMeeting , Boise , Idaho , Novembe r 1974 . 5 . Federa l Registe r Vol . 39 , No . 219:39872-39875 , Novembe r 12 , 1974 . 6 . Federa l Registe r vol . 39 , No . 247:24877 , Decembe r 23 , 1971 .



### 1 8P.2 7

TECHNICA L REPORTDATA (Please read

Instructions on the reverse before completing) 1 . REPOR TNO . 2 . 3 . RECIPIENT' S ACCESSIO N NO . 4 . TITL E AN O SUBTITL E 

### EVALUATION

O F TRAINE DVISIBL E EMISSION OBSERVER S FOR FUGITIVE EMISSION

OPACIT YMEASUREMEN T 5 . REPOR TDAT E 6 . PERFORMIN G ORGANIZATIO N COD E
7 . AUTHOR'S ) Thoma s H . Ros

e 8 . PERFORMIN G ORGANIZATIO N REPOR TNO .

9 . PERFORMIN G ORGANIZATIO N NAM E AN O AOORES S 

### Easter nTechnica l Associate s 241 2 Atlanti c Avenu e Raleigh , Nort hCarolin a 2765 8 10 . PROGRA M ELEMEN TNO . CDTA1D/1 1 - 040 9 (FY-84 ) 1 1 . CONTRACT/GRAN TNO . 

### Contrac t 68-02-348 0 12 . SPONSORIN G AGENC YNAM E AN D ADDRES S 

### Environmenta l Science s Researc hLaboratory - RTP , N C Offic e o f Researc han dDevelopmen t U.S . Environmenta l Protectio nAgenc y Researc hTriangl e Park , Nort hCarolin a 2771 1 13 . TYP E O F REPOR TAN D PERIO D COVERE D 

### Fina l 10/1/8 0 t o 10/1/8 1 14 . SPONSORINGAGENC YCOD E 

### EPA/600/0 9 15 . SUPPLEMENTAR YNOTE S

16 . ABSTRAC T 

### A smok e generato r wa s modifie dt o emi t whit e o r blac ksmok e ina horizon ta l directio nnea r ground-leve l t o simulat e fugitiv e emissions . Observer s wer e place da t a slightl y

highe r elevatio nthanth e smok e generato r andwer e then show nsmok e plume s a t fou r differen t opacit y value s agains t a darkterrestria l background. The y

readthe opacitie s o f the smok e andrecorde dthei r observations . The observer s als oevaluate dsmok e plume s fro m a conventiona l vertica l emittin g smok e generato r unde r th e sam e clea r sk

y lightin gcondition s t o determin e tha t the observer s hadno bia s whe nviewingnorma l plumes . Fo r the whit e smoke , the observer' s opacit y reading s o f th e simulate dfug - . tive emissio nplume s wer e no t significantl y differen t thanth e opacit y readina s o f the conventiona l plume s fo r opacitie s around15-20% . Abov e 20 % opacity , th e observe r reading s o f the whit e fugitiv e plume s become increasingl y lowe r than the vertica l plume readings . A t 40 % opacity , they wer e lowe r o

naverag e b

y abou t 8 % opacity . Fo r the blac ksmoke , the observe r reading s o f the simulate d fugitiv e plume s wer e lowe r a t al l opacit y levels . A t 15 % opacity , they wer e o naverag e lowe r b

y abou t 5 % opacity , an

da t 40 % opacity , they wer e lowe r b y abou t 11 % opacity . Fo r bot hwhit e an dblac ksimulate dfugitiv e emissio n plumes , the observer s sensitivit y t o change s inopacit y level s decline d relativ e t o the conventiona l verticl e stac kplumes . 17 . KE YWORD S AN D DOCUMEN TANALYSI S DESCRIPTOR S b.IDENTIFIERS/OPE N ENDE D TERM S c . COSAT IField/Group

18 . DISTRIBUTIO N STATEMEN T RELEAS

E T O PUBLI C 19 . SECURIT YCLAS S (This Report) UNCLASSIFIE D 2 1 . NO . O F PAOE S 20 . SECURIT YCLAS S (Thispage) 

### UNCLASSIFIE D 22 . PRIC E

EP A For m 2220- 1 (Rev . 4-77 ) PREVIOU S EDITIO N I S OBSOLET E