1 Cost Analysis of Mercury Monitoring Techniques. Draft report prepared by Arcadis for Dr. Ruben Deza,

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC., November 3, 2003.

MACTEC Engineering and Consulting, Inc.

5001 South Miami Boulevard, Suite 300, Durham, NC 27703 • P.O. Box 12077, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2077

919-941-0333 • Fax: 919-941-0234

www.mactec.com

DATE: February 11, 2005

TO: Dr. Ruben Deza

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Clean Air Markets Division

FROM: Dr. Arthur Werner

MACTEC Federal Programs, Inc.

CONTRACT: Contract No. 68-D-01-003, Work Assignment No.5-02

SUBJECT: Costs of Alternative Approaches to Continuous Sampling of Gas-Phase

Mercury Emissions from Stationary Sources

This memorandum present capital, operating, and quality assurance/quality control costs for

monitoring gas-phase mercury emissions from stationary sources for two alternative approaches

for continuous sampling: continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS) and in-stack sorbent

media (carbon tubes).

CEMS

Capital costs: $70,000.

Based on a survey of 11 manufacturers of 14 total and speciating CEMS, Arcadis1 found an

average capital cost of $60,000. In addition, it is assumed that each source would purchase a

Hovocal or Mercal unit to generate ionic mercury necessary for CEMS calibration. The cost of

either instrument is $10,000. 

Operational Costs: $87,000

The operational costs have two components

Routine maintenance and operation and QA/QC procedures.

Routine maintenance and operation: Based on information from CEMS manufacturers, Arcadis1

estimated that routine operation including periodic inspections, monthly maintenance, and data

compilation and reporting would require 255 technical hours per year or $13,515 (at

$53/technical labor hour). In addition, $2,500 per year would be needed for materials and

replacement parts. Annual routine maintenance and operation costs total $16,015.

QA/QC procedures: Two options are available for required calibrations and system integrity:

Option 1: Weekly system integrity with ionic mercury using Hovocal or similar technique. NIST

Standard solution cost is $1,000 per year. Labor cost of 20 technical hours per year, $1,060. 

Daily gas calibration performed with elemental Hg requires the utilization of about three gas

cylinders annually, and the operation can be automated with minimal technician involvement. The

estimated cost is $9,500. Total annual costs for this option would be $11,560. 
MACTEC Engineering and Consulting, Inc.

5001 South Miami Boulevard, Suite 300, Durham, NC 27703 • P.O. Box 12077, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2077

919-941-0333 • Fax: 919-941-0234

www.mactec.com

Option 2: Daily converter check with ionic mercury using Hovocal. NIST Standard solution cost

is $7,000 per year. Labor cost 60 technical hours per year, $3,180. No daily gas calibrations are

required. Total annual costs for this option would be $10,180.

RATA: One 9-run RATA per year required. The test would be conducted by a testing contractor

at a cost of $37,000. The plant costs would be 131 technical hours for procurement, test

oversight, and reporting or $6,943. The total RATA cost would be $43,943.

Total QA/QC procedures annual costs are $70,138 to $71,518 for an average of $70,828.

Unit operating a Sorbent trap:

System: Each carbon trap will have a three-section cartridge: a primary capture cartridge, backup

for breakthough, and a portion to be spiked for QA/QC. Two carbon traps will be run in parallel

for one week runs.

Capital costs: $20,000

Capital costs for a trap system have been estimated at $8,500. Capital costs including the

installation of the two systems is assumed to be in the order of $20,000.

Operational Costs: $113,000

The operational costs have three components: routine operational costs, laboratory analysis costs,

and QA/QC procedures.

Routine Operational Costs: It is assumed that removal and replacement of each trap will require

4 hours per week for a total of 8 hours x 52 weeks = 416 hours per year or $22,048. In addition,

it is assumed that 44 technical hours will be required to award the carbon trap analysis contract,

and compile and submit the quarterly emissions report at a cost of $2,332. Total operating costs

are $40,916 annually.

Analysis cost: The laboratory cost quoted in the Arcadis report to analyze and replace each

primary, backup, and spiked carbon trap including shipping an handling is $220. For weekly

sampling with two traps the annual cost is $220x2x52 = $22,880.

QA/QC procedures: One 9-run RATA per year required. The test would be contracted to a test

contractor at a cost of $37,000. The plant costs would be 131 technical hours for procurement,

test oversight, and reporting or $6,943. Routine QA/QC checks of 1 hours per week per trap or

104 hours or $5,512 per year. The total including QA/QC requirements RATA cost would be

rounded to $49,000 annually.