Introduction to BGI Instruments

1
Introduction to BGIInstruments

• Tom Merrifield
• BGI Instruments
• 58 Guinan St.,Waltham, MA 02451
• T781 891-9380 info_at_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 FRM
• FEM 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 Network
• (PMc) PM10 - PM2.5 PMc
• Develop continuous PM methods for AQI and AIRS
• Reduce labor costs
• May improve data quality usefulness
• May increase public awareness
• Reference (FRMs) Equivalent (FEMs) program
  remains a critical component of NAAQS

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Methods for Ambient PM Sampling

• Reference method
• Gravimetric Filter collection weighing (manual)
• Candidate equivalent method(s)
• Beta attenuation
• Harmonic Dampening(TEOM Vibrating
  Crystal)
• Light scatter extinction (photometer COH)

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EPA Designation Status

• Fine particulate monitor, model FPM
• PM10
• 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 stability
• Short-term measurements
• Our goals
• Report hourly PM2.5 automatically for gt7 days
  without site visit
• Little PM2.5 bias in relationship to FRM
• Similar operation and filter temperature like
  FRM
• Filter humidity controlled to lt 45 with 8C
  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 average
• Continuous operation of six weeks
• Filter change hourly to prevent loss of
  semi-volatile particulate
• New generation of high sensitivity beta
  attenuation monitor (FPM BAM)

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BGI FPM

• Sensitivity
• 1.5?g/m3
• Precision
• r2 gt 0.90 to FRM
• Site factor (optional)
• Repeatability
• 2
• Active sample cycle
• 56 minutes each hour
• 4-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

• Inlet
• FRM design with VSCC
• 16.67 alpm
• Temperature- controlled shelter
• Backup data printer error log
• Mass Foil standards
• Zero 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 gt0.85 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

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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 facility
• Colorado Engineering Experiment Station (CEESI)
• Titanium Vessels - gravimetric analysis standard
• Pressurized and weighed for volume. air flow
  measured through a NIST flow transfer Venturi
• Flow transfer standard
• Traceable 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 lt 2
• Calibrator must be field usable to EPA FRM specs
• Insensitive to atmospheric conditions
• Calibrator should not add artificial pressure to
  sampler to interfere with electronic flow
  controller
• Portable battery powered
• Direct reading of flow rate, ambient
  temperature, barometric pressure
• RS232 calibration report-digital calibration
  report

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Flow Transfer Standard Calibrators

• Bubble meter
• Gilibrator (wet) - (excellent for indoor use)
• Frictionless piston - (Not field hardened)
• Bios/DryCal/DC-Lite (dry)- 3 low bias
• Orifice- quartz tube - (sensitive to wind)
• Streamline/Chinook (dry) adds system
  pressure, double of a Venturi
• Venturi- Delrin plastic - (field hardened with
  gust cap)
• BGI DeltaCal (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 40C
• 2 to 20 aLPM (US FRM Continuous PM)
• 10 to 50 aLPM (Europe)
• /- 1 of NIST
• Temp sensor range 40 to 50C
• lt /- 0.5C Difference to NIST
• Pressure range 400-800mmHg
• lt /- 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

• lt Insert photo of BGI Test Bench gt

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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