Multi-Metals Monitoring System Based Upon Spark-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy [7215-140]

Physical Sciences, Inc. (PSI) proposes to develop a multimetals emissions monitor to support Title V permitting of large air pollution sources based on its patented spark-induced breakdown spectroscopy (SIBS) technology. Work prior to Phase I has shown that this technique is capable of sensitively monitoring metals in airborne particles that emit in the visible range (e.g., Pb, Cr, and Cd). To be useful for measuring all metallic hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), however, use of SIBS in the deep ultraviolet must be developed. In Phase I, therefore, PSI began the development of SIBS capability to monitor As and Se, which have strong emissions at 193.7 and 196.0 nm, respectively. This ability will be optimized in Phase II and then it will be married to the existing SIBS technology to create the basis of a monitor that is able to identify and quantify all HAP metals. This monitor will be very useful in enabling large air pollution sources, such as incinerators and power plants, to meet the Title V obligations of emissions monitoring and reporting. The SIBS monitor will operate in real time, an improvement over the currently used U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Reference Method 29, an extractive technique that is labor intensive, slow, and not amenable to automation.