EPA Methods List with Links

US EPA Method 6c - Determination Of Sulfur Dioxide Emissions From Stationary Sources (Instrumental Analyzer Procedure)

Necessary equipment for performing Method 6

1.0 Scope and Application

What is Method 6C?

Method 6C is a procedure for measuring sulfur dioxide (SO₂) in stationary source emissions using a continuous instrumental analyzer. Quality assurance and quality control requirements are included to assure that you, the tester, collect data of known quality. You must document your adherence to these specific requirements for equipment, supplies, sample collection and analysis, calculations, and data analysis.

This method does not completely describe all equipment, supplies, and sampling and analytical procedures you will need but refers to other methods for some of the details. Therefore, to obtain reliable results, you should also have a thorough knowledge of these additional test methods which are found in appendix A to this part:

1.1 Analytes.

What does this method determine? This method measures the concentration of sulfur dioxide.

1.2 Applicability.

When is this method required? The use of Method 6C may be required by specific New Source Performance Standards, Clean Air Marketing rules, State Implementation Plans, and permits where SO₂ concentrations in stationary source emissions must be measured, either to determine compliance with an applicable emission standard or to conduct performance testing of a continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS). Other regulations may also require the use of Method 6C.

1.3 Data Quality Objectives.

How good must my collected data be? Refer to Section 1.3 of Method 7E.

2.0 Summary of Method

In this method, you continuously sample the effluent gas and convey the sample to an analyzer that measures the concentration of SO₂. You must meet the performance requirements of this method to validate your data.

3.0 Definitions

Refer to Section 3.0 of Method 7E for the applicable definitions.

4.0 Interferences

Refer to Section 4.1 of Method 6.

5.0 Safety

Refer to Section 5.0 of Method 7E.

6.0 Equipment and Supplies.

Figure 7E-1 of Method 7E is a schematic diagram of an acceptable measurement system.

6.1 What do I need for the measurement system? The essential components of the measurement system are the same as those in Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of Method 7E, except that the SO₂ analyzer described in Section 6.2 of this method must be used instead of the analyzer described in Section 6.2 of Method 7E. You must follow the noted specifications in Section 6.1 of Method 7E.

6.2 What analyzer must I use? You may use an instrument that uses an ultraviolet, non-dispersive infrared, fluorescence, or other detection principle to continuously measure SO₂ in the gas stream and meets the performance specifications in Section 13.0. The low-range and dual-range analyzer provisions in Section 6.2.8.1 and 6.2.8.2 of Method 7E apply.

7.0 Reagents and Standards

7.1 calibration Gas.

What calibration gases do I need? Refer to Section 7.1 of Method 7E for the calibration gas requirements. Example calibration gas mixtures are listed below.

7.2 Interference Check.

What additional reagents do I need for the interference check? The test gases for the interference check are listed in Table 7E-3 of Method 7E. For the alternative interference check, you must use the reagents described in Section 7.0 of Method 6.

8.0 Sample Collection, Preservation, Storage, and Transport

8.1 Sampling Site and Sampling Points.

You must follow the procedures of Section 8.1 of Method 7E.

8.2 Initial Measurement System Performance Tests.

You must follow the procedures in Section 8.2 of Method 7E. If a dilution-type measurement system is used, the special considerations in Section 8.3 of Method 7E also apply.

8.3 Interference Check.

You must follow the procedures of Section 8.2.7 of Method 7E to conduct an interference check, substituting SO₂ for NO_x as the method pollutant. For dilution-type measurement systems, you must use the alternative interference check procedure in Section 16 and a co-located, unmodified Method 6 sampling train.

8.4 Sample Collection.

You must follow the procedures of Section 8.4 of Method 7E.

8.5 Post-Run System Bias Check and Drift Assessment.

You must follow the procedures of Section 8.5 of Method 7E.

9.0 Quality Control

Follow quality control procedures in Section 9.0 of Method 7E.

10.0 Calibration and Standardization

Follow the procedures for calibration and standardization in Section 10.0 of Method 7E.

11.0 Analytical Procedures

Because sample collection and analysis are performed together (see Section 8), additional discussion of the analytical procedure is not necessary.

12.0 Calculations and Data Analysis

You must follow the applicable procedures for calculations and data analysis in Section 12.0 of Method 7E as applicable, substituting SO₂ for NO_x as appropriate.

13.0 Method Performance

13.1 The specifications for the applicable performance checks are the same as in Section 13.0 of Method 7E.

13.2 Alternative Interference Check.

When using this procedure, you must document its successful completion for each source category that you test. The results are acceptable if the difference between the Method 6C result and the modified Method 6 result is less than 7.0 percent of the Method 6 result for each of the three test runs. For the purposes of comparison, the Method 6 and 6C results must be expressed in the same units of measure.

14.0 Pollution Prevention [Reserved]

15.0 Waste Management [Reserved]

16.0 Alternative Procedures

16.1 Alternative Interference Check.

You may perform an alternative interference check consisting of at least three comparison runs between Method 6C and Method 6. This check validates the Method 6C results at each particular source category (type of facility) where the check is performed . When testing under conditions of low concentrations (< 15 ppm), this alternative interference check is not allowed. Note: The procedure described below applies to non-dilution sampling systems only. If this alternative interference check is used for a dilution sampling system, use a standard Method 6 sampling train and extract the sample directly from the exhaust stream at points collocated with the Method 6C sample Probe.

Build the modified Method 6 sampling train (flow control valve, two midget impingers containing 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, and dry gas meter) shown in Figure 6C-1. Connect the sampling train to the sample bypass discharge vent. Record the dry gas meter reading before you begin sampling. Simultaneously collect modified Method 6 and Method 6C samples. Open the flow control valve in the modified Method 6 train as you begin to sample with Method 6C. Adjust the Method 6 sampling rate to 1 liter per minute (±10 percent). The sampling time per run must be the same as for Method 6 plus twice the average measurement system response time. If your modified Method 6 train does not include a pump, you risk biasing the results high if you over-pressurize the midget impingers and cause a leak. You can reduce this risk by cautiously increasing the flow rate as sampling begins.

After completing a run, record the final dry gas meter reading, meter temperature, and barometric pressure. Recover and analyze the contents of the midget impingers using the procedures in Method 6. You must analyze performance audit samples as described in Method 6 with this interference check. Determine the average gas concentration reported by Method 6C for the run.

17.0 References

1. “EPA Traceability Protocol for Assay and Certification of Gaseous calibration Standards” September 1997 as amended, EPA-600/R-97/121

18.0 Tables, Diagrams, flowcharts, and Validation Data

Figure 6C-1. Modified Method 6 Alternative Interference Check Sampling train