The Energy Research Institute at Lehigh University has published a study comparing commercially available Hg CEMs and sorbent trap methods with the reference method (Ontario Hydro Method) at Allegheny Energy’s Armstrong Generating Station.
The main project objectives included:
- Testing of mercury CEMs under field conditions and comparison against the reference method;
- Testing of sorbent trap methods under field conditions and comparison against the reference method;
- Field-testing of the US EPA Instrumental Reference Method for mercury;
- Comparison of the reference methods and test equipment for Hg measurement developed in the US and EU; and
- Comparison of the reference methods for heavy metals, PM2.5, and PM10 measurement developed in the US and EU.
The results from the Armstrong project show there is a good agreement
between the reference method, Hg CEMs, and sorbent trap methods. The
maximum bias with respect to the reference method is in the 10 percent range. Also, the precision of the Ontario Hydro Method results obtained at Armstrong was comparable to the precision obtained at other sites.
Armstrong Project – Evaluation and Comparison of US and EU Reference Methods for Measurement of Mercury, Heavy Metals, PM2.5 and PM10 Emissions from Fossil-Fired Power Plants – Final Report (pdf, 313pp., 7.5MB)