Experimental
Design
Conclusions
• EPA Method 301 “Collect Multiple,
Collocated, Simultaneous Samples…”:
9 sets of 24 Reading Observations Gathered
by 2 Pairs of Cameras and EPA Method 9
Observers, Collocated, with Observations
Time-Synchronized
• 3 Sites With Stacks >7 Feet Operating
Within Generally Accepted Regulatory
Range (20%)
• Field Quality Measures:
Position and Orientation of Observers and
Cameras Relative to the Sun
Geo-Location and Offsets of All Required Points
Metrology Data
Collocated and Time-Synchronized Observations
Digital Direct Connect to DOCS II Server
• Data Quality Measures:
DOCS II Analyst’s were Geographically Separated,
and Performed Analysis without Visibility, to
Method 9 Reading Results or the Other Analyst’s
Results
Validated Results Exported into Spreadsheet
by QA Person Who was Not Involved in Any
Other Part of The Process
Analysis in Spreadsheets Validated by Third
Party
EPA ALTERNATE METHOD 082 301 Study For Large Diameter Stationary Sources
Does Size Matter?
Shawn Dolan
Virtual Technology LLC
888-872-3836
www.virtuallc.com
Objective
Utilize EPA Method 301 to Assess EPA
Alternate Method 082 Suitability for
Determining Plume Opacities on Large
Diameter Stationary Sources
Introduction
Results
• ASTM-D7520 Published in ’09 :
Digital Camera based EPA Method 9
Camera and Software Replace Observer Eyes
The Primary Disagreement in ASTM Work
Group:
Some Contend Stack Diameter Irrelevant,
thus Smoke School Generators are a
Suitable Surrogate for All Sources,
Citing:
I = Io(-T)
Where:
I0 is the incident radiance
I is the transmitted radiance
and τ is the path length
Some Contend Large Diameter Stacks are
Different and Require Separate Supporting
Analysis and Data.
ASTM Work Group and Committee
Compromised by Application of an Arbitrary 7ft
Limitation to ASTM-D7520-09
• EPA Recognized ASTM-D7520-09 via
EPA Alternative Method 082:
EPA Was Silent on 7ft Limit
Certification Requirements Were Clarified and
Enhanced
Industry Lawyers Responded Resulting In
EPA Recognition of the 7ft Limit in Lieu of
a Method 301 Study Supporting Its Removal
• Virtual Technology LLC Performed a
Series of EPA Method 301 Studies:
Compare Alternative Test Method to The
Current Compliance Test Method.
EPA Alternate Method 082 Compliant System
(DOCS II) vs. Human EPA Method 9
Observers Reading Large Diameter Sources ( > 7ft).
EPA Alternate Method 082 Compliant System
(DOCS II) Determined Avg. Opacities Do Not Vary
from EPA Method 9 Observer Determined Avg.
Opacities in a Statistically Significant Way When
Observing Emissions From Stationary Sources
> 7ft
Beer–Lambert–Bouguer Collectively Smile !
CalPortland Mojave,CA
Precision - .88
Bias - .50
KGS Tempe, AZ
Precision - .25
Bias – 1.24
NGS Page, AZ
Precision - .69
Bias – 1.34
301 Study Precision Limit - 3.179 301 Study Bias Limit - 2.262
Method 9 Alt Method 082
Validation
Method 9 Alt Method 082 Validation
Method 9 Alt Method 082
Validation
Basic Performance Summary Basic Performance Summary Basic Performance Summary
Legend
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 Set 6 Set 7 Set 8 Set 9
CAP 301 Study 6 Minute Averages M9
DOCSII
0
1
2
Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 Set 6 Set 7 Set 8 Set 9
KGS 301 Study 6 Minute Averages
M9
DOCSII
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 Set 6 Set 7 Set 8 Set 9
NGS 301 Study 6 Minute Averages M9
DOCSII
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 Set 6 Set 7 Set 8 Set 9
KGS Max. Deviation Per Set
Max. Deviation
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 Set 6 Set 7 Set 8 Set 9
CAP Max. Deviation Per Set Max. Deviation
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 Set 6 Set 7 Set 8 Set 9
NGS Max. Deviation Per Set
Max. Deviation
0.00
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
0.30
0.35
0.40
0.45
Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 Set 6 Set 7 Set 8 Set 9
DOCSIIa
DOCSIIb
0.00
2.00
4.00
6.00
8.00
10.00
12.00
14.00
Set 1
Set 2
Set 3
Set 4
Set 5
Set 6
Set 7
Set 8
Set 9
M9a
M9b
0.00
2.00
4.00
6.00
8.00
10.00
12.00
14.00
Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 Set 6 Set 7 Set 8 Set 9
DOCSIIa
DOCSIIb
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
KGS NGS CAP
Comparison of Methods
M9
DOCS
Average of the Average Opacities (Set 1-9) at Each Location
Analysis
0.00
1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
8.00
9.00
Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 Set 6 Set 7 Set 8 Set 9
DOCSIIa
DOCSIIb
0.00
0.10
0.20
0.30
0.40
0.50
0.60
0.70
Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 Set 6 Set 7 Set 8 Set 9
M9a
M9b
0.00
0.20
0.40
0.60
0.80
1.00
1.20
Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 Set 6 Set 7 Set 8 Set 9
M9a
M9b