Determination of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Mass Concentration: Stationary Source Emissions

TS ISO 7935: Point Source Emissions Standard

The main sources of air pollution are hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide. Sulfur compounds are the most damaging to various materials. Sulfur oxides accelerate metal corrosion by forming sulfuric acid in the atmosphere and on metal surfaces. Sulfur dioxide is the most harmful pollutant causing metal corrosion. Sulfurous and sulfuric acids damage a wide range of building materials, including limestone, marble and roofing board.

Sulfur dioxide is the main gaseous sulfur oxide emission from coal combustion. Sulfur dioxide is one of the most abundant air pollutants released into the air, accounting for about 80 percent of total emissions.

What is Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) and Why Monitor it?

SO₂ is a colorless gas known for its flammable and toxic properties. It is commonly emitted into the atmosphere in industrial activities, especially power plants, cement factories and metal production facilities.

Environmental and Health Impacts of SO₂:

Acid Rain: Combines with water vapor in the atmosphere to form sulfurous acids, damaging ecosystems.
Air Pollution: Plays a role in the formation of PM2.5 and PM10 particulate matter.
Human Health: Can cause asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory diseases.

Regular monitoring of SO₂ emissions is essential to reduce environmental impacts and protect public health.

Methods Used for Determination of SO₂ Mass Concentration

In SO₂ measurement, both classical chemical methods and modern technological devices are used. Here are the most commonly used methods:

1. Isokinetic Sampling Method: This method involves sampling emissions from stationary sources and measuring SO₂ by chemical analysis.

Process:

A sample of the flue gas is taken using an isokinetic probe.
The sample gas is passed into a solution that absorbs SO₂.
The SO₂ in the solution is measured by spectrophotometric or titrimetric analysis.

2. FID (Flame Ionization Detector) and NDIR (Non-Dispersive Infrared) Methods: NDIR utilizes the light absorption properties of SO₂ at specific wavelengths.

Process:

The gas stream is passed over the NDIR sensor.
Absorption measurements are made and the SO₂ concentration is calculated.

3. FTIR Spectroscopy (Fourier Transform Infrared): FTIR measures SO₂ by analyzing the absorption of emission gases at infrared wavelengths.

4. EPA Method-6 Method: Method-6, established by the American Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), involves analyzing SO₂ by absorbing it from the gas mixture into the liquid phase. It is widely used in industrial facilities. Preferred for compliance with environmental regulations.

Process:

The gas stream is passed through the absorbent solution.
The solution is evaluated by titrimetric analysis.

Scope of TS ISO 7935 Standard

This standard specifies the performance characteristics of automated measurement systems for the continuous determination of mass concentrations of sulfur dioxide in stationary source emissions. ISO 7935 presents extractive and non-extractive methods of measuring sulfur dioxide. Both of these methods allow for zero setting and the collection of calibration gases and samples for comparison. When comparing the results obtained with these methods, it is necessary to know the water content of the flue gas in order to correct the stack value to the dry gas value.

TS ISO 7935 Point source emissions - Determination of the mass concentration of sulfur dioxide - Performance characteristics of automatic measurement methods.

Nanolab Laboratories Group continues to provide services within the scope of Stationary Source Emissions. We also provide services in Emission - Imission Measurements.

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