1. Introduction to BGI Instruments
Tom Merrifield
BGI Instruments
58 Guinan St.,Waltham, MA 02451 T:

2. Introduction
EPA has begun evaluation of PM2.5 Continuous Monitoring Candidate Instruments for AQI and new regulatory network to compliment manual FRM
FEM Class III Equivalency procedures in 1997 CFR perceived as technically near-impossible, cost-prohibitive
Draft changes to NAAQS for 2003 may allow use of continuous monitors for PM2.5 reporting to AIRS and AQI

3. U.S. EPA Ambient PM Timeline

4. EPA, State, Tribal and Local AQ Priorities
New PMc Coarse Particulate Matter Network
(PMc) PM10 - PM2.5 = PMc
Develop continuous PM methods for AQI and AIRS
Reduce labor costs
May improve data quality & usefulness
May increase public awareness
Reference (FRMs) & Equivalent (FEMs) program remains a critical component of NAAQS

5. Methods for Ambient PM Sampling
Reference method
Gravimetric Filter collection & weighing (manual)
Candidate equivalent method(s)
Beta attenuation
Harmonic Dampening(TEOM™ & Vibrating Crystal)
Light scatter & extinction (photometer & COH)

6. EPA Designation Status
Fine particulate monitor, model FPM
PM10
Field trials completed. application and approval for PM10 June
PM2.5
EPA OAQPS with CASAC proposing regional equivalency and data quality management for PM2.5

7. Model FPM Continuous PM Monitor – Pros
High sensitivity, zero stability
Short-term measurements
Our goals
Report hourly PM2.5 automatically for >7 days without site visit
Little PM2.5 bias in relationship to FRM
Similar operation and filter temperature like FRM
Filter humidity controlled to < 45% with 8°C maximum overheat

8. Model FPM Continuous PM Monitor – Cons
Interference of ambient humidity/artifacts
Exempt quantity of beta energy
No EPA approval for PM2.5 until June ‘03
No mass calibration or speciation
Time interval of one hour or greater
Cost of automation compared to manual FRM
Electronic data collection complexity
Validation of sample & data

9. Introduction to the BGI Model FPM
BGI Model FPM (fine particulate matter monitor)
PM2.5 Inlet with BGI Very Sharp Cut Cyclone (VSCC)
PM2.5 concentration measured & reported on hourly and 24 hour average
Continuous operation of six weeks
Filter change hourly to prevent loss of semi-volatile particulate
New generation of high sensitivity beta attenuation monitor (FPM BAM)

10. BGI FPM Sensitivity Precision Repeatability Active sample cycle
±1.5g/m3
Precision
r2 > 0.90 to FRM
Site factor (optional)
Repeatability
± 2%
Active sample cycle
56 minutes each hour
4-minute diagnostic test each hour

11. BGI Very Sharp Cut Cyclone Inlet 90-Day Operation between Maintenance

12. EPA Field Comparison of Candidate PM2.5 Continuous Monitors to FRM

13. FPM Outdoor Shelter Inlet Temperature- controlled shelter
FRM design with VSCC
16.67 alpm
Temperature- controlled shelter
Backup data printer & error log
Mass Foil standards
Zero stability test
High mass calibration

14. Model FPM Outdoor and Indoor Models

15. Calibration and Audit of FPM
Manual use of factory span and zero calibration tools-recommended each calendar quarter or when filter tape changed
Audit - Seasonal or annual comparison with FRM audit sampler.
EPA agreement not final, but >0.85 r

16. Maintenance Requirements
Six weeks change filter tape
Validate flow rate, ambient temperature and barometric pressure sensors each six weeks
Clean PM10 FRM Inlet and PM2.5 VSCC each 3 months
Replace printer paper and printer cartridge each 3 months
Rebuild vacuum pump each 18 months

17. Data Management & Collection
FPM includes hard copy field printer with hourly concentration and min/max for 24 hour. Faults reported in red ink
Analog output with 0-1 or 0-5 Volts DC which are scaled to concentration
RS-232 Digital Download using FPM-230 software

18. FPM Applications Air Quality Index (AQI)
New PM2.5 Continuous NAM/SLAMS Network
Epidemiology & public health studies
Hourly reports of PM2.5 concentrations
Digital and analog data communication
Cell phone compatible
PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 inlet compatible
Stand alone environmental shelter

19. NIST Traceable Volumetric Flow Rate, Temperature and Pressure Calibration/Audit Device for FRM and Continuous Ambient Monitors

20. Introduction
Federal, state and local agencies require flow calibration and audits on all ambient particulate samplers and monitors
Commercial claims of “primary flow” and “NIST traceability” are confusing
New NIST traceable volumetric flow rate, ambient temperature and pressure field calibration/audit device developed, tested

21. Investigation Primary standard vs. flow transfer standard
Requirements for field flow calibrator
Current methods available
How DeltaCal meets requirements

22. NIST Primary & EPA Flow Transfer Standards
NIST primary flow calibration facility
Colorado Engineering Experiment Station (CEESI)
Titanium Vessels - gravimetric analysis standard
Pressurized and weighed for volume. air flow measured through a NIST flow transfer Venturi
Flow transfer standard
Traceable Calibrator to NIST (CEESI) Primary
CAlibrator
CEESI NIST Primary Flow Standard
Every other NIST traceable flow calibrator is a flow transfer standard that is traceable to this device

23. CEESI - NIST Primary Calibration Lab
Temperature controlled room in an old missile silo in Colorado

24. Priorities of a Field Flow Calibrator
NIST transfer standard, accuracy to < 2%
Calibrator must be field usable to EPA FRM specs
Insensitive to atmospheric conditions
Calibrator should not add artificial pressure to sampler to interfere with electronic flow controller
Portable & battery powered
Direct reading of flow rate, ambient temperature, & barometric pressure
RS232 calibration report-digital calibration report
NIST Temp accuracy is 2oC , DeltaCal is certified to 0.5 oC
NIST Flow 2%, DeltaCAl is certified to 1%, and ship at ½%
NIST Pressure 5mmHg, DeltaCal ships at 2mmHg.
Unit makes measurement, does calculations and displays volumetric flow rate.

25. “Flow Transfer Standard” Calibrators
Bubble meter
Gilibrator™ (wet) - (excellent for indoor use)
Frictionless piston - (Not field hardened)
Bios/DryCal/DC-Lite™ (dry)- 3% low bias
Orifice- quartz tube - (sensitive to wind)
Streamline/Chinook™ (dry) – adds system pressure, double of a Venturi
Venturi- Delrin™ plastic - (field hardened with gust cap)
BGI DeltaCal (dry) – flow, temperature & pressure

26. DeltaCal Calibration Kit
Measurements
Barometric pressure
Ambient temperature
Filter temperature
Volumetric flow rate
Digital output for recording and audit report
Insensitive to weather

27. Schematic Diagram of DeltaCal

28. DeltaCal NIST Traceable Specifications
Operable range –30 to 40C
2 to 20 aLPM (US FRM & Continuous PM)
10 to 50 aLPM (Europe)
+/- 1% of NIST
Temp sensor range –40 to 50C
< +/- 0.5C Difference to NIST
Pressure range mmHg
< +/- 2mmHg of NIST

29. DeltaCal Computer Screen Display
Historical record
User configurable
All readings in one display
Auto resolution
ASCII file export
Flow statistics
Also need to specifically define the data output. (download from deltaCal and see)… do we have the software?
7/12/02 Testing flows on an E-BAM portable particulate monitor.

30. BGI - NIST Traceable Flow Calibration Laboratory
< Insert photo of BGI Test Bench >

31. Conclusions
BGI DeltaCal is flow transfer standard traceable to NIST primary
Meets all requirements
Only field-hardened device with low pressure drop, includes wind gust cap
Cost includes 4 measurements, rather than 1
Affordable annual calibration by single vendor
US E.P.A. tested – exclusive for PEP QA program
$120 per year