1. Introduction

This training is a joint collaboration between the Environment Agency and the Source Testing Association.

2. What’s it for?

The following training is an in-depth look at isokinetic stack emissions monitoring. It focuses on sampling to the requirements of the European standard for measuring particulates in stack gas emissions (EN 13284-1).

It provides trainees with the following information required to carry out isokinetic sampling:

• assessing suitable sample locations

• determining sample points and positions in a sample plane

• calculating a K-factor

• completing a particulate test data sheet.

3. Who should use it?

The training programme assumes that the trainee is familiar with the basic principles of stack emissions monitoring.

It is aimed at:

• stack emissions monitoring staff, who have reached mcerts Level 1
• process operators responsible for monitoring
• regulatory officers.

4. Overview of contents

Schematic of plant

The opening page shows a schematic of the stack gas ducting at a generic process on an industrial plant. 

The trainee can enter parameters for stack gas flow rate and velocity on this page. Changing this parameters shows the relationship between stack gas flow rate, velocity and cross sectional duct area.

The schematic shows three possible locations where stack emissions monitoring could be carried out. By “clicking” on each location the trainee is taken to pages containing further information about each sample location.

Details of sample locations

For each sample location there is a photograph and a diagram of a sample plane. An assessment is made of the:

• type of location
• the suitability of each location in terms of recommended hydraulic diameters
• number of sample lines
• access to sample points

Determining the number and location of sample points

For each sample location there is further information on determining the:

• number and position of sample points
• the probe length required for sampling

Traverse data

The following page provides data for a traverse of the sample location. An assessment of whether the location complies with the isokinetic sampling standard is also provided.

Determining the K-factor

Only one of the sample locations is compliant. For this location the training continues by providing information on how the k-factor is calculated.

Data from a particulate test

The next page provides data from a completed spreadsheet for a sample run at the compliant location.

Using the interactive part of the training programme

Besides assessing pre-loaded fixed data for the sample locations, the training has an option for entering data into a series of tables. This enables the trainee to go through the procedure outlined above using their own data.

5. Further information

Further information on sampling locations and isokinetic sampling is provided in Environment Agency Technical Guidance Note M1, which is available from www.mcerts.net

6. Feedback

If you have any comments on this training programme please contact Rupert Standring at rupert.standring@environment-agency.gov.uk or click here to fill out the feedback form