Validation Studies of the Protocol for theVolatile Organic Sampling Train

Abstract

The measurement of volatile organic emissions from a hazardous waste incinerator is one of the more difficult source testing problems. Specific compounds called principal organic hazardous constituents (POHC) are to be identified and quantified at levels of 0.5 to 100 ppb in hot, wet incinerator exhaust gas, which may also contain high particulate and acid levels. The Volatile Organic Sampling Train (VOST) Protocol which describes the practices used by laboratories making these measurements allows for several alternative designs and operating procedures. Because its use is currently being recommended by regulatory agencies to measure emissions for compliance determinations, the VOST Protocol was subjected to a methods validation study. The VOST Protocol validation program consists of two phases: a laboratory validation and a field test validation.

The laboratory validation examined the results of sampling six different POHCs at two different concentration levels, two tube configuration designs, two moisture levels and other procedural variations. The Held test validation determined the expected precision and recovery results when spiking the gas stream of a hazardous waste incinerator with five specific POHCs. Recommendations relative to method improvements, quality assurance measures and other aspects of VOST sampling and analysis are also discussed.