Metal Emissions Monitor for DOE Mixed Waste Thermal Treatment
This project is developing an instrument using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) to continuously measure metal emissions in the off-gas of mixed waste thermal treatment units. The technique uses a pulsed laser to induce a plasma at a point within the off-gas stack. The resulting emission is collected through fiber-optics and is used for simultaneous measurement of hazardous metals. LIBS can measure metals embedded in particles, fine aerosols, or vapors. Major tasks include performing laboratory proof-of-concept evaluation, designing and fabricating prototype instruments, and demonstrating these instruments, calibration schemes, and data analysis methodologies at an EPA test site and at DOE waste treatment facilities. Results of prototype measurements are being analyzed, evaluated, and compared to standard EPA measurements. The second-generation instrument will be smaller, more rugged, and more user friendly, and provide 100% availability for RCRA metals.
	Developers: •  Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM Funding has been provided by DOE/EM, DOE/DP, and DoD (US Army Demilitarization)
	Applications: •  Toxic Substances Control Act Incinerator at Oak Ridge, Tennessee •  Waste Experimental Reduction Facility (incinerator) at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho •  Consolidated Incineration Facility at the Savannah River Site, Aiken, South Carolina •  DoD demilitarization activities, e.g., incineration of munitions
	Benefits: •  Provides in situ, continuous, real-time monitoring •  EPA MACT-compliant technology promotes public confidence in safety of incineration operations •  Cost avoidance from reduced front-end waste characterization
	Status: •  Completed two-week field test on emission sources in oil and natural gas production facilities. Included financial support from the DOE Office of Fossil Energy. May 1998 •  Demonstrated at demilitarization confined burn facility at China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station, California, Jan-Feb. 1998 •  Completed field test, monitoring beryllium, cadmium, chromium, lead, iron and mercury, comparing to EPA Method 29 results at EPA incinerator in Research Triangle Park, NC. and at Toxic Substances Control Act Incinerator at the K-25 Site, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Aug/Sept 97 •  Demonstrated in April-May, 1999 at Imperial Chemical Company's Explosives Incinerator
Milestones:  Completed Incomplete DM FY 97 DM FY 98 DM FY 99   IT - ITSR Publication; PR - Peer Review; DP - Deployment; AI - Available for Implementation; DM - Demonstration; BST - Bench-Scale Testing;
9/19/02 Characterization, Monitoring and Sensor Technology OST Ref #: 18