Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) Cotton ginning operations will be evaluated for both stack and ambient PM emissions. Objectives of the study are: (1) Develop PM2.5 emission factors and verify current PM10 and TSP emission factors for cotton gins across the cotton belt through stack sampling, (2) Develop a robust data set that can be used in the design, development, and evaluation of current and future air quality low-level dispersion models. This data set will consist of stack and ambient sampling data, (3) Characterize PM emitted from cotton gins across the cotton belt in terms of particle size distribution, particle density, and particle shape, and (4) Collect field data to further quantify PM10 and PM2.5 EPA federal reference method stack and ambient sampler errors. Approach (from AD-416) Current plans include sampling gins in South Texas, California, West Texas, and Missouri. A Gin and Air Quality Advisory group was established to develop a solid support base that can use the data generated from the studies to address the over-sampling and model over-prediction issues from a policy or regulatory basis. Prior to testing a specific cyclone, a stack extension with straightening vanes will be attached to the cyclone exit tube. Stack sampling methods will include OTM 27, the EPA method for measuring PM2.5 stack emissions, Method 201A, a standard EPA method for measuring PM10 stack emissions, and Method 17, a standard EPA method for measuring TSP stack emissions. Stack sampling will adhere to EPA protocols and will be performed by a certified stack sampling company under the supervision of the investigators. Ambient air sampling will be conducted by USDA-ARS personnel and will follow the USDA-ARS Air Quality Laboratory protocols. All samples will be analyzed by the USDA-ARS Air Quality Lab in Lubbock, TX. Gravimetric, particle size, particle shape, and particle density analysis will be conducted. All data will be compiled and organized for outside review. The results will be compiled in a report to various state, regional, and national cotton ginners' associations, with preliminary reports after each season of sampling. The research will be documented in the form of a series of manuscripts in peer reviewed technical journals to further disseminate the information for wider acceptance by the regulatory agencies and the scientific community. This project was continued with project 6235-41000-008-43R and was a companion project with 6235-41000-008-33R, -27R, and -40T as part of a larger, four-year effort to quantify cotton gin particulate emissions. Previous work in FY2009 and FY2010 included sampling and analysis of samples from cotton gins in New Mexico, south Texas, California, and Missouri. Work on this project in FY2011 by ARS Researchers from Mesilla Park, NM; Stoneville, MS; and Lubbock, TX, and Oklahoma State University researchers from Stillwater, OK, occurred in two main areas: Sampling and Data and Sample Analyses. In October 2010, 10 unique process stream exhausts equipped with cyclones at a cotton gin in west Texas were each sampled using EPA methods for stack sampling total particulate, particulate less than 10 microns in diameter, and particulate less than 2.5 microns in diameter. The cotton gin was also surrounded by an array of 124 ambient samplers to measure the concentration of particulate around the gin as impacted by the gin emissions. Ambient samplers were operated for a total of 10 days while the exhaust stack sampling was conducted. More than 1500 samples were collected at the west Texas gin and transported to the ARS Air Quality Laboratory in Lubbock for processing. Researchers were on site for more than two and one-half weeks. Sample analyses conducted at the ARS Air Quality Laboratory from October through December focused on processing more than 3000 samples collected at the gin in west Texas and a gin sampled in Missouri at the end of FY2009. Samples were unpacked, inspected, sorted, and individually photographed. Gravimetric analyses of all the samples from Missouri and approximately 75% of the samples from west Texas were completed. Preparations for particle size analyses were begun. The researchers completed a manuscript documenting the sampling plan and methodology for the overall project and prepared a presentation and proceedings paper for the 2011 Beltwide Cotton Conferences in Atlanta, GA, detailing the progress of the project to date.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) Cotton ginning operations will be evaluated for both stack and ambient PM emissions. Objectives of the study are: (1) Develop PM2.5 emission factors and verify current PM10 and TSP emission factors for cotton gins across the cotton belt through stack sampling, (2) Develop a robust data set that can be used in the design, development, and evaluation of current and future air quality low-level dispersion models. This data set will consist of stack and ambient sampling data, (3) Characterize PM emitted from cotton gins across the cotton belt in terms of particle size distribution, particle density, and particle shape, and (4) Collect field data to further quantify PM10 and PM2.5 EPA federal reference method stack and ambient sampler errors. Approach (from AD-416) Current plans include sampling gins in South Texas, California, West Texas, and Missouri. A Gin and Air Quality Advisory group was established to develop a solid support base that can use the data generated from the studies to address the over-sampling and model over-prediction issues from a policy or regulatory basis. Prior to testing a specific cyclone, a stack extension with straightening vanes will be attached to the cyclone exit tube. Stack sampling methods will include OTM 27, the EPA method for measuring PM2.5 stack emissions, Method 201A, a standard EPA method for measuring PM10 stack emissions, and Method 17, a standard EPA method for measuring TSP stack emissions. Stack sampling will adhere to EPA protocols and will be performed by a certified stack sampling company under the supervision of the investigators. Ambient air sampling will be conducted by USDA-ARS personnel and will follow the USDA-ARS Air Quality Laboratory protocols. All samples will be analyzed by the USDA-ARS Air Quality Lab in Lubbock, TX. Gravimetric, particle size, particle shape, and particle density analysis will be conducted. All data will be compiled and organized for outside review. The results will be compiled in a report to various state, regional, and national cotton ginners' associations, with preliminary reports after each season of sampling. The research will be documented in the form of a series of manuscripts in peer reviewed technical journals to further disseminate the information for wider acceptance by the regulatory agencies and the scientific community. Work on this project in FY2010 fell mainly into three categories: 1) Planning and Preparation, 2) Sampling, and 3) Sample Analyses. The first sampling campaigns in New Mexico and South Texas were completed in FY2009. All samples for the NM gin (approximately 1800) and for the South TX gin (approximately 1400) were taken to the USDA-ARS AQL in Lubbock, TX, and analyses were begun and continued into FY2010. Although processing the samples was a high priority, the primary focus was to prepare for and sample the two California gins in October and then prepare for the two gins to be sampled Fall 2010. The planning and preparation process for the sampling campaigns progressed in several different areas. The PIs made site evaluations at the gins to assess each site's potential and to lay out the pre-developed sampler arrays using GPS units. While on site, measurements and adjustments to the airflow for each gin system to be sampled were made to ensure that they were operating according to regulations. Since the gins used their gin yard for module storage, an additional site visit to those gins was required prior to the ginning season to bury electrical lines for the samplers. The cyclone extensions with sampling ports were specified and ordered for each gin. Also, the stack sampling and ambient sampling equipment, used during previous sampling campaigns, was cleaned, calibrated, and prepared for the upcoming sampling campaigns. Actual sampling was long and arduous for the USDA sampling crew. In October 2009, thirteen unique systems were source sampled at each of the California gins. Ambient sampling occurred over 14 days (approximately 24 hours per day). Between source and ambient sampling, over 2600 samples were collected at the two gins. The USDA crew was on site at the California gins for 4 and a half weeks. Nine systems were sampled at a gin in Missouri in September of 2010 over approximately 3 and a half weeks, with a total of approximately 1500 samples collected. Sample analysis at the Lubbock AQL occurred throughout the year. Between the five gins (NM, TX, CA, MO) sampled to date, over 7000 samples including filters and wash tubs have been brought back to the AQL for analysis. Photographs of every sample to document anomalies were taken. Gravimetric analyses of all the New Mexico (approximately 1800) and Texas (approximately 1400) samples and California samples (approximately 2600) were completed. Particle size distribution analyses were also completed on all samples from gins in New Mexico, South Texas, and California. The project will continue in FY2010 with a gin to be sampled in West Texas and continued sample and data analyses. The investigators are currently working on a manuscript detailing the sampling plan for the project and presentations on the sampling plan were made at the 2010 Beltwide Cotton Conferences in San Antonio, Texas.
Impacts
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Publications
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