Measuring Stack Plume

[TJT]

Hello,
I work in the Instrumentation Department for a large Mining
& Smelting company. I've been asked to search for a device that would help us monitor the visual aspects of the plume from one of our stacks (approx. 200 feet high). we already have sensors in place for SO2, particulate, etc, so what we require is some means of measuring/trending the asthetics of the plume so that we can say (more scientifically) that the plume is better or worse than before.
Thanks in advance.

 

[ash9144]

You are looking for an opacity meter. Search for that and find a group that has experience in your state, most opacity rules are set state to state. Get some references from them and check out their success in your state.

 

[TJT]

Thanks for your quick reply. It may be very difficult to install something in-line, so I was hoping that there might be a handheld or remote instrument that could be aimed at the plume itself.
Thanks again.

 

[ash9144]

Most of the instruments would be at top of stack so you wouldn't have to cut into the stack. I don't know of any hand held devices. Most people still just do it physically with a trained person.

 

[jistre]

Way I always knew to do it was with a guy holding a sheet of paper with different shades of gray on it at arm's length in one hand and the other hand shielding his eyes from the sun (or covering them up and seeing no evil if the plume wasn't quite the right shade, depending on the company).

There's one thing to remember about handheld or external devices, and that is that the farther you move from the plume, the more likely it is that weather conditions will affect the reading you're going to get. If the plant's shut down on an overcast day, from the ground, the handheld device is still going to see gray and try to tell you how dark your stack exhaust is. An inline device is measuring just the exhaust before it leaves the stack and is more accurate and trustworthy information. Just something to think of.