ARS | Publication request: Master trash system total particulate emission factors and rates for cotton gins

Submitted to: Journal of Cotton Science
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: January 28, 2013
Publication Date: January 28, 2013
Citation: Buser, M.D., Whitelock, D.P., Boykin Jr, J.C., Holt, G.A. 2013. Master trash system total particulate emission factors and rates for cotton gins. Journal of Cotton Science. REPORT #OSU12-42.

Technical Abstract: This manuscript is part of a series of manuscripts that characterize cotton gin emissions from the standpoint of stack sampling. The impetus behind this project was the urgent need to collect additional cotton gin emissions data to address current regulatory issues. A key component of this study was focused on EPA total particulate emission factors. EPA AP-42 emission factors are generally assigned a rating that is used to assess the quality of the data being referenced. The ratings can range from A (Excellent) to E (Poor). EPA current total particulate emission factor quality ratings for cotton gins are extremely low. Cotton gins received these low ratings because the data was collected almost exclusively from a single geographical region. The objective for this study was to collect additional total particulate emission factor data, based on the EPA approved stack sampling methodology, for master trash systems from cotton gins located in regions across the cotton belt. The project plan included sampling seven cotton gins across the cotton belt. Key factors for selecting specific cotton gins included: 1) facility location (geographically diverse), 2) industry representative production capacity, 3) typical processing systems and 4) equipped with properly designed and maintained 1D3D cyclones. Five of the seven gins had master trash systems. In terms of capacity, the five gins were typical of the industry; averaging 34.4 bales/hr during testing. The average measured total particulate emission factor based on five tests (15 total test runs) was 0.187 kg/bale (0.411 lb/bale). The emission rate from test averages ranged from 1.92 to 11.06 kg/hr (4.23 to 24.39 lb/hr).