ARS | Publication request: Overflow system PM2.5 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. Overflow system PM2.5 emission factors and rates for cotton gins. Journal of Cotton Science. REPORT #OSU12-57.

Technical Abstract: This manuscript is part of a series of manuscripts that detail a project to characterize cotton gin emissions from the standpoint of stack and ambient sampling. The impetus behind the project was the 2006 EPA implementation of a more stringent standard for particulate matter less than or equal to 2.5 µm (PM2.5) and the fact that there was very little available cotton gin PM2.5 emissions data. The objective for this study was the development of PM2.5 emission factors for cotton gin overflow systems based on the EPA approved stack sampling methodology, Other Test Method 27. 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. Three of the seven gins had overflow systems that the exhaust airstreams were not combined with other major systems. One gin sampled had an overflow system that the exhaust was combined with a trash handling system prior to the cyclone. In terms of capacity, the three gins were typical of the industry; averaging 27.5 bales/hr during testing. Average measured PM2.5 emission factor based on the three tests (9 total test runs) was 0.004 kg/bale (0.009 lb/bale). The project emission factors for PM10 and total particulate were 0.018 kg/bale (0.040 lb/bale) and 0.041 kg/bale (0.090 lb/bale), respectively. The PM2.5 emission rate from test averages ranged from 0.03 to 0.21 kg/hr (0.06 to 0.47 lb/hr). The ratios of PM2.5 to total particulate, PM2.5 to PM10, and PM10 to total particulate were 9.7, 21.7, and 44.7%, respectively.