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LOGO: Journal of Cotton Science

 

Second Stage Mote System PM10 Emission Factors and Rates for Cotton Gins: Method 201A PM10 Sizing Cyclones

Authors: Michael D. Buser, Derek P. Whitelock, J. Clif Boykin, and Gregory A. Holt
Pages: 289-299
Engineering and Ginning

This report is part of a project to characterize cotton gin emissions from the standpoint of stack sampling. The impetus behind this project was the urgent need to collect cotton gin emissions data to address current regulatory issues. A key component of this study was focused on EPA emission factors for particulate matter with a particle diameter nominally less than or equal to 10 µm (PM10). The 1996 EPA AP-42 emission factors were assigned quality ratings, from A (Excellent) to E (Poor), to assess the quality of the data being referenced. Emission factor quality ratings for cotton gins are extremely low. Also, some commonly used cotton gin systems were not represented or were combined with another system under a single emission factor in AP-42. There were no 1996 EPA AP-42 emission factors published for 2nd stage mote systems. The objective of this study was to collect PM10 emission factor data for 2nd stage mote systems at cotton gins located in regions across the cotton belt based on EPA-approved stack sampling methodology, Method 201A. The project plan included sampling seven cotton gins across the cotton belt. Key factors for selecting specific cotton gins included: 1) facility location, 2) production capacity, 3) processing systems. and 4) abatement technologies. Five of the seven gins were equipped with 2nd stage mote systems that were not combined with 1st stage mote systems. In terms of capacity, the five gins were typical of the industry, averaging 29.4 bales/h during testing. The 2nd stage mote system average emission factors for PM10 and total particulate were 0.0081 kg/227-kg bale (0.018 lb/500-lb bale) and 0.011 kg/bale (0.025 lb/bale), respectively. System average PM10 and total particulate emission factors were lower than those currently published in EPA AP-42 for 1st and 2nd stage mote systems combined. The 2nd stage mote system PM10 emission rate test averages ranged from 0.072 to 0.59 kg/h (0.16-1.31 lb/h). The ratio of 2nd stage mote system PM10 to total particulate was 72.1%.