Frequently Asked Questions

Your requirements always depends on the specific language within your permit or in the specific rule. But normally these are not accepted averaging periods. Bag filter monitoring is different than other Operating Parameter Limits (OPLs). Normal OPL monitoring can be Rule specific, but most compliance OPLs require valid 1-minute averages to create a 15-minute average. Valid 15-minute averages are used to create valid hour averages and the valid hourly averages are used to create 3, 6 or 12 hour rolling averages.

BLDs are monitored continuously (once per second) for alarms due to the fact that most peaks in baghouses can be less than a few seconds in duration. Monitoring for events less frequently will not provide a true representation of the filter operation.

YES. We currently provide these services to many of our clients. They can be tailored to your specific needs whether it be a monthly maintenance and response test to a multi-year contract.

This is a dimensionless relative number that is related to the dust/PM concentration that are passing by the sensor rod. The absolute reading can vary due to particle size and material's ability to carry a charge as well as any process changes that can affect the charge applied to the particles. Again, this is just a relative number. More information can be obtained in the User Forums.

Copies of all manuals and documents can be obtained through the website for all valid users. If the document/manual you are seeking is not provided please contact support via email at support@b3systems.com or +1-919-790-9090.

The two values are completely independent of each other. The PM limit is based on the results of a specific EPA test method while the BLD limits are based on the results from your BLD sensor, which are site specific. Please contact B3 Systems directly or become a member of our User Forums for more details and specifics.

There are two (2) recommended Belden cables that can be used. The first is a Belden 9402. This cable has a non-UV jacket and is recommended for running inside conduit. The second is a Belden 1075A. This cable has a UV jacket and can be run outside of conduit in the elements. Both cables have two twisted pairs of wire. One pair can be used to the RS485 and the other for power (24 vdc) to the sensor.

Rain, as long as it does not get inside the duct, should not affect the sensor readings under normal circumstances. However we have seen several situations where the rain resulted in process changes and/or physical changes to the sensor operation. These include:

1. Increased moisture in the process causing condensation in the gas stream
2. Excessive cooling which resulted in condensation in the process stand-off which lead to contamination and a signal short circuit
3. Contracting of the duct due to cooling effect and causing buildup on walls to release
4. Changes to the grounding of the unit

Water droplets carry a charge and can be detected the same as solids particles. This can be good if you want to detect the presence of water droplets, but if you are only wanting to monitor solid particles, then Dynamic Induction technology would not be a good fit for this application.

The total amount of POHC feed can be site specific based other compounds and potential analytical interferences. For planning purposes only, B3 Systems has created a DRE Calculator. Make sure you consult with your stack testers on their methods and the detection limits for the most up to date information.

In most situations, a dispersion of titanium dioxide (TiO2), DiDp or water-based, is used since it is inert and non-reactive. However some testing requires a specific form of ash.

Depending on the testing requirements and the spiking materials, we can spike a gas directly or we can vaporize a liquid organic stream.

We actually do not know the exact number. B3 Systems created the commercial spiking business in 1992 when we saw a big need for precise control of materials during the first round of BIF testing. Since then we have expanded our capabilities to spike gases and solids for all kinds of testing requirements such as scrubber efficiency and acceptance testing.

The best option is to always use native material. This way the PM monitor will have the same response as a process upset condition.

We use loss-in-weight feeders which accurately measures the weight of material and calculates the mass feed rate of the injection. Therefore we can tell the mass feed rate rate on a minute to minute basis.

Yes, we actually inject downstream of the wet scrubber to minimize the scrubbing effects of water droplets, which reduces the total amount of inject PM required for testing. Injecting at wet scrubbers is very site specific and normally we require a pre-test site visit for new locations.

No, we have realized that baghouses and processes are not particle size selective when an upset or broken bag occurs. The gas velocities and duct configuration of each process defines what particle sizes will actually get transported to the stack and the PM monitor. Therefore feeding in a wide range of particles is actually closer to the conditions that will be seen by the monitor during a bag failure or upset condition.