In-stack direct particulate mass measurement apparatus and method with pressure/flow compensation

摘要

The mass of particulate of an effluent gas flowing in a stack is directly measured with a mass measurement assembly supported within the stack. The mass measurement assembly preferably includes an inertial mass measurement transducer which provides near real-time mass readings. The mass measurement assembly also includes a particulate collector which can be equilibrated in situ. A pressure transducer measures a pressure differential across the equilibrated collector prior to sampling, to determine a pressure coefficient of frequency in a calibration operation. The pressure transducer also measures a pressure differential across the collector during sampling which measurement is used along with the pressure coefficient of frequency to derive an adjusted mass reading, corrected to compensate for pressure changes.