This topic addresses air toxics and fine particulate (PM_2.5) air pollution (less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter). Important air pollution priorities include reducing emissions from small air pollution sources with large numbers of establishments, particularly small industrial boilers, auto body and paint shops and restaurants. This topic also includes air pollution monitoring.

AIR POLLUTION CONTROL

Many air pollution sources emit multiple pollutants which are released from a variety of processes present at a particular facility. These emissions are either released out a stack (point source) or at many points throughout a process (fugitive). Over the last twenty to thirty years, many of the pollutants and processes have been regulated through a multitude of different regulatory actions. Future efforts to address source emissions and associated risks will increasingly address an entire facility rather than individual emission points. In order to effectively implement such an approach, technologies are needed that can more holistically address emissions from key sectors contributing to air pollution. The goal will be to identify technological options that can address multiple emissions of concern with integrated technologies that are less costly than the technologies used to address the pollutants individually. While innovative approaches for all types of sources are of interest, there is particular interest in small sources that collectively are a significant pollution source and often do not have the economic means or expertise to install multiple costly technologies. Examples of these types of sources include small industrial boilers and auto body shops and paint plants that emit particulates and volatile organics. Restaurants and establishments that use fryers, broilers, grills and other cookers to prepare food products are a problem source of particulates and other air pollutants. Large numbers of small sources collectively become a significant contributor to air pollution. EPA needs include:

• New technologies, process redesigns or other approaches that can reduce multiple pollutants from key sectors including refinery operations, pulp and paper mills and cement kilns at equal or lower costs than existing single pollutant technologies.
• Retrofit and inexpensive air pollution control devices for small oil and coal-fired industrial boilers. These small sources (between 10 and 100 million BTU boilers) are collectively large contributors to Particulate Matter and other air pollution. EPA is also interested in technologies that help small fabric filters and electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) function more effectively.
• Inexpensive and low maintenance retrofit technologies are needed for auto body shops and paint plants. Auto body shops repair automotive bodies and interiors and provide automotive painting and refinishing, emitting particulates and volatile organics. Paint plants mix pigments, solvents and binders into paint and other coating such as stains, lacquers and water repellent coatings. Plants also manufacture paint removers and cleaners.
• Reformulations of stains and lacquers that reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter are also needed. Reformulations may be less expensive and easier to use than retrofit technologies.
• Effective and inexpensive air pollution control devices for restaurants and establishments that use fryers, broilers, grills and other cookers to prepare food products. Simple retrofit technologies are needed to remove particulates (PM_2.5), VOCs and other air pollutants. Retrofit technologies need to be inexpensive, easy to operate and low maintenance.
• Power plant systems that utilize biomass mixed with coal to reduce particulate matter, mercury and/or other air pollutants.

AIR POLLUTION MONITORING

Better air pollution monitors are needed for measuring Particulate Matter (PM), ammonia, and other air pollutants. Needs include but are not limited to:

• Instruments that can speciate the PM coarse fraction on a real-time or near real-time basis as needed by the new NCore monitoring network. PM coarse fraction is defined as the fine particles in the 10 micron to 2.5 micron size range.
• Instruments that can quantify semi-volatile compounds (e.g., naphthalene and other polycyclic compounds) in a semi-continuous time scale.
• Instruments that are able to semi-continuously characterize pollutants in either the gas or p phase and have a means to separate particles into fine particles (less than PM_2.5) and coarse particles (particle size between PM₁₀ and PM_2.5).
• Development of an improved reliable and real time instrument for methane and non-methane organic compounds (NMOC). Instrument should have an internal zero air supply and no carrier gas or at least carrier gas at low flow to extend operation times to months instead of weeks. Detection limits for NMOC should be in the ppb range, auto range capability to catch events at more than 50 ppm. Full remote control capability by modem and capability of being networked to other continuous instruments at the site.