🏭 Isokinetic · EPA Methods 2–429 · PM10 · Dioxins/Furans · HRGC-HRMS · Ley 24.051 Table 11

Stack Emissions Monitoring

One of the few laboratories in Argentina with the complete isokinetic equipment suite to comply with EPA methods for stack emissions.

Biogroup has extensive experience in monitoring stack emissions from industrial chimneys of any diameter and height — applying the full suite of US EPA reference methods. Collecting samples from stacks is not a simple task: it requires specialised training, isokinetic equipment, a clean sample recovery protocol and laboratory capability that few providers in the country can offer end-to-end.

For dioxins and furans — the most demanding analysis in stack emissions — Biogroup performs isokinetic sampling in Argentina and analysis is completed at Keika Ventures LLC (North Carolina, USA), an associated laboratory with HRGC-HRMS capability per USEPA 1613 and 8290.

15+ EPA methods
Full method coverage
TECORA isokinetic
Any diameter & height
HRGC-HRMS
Dioxins/furans · EPA 1613
+35 years
Stack monitoring expertise
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Complete isokinetic capability
TECORA automatic isokinetic sampler (Italian manufacture) for stacks of any diameter and height. Integrated gas velocity determination, moisture content, flue gas composition and particulate matter collection in a single sampling campaign.
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Full regulatory coverage
Results reported against Argentine Ley 24.051 / Decree 831/93 Table 11 emission limits, ENRE resolutions, provincial environmental permit conditions and international benchmarks (EU IED, US MACT standards).
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Dioxins & furans end-to-end
Complete PCDD/PCDF service — isokinetic sampling in Argentina, HRGC-HRMS analysis at Keika Ventures LLC (USA) per EPA 1613 and 8290. Detection limits in the pg/kg range. Results reported as individual congeners and i-TEQ.
Why stack sampling is technically demanding
Collecting samples from stacks is not a simple task
It requires specialised knowledge, preparation and equipment — and analysts trained to the most difficult and complex challenges.
⚙️ Isokinetic requirement
Sampling must match the gas velocity in the duct to collect a representative particulate sample — requires real-time velocity measurement and flow rate adjustment.
🌡️ Extreme conditions
High temperatures (100–500°C), corrosive gases, high moisture content and pressure differentials — equipment and protocols must be designed for these conditions.
🧪 Clean sample recovery
Dioxin/furan sampling requires solvent rinsing of the entire sampling train with pesticide-grade acetone, toluene and methylene chloride in a clean, draught-free environment.
🔬 Trace-level analysis
Many regulated compounds (dioxins, furans, heavy metals) require analysis at pg/m³ levels — only achievable with HRGC-HRMS and ICP-MS instrumentation and rigorous QA.
EPA reference methods applied — complete method suite
US EPA 40 CFR Part 60 — Reference Methods for stack emissions monitoring
All EPA reference methods require isokinetic sampling conditions — the gas sample must be withdrawn from the stack at the same velocity as the flue gas to ensure representative particulate collection. Biogroup's TECORA automatic isokinetic sampler maintains isokinetic conditions continuously throughout the sampling period.
EPA Method 2 Gas Velocity and Volumetric Flow Rate
Pitot tube measurement of stack gas velocity and calculation of volumetric flow rate. The fundamental measurement that determines the isokinetic sampling rate for all subsequent methods — and the basis for mass emission rate calculations.
EPA Method 5 / 17 Particulate Matter (PM10 / Total PM)
Isokinetic particulate matter collection on heated glass fibre filter and glass-lined probe. Method 5: front-half and back-half PM. Method 17: in-stack filtration for high-moisture or high-temperature stacks. Results reported as mg/Nm³ corrected for reference conditions.
EPA Method 6 Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂)
Determination of SO₂ concentration in flue gas by midget impinger collection in hydrogen peroxide solution followed by barium-thorin titration. The standard method for SO₂ compliance monitoring at fossil fuel combustion sources.
EPA Method 7 Nitrogen Oxides (NOₓ)
Determination of NOₓ by collection in dilute sulphuric acid, oxidation to nitrate and photometric measurement. Applicable to fossil fuel combustion, industrial processes and incinerators.
EPA Method 8 Sulphuric Acid Mist and SO₃ (H₂SO₄)
Collection of H₂SO₄ mist and SO₃ on controlled-temperature glass wool plug. Separate determination from SO₂. Critical for acid plants, sulphur recovery units and smelters.
EPA Method 10 Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Determination of CO in flue gas by NDIR (non-dispersive infrared) analyser or modified Orsat analysis. Required for combustion efficiency monitoring and incinerator compliance.
EPA Method 11 Hydrogen Sulphide (H₂S)
H₂S collection in cadmium sulphate impingers and determination by iodometric titration. Applied to pulp and paper mills, petroleum refineries and natural gas processing plants.
EPA Method 12 Lead (Pb)
Isokinetic collection of lead particulate on filter and in acid impingers. Analysis by AAS or ICP-OES. Required for secondary lead smelters, battery manufacturers and other lead-emitting sources.
EPA Method 13A Total Fluoride
Collection of gaseous and particulate fluorides by impinger and filter. Analysis by ion-selective electrode or ion chromatography. Applied to aluminium smelters, phosphate fertiliser plants, ceramic and glass manufacturing.
EPA Method 15A / 16A Total Reduced Sulphur (TRS)
Gas-phase fluorescence detection of TRS compounds (H₂S, methyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulphide, dimethyl disulphide). Applied to kraft pulp mills and other sources with sulphur odour problems.
EPA Method 18 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Measurement of gaseous organic compound emissions by GC analysis of whole-gas samples or Tedlar bag samples. Applicable to chemical plants, refineries, surface coating operations and pharmaceutical manufacturers.
EPA Method 25C Landfill Gas — Non-methane Organic Compounds
Collection of landfill gas samples for NMOC determination. Required for sanitary landfills subject to NSPS Subpart WWW. Collected in SUMMA canisters and analysed by GC-FID.
EPA Method 26 / 26A Hydrogen Chloride and Halides (HCl, HF, Cl₂)
Isokinetic collection of HCl and Cl₂ in water/alkaline impingers. Method 26A adds isokinetic particulate chloride collection. Applied to municipal waste combustors, hazardous waste incinerators and PVC manufacturers.
EPA Method 29 Heavy Metals (Multi-element)
Isokinetic collection of vapour-phase and particulate-bound metals in modified Method 5 train with additional impingers containing HNO₃/H₂O₂. Analysis by ICP-MS for Sb, As, Ba, Be, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb, Mn, Hg, Mo, Ni, P, Se, Ag, Tl, Zn. The most comprehensive stack metals method.
EPA Method 429 PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons)
Isokinetic collection of PAHs on XAD-2 resin and filter. Analysis by GC-MS. The 16 EPA priority PAHs reported including carcinogenic benzo(a)pyrene. Applied to aluminium smelters, coke ovens, carbon black plants and incinerators.
Dioxins and furans — the most demanding stack emissions analysis
PCDD/PCDF analysis — HRGC-HRMS · USEPA 1613 · 8290 · i-TEQ reporting
Sampling at Biogroup (Rosario, Argentina) · Analysis at Keika Ventures LLC (North Carolina, USA)
Isokinetic sampling — USEPA Method 23
Sampling is performed isokinetically using TECORA automatic isokinetic equipment — similar to EPA Method 5 with the modifications specified in USEPA Method 23:

• Particulate retention: glass fibre filter, pre-cleaned with pesticide-grade toluene for 16 hours and dried
• Gas-phase adsorption: XAD-2 resin cartridge, maintained below 50°C by a chilled water recirculation system between the heated filter box and the resin cartridge
• Sample recovery: complete rinsing of sampling train with pesticide-grade acetone, toluene and methylene chloride in a clean, draught-free environment
Laboratory analysis — USEPA 1613 / 8290 at Keika Ventures LLC
Sample preparation:
• Addition of ¹³C-labelled 2,3,7,8-PCDD/F isotope-dilution internal standards
• Liquid/liquid extraction · Soxhlet extraction · Accelerated solvent extraction (ASE)
• Multi-step clean-up: silica/H₂SO₄ silica column · florisil column · activated carbon treatment

Instrumental analysis:
• HRGC/HRMS (high-resolution GC / high-resolution mass spectrometry)
• Two ions monitored per analyte group and per internal standard group
• Detection limits: ~50 pg/kg (solids) · 2.5 pg (XAD-2 resins) · 1 pg/L (liquids)
Reporting: all 17 toxic 2,3,7,8-substituted congeners reported individually as absolute concentrations and as i-TEQ (international Toxic Equivalency Factors). All remaining congeners reported as totals by chlorination level (tetra- through octa-CDDs and CDFs).
Expert team
Lic. Claudio Belloso M.Sc.
Director, Biogroup — Argentina
Lorri L. White M.Sc.
Director, Analytical Services — Keika Ventures, USA
Dr. Allyson Porter
Keika Ventures, USA
Dr. Yves Tondeur
Analytical Perspectives, USA
Heather Steele Ph.D.
Project Manager, Analytical Perspectives, USA
Ley 24.051 / Decree 831/93 — Annex II, Table 11: air emissions from point sources
Complete analytical capability for all Table 11 regulated compounds
Biogroup reports results with direct comparison against Decree 831/93 Table 11 emission limits and applicable provincial permit conditions.
AcetaldehydeVinyl acetateAmmoniaAnilineArsenicBenzeneCadmiumHydrogen cyanideCyclohexaneChlorineChlorobenzeneHydrogen chlorideCresolsChromium1,2-DichloroethaneToluene diisocyanate (TDI)LeadStyreneCarbon disulphidePhenolHydrogen sulphideFluoridesCarbon tetrachlorideFormaldehydeToluenePAHsTrichloroethyleneManganeseMethyl parathionAcid mist (H₂SO₄)Nitrogen oxidesNaphthalenePhotochemical oxidants (O₃)Xylenes
Note: Decree 831/93 Table 11 establishes maximum allowable emission concentrations for point sources (stacks) from industrial facilities subject to Ley 24.051. Results are reported corrected to reference conditions (273 K, 101.3 kPa, dry basis) unless otherwise specified in the facility permit.
Industries requiring stack emissions monitoring
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Petroleum refining
SO₂ · NOₓ · H₂S · CO · VOCs · TRS
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Power generation
PM10 · SO₂ · NOₓ · CO · Hg · ENRE
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Waste incineration
Dioxins/furans · PM · HCl · heavy metals · CO
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Agro-industry
PM · NH₃ · VOCs · odour compounds
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Metallurgy & smelting
Heavy metals · PM · dioxins · PAHs · fluorides
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Chemical manufacturing
VOCs · HCl · NH₃ · acid mist · TDI · specific compounds
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Pulp & paper (kraft)
TRS · SO₂ · NOₓ · PM · odour compliance
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Cement & ceramics
PM · NOₓ · SO₂ · fluorides · heavy metals
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Landfills
Landfill gas · NMOC · H₂S · VOCs · EPA Method 25C
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Fertiliser plants
Fluorides · NH₃ · NOₓ · PM · acid mist
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Automotive coating
VOCs · EPA Method 18 · solvent emission monitoring
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Energy from waste
Dioxins/furans · PM · HCl · SO₂ · heavy metals
Applications — when stack emissions monitoring is required
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Environmental permit compliance
Periodic monitoring required under industrial facility environmental permits — demonstrating compliance with Table 11 Ley 24.051 and provincial permit conditions.
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Environmental Impact Assessment
Stack characterisation for EIA dispersion modelling inputs — mass emission rates by pollutant as the source term for AERMOD and ISCST3 models.
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Performance testing
Baseline measurement before and after installation of emission control equipment (ESP, scrubbers, fabric filters) to verify design performance.
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Legal proceedings
Defensible stack test data for environmental litigation, expert witness proceedings and regulatory enforcement responses.
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IFC / World Bank projects
Stack monitoring aligned with IFC EHS Guidelines for project finance transactions and lender monitoring requirements.
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ENRE compliance
Power plant stack testing required by ENRE (Ente Nacional Regulador de la Electricidad) for generation facility permits.
Related services
Isokinetic · EPA Methods 2–429 · Dioxins/Furans HRGC-HRMS · Ley 24.051 Table 11
Need stack emissions monitoring for your facility?
From a routine PM10 test to a complete multi-pollutant survey including dioxins and furans — Biogroup provides isokinetic stack monitoring to EPA reference methods with results compared against Argentine and international regulatory limits.
Request stack emissions monitoring →
📞 +54 341 425-6431 📞 +54 341 447-4486 ✉ biogroup@biogroup.com.ar 📍 3 de febrero 920 · Rosario, Argentina Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00