US EPA Method - 3a

Method 3A 8/3/2017
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official version. To see a complete version including any recent edits, visit:
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Environment.
METHOD 3A—DETERMINATION OF OXYGEN AND CARBON DIOXIDE CONCENTRATIONS IN

EMISSIONS FROM STATIONARY SOURCES (INSTRUMENTAL ANALYZER PROCEDURE)
1.0 Scope and Application
What is Method 3A?
Method 3A is a procedure for measuring oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in stationary
source emissions using a continuous instrumental analyzer. Quality assurance and quality control
requirements are included to assure that you, the tester, collect data of known quality. You must
document your adherence to these specific requirements for equipment, supplies, sample
collection and analysis, calculations, and data analysis.
This method does not completely describe all equipment, supplies, and sampling and analytical
procedures you will need but refers to other methods for some of the details. Therefore, to obtain
reliable results, you should also have a thorough knowledge of these additional test methods
which are found in appendix A to this part:
(a) Method 1—Sample and Velocity Traverses for Stationary Sources.
(b) Method 3—Gas Analysis for the Determination of Molecular Weight.
(c) Method 4—Determination of Moisture Content in Stack Gases.
(d) Method 7E—Determination of Nitrogen Oxides Emissions from Stationary Sources

(Instrumental Analyzer Procedure).
1.1 Analytes. What does this method determine? This method measures the concentration of
oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Analyte CAS No. Sensitivity

Oxygen (O2) 7782-44-7 Typically <2% of Calibration Span.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) 124-38-9 Typically <2% of Calibration Span.
1.2 Applicability. When is this method required? The use of Method 3A may be required by
specific New Source Performance Standards, Clean Air Marketing rules, State Implementation
Plans and permits, where measurements of O2 and CO2 concentrations in stationary source
emissions must be made, either to determine compliance with an applicable emission standard or
to conduct performance testing of a continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS). Other
regulations may also require the use of Method 3A.
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Method 3A 8/3/2017
1.3 Data Quality Objectives. How good must my collected data be? Refer to section 1.3 of
Method 7E.
2.0 Summary of Method
In this method, you continuously or intermittently sample the effluent gas and convey the sample
to an analyzer that measures the concentration of O2 or CO2. You must meet the performance
requirements of this method to validate your data.
3.0 Definitions
Refer to section 3.0 of Method 7E for the applicable definitions.
4.0 Interferences [Reserved]

5.0 Safety
Refer to section 5.0 of Method 7E.
6.0 Equipment and Supplies
Figure 7E-1 in Method 7E is a schematic diagram of an acceptable measurement system.
6.1 What do I need for the measurement system? The components of the measurement system are
described (as applicable) in sections 6.1 and 6.2 of Method 7E, except that the analyzer described
in section 6.2 of this method must be used instead of the analyzer described in Method 7E. You
must follow the noted specifications in section 6.1 of Method 7E except that the requirements to
use stainless steel, Teflon, or non-reactive glass filters do not apply. Also, a heated sample line is
not required to transport dry gases or for systems that measure the O2 or CO2 concentration on a
dry basis, provided that the system is not also being used to concurrently measure SO2 and/or
NOX.
6.2 What analyzer must I use? You must use an analyzer that continuously measures O2 or CO2
in the gas stream and meets the specifications in section 13.0.
7.0 Reagents and Standards
7.1 Calibration Gas. What calibration gases do I need? Refer to Section 7.1 of Method 7E for the
calibration gas requirements. Example calibration gas mixtures are listed below. Pre-cleaned or
scrubbed air may be used for the O2 high-calibration gas provided it does not contain other gases
that interfere with the O2 measurement.
(a) CO2 in Nitrogen (N2).
(b) CO2/SO2 gas mixture in N2.
(c) O2/SO2 gas mixture in N2.

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Method 3A 8/3/2017
(d) O2/CO2/SO2 gas mixture in N2.
(e) CO2/NOX gas mixture in N2.
(f) CO2/SO2/NOX gas mixture in N2.
The tests for analyzer calibration error and system bias require high-, mid-, and low-level gases.
7.2 Interference Check. What reagents do I need for the interference check? Potential
interferences may vary among available analyzers. Table 7E-3 of Method 7E lists a number of
gases that should be considered in conducting the interference test.
8.0 Sample Collection, Preservation, Storage, and Transport
8.1 Sampling Site and Sampling Points. You must follow the procedures of section 8.1 of
Method 7E to determine the appropriate sampling points, unless you are using Method 3A only
to determine the stack gas molecular weight and for no other purpose. In that case, you may use
single-point integrated sampling as described in section 8.2.1 of Method 3. If the stratification
test provisions in section 8.1.2 of Method 7E are used to reduce the number of required sampling
points, the alternative acceptance criterion for 3-point sampling will be ±0.5 percent CO2 or O2,
and the alternative acceptance criterion for single-point sampling will be ±0.3 percent CO2 or O2.
In that case, you may use single-point integrated sampling as described in section 8.2.1 of
Method 3.
8.2 Initial Measurement System Performance Tests. You must follow the procedures in section
8.2 of Method 7E. If a dilution-type measurement system is used, the special considerations in
section 8.3 of Method 7E apply.
8.3 Interference Check. The O2 or CO2 analyzer must be documented to show that interference
effects to not exceed 2.5 percent of the calibration span. The interference test in section 8.2.7 of
Method 7E is a procedure that may be used to show this. The effects of all potential interferences
at the concentrations encountered during testing must be addressed and documented. This testing
and documentation may be done by the instrument manufacturer.
8.4 Sample Collection. You must follow the procedures in section 8.4 of Method 7E.
8.5 Post-Run System Bias Check and Drift Assessment. You must follow the procedures in
section 8.5 of Method 7E.
9.0 Quality Control

Follow quality control procedures in section 9.0 of Method 7E.
10.0 Calibration and Standardization
Follow the procedures for calibration and standardization in section 10.0 of Method 7E.
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Method 3A 8/3/2017
11.0 Analytical Procedures
Because sample collection and analysis are performed together (see section 8), additional
discussion of the analytical procedure is not necessary.
12.0 Calculations and Data Analysis
You must follow the applicable procedures for calculations and data analysis in section 12.0 of
Method 7E, substituting percent O2 and percent CO2 for ppmv of NOX as appropriate.
13.0 Method Performance
The specifications for the applicable performance checks are the same as in section 13.0 of
Method 7E except for the alternative specifications for system bias, drift, and calibration error. In
these alternative specifications, replace the term “0.5 ppmv” with the term “0.5 percent O2” or
“0.5 percent CO2” (as applicable).
14.0 Pollution Prevention [Reserved]

15.0 Waste Management [Reserved]
16.0 Alternative Procedures [Reserved]
17.0 References
1. “EPA Traceability Protocol for Assay and Certification of Gaseous Calibration Standards”
September 1997 as amended, EPA-600/R-97/121.
18.0 Tables, Diagrams, Flowcharts, and Validation Data
Refer to section 18.0 of Method 7E.

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Method 3A 8/3/2017

METHOD 3A—DETERMINATION OF OXYGEN AND CARBON DIOXIDE CONCENTRATIONS IN

(a) Method 1—Sample and Velocity Traverses for Stationary Sources.

(b) Method 3—Gas Analysis for the Determination of Molecular Weight.

(c) Method 4—Determination of Moisture Content in Stack Gases.

(d) Method 7E—Determination of Nitrogen Oxides Emissions from Stationary Sources

Analyte CAS No. Sensitivity

2.0 Summary of Method

Refer to section 3.0 of Method 7E for the applicable definitions.

4.0 Interferences [Reserved]

Refer to section 5.0 of Method 7E.

6.0 Equipment and Supplies

Figure 7E-1 in Method 7E is a schematic diagram of an acceptable measurement system.

7.0 Reagents and Standards

(a) CO2 in Nitrogen (N2).

(b) CO2/SO2 gas mixture in N2.

(c) O2/SO2 gas mixture in N2.

(d) O2/CO2/SO2 gas mixture in N2.

(e) CO2/NOX gas mixture in N2.

(f) CO2/SO2/NOX gas mixture in N2.

8.0 Sample Collection, Preservation, Storage, and Transport

9.0 Quality Control

11.0 Analytical Procedures

12.0 Calculations and Data Analysis

13.0 Method Performance

14.0 Pollution Prevention [Reserved]

18.0 Tables, Diagrams, Flowcharts, and Validation Data

Refer to section 18.0 of Method 7E.

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