Study on distributions and recoveries of tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in a mm5 sampling train

14C-dioxin tracers were used to evaluate whole MM5 sampling train recoveries of dioxin and to determine the distribution of dioxins spiked into a sampling train that was concurrently sampling emissions from a burn of either natural gas ('clean' burn) or kerosene ('dirty' burn). The spike tests were made with a pilot-scale furnace constructed and operated in the laboratory. Recovery of 14C-dioxin from the MM5 sampling train was determined by scintillation spectrometry. The experimental results indicate that the amount of spiked TCDD-14C recovered was approximately 85% during a natural gas test and 83% during a kerosene test. The amount of spiked OCDD-14C recovered was approximately 88% during a kerosene test. Also, the data indicate that during the kerosene tests OCDD-14C is collected primarily in the front half of the sampling train but TCDD-14C is often found in the XAD and the rear filter bell, riser and condenser of the sampling train. During the natural gas tests, TCDD-14C was primarily in the XAD. The distribution of the TCDD-14C in the kerosene tests was dependent on the rigid operation of the sampling train. The information from the study will be used to determine procedural areas that need improvements or modifications to allow the efficient collection and accurate determination of trace levels of dioxins and furans using the MM5 Method