Standard Practice for Monitoring Atmospheric SO<sub>2</sub> Using the Sulfation Plate Technique

SCOPE
1.1 This practice provides a weighted average effective SO2  level for a 30-day interval through the use of the sulfation plate method, a technique for estimating the effective SO2  content of the atmosphere, and especially with regard to the atmospheric corrosion of stationary structures or panels. This practice is aimed at determining SO2  levels rather than sulfuric acid aerosol or acid precipitation.  
1.2 The results of this practice correlate approximately with volumetric SO2  concentrations, although the presence of dew or condensed moisture tends to enhance the capture of SO2  into the plate.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

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Publication Date
09-Oct-1997
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ASTM G91-97 - Standard Practice for Monitoring Atmospheric SO<sub>2</sub> Using the Sulfation Plate Technique
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: G 91 – 97
Standard Practice for
Monitoring Atmospheric SO Using the Sulfation Plate
Technique
This standard is issued under the fixed designation G 91; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript
epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope determine the extent of sulfur capture. The results are reported
in terms of milligrams of SO per square metre per day.
1.1 This practice provides a weighted average effective SO 2
level for a 30-day interval through the use of the sulfation plate
4. Significance and Use
method, a technique for estimating the effective SO content of
4.1 Atmospheric corrosion of metallic materials is a func-
the atmosphere, and especially with regard to the atmospheric
tion of many weather and atmospheric variables. The effect of
corrosion of stationary structures or panels. This practice is
specific corrodants, such as sulfur dioxide, can accelerate the
aimed at determining SO levels rather than sulfuric acid
atmospheric corrosion of metals significantly. The sulfation
aerosol or acid precipitation.
plate method provides a simple technique to independently
1.2 The results of this practice correlate approximately with
monitor the level of SO in the atmosphere to yield a weighted
volumetric SO concentrations, although the presence of dew
average result.
or condensed moisture tends to enhance the capture of SO into
4.2 Sulfation plate results may be used to characterize
the plate.
atmospheric corrosion test sites regarding the effective average
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
level of SO in the atmosphere at these locations.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.3 Sulfation plate testing is useful in determining micro-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
climate, seasonal, and long term variations in the effective
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
average level of SO .
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.4 The results of sulfation plate tests may be used in
2. Referenced Documents correlations of atmospheric corrosion rates with atmospheric
data to determine the sensitivity of the corrosion rate to SO
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2
level.
D 516 Test Methods for Sulfate Ion in Water
4.5 The sulfation plate method may also be used with other
D 2010/D2010 M Test Method for Evaluation of Total
methods to characterize the atmosphere at sites where build-
Sulfation Activity in the Atmosphere by the Lead Dioxide
3 ings or other construction is planned in order to determine the
Technique
extent of protective measures required for metallic materials.
G 16 Guide for Applying Statistics to Analysis of Corrosion
Data
5. Interferences
3. Summary of Practice 5.1 The lead peroxide reagent used in this practice may
convert other compounds such as mercaptans, hydrogen sul-
3.1 Sulfation plates consisting of a lead peroxide reagent in
fide, and carbonyl sulfide into sulfate.
an inverted dish are exposed for 30-day intervals. The plates
are recovered and sulfate analyses performed on the contents to
NOTE 1—Hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans, at concentrations which
affect the corrosion of structural metals significantly, are relatively rare in
most atmospheric environments, but their effects regarding the corrosion
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee G-1 on Corrosion
of metals are not equivalent to sulfur dioxide. Therefore, if H S, COS, or
of Metals and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee G01.04 on Atmospheric
mercaptans are present in the atmosphere, the lead peroxide method must
Corrosion.
not be used to assess atmospheric corrosivity. It should also be noted that
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 1997. Published December 1997. Originally
no actual measurements have been made which would establish the
published as G 91 – 86. Last previous edition G 91 – 92.
correlation between atmospheric H S, COS, or mercaptan level and
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01.
3 sulfation as measured by this practice.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.03.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.02.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
G91
5.2 The inverted exposure position of the sulfation plate is recorded when the plate exposure is initiated. At the termina-
intended to minimize capture of sulfuric acid aerosols and tion of exposure, the completion date should be added to the
sulfur bearing species from precipitation. exposure records.
NOTE 3—The 30 day exposure is not very discriminating in areas of
6. Sulfation Plate Preparation and Exposure
low SO concentrations. Experience has shown that 60 to 90 days
exposure may be necessary to develop a measurable SO capture on the
6.1 Sulfation plates can be prepared according to the
plate.
method of Huey. The plate preparation method is given in
Appendix X1. Laboratory prepared plates should be exposed
6.6 The sulfation plates shall be analyzed for sulfate content
within 120 days of preparation.
using any established quantitative analysis technique.
6.2 In general, the level of atmospheric sulfur dioxide varies
NOTE 4—In conducting the sulfate analysis, it is necessary to remove
seasonally during the year so that a minimal exposure program
the contents of the sulfation plate and solubilize the sulfate, for example,
requires four 30-day exposures each year at roughly equal
using a solution of sodium carbonate. It has been found that 20 mL of 50
intervals. In order to establish the atmospheric SO level at an
g/L Na CO (ACS reagent grade) is sufficient to solubilize the sulfate in
2 3
atmospheric corrosion test site which has not been monitored
this test method in a 3-hour period. Thereafter, conventional sulfate
previously, a program in which six 30-day exposures per year analysis can be employed, for example, by barium precipitation and either
gravimetric or turbidimetric analysis (see Test Methods D 516).
for a period of 3 years is recommended. More extensive testing
may be desirable if large variability is encountered in the
7. Calculation
results. Thereafter, the location should be monitored with at
least four tests in a 1-year period every 3 years. If the 7.1 The sulfate analysis provides the quantity of sulfate on
subsequent tests are not consistent with the initial testing, then
each disc analyzed. This should be converted to an SO capture
another 3-year program of six tests per year is required. Also, rate, R, by the following equation.
if a major change in the general area occurs in terms of
R 5 ~m 2 mo! 3 MWSO /MWSO 3 A 3 T (1)
2 4
industrial or urban development, then six tests per year for 3
years should again be carried out. where:
m 5 mass of sulfate found in the plate, mg,
6.3 In monitoring exposure sites, a minimum of four plates
m 5 mass of sulfate found in a blank (unexposed)
shall be used for each exposure period. 0
plate, mg,
6.3.1 Sites which have a grade or elevation variation should
MWSO 5 64,
be monitored with at least two plates at the highest elevation
MWSO 5 96,
and two plates at the lowest elevation.
A 5 area of the plate, m , and
6.3.2 Plates should be exposed, if possible, at both the
T 5 exposure time of the plate, days.
highest and lowest level above the ground at which corrosion
R 5 SO capture rate, mg SO /m day (2)
test specimens are exposed.
2 2
6.3.3 Sites larger than 10 000 m shall have at least eight
7.2 The SO capture rate may be converted to equivalent
plates exposed for each period. In rectangular sites on level
SO or SO values if desired, but for comparison purposes,
3 4
ground, it is desirable to expose two plates at each corner.
SO rates shall be used.
7.3 The average value and standard deviation of the values
NOTE 2—Some investig
...

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