at the sampling site by plugging the nozzle and pulling a 380 millimeter mercury, 15 inch
mercury, vacuum. A lower vacuum may be used if it is not exceeded during the test. If a
heat-resistant fiberglass, graphite, or other material string is used, do not connect the probe
to the train during the leak check. Instead, leak check the train by first plugging the inlet to
the filter holder, cyclone, if applicable, and pulling a 380 millimeter mercury, 15 inch
mercury, vacuum. A lower vacuum may be used if it is not exceeded during the test. Then
connect the probe to the train and leak check at about a 25 millimeter mercury, 1 inch
mercury, vacuum. Alternatively, the probe may be leak checked with the rest of the
sampling train, in 1 step, at a 380 millimeter mercury, 15 inch mercury, vacuum. Leakage
rates in excess of 4% of the average sampling rate or 0.00057 cubic meters per minute,
0.02 cubic feet per minute,, whichever is less, are unacceptable. The following leak check
instructions for the sampling train described in APTD-0576 and APTD-058 may be helpful.
Start the pump with the bypass valve fully open and the coarse adjust valve completely
closed. Partially open the coarse adjust valve and slowly close the bypass valve until the
desired vacuum is reached. Do not reverse the direction of the bypass valve, as this will
cause water to back up into the filter holder. If the desired vacuum is exceeded, either leak
check at this higher vacuum or end the leak check and start over. When the leak check is
completed, first slowly remove the plug from the inlet to the probe, filter holder, or cyclone,
if applicable, and immediately turn off the vacuum pump. This prevents the water in the
impingers from being forced backward into the filter holder and prevents silica gel from
being entrained backward into the third impinger.
(II) Leak checks during sample run. If, during the sampling run, a component, such as
a filter assembly or impinger, change becomes necessary, a leak check must be conducted
immediately before the change is made. The leak check must be done according to the
procedure outlined in paragraph (iv)(D)(I) of this subdivision, except that it must be done
at a vacuum equal to or greater than the maximum value recorded up to that point in the
test. If the leakage rate is found to be not more than 0.00057 cubic meters per minute, 0.02
cubic feet per minute, or 4% of the average sampling rate, whichever is less, the results are
acceptable and no correction need be applied to the total volume of dry gas metered. If,
however, a higher leakage rate is obtained, the tester shall either record the leakage rate
and plan to correct the sample volume, as shown in subdivision (f)(iii) of R 336.2011, or
shall void the sampling run. Immediately after component changes, leak checks are
optional. If the leak checks are done, the procedure outlined in paragraph (iv)(D)(I) of this
subdivision must be used.
(III) Post-test leak check. A leak check is mandatory at the conclusion of each sampling
run. The leak check must be done in accordance with the procedures outlined in paragraph
(iv)(D)(I) of this subdivision, except that it must be conducted at a vacuum equal to or
greater than the maximum value reached during the sampling run. If the leakage rate is
found to be not more than 0.00057 cubic meters per minute, 0.02 cubic feet per minute, or
4% of the average sampling rate, whichever is less, the results are acceptable and no
correction need be applied to the total volume of dry gas metered. If, however, a higher
leakage rate is obtained, the tester shall either record the leakage rate and correct the sample
volume, as shown in subdivision (f)(iii) of R 336.2011, or shall void the sampling run.
(E) Particulate train operation. During the sampling run, maintain an isokinetic
sampling rate that is within 10% of true isokinetic, unless otherwise specified by the
department. For each run, record the data required on a data sheet such as the one shown
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