Performance evaluation of laser-induced breakdown spectrometry as a multimetal continuous emission monitor

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been evaluated as a multime tal continuous emissions monitor (CEM) at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rotary kiln incinerator simulator (RKIS) facility in Raleigh, NC. Two detection systems with a bifurcated optical fiber bundle were used for simultaneously monitoring the concentrations of Be, Cd, Cr, and Hg in the test. Two calibration techniques were evaluated in the laboratory for t he field measurements. On-line calibration of relative metal concentration was also performed in the simulated incinerator gas stream. Toxic metal con centrations measured with LIES have been compared with the EPA reference me thod (RM) results.