The ICG Technical Committee 13 have reviewed the methods for sampling & analysing selenium emissions from glass furnaces. Selenium is an important constituent of some types of glass but unfortunately, due to its high volatility, much of the selenium added to the batch of such glasses leaves the furnace in the waste gases. Accurate sampling, & subsequent analysis of the selenium in emissions are important both to understand its environmental impact & because its presence in waste gas is often controlled by statutory limits. This position paper assesses selenium emissions in relation to its unique chemical properties & describes how understanding these are required to understand waste gas chemistry, determine appropriate sampling methods, & to produce an accurate mass balance for selenium through the melting & emission processes.
