Comparative Analysis of Monitoring Devices for Particulate Content in Exhaust Gases

Beatrice Castellani,Mirko Filipponi,Franco Cotana,Federico Rossi,Andrea Nicolini,Elena Morini,Massimo Palombo

doi:10.3390/su6074287

Abstract

The installation and operation of continuous particulate emission monitors in industrial processes has become well developed and common practice in industrial stacks and ducts over the past 30 years, reflecting regulatory monitoring requirements. Continuous emissions monitoring equipment is installed not only for regulatory compliance, but also for the monitoring of plant performance, calculation of emissions inventories and compilation of environmental impact assessments. Particulate matter (PM) entrained in flue gases is produced by the combustion of fuels or wastes. The size and quantity of particles released depends on the type of fuel and the design of the plant. The present work provides an overview of the main industrial emission sources, a description of the main types of monitoring systems offered by manufacturers and a comparative analysis of the currently available technologies for measuring dust releases to atmosphere.

Highlights

Over the past century, scientists and environmental regulators have focused on particulate matter (PM)as one of the major areas of air pollution study and control.Particulate matter is released as particles and includes ash, dust or rapidly agglomerating aerosols from various industrial processes via stack emissions to air [1]
Results showed that the selected particulate matter continuous emission monitoring systems (PM CEMS) required significant, unit-specific operation and development time in order to achieve acceptable calibration
The initial failure of the Environment S. A. (ESA) unit to operate properly supported the need for an initial break-in period

Summary

Introduction

Scientists and environmental regulators have focused on particulate matter (PM). Particulate matter is released as particles and includes ash, dust or rapidly agglomerating aerosols from various industrial processes via stack emissions to air [1]. The main sources of particulate include the combustion of coal, oil, gasoline/petrol, diesel, wood, biomass and high temperature industrial processes, such as smelters and steel mills. The subject of particulate continuous emission monitoring to satisfy regulatory requirements is of relatively new interest as a result of recent changes in legislation. With the advent of emission limits defined in terms of mass concentration (expressed in mg/m3), instead of in terms of color or opacity as in the past, the issue of continuous particulate monitoring has become a new and growing regulatory requirement [3]

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Results

Conclusion