THE SOURCE TESTING ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GUIDE 2011


Selection of particulate monitors


Williams Averdieck, chairman of the STA's equipment suppliers task group, examines the alternative methods for continuous particulate emissions monitoring and points to a range of well-established processes, equipment and instruments


the past 30 years reflecting regulatory monitoring requirements. It supports requirements originating from LAPPC (Local Air Pollution Prevention and Control), IPPC (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control), WID (Waste Incineration Directive) and LCPD (Large Combustion Plant Directive) legislation. This guide provides and up to date overview of the issues effect- ing the quality and type of data which may be obtained in a specific industrial installation. Issues covered are: n The type of monitoring provided by the instrument (e.g. QAL1 or bagfilter leak monitoring) in response to different regulatory requirements


T


n The technology and Quality Assurance (QA features) of the instrument


n The installation considerations, instrument maintenance requirements and types of calibration/configuration procedures


Types of continuous monitoring of particulate Regulators in the UK tend to specify one of five types of continuous particulate monitoring depending on the purpose of the monitoring and the relevance of any EU directives. This has implications on the type of instrument that is selected and the type of calibration


Table 1


Type of continuous monitoring


mg/m3 with uncertainties according to EN-13284-2


Quantitative monitoring in mg/m3


Qualitative monitoring (approximate mg/m3)


Filter leak monitor


Type of instrument required


QAL 1 approved CEM (class 1 MCERTS)


CEM capable of being calibrated e.g. (Class 1 or Class 2 MCERTS approved)


CEM with output related to dust concentration (eg Class 2 MCERTS as a minimum)


Filter leak monitor with trend output (eg Class 3 MCERTS) however Class 1 or Class 2 instrument can also be used


Gross filter failure detection


Instrument designed to detect large changes in emissions


Annual


calibration procedure


QAL2 or AST including functionality test and multiple isokinetic samples


Functionality test and multiple isokinetic samples (see EA guidance RM QG-6)


Isokinetic samples plus instrument health check


Configure outputs and Instrument health check


Check alarm and Instrument health check


8 Source Testing Association Annual Guide 2011 Particulate monitors using different measurement technologies used in industrial applications


procedure that is applied to the instrument (see table 1). Processes regulated under LAPPC will also be familiar with the term ‘indicative’ monitoring which is usually interpreted as ‘filter leak’ monitoring, however in cases where the instrument is also approximately scaled by reference to an isokinetic test this should be considered as qualitative monitoring. Reflecting changes brought about in the recent review of Process Guidance Notes, Local Authorities are moving to specify ‘qualitative’ or ‘filter leak’ requirements more explicitly. MCERTS is the Environment Agency’s monitoring scheme used to promote the adoption of appropriate quality self monitoring and there is a specific certification process which applies to Continuous Emission Monitors (CEMS). This has recently updated to version 3.1 and has 3 classes of particulate monitors (QAL1 CEMS, filter dust monitors and filter leak monitors). It should be noted that while plant operators are not required to use MCERTS approved instruments in the UK except in WID and LCPD plant (where QAL1 instruments must be used), it is common for plant operators (especially in processes regulated by the Environment Agency) to use MCERTS instruments for two reasons:


1 The OMA (Operator Monitoring Assessment) scheme, applied to processes regulated under WID, LCPD and IPPC, encourages the use of MCERTS certified CEMS with its assessment criteria


2 MCERTS certification provides plant operators confidence that they have adopted Best Available Technique (BAT) and that the CEM is likely to be fit for purpose (provided used in the correct application)


Types of Particulate Instrument


There are therefore four types of particulate instrument used to satisfy regulatory requirements. 1 QAL 1 approved CEM


he installation and operation of continuous particulate emis- sion monitors in industrial processes has become well devel- oped and common practice in industrial stacks and ducts over


QAL instruments meet MCERTS for CEMS v3.1 class 1


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