34 Air Monitoring


Forecasted spike in carbon capture promises rise in new environmental pollutant TALKING POINT


As global attention on climate change and carbon footprints intensifi es, businesses are desperately seeking solutions to mitigate their emissions. One technology that has taken the forefront in this fi ght is Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).


While CCS holds promise in capturing up to 20% of CO2 from fl ue gas streams, it inadvertently gives rise to concerns about amine emissions, a byproduct of this process.


CCS employs amine-based solvents, widely recognized for their effi ciency in removing CO2


from industrial emissions. This


popularity stems from amine systems’ eff ectiveness, cost-saving ability due to normal operating temperatures and pressures, and its established use in gas sweetening processes.


Yet, the CCS process isn’t fl awless. Amines, during carbon capturing, can leach into the environment. This leaching can occur via various avenues, such as acid reactions, evaporation, or oxidation. Consequently, there are concerns about amine emissions from exhaust gas streams, potential leaks from the system, and contamination of wastewater effl uents.


While amine emissions warrant attention, what they transform into might be even more alarming. Research indicates that nitramine and nitrosamine, degradation products of amines, may have poor biodegradability, high toxicity, and increased


mobility. As a result, there’s growing apprehension about their long-term eff ects on human health, especially when found in drinking water. Although current concentrations of these compounds remain low in our environment, their potential to persist and accumulate necessitates further investigation.


Despite the recognised importance of understanding these emissions, a lack of regulation around amine concentrations in fl ue streams and wastewater makes it challenging to get a clear picture. The absence of standardised data collection also creates knowledge gaps about the true scale and impact of these emissions in natural settings.


As amine emissions come under scrutiny, the fi nancial aspects of carbon off setting also paint a concerning picture. PwC’s research indicates that the cost of carbon off setting could skyrocket by 2030. In 2022, FTSE 350 companies reported £38m in voluntary carbon off set purchases. This amount is projected to soar by over 256% to £135m in a decade, potentially reaching £365m by 2050.


Most of these off sets currently fall under “avoidance off sets” – projects focusing on reducing emissions, such as renewable energy or forest conservation. However, many argue for the prioritisation of “removal off sets,” which involve extracting


and storing CO2 . If companies were to pivot predominantly


towards removal off sets, the costs could surge to an overwhelming £438m by 2030 and peak at £2.6bn by 2037.


This economic strain raises concerns about companies’ abilities to achieve their net-zero targets. As costs escalate, businesses might fi nd it increasingly challenging to aff ord these off sets, especially if they haven’t factored in these anticipated price hikes.


With the dual challenges of potential environmental repercussions from amine emissions and the steep costs of carbon off setting, businesses are at a crossroads. To navigate these challenges, companies must adopt longer-term off set purchase agreements, develop internal carbon pricing mechanisms, and place a greater emphasis on genuine decarbonisation. Moreover, transparency in reporting their carbon off set strategies will be critical to gaining stakeholder trust.


While the quest to achieve net-zero emissions is commendable, it is essential to ensure that the methods employed do not give rise to new environmental concerns or put undue fi nancial strain on businesses. The focus should be on developing comprehensive, sustainable solutions that address both the environmental and economic aspects of carbon mitigation.


Accurate and reliable enables


fail-safe operation of combustion systems LogiDataTech’s dynamic MF-Oxy is an oxygen measurement system that can determine residual oxygen content in exhaust gas from combustion plants precisely and reliably. Therefore, with the use of a coupled controller, a plant operator can minimise the excess air specifi ed for safety reasons, optimise combustion in the boiler and thus increase effi ciency.


In this way it is possible to compensate for fl uctuations in fuel quality for modern wood fi ring. Unlike Lambda probes, which measure the relative oxygen content, this robust measuring system determines the absolute content. For this reason, fl uctuations in air pressure, humidity and temperature have no effect on the accuracy of the measurement. The system is calibrated electronically, without the need for reference gas or human intervention, in atmospheric air at the end of the furnace´s ventilation phase, thereby reducing maintenance work. The measuring range is defi ned from 0.1-25Vol% oxygen. The system is offered with a temperature range of 0-250°C or 0-350°C, and a range of probe lenghts and two types of sinters.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/ebWE For More Info, email:


email:


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60440pr@reply-direct.com


If you are passionate about accurate gas analysis or curious about optimising your gas measurement processes PSG have recently launched a new webinar series.


On 19th October, PSG will host ‘Mastering Probe Transportation’ will teach attendees some easy solutions to complicated probe transportation issues, how to make high energy and CO2


New webinar series to help CEMS operators achieve perfect sample gas


savings


with cut-to-length technology and a look at the most ubiquitous mistakes and how to avoid these traps.


Finally, on 23rd November, the last webinar in the series, ‘Probe Conditioning – the Heart of CEM Sampling’ will discuss choosing the right sample gas cooler for every application, innovative solutions and developments for probe conditioning and a checklist on how to avoid the most common mistakes.


In this comprehensive series, PSG will delve into the key topic of sample preparation for measurement gases. Proper sample preparation is the cornerstone of precise gas analysis and these webinars will guide participants through the whole process. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an absolute beginner in the fi eld, these webinars will provide you with the knowledge and ability to enhance your gas analysis workfl ows.


The webinars will be presented by a team of highly seasoned experts in the fi eld of gas analysis and sample preparation. They bring years of experience and real-world insights to help attendees overcome challenges and achieve optimal results.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/6qzX For More Info, email:


email: IET SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2023 61101pr@reply-direct.com


For More Info, email: email:


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