Emission Monitoring

Emission monitoring is much more than checking the exhaust fumes from an automobile. Emission monitoring was originally used to test flue gas, and these monitoring results would then be used to give advice on the control of combustion in industrial situations. Today we use emission testing to gauge emissions by the standards set by the US Environmental Agency's Acid Rain Act as well as other set and federal programs.

Emissions monitoring equipment is rather standard. It contains a probe with a filter. The filter has various gases in it which react to the various gases in which you are testing for. These emission tests can also monitor the air flow, moisture and gas opacity in the atmosphere. The gas is removed by a small pump which sends the gas into the emissions probe.

Most oil production plants use a dilution extract to mix clean air with their gaseous emissions. The dilution is because pure flue gas is very hot, wet and in some cases even sticky due to various chemical reactions in the atmosphere. Once the sample is diluted enough it is transferred via what is called the 'umbilical' to the manifold which then analyzes the extracted sample of the gas.

The most common emissions monitoring system are gas analysers. Some of the techniques in practice use infrared, ultraviolet absorption, chemilusmiecence, beta ray absorption and fluorescence. Once the gas has been examined it is the transferred from the emissions monitor and outside into the atmosphere. Once the data has been collected, a computer system receive the analysed data and are then recorded.

A second sample extraction technique is used in the industrial sector is what is called the "hot wet" method. This is when the sample is not watered down. This accomplished due to the high temperatures which then force this undiluted mixture through their pipes. The sample is then filtered and dried. This is done to remove the moisture from the heated sample. Once the gas passes through these samplers the gas is then fed into the scanner for the emissions testing device. This method has a few advantages like the strength to calculate the amount of oxygen within one sample.

This system of testing has been a standard in any industrial industry that creates any form of air pollution. It is very a very important step and failure to comply can result in stiff penalties or prosecution for the company.

Claire Jefferies is writing on behalf of Air Testing Solutions, who offer SAP EPC and air permeability testing.