Continuous emission monitoring systems: Proven measurement technology for regulatory compliance and operational insights
The regulatory requirements for emission monitoring and reporting are becoming more stringent in nearly every country in the world. Analyzers system solutions monitor emissions, ensure compliance with limit values and the reduction of release of other substances into the environment.
To reduce emissions, the exhaust air in various processes is cleaned. Intelligent sensor solutions enable the exhaust air cleaning systems to combust effectively and operate optimally.
In the waste industry, various requirements apply, depending on the type of incineration plant, for example, household waste, industrial waste or hazardous waste. Pollutants such as HCl, HF, NOx, SO2, VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) and dust load as well as O2 and/or H2O must be continuously measured in accordance with local environmental regulations. Increasingly, the additional parameter of total mercury Hg must also be detected continuously.
Your optimization potential in the emission monitoring process
Explore our process map to understand the key measurement parameters in emission monitoring and discover where targeted improvements can reduce product loss and lower energy consumption.
CEMS monitor pollutants in exhaust gases
Continuous emission monitoring of all relevant pollutant components in the exhaust gases
Continuous Emission Measurement Systems (CEMS) such as the MCS200HW or MCS100FT simultaneously provide real-time measurement of Hg and all other relevant pollutant components of the exhaust gas, ensuring reliably compliance with limit values. Simple operation and minimal maintenance requirements support stable long-term plant performance.
The analyzer system can be configured precisely to the measuring task. The result is a tailored analyzer system that is both highly economical and high-performance. If future requirement call for monitoring additional pollutants, for example due to an updated plant permit, the analyzer system can be expanded flexibly. New measuring components can be added on site, minimizing both downtime and costs.
Mercury measurement with MERCEM300Z
Monitoring of mercury in emissions
In some countries, such as Germany, continuous measurement of the total mercury content is also mandatory in waste incineration plants.
The MERCEM300Z extractive gas analyzer is suitability tested in accordance with EN 15267-3, with a range from 0 to 10 µg/m³ total mercury content. The greatest advantage of the MERCEM300Z is that it transforms oxidized mercury into elemental mercury without the addition of chemicals or converters, which significantly reduces the amount of maintenance required in comparison to other measuring systems.
Dust monitoring solution
Dust concentration measurement in dry and wet gases
Dust can be measured continuously extractive in the case of wet gases or in-situ under dry stack conditions. Endress+Hauser provides proven solutions for both applications. For the standard application with dry flue gas (above the acid dew point), DUSTHUNTER S (scattered light measuring principle) and DUSTHUNTER T (transmission measuring principle) are best suited following the local regulations and the requirements of emission measurements. In the case of wet flue gas (under the acid dew point), the FWE200DH dust measuring device is used. Here, the gas to be measured is removed in a bypass from the stack, heated above the acid dew point and continuously measured.
Gas flow measurement in the stack
Reliable gas flow measurement
Most accurate flow measurement is needed for precise freight calculation and is also important for emission trading.
The FLOWSIC100 volume flow meter continuously measures gas flow in the stack. The device requires minimal maintenance due to the ultrasonic technology used. High quality of the flow measurement is key, as pollutant concentrations are given in relation to the volume of flue gas measured and are finally reported in kg/h.
In view of the precise control of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions that will be required in future, flow measurement that is as accurate as possible will become even more important.
Combined measurement of dust, volume flow, pressure, and temperature
Space-saving solution for measuring dust, flow, pressure and temperature
With the CP100 combied probe, dust, flow, pressure and temperature can be measured in the stack with minimal usage of space. This solution involves installing a DUSTHUNTER SP100 (scattered light method), a FLOWSIC100 PR (ultrasonic flow measurement probe device), a temperature sensor and pressure sensor on a combined flange (DN250 PN6). This eliminates the need for additional flanges. This space-saving solution especially proves it’s worth where redundant design of the measuring devices is required.
Data aquisition and handling system
Emissions data management
The MEAC Data Acquisition and Handling System (DAHS) is designed for recording, saving, normalizing, evaluating, displaying, and transfer of emission measurement data. It is available in several variants, which perform reporting according to the local requirements.
MEAC300 is TÜV tested and certified and provides data analysis that uses QAL3 data on drift control, amongst other elements and also provides solutions involving MEAC for redundant operation. For digital data transfer to the control system, all standard data transmission protocols are available.
Biogenic CO2 measurement: the main reasons
Emission Trading Systems (ETS) like EU ETS, UK Environment Agency’s Pollution Inventory Guidance, German BEHG and China Certified Emission Reduction (CCER) are in operation. All laws differ between fossil and renewable carbon. To determine the renewable share, continuous biogenic CO2 sampling followed by C14 analysis in the laboratory is required. Thermal waste treatment facilities with Carbon Capture units will provide a major contribution of negative CO2 emissions due to the biogenic portion of the heterogeneous feedstock. Net zero GHG emissions are only achievable with significant negative CO2 emissions balancing the remaining GHG (e.g. from agriculture). Knowing the negative CO2 emissions with best possible accuracy is desired. For further utilization of captured CO2, the green portion is important for ecological, bio-based evaluation. Furthermore, the renewable share of the recovered energy by waste incineration plants is of high public interest. In some European cities the management of waste per capita is based on the fossil portion. Also, for this purpose the determination of the fossil and biogenic CO2 fractions is required.
Endress+Hauser has established a cooperation with Genius5-Instruments GmbH for worldwide sales and service of the PmCTrace biogenic CO2 measurement system, a future part of CEMS in thermal waste treatment facilities.
Real‑time emissions monitoring keeps RWE compliant
RWE relies on Endress+Hauser’s PowerCEMS100 at its Didcot plant to deliver accurate, real‑time NOx, SO₂, CO and CO₂ data, ensuring reliable operation and regulatory compliance.
