A Primer on Continuous Monitoring Systems

Gaseous chemicals are emitted into the atmosphere during normal operations of manufacturing facilities. If left unregulated, these emissions can pose a threat to both the environment and living organisms, including humans. As a result, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) imposes a standard for air quality which companies must comply with for health and safety purposes. One way to make sure these are followed is through continuous monitoring system or CMS.

What It Is

CMS is a tool that collects and analyzes information from an emission source. The data is then used to validate compliance with EPA's regulations, as well as to oversee and analyze a facility's processes. This can be achieved by fulfilling the following functions:
1.       Performance Indicator: Proper operation of pollution control measures and emission standard compliance are two parameters that CMS ensures observance.
2.       Measurement Technique: Direct, surrogate, and operational parametric measurements are indicators that CMS must accurately detect, gather, and record from (NOx CEMS is an example).
3.       Frequency Monitor: CMS should record data to match the varying intervals needed for EPA's requirements.  

Types

The system has different types depending on the measurement technique it uses. Here are 3 examples:

Continuous Opacity Monitoring System (COMS): This measures how particle matter in flue-gas emissions obscure light. Facilities whose by-products are dense gases (like those that burn coal, oil, wood, waste, and fossil fuel) commonly use this system when gauging air clarity.

Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS): These are instruments that perpetually measure the emission levels of pollutants, such as nitrogen oxide, and surrogate pollutants, like carbon monoxide. This is done directly from a stationary source that produces the specific pollutant through any of the three methods: full extractive, extractive dilution, or in-situ (unmoved) measurement.

Continuous Parametric Monitoring System (CPMS): For machines like an air pollution control device, a parameter (or parameters) is the key indicator of the system's performance. These are detected or controlled through CPMS emission measurement to maintain the machine's efficiency. Flow rate, pressure, and temperature are the commonly monitored parameters.

Due to its function, continuous monitoring systems have to meet specific requirements depending on the nature of a facility's operation. As such, formal certification might be needed to gather accurate information about emissions like NOx CEMS. If you're interested in learning more about this topic, you can speak with a CMS manufacturer or contact the US EPA.

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