US EPA Alternative Method 082, Modernizing Marine Emissions Monitoring

摘要

Opacity monitoring is more widespread than ever before in all types of emission sources. The regulations that require this high level of monitoring of all opacity sources are also more stringent than ever before. The creation of the EPA ALT-082 standard allowing for the use of digital cameras and accompanying analysis software is an immense step forward in the field of opacity measurement. The subjectivity often present within Method 9 is eliminated in the DOCS system format that uses multiple levels of source capture and analysis. The use of digital cameras preserves evidence of an opacity measurement as never before, resulting in a more repeatable and defendable means for opacity monitoring. The ASTM D7520 standard for the use of the Digital Camera Opacity Technique (DCOT) in lieu of Method 9 undergoes progressive every year creating new possibilities in the opacity monitoring of all types of emission sources. Specifically, the last two decades has seen a great increase in the monitoring of non-road mobile emissions sources, such as ships. Many harbor employ a "no increase in emissions" plan that attempts to stop any increase in emissions or subsequent decrease in air quality. The success of these regulations and plans crucially relies on opacity and emission measurements. Many aspects of emissions monitoring in the marine environment make the use of the traditional Method 9 difficult. For instance, many emission limits begin within 3 miles from shore. The use of a digital camera equipped with a long-range lense makes the 3 mile distance not an issue at all. When the ship is in harbor, different emission limits and prevention techniques are required. Stationary digital cameras and/or video cameras placed around the harbor at the control of a computer make widespread and continuous opacity measurements easier than ever before. The creation of the DCOT technology is a great step forward in emissions monitoring. Great benefits result by using this more advanced, easier to use, more accurate, and more precise technology. In the marine environment, many previous difficulties experienced while taking opacity measurements are eliminated by the use of digital cameras. As regulations change and progress, this progression must be accompanied by subsequent advancement in the required measurement techniques.