Tracking Emission Levels Using Regulatory Control Levels and Effectiveness Factors

摘要

Emission inventories in California are intended to show actual emission rates over a specified time period. Therefore, inventories are prepared using measured actual throughputs and emission factors or best available estimates of actual throughputs and emission factors. The emission factor is the rate of emission generation for a given production level or throughput. When a source (or group of sources) is controlled, the emission factor should be reduced. Estimating actual emission factors correctly is important for emission calculations. Emission factors are influenced by the adoption and implementation of a regulation or by changes to the source due to new technology. If the source is regulated, then the emission factors should be based on the actual control achieved and not the level of controls specified in the regulation. Actual emissions may be significantly higher (or lower) than the levels specified in a regulation. If a product reformulation is used to comply with a regulation, rather than add-on control equipment, the new emission factor should still be calculated using the regulation control and effectiveness. For example, air pollution control measures generally specify a level of control or an allowable level of emissions, such as 80% reduction of a specified pollutant, or 5 pounds of the specified pollutant, per unit of throughput. The level of control specified in the regulation along with its effectiveness will determine the actual emission factor. If a regulation requires 80% reduction and its effectiveness is determined to be 50%, then the actual control achieved is only 40%. If the regulation effectiveness reaches 100%, then the actual control will reach the required 80% level. Emission factors or control equipment efficiency derived from equipment design specifications should consider any day-to-day operating problems. Aggregated inventories must consider degree of coverage, exemptions, upset/breakdowns, non-compliance, and the possibility of unknown sources. This paper will present a methodology to track emissions using regulation controls and effectiveness over a period of time. Using this system along with growth factors, historical and projected emissions can be easily calculated.