Predictive Emission Monitoring (PEM) and Data Acquisition (DAS): A Novel and Cost-Effective Solution for Continuous Monitoring of Source Emissions

摘要

Predictive Emission Monitoring (PEM) in combination with Data Acquisition Systems (DAS) represents a novel and cost-effective approach for compliance monitoring of source emissions. PEM Systems are software-based and do not need gas analyzers. Interfaced with plant control systems, PEMS utilize process inputs to offer continuous, real-time monitoring of pollutants, e.g. NOx, SO2, CO. PEMS are built with quality assured emissions test data along with parallel process data and can be certified for compliance according to U.S. EPA 40 CFR or European regulations. PEMS are typically packaged with DAS to result in self-sufficient compliance solutions. Applications exist for utilities, petrochemical, chemical, steel and other industrial plants or municipal sites. PEMS are suitable for all gas-and oil-fired emission sources in lieu of Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS), providing equal accuracy and data quality. An additional benefit is that a PEMS-DAS package is a viable diagnostic tool to lower emissions and improve combustion efficiency. PEMS offer significant cost benefits with lower capital expenditures as well as much lower operational and maintenance cost than CEMS. PEMS and DAS require for operation very little or no plant manpower. For this reason and because numerous emissions sources qualify for PEMS compliance monitoring, the technology already gained significant interest in the Gulf Cooperation Council region (Saudi-Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, just to name a few). PEMS installations exist in the region as stand-alone compliance solutions or as part of an integrated environmental monitoring approach capable to address multiple sources in one plant. The paper will detail PEMS principles and the regulatory basis in different regions as well as outline the seamless integration of PEMS and DAS along with application examples.