Performance Specifications Issued for Predictive Emissions Monitoring Systems

摘要

In a March 25, 2009 final rule (74 FR 12575-12591), EPA issued final performance specifications for predictive emissions monitoring systems (PEMS). Final performance specification 16 (PS-16) provides testing requirements for assessing the acceptability of PEMS when they are initially installed. PEMS are used to indirectly predict a source's emissions using operating parameters that have a known relationship to pollutant concentration. The correlation between measured operating parameters and emissions can range from a relatively simple relationship based on combustion principles, to more complex computer models that are trained to predict emissions using neural networks technology. PEMS are not currently mandated by federal emission standards. However, a number of standards allow their use as an alternative to using continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS).