- Industry
- Waste to Energy
- Date
- 2020
- Location
- Western Australia
- Capabilities Deployed
- USEPA Method 2, 3A, 4, 6C, 7E, 10, USEPA Method 25A, Performance Specifications (PS), WA CEMS Code
Regulatory compliant single CEMS utilising sample switching for two sources.
The Challenge
Another CEMS challenge but within the waste to energy industry. In terms of the analyte list was straightforward. The standard combustion process hit list of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2).
The client was also interested in non methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) which did pose some more difficulty and wanted to utilise one CEMS to sample from 2 sources on rotation which can be a cost saving in some instances but greatly increase complexity.
Time sharing CEMS are allowed to be utilised and can comply with the Western Australian CEMS Code (WA CEMS Code). It is only possible to do this with extractive CEMS which extract gases using heated sample lines.
In-situ CEMS which attach to the duct/stack of interest can not be used in two locations on rotation. We also had to design and supply velocity, flow and temperature measurement instruments which are all in-situ. Due to high temperatures Ektimo designed and fabricated bespoke Inconel (nickel-chromium-based superalloys designed for extreme temperature) equipment for the application.
The Strategy & Solution
Ektimo partnered with Horiba, Japan and their ENDA 5000 series of anlayers for the combustion CEMS which covered the NOx, SO2, CO, CO2 and O2. The NMHC was a little more tricky and we went with a UK supplier, Signal Group with their new SOLAR range of hydrocarbon analysers.
Total hydrocarbons are ideally analysed using flame ionisation detector (FID) and methane can be analysed in the same way by utilising some sort of “methane cutter” that essentially just lets methane through. So the standard set up is to analyse total hydrocarbons and methane on rotation and work out the NMHC by difference. This setup, however, mean the analyser is essentially a batch analyser and is not measuring NMHC continuously.
The SOLAR series analyser utilises a dual FID system that continuously measures methane with one FID and total hydrocarbons with the other FID and therefore provides a real time NMHC. This is all in a single rack mounted instrument.
Ektimo custom built hardware and software to facilatate the aotomatice switchaning between the two sources and the required separation and logging of data and calibrations. We also set up a real time web/cloud based platform for viewing real time results from all the CEMS.
This project has also been interesting due to a long time line. We built a custom 20 foot shipping container insulated enclosure and have had the CEMS ready to go for over 6 months. We are yet to deliver this to the customer due to delays in the build of the waste to energy plant, but have been able to store this shipping container for our customer until the plant is ready.
Once again this will be another project that we look forward to supporting our customer with in the coming years. This is the type of project that may not require the CEMS for an extended period of time from a regulatory perspective. We actually offered this customer a purchase, rental and/or buy back option for the CEMS.
