METHOD FOR DIRECT CONTINUOUS MONITORING OF PARTICULATE EMISSIONS FROM INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS

Continuous emission monitoring (CEM) systems to record the discharge ofpollutants have become an integral part of utility power and industrial processplant operations. The 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) require that specificsources install and operate CEMs to provide an accurate measurement of SO2, NOx,CO2, and opacity. Emission data is used to insure compliance with current acidrain regulation and to track allowances for the new emissions trading program.The collection of real time emission data is used to monitor the mandatedreduction in acid rain levels.Presently, there is no requirement under the CAAA to continuously monitorparticulate matter other than opacity, which is at best a qualitative measure.This is due to the fact that no technology currently available has beensuccessfully demonstrated and accepted by industry. this project involves aunique and highly innovative concept for a Direct Continuous Particulate Monitor.The new monitor concept has the ability to measure dust-laden streams reliablyand accurately in real time. It also avoids the use of complex mathematicalalgorithms that are often used to indirectly correlate a mass concentration. InPhase I, a laboratory-scale prototype will be built and tested to demonstrateperformance using stimulant feed streams. In Phase II, the testing will shiftto a field site and testing under actual conditions.