Continuous emissions monitoring system

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The category /business/energy/stationaryCombustion/cems contains data and methodologies for calculating CO2 emissions from stationary fuel combustion using Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS). Such systems permit CO2 emissions to be calculated on the basis of regular measurements of the volumetric flow rate and CO2 content of aggregate emissions from fuel burning facilities.

The data and calculation methodologies found herein are based on those outlined in Appendix F of Title 40 CFR Part 75 in the US EPA's Acid Rain Program, and support recommendations relating to the EPA's Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting (Tier 4 approach) and the World Resources Institute Greenhouse Gas Protocol.

Following these methodologies, this category includes functionality for specifying the flow rate of stack emissions, the concentrations of CO2, O2 and moisture within the stack outflow, and the duration of facility operation. The concentration of O2 within the stack outflow is useful for deriving a corresponding CO2 concentration where this is not explicitly available.

Using this category

To use this category, select the type of fuel burned using the fuel and subtype drill choices. Next specify the stack average volumetric gas flow, the stack CO2 concentration and the duration of facility operation using the flowRate (volume per time), carbonDioxideConcentration (fraction, 0-1) and operatingTime (time) profile item values. The returned value represents the CO2 emitted during the operating time specified, converted into kilograms using the default CO2 density of 0.0517104 kg per scf.

Specifying CO2 density

The default value for CO2 density can be over-ridden by setting the density profile item value. This may be useful if density data specific to the atmospheric conditions of the facility stack are available.

Specifying stack moisture content

If CO2 concentration is measured on a dry basis (i.e. stack moisture is removed prior to the analysis), the emissions calculation must include a correction for stack gas moisture content so that the volumetric concentration matches the volumetric flow basis. To specify the moisture content of the stack emissions, set the moistureContent profile item value (fraction, 0-1). Discover will take this moisture level into consideration, following EPA guidelines, when calculating total CO2 emissions.

Specifying stack O2 concentration

If direct stack CO2 concentration data is not available, it can be back-calculated using O2 concentration data. To specify the O2 concentration, set the value (fraction, 0-1) using the oxygenConcentration profile item value. Discover will derive the corresponding CO2 concentration according to the EPA methodology, and return the quantity of CO2 emissions associated with the flow rate and operating time specified. Users should note that the O2 based calculation is only used if no CO2 concentration is explicitly specified in the carbonDioxideConcentration profile item value. As with the direct CO2 calculation, any specified moisture content will be taken in to account.

See here for information on using British thermal units (Btu's) with the Discover platform

UIDLabel
KVYOE9DLUF0I coal, anthracite
8646CTB2E0B4 coal, bituminous
LKUB17DJNG3L coal, lignite
B6GHNDWA7QRZ coal, sub-bituminous
0DWXPLKR3GSU gas, butane
1HZTUMIPUBRH gas, natural gas
G13FOM8HT9E4 gas, propane
U1F6P98ABGYL oil
0UV82ZBSEWAD petroleum coke
C1O9I9QAJIT3 tire derived fuel
VOP5XPWAO2H8 wood, bark
9CLXL36982DI wood, wood residue
Concentration of CO,,2,, in stack gases (fraction)
Rate of flow for stack gases
Average concentration of O,,2,, in stack gases
Density of CO,,2,, (default provided)
Moisture content in stack gases (fraction)
Duration for which unit in operation