Hi Pollution Monitoring In Cement Industry!.

Hi Pollution Monitoring In Cement Industry!.

The rising use of waste based fuels in the cement industry, both for economic and Environmental objectives, combined with the strengthening of air emission regulations around the world is pushing many operators to face a wider list of pollutants to monitor this, with associated costs. 

The design of appropriate solutions meeting local regulation is the key to maximize the cost benefit of the fuel while maintaining good relationships with local authorities and populations.

Besides the usually requested parameters, like SO2, NOx, CO, total particulate matter, and NH3, additional parameters can also be measured such as HCl, HF, Dioxins & Furans (PCDD/PCDF), Mercury (Hg) and VOC/TOC.

The monitoring of each gas pollutant, when required, can pose specific difficulties, but in general keeping the cost low means trying to operate a multi components analyzer able to measure all of them, except Dioxins & Furans and Mercury which requires very specific technologies and dedicated sampling devices.

Various manufacturers have developed a broad range of analyzers and sampling systems dedicated to meet cement operator needs according to their local regulation. 

Some of these solutions are described below:

The MIR 9000H developed by Environnement S.A (France) is a new generation of heated NDIR analyzer able to simultaneously measure  traditional components such as NOx, SO2, CO, CO2 and O2, in addition to H2O and pollutants like NH3 and HCl, representing a very cost effective, turnkey solution. 

This analyzer was designed to be operated without any chiller, drying membrane, or catalytic oven, allowing the flues gas directly into the measurement cell without any kind of disturbance. 

The entire system being heated to 180°C (~360°F), no condensation can occur even in extremely wet conditions with up to 40% moisture. 

This analyzer’s robust design is particularly suited to demanding wet stack gas mixtures, including those with potentially high NH3, HCl and HF content. Indeed, this analyzer is completely immune to NH3, HCl and HF: both its integrity and its metrological performances being unaffected.

As a cost effective heated analyzer, the MIR 9000H is also an ideal solution for process control to monitor ammonia slips in SCR/SNCR processes. 

In these processes, either ammonia or urea can be used. It is important to stress out that in the case of urea, MIR 9000H takes into account the N2O which is created as a by product. MIR 9000H can also cope with formaldehyde, a compound which can be produced with some types of fuels and cause problems to NDIR measurements.

For low SO2, HCl or NOx concentrations, the SEC-MIR9000 system combining an exclusive membrane based drying technology (sampling) and state of the art NDIR multigas analyzer remains the perfect solution.

It allows for the measurement of a wide range of pollutants, including also CO, CO2, HF and TOC, as well as N2O and formaldehyde for interference corrections purposes.

The SEC-MIR9000 system, while being technically speaking an extractive system, also exists as an in-sit setup (MIR IS). 

Very low NOx concentrations can also be measured with a chemiluminescence CEMS bench, either as an option of an NDIR system, or as a standalone analyzer.

FTIR: Environnement S.A was the first company to introduce the FTIR technology for CEMS application and remains a leader. 

This technology allows the monitoring of a wide range of pollutants, including SO2, NOx, CO, CO2, NH3, HCl, HF and VOC/TOC, with low measurement ranges, making it the ideal solution for the strictest regulations.

Dioxin is an increasing source of suspicion by neighbour populations in regards to waste or alternative fuels combustion. 

The AMESA-D continuous sampler allows for a continuous coverage of dioxin emission and is already considered the standard for monitoring dioxins/furans around the world.

Beside the emissions of PCDD/PCDF there are other emissions of compounds which are not or not so easy to be monitored continuously. 

E.g. mercury can be monitored continuously, but for plants with low concentrations in the range of µg/m3 the accuracies of the existing mercury CEMs depend very strong on the experiences and maintenance efforts of the operators. 

Otherwise the results are not accurate enough. Additional the availability of such systems is restricted.

The continuous Hg Sorbent Trap Measurement System (STMS) AMESA-M represents a cost effective alternative to mercury analyzers, especially when the limit or detection is low and that complex and expensive technologies are necessary. 

The system is based on the adsorption trap method described in the performance specifications 12B of the MACT standard for the continuous monitoring of mercury emissions and is suitable for nearly every application.

The AMESA-M system requires very low maintenance and is adapted to the different flue gas conditions and requirements given by the operators: its availability under difficult flue gas conditions could be kept by values of almost 100 %.

Hi Indoor Quality! Hi Poor Focus! 4 Hi Key Feature Golden Rules Of Ways To Improve Winter Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)!

Hi Indoor Quality! Hi Poor Focus!

4 Hi Key Feature Golden Rules Of Ways To Improve Winter Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)!

"Poor indoor air quality becomes a much bigger issue during the winter months, primarily because we spend a great deal of time indoors with the windows tightly closed.

And that means that any indoor pollutants have less chance of escaping and have a better chance of irritating building occupants."

Because 30% of the commercial buildings in the US already have poor IAQ issues, during the winter months occupants are even more likely to suffer the ill effects of exposure –including respiratory issues and allergies – to indoor pollutants.

So now businesses are footing the bills to cover the medical expenses of sick workers and they're also incurring costs because of lower productivity. US businesses see an estimated 33% drop in worker productivity that’s directly attributed to poor IAQ, according to Buildings.com. 

Click Link Here Or Image Above To Visit Buildings.com Website For Further Reading & To View Article Publication Of 3 Ways To Improve Winter IAQ.

- "Poor IAQ costs the US economy as much as $160 billion each year."

Here are four suggestions to help you improve winter IAQ in your building:

Open doors and windows as often as possible to reduce moisture levels and pollutants. When there is poor ventilation, pollutant levels (from cleaners, adhesives, etc.) are more concentrated, says Jennifer Meek, a customer service manager for Enviro-Solutions. See further reading on information publication article to Eliminate, Ventilate & Isolate, For Improving Winter IAQ By Sandy Smith on EHS Today website. 

Visit EHS Today Website For Further Reading On Winter IAQ by clicking the image above or link here.

1. Reduce the amount of chemicals used in a facility, especially those that release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Meek recommends going through your chemical supply and replacing harsher chemicals with choices that emit fewer pollutants and VOCs.
2. Replace the air filters on your building’s HVAC system according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule, notes Buildings.com. When you install the filters ensure that they’re secured tightly with no gaps between the frame and rack. This is crucial because respirable particles can pass through the gap without being filtered.
3. Select a quality filter, one that is mechano-electret, providing a balance of mechanical and electret efficiency. It should perform better than a filter that only uses mechanical efficiency as the electrostatic effects can better capture the submicron particles that can cause health issues.

Improved IAQ can have a great impact on work performance, while reducing absenteeism and healthcare issues, according to Robert Martin, an associate category manager for Kimberly-Clark Professional Filtration. Martin also claims the proof is in the statistics

 – better IAQ reduces respiratory illnesses by about 76% and improves employee productivity by about 20%.

Hi Focus Industry Shift Towards Sustainability Reporting!

Now moving on IAQ and shifting the focus on highlighting Regulators & Code Standards Of Industry Requirements & Implications, We ask will G4 simplify Sustainability Reporting?

Will G4 simplify sustainability reporting? The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) seems to think so.

GRI is one of the most well-known organizations in the sustainability field. 

The group promotes sustainability through offering reporting tools to organizations to help them become more sustainable.

GRI believes a sustainable global economy should offer profitability in conjunction with ethical behavior, environmental care and social justice.

GRI recently released its G4 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines as an update to G3, which was first introduced in 2006. Visit The Global Reporting Initiative Website by clicking the link above or image below to view detailed information on the G4 sustainability reporting guidelines and much more details. 

Click link here or image above to visit the website & view further detailed information on the G4 sustainability reporting guidelines. 

Much has changed in the sustainability world, making the G4 release greatly anticipated, especially considering that other sustainability reporting standards were released in the past seven years, drastically changing sustainability reporting.

GRI’s reporting system lets companies measure and communicate their sustainability information. GRI’s mission is to make sustainability reporting a standard practice.

- "The organization’s sustainability reporting framework is used widely throughout the world."

The sustainability reporting offers methods and metrics that measure and report sustainability performance. A company’s published report details the environmental, economic and social impacts caused by its everyday activities.

It also exhibits the organization’s values toward sustainability and its commitment to a sustainable economy. 

A report can help build trust with stakeholders and others, offering transparency and accountability.

The reporting guidelines are developed in a process that involves representatives from civil society, labor, business and financial markets. 

Additionally, auditors and experts from various fields offer their expertise, and GRI works closely with government agencies in different countries.

G4 includes G4 Online, a free-to-use, web-based tool to help organizations prepare sustainability reports.

GRI believes its latest guidelines will increase user-friendliness and accessibility. 

The emphasis in G4 is on encouraging organizations to provide only the information critical to their stakeholders. 

GRI says the reports will be more strategic, focused and easier to navigate.

According to GRI, the key improved features in G4 include:

• Up-to-date disclosures on governance, ethics and integrity, supply chain, anti-corruption and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Generic format for disclosures on management approach.
• Two “in accordance” criteria options, both focused on material aspects.
• GRI Content Index offering a transparent format to communicate external assurance.
• Technically reviewed content and clear disclosure requirements.
• Detailed guidance on how to select material topics, and explain the boundaries of where material impacts occur.
• Flexibility for preparers to choose the report’s focus.
• Flexibility to combine with local and regional reporting requirements and frameworks.
• Up-to-date harmonization and reference to all available and internationally accepted reporting documents.
• Overview tables, summaries and quick links to the specific components of the guidelines.
• Complete glossary, reference lists, and visual guidance.

As previously advised for Further Reading Read more about GRI’s G4 sustainability reporting.