Continuous Emission Monitoring, 3rd Edition

CHAPTER 11CERTIFYING CEM SYSTEMS

Emissions monitoring systems used in regulatory programs must first be certified for meeting a set of minimum design and performance specifications. Such requirements separate continuous emission monitoring systems from process monitors, whose operation is determined and overseen according to the needs of plant or corporate personnel. In contrast, the performance of CEM systems is determined and overseen by the regulatory agency according to rules that have been established by either regulatory agencies or by independent standardization bodies. When the certification procedures are followed and the performance standards are met by an emissions monitoring system, system data are then viewed as having accuracy and precision sufficient for use in the programs of the regulatory body.

The U.S. EPA established performance specifications for CEM system design, certification and quality assurance procedures for a wide variety of monitors used for regulatory applications. In Canada, CEM Guidelines, with procedures similar to those in the United States, have been established by Environment Canada, which the Canadian provinces incorporate into their own rulemaking. In Europe, the European Union (EU) Comité Europeén de Normalisation (CEN) has established many standards and procedures that specify requirements for emissions monitoring systems termed “Automated Monitoring Systems” (AMS) for system design, certification, and quality assurance. In addition, ...