Eliminating bias in CEM systems

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:271834

Jahnke, J A ^[1]

---

1. Source Technology Associates, Research Triangle Park, NC (United States)

The emission of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter from fossil-fuel fired power plants and industrial sources, is a matter of public concern that has led to both State and Federal requirements for pollution control. The accuracy of continuous emission monitoring (CEM) system data has been an issue of considerable importance in the development and implementation of the Acid Rain Program. The more stringent relative accuracy requirements of this program, coupled with the importance of emission trading allowances, has led to the need to minimize systematic errors in emissions measurement. With the inclusion of the t-test for bias in the Acid Rain Regulations of 40 CFR Part 75, a method was introduced that could be used to uncover systematic error, or bias, in CEM system measurements. Once bias is detected, it is highly desirable to either eliminate the cause of the bias or to apply correction factors to minimize its effect. However, a problem occurs in determining the cause of the bias; a task that is often both difficult and time consuming. This paper explains the rationale behind the bias test as applied to CEM systems and summarizes potential sources of systematic error in both extractive and in-situ CEM systems. The paper examines a number of factors that contribute to CEM system measurement error. Methods are suggested for both the detection and correction of the resulting biases.

• OSTI ID: 271834
• Report Number(s): CONF-950196--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
ACCURACY
AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
AIR POLLUTION MONITORS
CLEAN AIR ACTS
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
IMPLEMENTATION
NITROGEN OXIDES
PARTICULATES
SULFUR DIOXIDE
WASTE MANAGEMENT