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July 2014

Volume I, Edition 7

Mercury continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS) are primarily designed for emissions compliance monitoring, but many facilities find the systems valuable in monitoring process parameters. Here are some key findings:

C-Series analyzers

Sales and support for the Thermo Scientific C-series Gas Analyzers will be discontinued beginning August 1, 2015. 

Read discontinuation notice

Data is everything

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Obtaining meaningful data can have a significant impact on your process whether using the mercury CEMS for process monitoring or compliance monitoring. Accurate and relevant data can result in cost and resource savings. The table below lists some of the required tests and recommended on- going checks using the Mercury CEMS for either compliance or process control in order to provide the greatest amount of meaningful data.

Note that the acceptance criteria for compliance monitoring falls under the MATS or the PC MACT rule and this is not a complete list. For process control applications, the pass/fail criteria can be user-specific depending on the application.

System Check / Configuration

Compliance Monitoring

Process Control

Zero & Span

Required Daily

Strongly Recommended Daily

System Integrity Test

Required Weekly

Optional

Linearity

Required Quarterly

Recommended

Elemental Generator Audit

Required Monthly

Recommended Semi-Annually

RATA

Required Annual

Partial RATA Recommended

Speciation Mode

Total Hg Only Required

Speciation Recommended

7 Day Drift Test

Required for Initial Certification

Recommended upon install

Cycle response time
< 15 minutes

Required for Initial Certification

Recommended upon install

Probe Type

Multiple Options

Inertial Probe Recommended for dirty applications


Tightening control over your process

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Having a real-time monitor running in your process enables full visibility that can help tighten your process parameters. Any Mercury control performance guarantee supplied by a sorbent manufacturer can be verified when the probe is upstream of the mercury control system. When the probe is downstream of the mercury control system, the amount of sorbent can be easily and accurately adjusted to reach your compliance goals. The Mercury Freedom System can be a good solution for compliance monitoring in addition to process monitoring because it is a self-contained system and no other hardware or software is needed.


Save on consumable costs

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Facilities using mercury CEMS for process control realize significant savings in consumable costs. Whether using sorbent injection, activated carbon injection or other plant-specific techniques for control of mercury, having a real-time monitor integrated into the process eliminates the guess work associated with sorbent injection. Using a real-time monitor reduces the risk of under-injecting and minimizes the risk of over-injecting sorbent. As the mercury level gets more accurate, the realization of cost savings increases. 


Put the personnel behind your process

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Having a technician who is trained in mercury CEMS is one avenue toward consistent and successful mercury monitoring. It has been shown that facilities with an onsite mercury CEMS expert can diagnose performance issues more quickly and accurately. Furthermore, properly trained mercury technicians are more likely to bring the issue to resolution quicker. 


Technical training for all

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All technicians who interact with the mercury CEMS benefit from training. There is still room available in the August and November mercury CEMs course in Franklin, MA. These courses are designed for users of varying abilities and cover regulatory considerations, installation and configuration, sample probe use, and advanced maintenance and troubleshooting. Customized classes are available and easily scheduled by contacting our Technical Training team.


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