Stack Emissions Testing Services

Element offers a complete range of stack emissions testing, environmental inspection, and consultancy services to help organizations achieve total regulatory compliance for industrial installations.

Operators producing emissions to air from stacks and other source releases are required to comply with Emissions Limit Values (ELVs) and Quality Assurance of CEMS as specified in their regulatory monitoring requirements, such as EU Industrial Emissions (IED) & Medium Combustion Plant (MCP) Directives, US Clean Air Act, Permit & License monitoring requirements.

MCERTS stack emissions testing and monitoring

Element are the largest ISO 17025 UKAS-MCERTS accredited organization in the UK & Ireland, operating from 10 regional offices with 42 teams.

Key Features of our class-leading emissions service include:

People - Largest pool of MCERTS certified emissions experts in the UK (Level II with all 4 Technical Endorsements).
Geographic Coverage - Engineers based across 10 regional offices to quicken operations, maintain competitive rates and provide value for money.
Accreditation - Largest scope of UKAS Accredited Tests in the UK covering all the main parameters but also other, less common, compounds including Chrome VI, Isocyanates, Siloxanes, Bioaerosols, Speciated VOCs such as Phenols and Cresols, Sulphuric Acid Mist, Odour, HCN, H2S along with other trace and bulk gas components.
Centre of Technical Excellence – Each year we conduct over 300 EN 14181 CEMS QAL2 and AST campaigns and all this knowledge, practical experience and best practice is focused in our new hub with the aim of delivering the best possible advice and trusted solutions for CEMS Quality Assurance and Verifications.
Calibration Workshop – We maintain, calibrate and performance check all of our sampling equipment ourselves. For example, over 60 FIDs, over 60 Horiba Combustion Gas Analysers, and around 70 Manual Isokinetic Sampling Systems. This gives us a greater understanding of how the equipment works leading to more accurate and repeatable emissions data.
In-House Analysis of Samples by Element laboratories – Some stack emissions testing requires extractive.
e-Mission Digitial Portal to manage all aspects of your emissions requirements through an on-line system designed by Element.

We provide independent, accredited stack emissions testing, which is essential for all organizations that wish to meet their regulatory compliance responsibilities.

Maritime Emissions Monitoring

International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations have been tightened in recent years to limit air emissions from ships and other maritime vessels. Maritime air pollution control is now much more closely aligned with shore-based power plants and industrial sites.

Our ISO 17025 UKAS-MCERTS accredited emissions testing methods monitor maritime emissions highlighted in the MARPOL Annex VI Regulations, aimed at controlling pollutants such as NOx, SOx and CO2.

Element work in collaboration with marine fuel additive companies to provide the sector with independently verified reductions in carbon emissions and fuel consumption. We have a proven track record of successfully delivering maritime projects, and our experience of testing on ships and vessels allows us to provide the accurate advice you need.

Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) - EN 14181 Quality Assurance & Verification

EN 14181 is a European Standard covering Quality Assurance of Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) and focuses on calibration, testing and verification. The standard has 4 main sections:

Section	Acronym	Frequency	Description
Quality Assurance Level 1	QAL1	On Purchase	Demonstrating the CEM is suitable and fit for purpose.
Quality Assurance Level 2	QAL2	Commissioning & Every 5 Years	Ensuring the CEM is set up correctly and calibrated.
Quality Assurance Level 3	QAL3	Weekly-Monthly	Ongoing Quality Assurance of Performance of CEM
Annual Surveillance Test	AST	Annual between QAL2s	Annual assessment check of Calibration Functions

*CEMS are also sometimes referred to as AMS (Automated Measuring Systems).

The QAL2 has 3 steps: 1) Functional Tests & Linearity Checks, 2) Parallel measurements using Standard Reference Methods (SRM) and CEMS data and 3) Data handling.

There should be a minimum of 15 parallel measurements spread over 3 days to maximise a good spread of data and at least one results near zero.

Data handling is also vitally important. As the Time Series plot graph below shows, the parallel data (SRM & CEM) are converted to the same conditions and a Calibration Function is derived via linear regression.

There are 3 methods used to derive a valid Calibration Function:

Method A – Used when you have a good spread of data (Linear Regression).
Method B - Used when you have a high level cluster (Linear Regression through zero).
Method C – Used when you have a low level cluster (Surrogates used).

A Variability Test is carried out looking at the difference between the Calibrated CEM and SRM and a Pass or Fail is reported.

QAL3 focusses on ongoing Quality Control and determination of SAMS (Standard Deviation of the AMS) by regular zero and span checks. It is important to clarify that the analyser isn’t adjusted, just checked. Results are plotted on Control Charts either as CUSUM (Cumulative Sums) or Schewart (good at detecting changes in a measurement mean or variance) and show the drift of a CEM over time. Warning Limits and Action Limits are set and prescriptive procedures for dealing with out of control situations.

Annual Surveillance Test (ASTs) are a yearly check and like a ‘mini QAL2’. Functional and Linearity Checks are performed along with a reduced set of Parallel Measurements. At least SRM measurements are taken over 1 day and results are checked for Variability and against the current Calibration Function.

Odour Monitoring

Many facilities are required to operate under an Odour Management Plan (OMP) as part of their Environmental Permitting Regulations and to prove Compliance. Other processes may just require an assessment of the performance of odour control units or to investigate an odour complaint.

Odour pollution can be complicated to assess and measure as often several substances are involved and multiple factors in play including the concentration, intensity and site specific / time dependent factors.

For Point Sources (Stacks) Odour is measured to the European Odour Standard EN 13725:2003 for which Element are UKAS Accredited. This determines the odour concentration by dynamic olfactometry, where odour is assessed from the point of view of perceptibility to human olfactory sense.

We can collect samples using a non-reactive material and a sampling technique that prevents potential sources of contamination. The sample is rapidly assessed by an odour panel within 30 hours of sampling. Results are then calculated in the form of European odour units, and assessment of the hedonic tone, if necessary.

Audit training

In addition to stack emissions testing and compliance services, Element also offers audit training e.g. Operator Monitoring Assessment (OMA) to prepare for an Environment Agency audit visit. Audit training can help ensure your audit will be carried out effectively and efficiently, resulting in an accurate representation of the standard of self-monitoring.

The Element advantage

We conduct more EN 14181 QAL2 and ASTs than anyone else in the UK. Our newly formed Centre of Technical Excellence acts as a hub to share best practice and knowledge from our vast experience conducting tests with the full spectrum of different types of CEM.

With this complex, technical emissions testing trust our Element experts and the number one provider of this service.

We have specialized in-house training programmes targeted at excellence in the details, intricacies and methods A, B & C for deriving calibration functions for EN 14181.

Our goal is to help you achieve regulatory compliance, meet your environmental goals, and support reduced emissions to improve Air Quality.

For more information about our stack emissions testing, or to know more about our MCERTS accredited stack emissions testing services, contact us today.

Our stack emissions testing and compliance services include:

Periodic Compliance Monitoring
CEMS Calibration & Verification
EN 14181 QAL 2 & Annual Surveillance Test
US EPA RATA Protocols
Accredited Stack Emissions Testing (ISO 17025, MCERTS)
In-House Accredited Laboratory Analysis (ISO 17025, MCERTS) of Stack Emissions Monitoring Samples
Training (Regulatory Compliance, EN 14181)
Investigative Testing, Process Optimization & Abatement Plant Efficiency Testing
Process Commissioning of New Plant
Offshore Emissions Monitoring
Air Quality Assessment (Air, Noise & Odour)
Dispersion Modelling (Air, Noise & Odour)
Environmental Noise Assessments (Noise Investigation, Acoustic Camera)
Planning & Permitting Support Services
Dioxins and Furans Testing

We provide all types of stack emissions testing using manual reference and alternative methods, instrumental analyzers, and FTIR including;

Particulate Matter, PM10 & PM2.5
Combustion Gases (NOX, NO, NO2, N2O, SO2, CO, CO2, VOCs & TOC)
Trace Pollutants (Dioxins & Furans, PCBs & PAHs, Metals & Mercury, Hexavalent Chromium)
Acidic Gases & Vapors (HCl, HF, NH3, HCN, H2S, Sulphuric Acid Mist, Nitric Acid Vapor)
Organic Compounds (Specific VOCs, Formaldehyde & Aldehydes, Isocyanates, Oil Mist, Tar & Bitumen Fume)
Odour
Bioaerosols

Biogenic Fraction CO2

Element performs stack emissions testing to the following standards:

Pollutant	European Standards	US EPA (CFR) Standards
Aldehydes	US EPA Method 316	US EPA Method 316
Ammonia	EN 14791
Bioaerosols	VDI 4257
Biogenic Fraction CO2	EN ISO 13833
Carbon Dioxide	ISO 12039
Carbon Monoxide	EN 15058
Condensable VOCs	In house accredited method
Dioxins and Furans	EN 1948
Dioxin-like PCBs	EN 1948:4
Formaldehyde	US EPA Method 316
Gaseous Species by FTIR	TGN M22 (Flexible Scope)
Halides and Halogens	US EPA Method 26/26A	US EPA Method 26/26A
Heavy Metals	EN 14385
Hexavalent Chromium	EN ISO 23210
Homogeneity	EN 15259
Hydrogen Chloride	EN 1911
Hydrogen Cyanide	US EPA CTM 033	US EPA CTM 033
Hydrogen Fluoride	ISO 15713
Hydrogen Sulphide	US EPA Method 11	US EPA Method 11
lsocyanates	US EPA CTM 36
Mercury	EN 13211
Nitric Acid Vapour	US EPA Method 7D
Nitrous Oxide	EN ISO 21258
Odor	EN 13725
Oil Mist, Tar and Bitumen Fume	EN 13284-1 with MDHS 84
Oxides of Nitrogen	EN 14792
Oxygen	EN 14789
PAHs	ISO 11338
PM10& PM2.5	EN ISO 23210
Pressure, Temperature, and Velocity	EN 16911-1
Speciated VOCs	PD CEN/TS 13649
Sulphur Dioxide	EN 14791
Sulphur Dioxide	CEN/TS 17021
Total Particulate Matter	EN 13284-1
Total VOCs (TOC)	EN 12619
Water Vapour	EN 14790

Total environmental compliance

Test, track and trend your stack emissions data with our industry leading digital portal.

With e-Mission, Element continues to innovate in the field of emissions monitoring.

Read more about how our emissions platform offers a clearer picture of your environmental status, provides the ability to spot trends and identify issues to reduce the risk of non-compliance.

Ambient Air Quality

Find out how we help our customers comply with regulations for ambient air quality to protect human health and the environment from the harmful effects of air pollution.

Air Dispersion Modeling

Air Dispersion Modeling computes weather patterns and local topography to predict the concentration of emissions at ground level caused by an emissions source. Find out more.

Temporary CEMS Emissions Monitoring

For industrial sites encountering an unexpected breakdown of their CEMS emissions measurement instruments, our team will quickly devise a CEMS recovery plan based on your monitoring requirements and processes.

Biogenic Carbon 14 Emissions Monitoring

Find out more about our OFGEM approved Biogenic Carbon 14 Measurement services, used to determine the renewable energy content of waste-derived fuels.

Biogas Engine and Flare Emissions Monitoring

Find out how we help our customers with their annual monitoring of biogas engine and flare emissions from plants.

Medium Combustion Plant Directive

Element supports clients in the UK and Ireland with emission testing to demonstrate compliance with MCPD and give guidance throughout the permitting process.

Residence Time Verification

Find out more about our Residence Time services, offering verification of two seconds residence time within secondary combustion chambers for waste incinerators.

Siloxane Monitoring

Element offers siloxane sampling and analysis services to accurately evaluate the levels of siloxanes in filter systems.

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Stack Emissions Testing