CEM - Abstract

Abstract Information :

Industry pollution is a major concern which causes significant damage to the population and to wildlife and ecosystems. However, it is not only a climatic impact issue but the high societal costs caused by air pollution from the industry. The European Environmental Agency (EEA) estimates the cost of industrial pollution in 2017 between €277-433 billion. The last few decades have seen clear progress in activities related to industrial air emission control. Thus, the introduction of new technologies and more efficient production processes increased environmental awareness and minimize its environmental impact. In this context, the first step is understanding and controlling industrial emissions. New cost-effective and robust methods for detecting fugitive emissions and industrial pollutants, such as sensor-based air quality devices, are valuable tools for fenceline monitoring to enhance the protection of public health and worker safety, control emissions and help reduce product loss leading to cost savings. Sensor based air quality systems provide real-time monitoring with suitable spatial coverage for determination of representative pollutants at the industrial fenceline, proving useful information on overall concentration levels and potential problem areas. Kunak develops compact and cost-effective air quality solutions, designed for harsh environments with an easy integration of real-time data into wired industrial systems and maintaining wireless data transmission to the cloud software, Kunak Cloud. The Kunak AIR Cloud web platform is a powerful software that completes the comprehensive Kunak AIR solutions for pollution sources characterization, leakage detection, hotspot identification, particle size analysis, control panel, multiparametric analysis, and so on. Some study cases and applications of Kunak AIR deployments in industry environments: - Dust and particulate matter monitoring network in mining industry in Brazil Iron Mineração LTDA (Brasil). The main objective of the project was to create an environmental monitoring network to control both dust and suspended particles derived from the extraction and processing of minerals that could affect nearby populations. The air quality monitoring network deployed made possible to record the parameters of interest in order to create alert thresholds and supervision systems, helping decision-making. Besides, it provides accurate and reliable data in mining activities, contributing to the identification of critical periods during the extraction processes. - Real-time quantification of diffuse particle emission in the port of Bilbao (Spain). These particle emissions are a consequence of activities carried out in the port that are associated with the generation of different environmental impacts. The aim of this project is to achieve greater spatial resolution through real-time monitoring of particles to complement the existing fixed reference network. This system will make possible to identify impact situations in the port area and act on them through the application of corrective measures that help to mitigate or reduce the impact. - Odour control system in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) in Arazuri WWTP (Spain) and Vicentina WWTP (Brazil), among others. The main pollutant monitored in WWTP in H2S. The systems deployed in the field were equipped with anemometers to record the concentrations of H2S, and allow pollution sources characterization. In conclusion, perimeter and real-time monitoring of industrial emissions can provide useful information on overall concentration levels and the main sources of pollution. To this end, the implementation of cost-effective and robust methods to detect fugitive emissions such as sensor-based air quality systems can help protect public health and worker safety.