CEM CEM

CEM - Abstract

Abstract Title: Continuous mercury emission monitoring in Europe – challenges of the new BREF
Presenter Name: Mr Florian Greiter
Co-authors:Mr Jörn Baasner
Company/Organisation: SICK AG
Country: Germany

Abstract Information :

Since 2013 more than 200 states have already ratified the Minamata convention.
The common goal of the convention is to protect the human health and the environment from growing anthropogenic as well as natural mercury (Hg) emissions. One major concern is the high toxicity of mercury. Little traces can already cause sincere intoxication if exposed over a longer period. Hg can stay for one year or longer within the atmosphere before redisposition. During this period, Hg can be widely spread from the emission source, which is the reason that Hg needs to be considered on a global scale.

Since the 90s mercury analyzers have to be installed in German waste incineration plants for continuous mercury emission monitoring. Limit values are regulated via the 13th and 17th BImSchV (13th and 17th Verordnung zur Durchführung des Bundes-Immissionsschutzgesetzes) and valid for waste incineration plants, power plants and also for cement plants using co-incineration. A limit value established in 2019 sets the yearly Hg emissions to 10 µg/Nm³ for large-scale firing plants using solid fuel and bio fuel. Article 15 of the Industrial Emission Directive (2010/75EU) demands an industrial related exchange of the member states concerning Best Available Technologies (BAT’s) on a regular basis. The Best Available Technology Reference Document for large combustion plants (LCP BREF) sets Hg limit values of 1 – 10 µg/Nm³ depending on plant type.

All measuring principles for continuous total mercury monitoring are based on extractive devices. Before commissioning Hg analyzers need to be certified according to EN15267, EN14181 and EN14884. Certification of measuring ranges is based on daily average limit value. Currently the lowest certified measuring range for continuous mercury analyzers is 0-5 µg/Nm³. If the newly established yearly average values will effect the certification process is still not evaluated. Furthermore, the current European reference method (EN13211) for calibration of continuous mercury analyzers is limited to validate a measuring range of 0-5 µg/Nm³ as the measuring uncertainty is validated with 2.6 µg/Nm³. For certification of continuous Hg analyzers with even lower measuring ranges, it is essential to revalidate the standard reference method in advance. The interaction between regulations, certification, reference methods and measurement technology for total Hg monitoring will be discussed.