| Abstract Title: | Finnish ILC for out-stack particulate measurements- recommendations for the practical work based on the observations |
| Presenter Name: | Dr Tuula Pellikka |
| Co-authors: | Mrs Tuula Kajolinna |
| Company/Organisation: | VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland |
| Country: | Finland |
Abstract Information :
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has organized interlaboratory comparisons (ILCs) for stack testing teams in Finland from 1980´s. These measurements have been organized using real stacks. Last ILC for Finnish emission measurement teams were organised during year 2022. The measurement place was waste to energy plant, combusting municipal waste in the grid furnace. Measurement platform was located at the height of 20 meters, after the flue gas cleaning units (electrostatic precipitator, textile filter and scrubbers for SO2 and HCl). During this measurement campaign gaseous components, such as O2, CO, CO2, NOx and SO2 were measured. Flue gas was saturated and therefore, particulates were measured with out- stack measurement method, according to the principles of EN 13284-1. This ILC with out-stack method for particulates was organized for the first time in Finland. It was known already when selecting the measurement place that the concentration levels will be there at the low level. However, BAT-AEL (associated emission levels) describe low emission levels for many components. Therefore, this place was selected since based on these measurements it was possible to have a picture of the challenges that emission measurement teams will face in the future. Seven emission measurement teams took part in this campaign. All teams had accreditation according to SFS-EN ISO/IEC 17025 for the components that they measured. No large deviations were found between the participants for most of the components. Only exceptions were SO2, CO and particulate results. This presentation focuses on particulate results and possible reasons for the deviations and how they could be avoided in the future. During this ILC, also the practical working procedures during measurements were evaluated. Some teams followed the instructions given in the standards carefully while others had some challenges in this respect. This shows how important it is to take care of the continuous training of the personnel and that the competence of the personnel is also monitored frequently. ILCs are a perfect tool for this!
