The Benefits of Using MCERTS Approved Filter Leak CEMS

Filter leak CEMS (continuous Emission Monitors) are used on industrial processes to continuously monitor the condition of bagfilter arrestment plant to satisfy both regulatory and process control requirements. A new European standard EN-15859 sets important performance criteria for the operation and approval of Filter leak monitors in support of quality assurance goals. The UK MCERTS scheme for CEMS has recently adopted this standard in support of UK monitoring requirements.

Role of Filter Leak CEMS

Continuous monitoring has been at the heart of the regulatory approach in the UK for the past 20 years, since as well as ensuring emission limits are met, it provides the process operator the data to ensure that pollution abatement equipment is working properly, and provide immediate alarms if there is a plant malfunction.

With the widespread adoption of bagfilter arrestment plant to control particulate emissions from industrial processes, regulators have adapted their continuous monitoring requirements to reflect Best Available Technique (BAT) in smaller emission points and required the installation of ‘filter leak CEMS (Continuous Emission Monitors) as an alternative to ‘Particulate CEMs’ or filter dust CEMS. These instruments provide visibility to trends and changes in the emissions from a bagfilter associated with wearing or torn bags, provide feedback on the correct operation of the plant and alarms on monitoring a leak.

For Part B processes regulated by Local Authorities the terminology used for ‘filter leak monitors’ is ‘indicative monitoring of particulate’. For Part A processes regulated by the Environment Agency or in other European countries the term ‘qualitative particulate monitor’ or ‘Filter leak monitor’ is sometimes used as an alternative to the term ‘ Filter Leak CEM’.