Continuous emissions monitoring and pilot Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) for particulate matter from stationary sources in India
The pilot emissions trading scheme will rely on continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS) for measurement. The term CEMS refers to the instrumentation and software required to measure emissions from a stationary source on a practically continuous basis. Unlike for carbon dioxide or energy consumption, input-based methods of measurement are not reliable for particulates, since particulate emissions are a complex function of combustion conditions and abatement technology. Therefore, the role of CEMS is to measure the total load of particulate matter (PM) coming from each source. Total emissions can then be reconciled against permit holdings in the trading scheme. The purpose of this document is to serve as a technical specification for accurate, reliable CEMS measurement of particulate matter. A document of this nature is imperative for supporting the pilot emissions trading program. The measurement and regulation of particulate matter is a concern worldwide, this specification is unique primarily because it is also designed to measure total load (equivalently average mass flow rate) over an extended period of time, as opposed to only mass concentration of particulates at any instant of time.