Functional testing and calibration of monitoring equipment

Automatic measuring systems (AMS) for continuous emission monitoring are legally required for many plants above a certain size. These systems are generally mandatory for large combustion plants and facilities for waste incineration or co-incineration.

Quality assurance for AMS includes installation, calibration, and annual functional testing. Initially, a notified body under § 29b BImSchG must verify the correct installation of the AMS. Calibration is required and must be repeated every three years for most installations. In the intervening years, a functional test ensures the device's basic functions are operational and that requirements for measurement uncertainty and calibration validity are met. This process includes checking the system's emission computer, which analyzes and stores signals from the AMS.

Calibration involves conducting at least 15 comparison measurements over a minimum of three days using standard reference measurement methods (SRM). AMS signals are compared with SRM values and statistically analyzed to determine a calibration function, essential for accurate calculation of measurement results in the emission computer. This evaluation also determines the AMS's measurement uncertainty and defines an upper limit for its working range.

Even under challenging conditions, we provide effective solutions for applying standardized reference measurement methods. With years of experience and specialized knowledge in plant technology, we offer flexible scheduling to align functional tests and calibrations with your operational processes.

In addition to installation tests, calibrations, and functional tests for exhaust gas measuring equipment, we also perform calibration and functional testing of equipment for measuring combustion chamber temperature in the post-combustion zone of waste incineration plants (17th BImSchV).

Installation test:

• Checking the correct installation of the automatic measuring system (AMS).
• Determination of the representativeness of the AMS
• Testing of monitoring concepts for flue gas cleaning systems (44th BImSchV)

Calibration:

• Comparative measurements with standard reference measurement methods
• Determination of the calibration function, the measurement uncertainty and the upper limit of the calibration range
• Determination of response functions and threshold values for qualitative measuring devices (e.g. flue gas density analysers, filter monitors)
• In consultation with the responsible approval authority, specifications for the number of samples, the selection of substitute variables and the definition of special operating conditions for which additional calibration is required.
• Communication with the manufacturer of the emission evaluation computer for proper programming/parameterisation
• Calibration of measuring devices for the combustion chamber temperature to verify the combustion conditions in accordance with §§ 6/7 of the 17th BImSchV
  and "Federal standardised practice for the monitoring of emissions"

Function test:

• Functional checks of the emission measuring devices with certified test gases and references
• Functional check of the emission analyser and remote emission monitoring (EFÜ)
• Functional check of qualitative measuring equipment (e.g. flue gas density measuring devices, filter monitors)
• Comparative measurements with standard reference measurement methods
• Evaluation of the comparative measurements with regard to measurement uncertainty and validity of the calibration function