BREAKING NEWS - EPA Allows for Software Instead of Hardware for Continuous Emission Monitoring
Many are surprised that the EPA was forward-thinking in allowing software alternatives to a typical hardware based CEM or Continuous Emission Monitor. No “special” approval process is required, and this allowance is nothing “new”. When 40 CFR 75 was originally published, in 1993, there were provisions for an ACEMS (75.40 – 75.48). When the EPA published Performance Specification 16 (40 CFR 60 PS-16) in 2008 they allowed for a PEMS on units covered under Parts 60, 61, and 63, again without a special approval process
The decision tree should help those trying to decide if a software based emission monitor is allowed:
Rockwell Automation has been at the forefront of software based continuous emission monitor with Software CEM®. Software CEM is an EPA approved PEMS with the first one in-place in 1993. Since then, more and more customer have realized the savings of software over hardware monitoring in both initial capital expenditures, ongoing maintenance, and reliability. Software emission monitoring solutions have no moving parts, do not require calibration gasses and leverage the existing infrastructure.
When building a new unit or replacing aging hardware emission monitors, consider a more cost effective approach. Include Machine Learning, Big Data, predictive analytics as an option. The EPA has approved these more cost effective approaches for over 20 years now – it’s time for industry to think outside of the box as well.