Atmospheric emissions

The primary objective of LabAnalysis Environmental Science is to ensure the quality of the services offered to the client. This is made possible through the continuous professional development of its collaborators.

Our team of experts, thanks to operational offices and technical personnel nationwide, can promptly carry out the following activities:

• Sampling and analysis of atmospheric emissions from any type of facility (chemical, petrochemical, cement plants, thermoelectric, pharmaceutical, plastics production, small and large combustion plants, etc.), including:
  • Company self-monitoring
  • Characterization of point source odorous emissions (application of dynamic olfactometry according to UNI EN 13725 for determining odor concentration U.O.)
  • Internal process controls
  • Characterization of particle size distribution curves for dust
  • Verification of long-term sampling systems for PCDD, PCDF, and PCB according to UNI CEN/TS 1948-5
  • Performance tests
  • Upstream/downstream characterization and verification of abatement systems
  • Thermal efficiency
  • Continuous monitoring of emissions using a mobile unit equipped with FTIR system for the analysis of parameters: CO, NO, NO2 (NOx), SO2, CO2, HCL, HF, NH3, H20, COT, O2
• Characterization of emissions from composting and bio-drying plants (biofilters)
• Characterization of sampling sections with verification of homogeneity and sampling point of SME systems (where applicable) according to par. 8.3 and 8.4 of UNI EN 15259

Highlighted activities:

• Sampling and analysis of PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances) in emissions from fixed sources (atmospheric emissions).
• Sampling and analysis of radiogenic carbon 14C and biogenic CO2 fraction using LSC (liquid scintillation) technique.

For the characterization of PFAS in the atmospheric emission matrix, LabAnalysis Environmental Science has developed a reliable and robust internal method to ensure representative results.

Regarding the characterization of radiogenic carbon 14C and the biogenic CO2 fraction required for the monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gases as mandated by the European Parliament starting from 01/01/2024, LabAnalysis Environmental Science ensures the highest reliability of results due to extensive experience in the application of reference methods UNI TS 11461:2022 and UNI EN ISO 13833:2013.

In the case of samples taken from long-duration CO2 sampling systems with solid support capture, our laboratory offers analysis, reporting, and assistance services.

LabAnalysis Environmental Science boasts a highly specialized and qualified team for quality checks of Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS).

Specifically, in compliance with current regulations and technical standards, the following activities are carried out:

• Verification of CEMS quality in accordance with UNI EN 14181:

  • QAL2 – Second Level of Quality Assurance
  • QAL3 – Second Level of Quality Assurance
  • AST – Annual Surveillance Test

• Verification of CEMS quality according to Annex VI to Part V of Legislative Decree 152/2006 and subsequent amendments, including:

  • Determination of the relative Accuracy Index (IAR)
  • Linearity tests
  • In-situ analyzer calibration with indirect measurement of particulate matter (dust calibrator calibration)
  • Emissions characterization for CEMS replacement

• Additional activities:

  • Verification of the NO2/NO catalytic converter in accordance with Annex C of UNI EN 14792.

LabAnalysis Environmental Science has been working daily for over 40 years to develop the capabilities of its laboratory in order to provide customers with a comprehensive service regarding the investigated matrix.

The laboratory has an important team of sampling technicians with specific expertise in characterizing air emissions from emission points (chimneys). These teams, dedicated solely to air matrix sampling, exhibit levels of professionalism and experience above market standards.

The high specialization of the technicians means they are accustomed to working under "difficult" conditions in large facilities such as incinerators, thermal power plants, large combustion plants, cement plants, refineries, or steelworks.

The instrumental equipment available to the sampling teams allows for very high flexibility in the field intervention planning. The multitude of instruments is crucial for special campaigns such as performance tests or characterizations of emission points to be carried out in accordance with UNI EN 15259 (verification of flow homogeneity and determination of the sampling point for SME probes).

Instrumentation is also available for specific studies, such as upstream testing of incineration lines (samples taken with probes resistant to high temperatures).

LabAnalysis Enivronmental Science is also a national leader in the continuous analysis of parameters CO, NOx, SO2, O2, CO2, COT, CH4 using continuous analyzers, selected among the best on the market with certifications required by current regulations attesting to their high quality.

Several mobile units are available (insulated mobile laboratories with electrical systems and air conditioning) with analysis cabins consisting of continuous analysis systems for CO, NOx, SO2, O2, CO2, COT.

LabAnalysis stands out in the market by offering an extended analytical set compared to the standard, thanks to a special mobile laboratory that allows for direct reading analysis of HCl, HF, NH3, H2O, CO2, SO2, NO, NO2, CO, COT, N2O, O2. This unique mobile unit possesses an FT-IR analyzer, allowing continuous analysis of parameters not analyzable with other commonly used technologies.

For this reason, our laboratory is also a leader in internal process controls, performance tests, and characterization of abatement systems.

Over the years, we have acquired significant know-how in the following activities:

• Sampling and analysis of emissions from composting and bio-drying plants (biofilters) typically subject to self-monitoring according to regional regulations (where applicable) or guidelines (e.g., guidelines for monitoring gaseous emissions from composting and bio-drying plants). Thanks to numerous available mobile hoods, we can characterize various biofilters simultaneously.

• Thermal efficiency estimation, obtained from the determination of useful power input and output from a combustion plant, following UNI EN 303-5 standard, guidelines from the Energy Services Manager (GSE) "Energy Efficiency Interventions for Biomass and Bioliquid-Fueled Plants," and "Procedure for verifying compliance with the efficiency limits of biomass and bioliquid-fueled plants."

One of the flagship services of our laboratory is undoubtedly the Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) verification service.

The high professionalism and experience of our operators, supported by project managers, have made LabAnalysis Environmental Science a historical leader in this sector.

Customers have the opportunity to be guided by our experts in the design of activities, optimization of field tests, and even in the post-reporting phase.

Our company possesses a series of mobile laboratories and the best equipment on the market, with Accredia UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for both the parameters subject to verification and the main activity performed in accordance with UNI EN 14181 (Quality Verification QAL2 and AST).

Among the requirements prescribed by UNI EN 14181, we also offer the QAL3 verification service with the issuance of the corresponding certificate (QAL3 report).

We also perform the evaluation of the relative Accuracy Index (IAR) and calibration of continuous particulate measurement systems (dust meters) and linearity tests as required by Annex VI to Part V of Legislative Decree 152/2006 and subsequent amendments.

Thanks to our organization, the high number of staff, mobile units, and available portable P-AMS analyzers (EN 15267-4), we guarantee the coverage and replacement of CEMS measurement, as required by par. 2.5 of Annex VI to Part V of Legislative Decree 152/2006 and subsequent amendments, in particularly short times from activation.