What is stack emission testing?
Stack or source emissions monitoring involves taking direct measurements of an emission source, usually at an industrial or manufacturing facility.
The process of stack testing is complex, and generally involves collecting samples at the source of emissions (often a stack), with the samples subsequently lodged with a certified laboratory for analysis.
Given the range of compounds that can be tested, the methods and sampling instrumentation involved in source emission testing is varied. Sample methods include isokinetic methods, wet chemical, direct read instruments, gas sampling into bags and on sorbent tubes and collection of odour samples for subsequent olfactometry analysis.
Stack emission testing should be undertaken by NATA-certified engineers, scientists and trained air quality consultants, such as the expert team at Trinity Consultants Australia (NATA certified in accordance with ISO17025).
Who needs stack emission testing?
Stack emission testing is often required for annual monitoring in a site environmental licence. The purpose is often to demonstrate compliance of emissions with the legislative requirements and the environmental performance commitments of a company.
Other circumstances where stack testing may be required include the development of new processes and products, and testing to optimise existing processes.
For example, stack emission testing data can provide an important indication of the efficiency of a combustion process or a particular production, as this type of testing enables us to quantify the compounds that are being emitted as a waste product via the stack.
Trinity has undertaken stack emission testing for a range of industries including:
- Petroleum, oil and gas
- Bitumen
- Agriculture, forestry, sawmills
- Refineries and metal production
- Mining
- Chemical industries
- Manufacturing industries
- Spray painting
- Retail, educational and commercial developments.
- Utilities
Why Choose Trinity
- NATA-accredited
- Experience with a broad range of target compounds
- Decades of practical experience, backed up by engineering and scientific expertise
Trinity capabilities
At Trinity, we offer diverse stack emission testing solutions. We have experience with a broad range of target compounds, monitoring equipment and data modelling software.
Source emission sampling
- Odour from stack, fugitive and area sources
- Velocity and gases
- Isokinetic sampling of particulates, aerosols and semi-volatiles
- Arranging laboratory analysis for chemical and physical properties
Target compounds
- Particulate matter (PM10, TSP)
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Acid gases
- Formaldehyde
- Hydrogen sulphide
- Isocyanates
- Metals
- Odours
- Dioxins and furans
- Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons
- Semi-volatile organic compounds
- Sulphur oxides (SOx)
- Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Methane
- Other compounds and substances as required
Equipment and facilities
- Wide range of own sampling instrumentation and monitoring equipment
- Expert instrumentation calibration to ensure equipment precision and accuracy
- Purpose-built equipment preparation and sample recovery laboratory
- Wide network of additional instrument suppliers to service complex or rare monitoring requirements (or multiple projects simultaneously)
Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analyser
- Portable FTIR analyser capable of monitoring multiple gases simultaneously, even in hot, wet, aggressive gas streams
- Ideal for emissions monitoring in the power sector, energy from waste, incineration plants, and in industries such as cement and aluminium
- Simultaneously measures multiple analytes in complex gas matrices, detecting virtually all gas-phase species (both organic and inorganic, except diatomic elements N2, O2 etc and noble gases He, Ne, etc)
- Also measures methane slip or combustion slip from compressor, reciprocating and piston engines
Data analysis, interpretation and reports
- Diverse analytical methods to review and interpret data
- Software modelling to help simulate a wide range of scenarios
- Expertise to ensure the models draw relevant and meaningful conclusions
- Data validation and quality assurance
- Reporting to meet regulatory requirements
How we work
Our environmental scientists and technicians have been providing innovative, cost effective solutions to achieve air quality compliance and best practice management for more than 25 years.
We understand industrial processes and atmospheric science, but we also speak the language of regulators and policy stakeholders.
With a highly qualified, NATA-certified and trusted team, and a range of specialist in-house equipment, Trinity has all the tools to meet your emissions testing needs – however complex or diverse they may be.
Talk to us today.
