An accurate continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS) quotation starts with a clear understanding of your process, site conditions and reporting requirements. These details influence everything from analyser selection and sample conditioning to enclosure design, communications and ongoing maintenance.

Thomson Environmental Systems (TES) engineers integrated CEMS solutions around individual processes and installation requirements. Preparing answers to the following questions will help TES develop a suitable system scope and a more meaningful quotation.

You do not need every answer before making contact. Identifying what is known—and what still needs investigation—is a useful starting point.

What are the normal and maximum flue gas temperatures and pressures?

Provide the typical operating temperature and pressure at the proposed sampling location, together with the expected minimum and maximum conditions.

Include start-up, shutdown and process upset conditions where available. Specify whether pressure is gauge or absolute. This information helps determine suitable probe materials, sampling components, pressure control and temperature management.

Which gases need to be measured, and at what concentrations?

List each required gas and its anticipated normal and maximum concentrations. Include the units, such as ppm, mg/m³ or volume percentage, and any applicable emission limits.

Distinguish between measurements required for environmental reporting and those intended for process control. A system must provide useful performance around the concentrations that matter, rather than simply accommodate the highest possible reading.

What lower level of detection is required for each gas, this will influence instrument selection.

What is the expected moisture content of the flue gas?

Water vapour influences sampling-system design and the conversion between wet- and dry-basis results.

Provide the expected moisture percentage and its likely variation. If moisture content is unknown, advise whether the process includes wet scrubbing, steam injection or other sources of water vapour. This helps TES assess condensation risks and whether a hot-wet or conditioned dry-extractive arrangement is appropriate.

What is the expected particulate concentration?

Dust loading affects probe filtration, cleaning requirements and maintenance frequency. Where possible, provide the particulate concentration and describe the dust.

Fine, sticky, abrasive or moisture-sensitive material can present different sampling challenges. Also identify any existing particulate-control equipment and whether the proposed sampling point is upstream or downstream of it.

What fuel or fuels does the boiler burn?

Specify whether the plant burns natural gas, coal, biomass, liquid fuel, waste-derived fuel or a combination.

Include backup fuels and planned changes. Fuel composition helps establish likely pollutants, sample characteristics and potential future measurement requirements.

How long will the sampling umbilical need to be?

If an extractive system is considered the best option then you will need to estimate the actual route between the sampling probe and instrument cabinet, including vertical sections, bends and cable-tray routing.

Umbilical length influences sample transport time, heating requirements and installation cost. A marked-up drawing or site photograph can help TES understand the proposed arrangement and identify practical routing constraints.

Will the instrument enclosure be installed indoors or outdoors?

Describe the proposed cabinet location and expected ambient conditions. Outdoor installations will require protection against solar heating, rain, dust and corrosion, while indoor locations may still experience high temperatures or poor ventilation.

Advise whether the area is electrically hazardous and identify available power, instrument air and other utilities.

Can technicians safely access the probe and cabinet?

Explain how the sampling probe will be reached for inspection, filter replacement and servicing. Identify platforms, ladders, lifting requirements and any access restrictions.

The cabinet also needs sufficient working space and convenient access to consumables and service connections. Planning for maintenance during the quotation stage can reduce later installation changes and servicing difficulties.

Where is the site located?

Provide the site address and identify any remote-access requirements, induction procedures or restricted working hours.

Location affects freight, installation planning, commissioning and service arrangements. For remote facilities, it is also helpful to discuss spare parts, operator training and remote diagnostic access early.

Do results need to be reported on a wet or dry basis?

Confirm the reporting basis specified by your licence, approval or internal reporting procedure.

A conventional cold-dry extractive CEMS typically removes moisture before analysis and reports dry-basis concentrations. The Gasmet CEMS II e uses hot-wet FTIR measurement. Because water vapour is measured, its software can calculate dry-basis gas concentrations. Matching the reporting basis is essential when comparing results with emission limits.

Is correction to a reference oxygen concentration required?

If results must be oxygen-corrected, specify the reference oxygen percentage and the required reporting basis.

Oxygen correction allows results to be expressed at a defined dilution condition. Include the relevant reporting requirements so TES can scope the oxygen measurement and calculation functions. Gasmet CEMS II e configurations can incorporate a separate oxygen analyser; FTIR does not directly measure oxygen.

Is Modbus output required?

Identify the preferred communications protocol and the information your control system needs.

This may include gas concentrations, corrected results, instrument status, maintenance warnings and diagnostic information. Specify whether Modbus TCP, Modbus RTU, analogue signals or another interface is required so the appropriate integration can be included in the quotation.

Will the CEMS connect to the DCS or require remote communications?

Explain how operators will access the measurements. Options may include a direct connection to the plant’s distributed control system (DCS), remote access through a cellular modem, or both.

For a proposed 5G connection, discuss network coverage, site IT requirements and permitted remote-access arrangements. Clearly defining communications helps establish responsibilities for cabling, networking and configuration.

Could additional gases be required in the future?

Identify potential process changes, new fuels or anticipated monitoring obligations.

The Gasmet CEMS II e solution offers flexibility to add suitable FTIR-measurable gases through software configuration, subject to application suitability and validation. A conventional system using dedicated analysers may require additional hardware. Considering future requirements now can help avoid unnecessary redesign later.

Has a budget been allocated?

Let TES know whether you need an initial budget estimate or a detailed quotation for an approved project.

How should capital and operating costs be balanced?

Discuss your preferred balance between capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operating expenditure (OPEX).

A lower purchase price may come with different maintenance, consumable and servicing requirements. A higher initial investment may offer advantages where broader gas coverage or reduced sample conditioning is valuable. TES can compare suitable configurations against your operating priorities and expected service life.

Ready to Discuss Your CEMS Project?

Send TES your available process data, required measurements, reporting conditions, site drawings and preferred timeframe. Sharing your licence or monitoring specification also helps define the required scope.

Contact Thomson Environmental Systems to discuss a continuous emissions monitoring system for your Australian or New Zealand facility, or explore TES CEMS solutions.