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In this article we introduce you to the world of continuous dioxin monitoring and the Gasmet GT90 Dioxin+, which is an exceptionally robust dioxin sampling system. Did you know that it was designed to sample even the lowest dioxin and dioxin-like compound concentrations in harsh industrial environments, even in subfreezing conditions? In addition to dioxins, the system is capable of measuring furans and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). For this article we interviewed our client and environmental research expert, Dr. Werner Tirler, the Director of Eco-Research. He is in charge of an analytical laboratory with a solid experience in environmental research and detection and determination of environmental pollutants. Read on to learn more!
Dioxin in a Nutshell
Dioxin is an umbrella name for polychlorinated dibenzo-para-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans. They are part of the larger class of compounds known as POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants). Dioxins and POPs are toxic, persistent and nowadays ubiquitously present in our environment.
Where Does Dioxin Appear?
Dioxins are known to form in the industrial waste combustion processes, and escape into the environment via exhaust gases from incinerators. Dioxins are filtered from the flue gas and they escape in the atmosphere via fly ash.
“Continuous monitoring of dioxin emissions is extremely important due to the health risk dioxin poses to living organisms. Dioxins can accumulate in the human body due to their highly lipophilic properties. Once there, they can cause cancer and have adverse effects on the endocrine, immune and nervous systems”, Tirler explains
Principle Sources of Dioxins Are:
- Waste incineration
- Metallurgical processes
- Chemical manufacturing
- Energy generation and power plants
- Natural forest fires (to a small extent)
- Last but not least: Backyard trash burning
Skeletal formula of TCDD polychlorinated dibenzodioxin pollutant molecule, commonly called dioxin. Byproduct formed during incineration of chlorine-containing materials. Image: Shutterstock
Long-Term Sampling is Vital in Dioxin Monitoring
In terms of getting reliable results and an accurate representation of the dioxin emissions of an industrial plant, it is very important that enough time is given for the sampling (two-weeks or more). Measurement data show that short-term dioxin monitoring (e.g. 8-hour sampling periods) fails to take the full operational time of a plant into consideration, which in turn, affects the results.
Plants’ operational fluctuation during weekends, nights, and during other exceptional situations have effects on the emissions. With long-term sampling plant operators can ensure that the full spectrum of dioxin emissions is visible in the sampling data.
EU Legislation Guiding Dioxin Emissions Monitoring
In Europe, the dioxin measurements in emission of stationary sources is done according the EN 1948 standard (Part I, II and III) under the The Industrial Emissions Directive 2010/75/EU of the European parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control).
“Part IV is related to PCB compounds, Part V to long-term sampling, which laboratories perform according to the regulations of environmental authorities and regular-basis emission measurements”, Tirler elaborates.
The directive set limits for dioxin emissions. Emissions must be lower than 0,1 ng TEQ /Nm3 for dioxins and furans.
GT90 Dioxin+ Tailored for Dioxin Monitoring
The GT90 Dioxin+ is designed specifically for long-term monitoring of dioxin emissions. The automatic system represents the cutting-edge technology for dioxin sampling and fulfils all requirements of the dioxin measurement standard EN 1948.
The system has been performance tested and validated, allowing measurements down to 0.0003 – 0.252 ng I-TEQ /m3. The system can withstand dust loads up to 150 mg/m3 and velocities up to 30 m/s without any effect on the performance.
Key benefits of GT90 Dioxin+:
- Long-term isokinetic sampling
- Conformity to EN1948-1
- A sampling of dioxins, furans and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs)
- POPs such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- High sensitivity
- Availability of 100%
Technical features of GT90 Dioxin+:
- Automatic system designed for continuous operation
- Heated sampling probe unit and heated line
- Sampling velocity 2-20 m/s
- Designed for industrial use even in harsh conditions
- Withstands dust content up to 150 mg/m3
- Dilution method using dry cartridges
- Carefully selected materials
- Remote access and control
The system is the perfect solution for the continuous isokinetic sampling of hazardous organic compounds in industrial and domestic waste incineration plants.
In addition to dioxins, the system is capable of measuring furans and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). To get even more out of the system, the GT90 Dioxin+ can also be equipped with ParTrace option, enabling heavy metal and fine dust collection.
Read more about Gasmet GT90 Dioxin+ on our website here.
