Optimizing Air Emissions Calculations with Digital Solutions: Identifying Air Emissions Templates

What is an Air Emissions “Template”? Templates are used to group similar emissions calculations within digital solution platforms. The way templates are handled varies depending on the software used, but templates are a common concept and approach across software systems.

What is the value proposition? The set up of digital tools for air emissions can be time consuming, but by investing in developing air templates the solution can be more easily maintained, ongoing updates to the system are easier and more consistent, and training/knowledge transfer is more straightforward.

When trying to scope and cost setting up digital tools for air emissions calculations, the primary driver of cost and schedule is the number of air emissions calculation templates required. A very common question is how to tell if two emissions sources should be one calculation template or two calculation templates. This blog post will walk through some checks that can help you determine whether two emissions sources could be the same calculation template, providing guidance for project scoping and scheduling.

You may be tempted to think that equipment types will tell you how many air emissions calculation templates will be needed. However, equipment type is not the only indicator of whether you will need one or multiple emissions templates. Below are some scenarios where equipment type is not the sole criteria:

• Furnaces, process heaters, and boilers are considered different types of process equipment. However, if they are all calculated using the same AP-42 emissions factors and data frequence, they can be one shared emissions template.
• If one process heater has CEMS that determine emissions and another process heater uses heat input and emissions factors, they would be two different emissions templates.
• If a combustion source’s calculated emissions are based on fuel consumed or hours of operation, then these are separate methods and will typically require separate templates.

Emissions Source to Air Emissions Calculation Template Checklist

Step through the following checklist to identify whether an emissions source matches an existing template or requires a new template. Each question should be answered for the emissions source in question against one existing calculation template at a time. If you answer “No” to a question, start the checklist over against another existing calculation template. If you do not find a match by comparing to each existing template, this source requires a new calculation template.

• Do the operating or usage data inputs match the same type of input in an existing template with matching units of measure (UoM) and input frequency (i.e., Monthly Operating Hours (hr) or Daily Diesel Fuel Usage (gal))?

*Note: Daily Diesel Fuel Usage and Daily Natural Gas Usage are not the same input type, even though they are both considered fuel inputs. Different fuel types require different emissions factors, so the template would be different.

• If Yes, next question, if No → it’s a new (or different) template

• Do the emissions that need to be calculated match the same emissions calculated in an existing template (i.e. NOx, PM, VOC)?
  • If Yes, next question, if No → it’s a new (or different) template

• Do the emissions calculations use the same emissions factor (EF) source and UoM (i.e., PM from AP-42 Table 1.3 in lb/kgal)?
  *Note: if the EF is from a source test it’s OK that the value is different for each emissions source as long as both sources use a source test and the same UoM.
  • If Yes, next question, if No → it’s a new (or different) template

• If the emissions calculations use equipment properties in the formula, is the property type the same and the same UoM (i.e., Rating in hp)?
  • If Yes, next question, if No → it’s a new (or different) template

• Does each emissions calculation (per contaminant) match the formula used for the same emissions calculation in the template (i.e., Input*EF or Input*EF*Attribute)
  • If Yes, next question, if No → it’s a new (or different) template

If you have answered “Yes” to each item above, there’s a good chance this emissions source matches the existing calculation template you’re comparing against and does not require a different template.

Some emissions templates may include more source specific information, like a template for chemical usage or paint booth sources. Templates like these may require more time to configure due to their need to include customized data, such as chemicals used for each specific source.

Determining the number of emissions templates in an air emissions configuration project can help to understand the needed effort and how to break the effort into manageable phases. By following the guidelines provided in this blog post, you can make informed decisions about whether two emissions sources should share a single calculation template or require separate ones. If you have more questions about how to turn emissions calculations in a spreadsheet into emissions calculations in a digital solution, please contact Kaitlin George at 716-238-3706 or kgeorge@all4inc.com or Julie Taccino at 281-201-1247 or jtaccino@all4inc.com.