Air pollution – emissions

Industrial processes and combustion centres located in incinerators, smelters and power plants, among others, are considered potential sources or air pollution. The control of the emissions is based on the preventive maintenance and the monitoring of their hours of operation.

Emission of combustion gases

The field of application is for gases emitted in fixed emission sources associated with combustion plants:

On the one hand, by means of electrochemical cells, determining the concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), oxygen (O₂), nitrogen monoxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and sulphur dioxide (SO₂). o On the other hand, in accordance with EN standards, determining the concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) by non-dispersive infrared spectrometry (UNE-EN 15058), nitrogen oxides (NO_x) by chemiluminescence (UNE-EN 14792), oxygen (O₂) by paramagnetism (UNE-EN 14789), and sulphur dioxide (SO₂) by uptake (UNE-EN 14791).

TOC emissions

TOC emissions are emissions of volatile organic compounds, including those due to the use of solvents in certain activities. To guarantee the control of the aforementioned activities, it is established that those that are not subject to authorisation must be notified for registration to the competent authority. The purpose is to define the sampling process and equipment necessary for the determination of the total organic carbon (TOC) concentration in effluent gases containing VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from stacks and industrial stationary focuses, according to criteria established in the standard.

Gaseous emissions of particles and other pollutants

The field of application is for the following pollutants found in gas emissions from fixed sources in industrial facilities, thermal power plants, incinerators, etc.: particles, sulphur dioxide (SO₂), hydrogen sulphide (SH₂), ammonia (NH₃), sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄), hydrochloric acid (HCI), chlorine (Cl₂), hydrofluoric acid (HF), metals (Ag, As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb) , Sb, Se, Sn, Tl, V, and Zn), individualized VOC fluorides, dioxins, and furans. 

Applicable regulation

   Applicable national regulations

• Royal Decree 100/2011    
• Royal Decree 117/2003