Overview
A tool has been developed to complete initial testing of process emissions from biomass plants. This Excel tool has been developed to help local authorities determine the maximum emission rate (in grams per second) from a biomass combustion installation for which a risk of exceedance of the relevant air quality objective is unlikely.
The methodology consists of comparing, for each biomass installation identified (using Table 7.4 in LAQM.TG(22)), the actual maximum emission rate for pollutants against the target emission rate calculated by the tool. If the actual emission rate is greater than the target emission rate, then the local authority should proceed to further assessment of the installation, based on detailed dispersion modelling.
The tool is based on a series of nomograms developed as part of previous versions of LAQM Technical Guidance, but which are still considered relevant.
Current Version
Documents
Biomass Emissions Screening Tool v7.0
Released: April 2017 (XLS, 312 KB)
Details
In order to use this tool, local authorities will need to gather the following information for each biomass installation requiring screening:
- Stack internal diameter.
- Actual stack height above ground level.
- Actual NOx and PM10 maximum emission rates.
- Height of nearby buildings, which may prevent good dispersion of the plume.
- NO2 and PM10 background concentrations around the installation.
Further information with regards to screening biomass emissions is provided within Technical Guidance LAQM.TG22.
