This enables precise, real-time measurement of particle emissions from chimneys, advancing pollution control and enhancing public health protection.
The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) has developed a technology that allows for the real-time measurement of coarse and fine particles emitted from chimneys. This breakthrough, the first of its kind in the country, has already been successfully applied in domestic power plants and incinerators, marking the conclusion of a rigorous six-month monitoring and demonstration phase.
This technology can classify and measure coarse particles (PM10) and fine particles (PM2.5) by size in real-time, even in harsh conditions inside chimneys. It transforms these challenging environments into ambient conditions suitable for accurate measurements at room temperature, with reduced particle concentration. The team has developed not only a single technology but a suite of four distinct innovations that collectively manage particle emissions from chimneys based on size. These technologies include an isokinetic inlet to manage varying gas flow rates and pressures, constant sampling and dilution, droplet separation, and prevention of particle loss on inner surfaces. Each of these innovations has been rigorously tested and verified during the six-month trial in various domestic power plants and incinerators, demonstrating their effectiveness and reliability.
Traditionally, fine particle measurement faced challenges due to the extreme conditions within chimneys. Methods like light transmission measurement, which indirectly assesses total suspended particles (TSP) by evaluating light intensity reduction, offered imprecise monitoring. Alternatively, the gravimetric measurement method, which involves collecting particles on a filter and measuring their weight, does not support real-time data acquisition.
The newly developed iso-kinetic inlet technology decelerates the exhaust gases entering the measurement device, reducing measurement errors caused by fluctuations in gas flow rate. This is crucial for accurate fine particle measurements. The system also includes an automatic control for dilution air injection, maintaining a consistent volume of exhaust gas sampled, regardless of environmental changes inside the chimney. It prevents condensation droplets and reduces particle adhesion by keeping the temperature consistent and injecting air into a porous metal tube.
