Continuous Environmental Monitoring

A combination of continuous emissions monitoring and manual stack testing is used to ensure the Waste-to-Energy Facility is operating effectively and maintaining high environmental standards, while complying with all regulatory requirements for facility emissions. The range of contaminants monitored is broad, including common air contaminants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM), as well as acid gases, trace metals, trace organics, and dioxins / furans.

Continuous emissions monitoring

The Continuous Emissions Monitoring System uses analytical equipment to continuously monitor emissions from the Waste-to-Energy Facility. Opacity, total particulate matter, and gaseous compounds can be monitored continuously. The most recent data measured at the Waste-to-Energy Facility is displayed. The data is preliminary in nature and has not yet been checked or verified.

Waste-to-Energy Facility Emissions Data Terms and Conditions

The table below shows the most recent 24-hour average discharge data for each parameter. This data is updated once per day. Discharge limits shown are the maximum discharge rates allowed for each parameter.

24-hour Emissions Data -
Parameter	Discharge Limits	Discharge Values
Parameter	Discharge Limits	Boiler #1	Boiler #2	Boiler #3
Opacity (%)	No current limit
Carbon Monoxide (mg/dscm)	50
Hydrogen Chloride (mg/dscm)	**
Sulphur Dioxide (mg/dscm)	200
Nitrogen Oxides (mg/dscm)	190
Total Hydrocarbons (mg/dscm)	10

The table below shows ½ hour average values for each parameter, which are updated once every ½ hour. Response limits indicate when action is required to bring down discharge levels to an appropriate level below the discharge limit. If the value reaches the response limit, action is taken.

½ Hour Emissions Data -
Parameter	Response Limits	Response Values
Parameter	Response Limits	Boiler #1	Boiler #2	Boiler #3
Opacity (%)	5
Carbon Monoxide (mg/dscm)	100
Hydrogen Chloride (mg/dscm)	No current limit
Sulphur Dioxide (mg/dscm)	No current limit
Nitrogen Oxides (mg/dscm)	350
Total Hydrocarbons (mg/dscm)	20

Below is the most recent 24-hour average and ½ hour average data for each parameter. The 24-hour data is updated once per day, and the ½ hour data is updated once every ½ hour. Discharge limits shown are the maximum discharge rates allowed for each parameter. Response limits indicate when action is required to bring down discharge levels to an appropriate level below the discharge limit. If the value reaches the response limit, action is taken.

Continuous Emissions Monitoring Data

Opacity

24-Hour Emissions Data (%)

Discharge Limit: No current limit
Date/Time:
Boiler #1:
Boiler #2:
Boiler #3:

½ Hour Emissions Data (%)

Response Limit: 5
Date/Time:
Boiler #1:
Boiler #2:
Boiler #3:
Carbon Monoxide (CO)

24-Hour Emissions Data (mg/dscm)

Discharge Limit: 50
Date/Time:
Boiler #1:
Boiler #2:
Boiler #3:

½ Hour Emissions Data (mg/dscm)

Response Limit: 100
Date/Time:
Boiler #1:
Boiler #2:
Boiler #3:
Hydrogen Chloride (HCl)

24-Hour Emissions Data (mg/dscm)

Discharge Limit: **
Date/Time:
Boiler #1:
Boiler #2:
Boiler #3:

½ Hour Emissions Data (mg/dscm)

Response Limit: No current limit
Date/Time:
Boiler #1:
Boiler #2:
Boiler #3:
Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂)

24-Hour Emissions Data (mg/dscm)

Discharge Limit: 200
Date/Time:
Boiler #1:
Boiler #2:
Boiler #3:

½ Hour Emissions Data (mg/dscm)

Response Limit: No current limit
Date/Time:
Boiler #1:
Boiler #2:
Boiler #3:
Nitrogen Oxides (NO_x)

24-Hour Emissions Data (mg/dscm)

Discharge Limit: 190
Date/Time:
Boiler #1:
Boiler #2:
Boiler #3:

½ Hour Emissions Data (mg/dscm)

Response Limit: 350
Date/Time:
Boiler #1:
Boiler #2:
Boiler #3:
Total Hydrocarbons (THC)

24-Hour Emissions Data (mg/dscm)

Discharge Limit: 10
Date/Time:
Boiler #1:
Boiler #2:
Boiler #3:

½ Hour Emissions Data (mg/dscm)

Response Limit: 20
Date/Time:
Boiler #1:
Boiler #2:
Boiler #3:

Note: The most recent data measured at the Waste-to-Energy Facility is shown. The data is preliminary in nature and has not yet been checked or verified.

** Continuous monitoring of SO₂ will be used as a surrogate for emissions monitoring of acid gases, such as HCl and HF.

Manual stack testing

Compounds that cannot be accurately and effectively monitored on a continuous basis using the Continuous Emissions Monitoring System are monitored via periodic manual stack testing, performed by independent certified stack test technicians. Technicians follow strict test methodologies approved by the BC Ministry of Environment, to obtain a representative sample from the flue gas. Test parameters and frequency of testing are approved through the Operational Certificate.

The data below shows the most recent manual stack test result for each parameter, along with the regulated discharge limit for that parameter.

Manual Stack Test Data – Tested 4 times per year on all boilers -
Parameter
Parameter	Boiler #1	Boiler #2	Boiler #3
Total Particulate Matter (mg/dscm)
Hydrogen Fluoride (mg/dscm)
Cadmium (µg/dscm)
Mercury (µg/dscm)
Sum of Lead, Arsenic, Chromium (µg/dscm)

Effective January 2019 Total Hydrocarbons are monitored continuously and are no longer a manual stack testing parameter.

Manual Stack Test Data – Tested once per year on one boiler -
Parameter	Discharge Limits	Discharge Values
Parameter	Discharge Limits	Boiler #1
Total Dioxins and Furans (ng/dscm)	0.08
Chlorophenols (µg/dscm)	1
Chlorobenzenes (µg/dscm)	1
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (µg/dscm)	5
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (µg/dscm)	1

Manual Stack Test Data

Total Particulate Matter

Testing Frequency: Four times per year (on all boilers)
Units: mg/dcsm
Discharge limit: 9
Date:
Boiler #1:
Boiler #2:
Boiler #3:
Cadmium (Cd)

Testing Frequency: Four times per year (on all boilers)
Units: µg/dscm
Discharge limit: 7
Date:
Boiler #1:
Boiler #2:
Boiler #3:
Mercury (Hg)

Testing Frequency: Four times per year (on all boilers)
Units: µg/dscm
Discharge limit: 20
Date:
Boiler #1:
Boiler #2:
Boiler #3:
Sum of Lead (Pb), Arsenic (As), Chromium (Cr)

Testing Frequency: Four times per year (on all boilers)
Units: µg/dscm
Discharge limit: 64
Date:
Boiler #1:
Boiler #2:
Boiler #3:
Total Dioxins and Furans (as PCDD/F TEQ)

Testing Frequency: Annually (once per year on one boiler)
Units: ng/dscm
Discharge limit: 0.08
Date:
Boiler #2:
Chlorophenols

Testing Frequency: Annually (once per year on one boiler)
Units: µg/dscm
Discharge limit: 1
Date:
Boiler #2:
Chlorobenzenes

Testing Frequency: Annually (once per year on one boiler)
Units: µg/dscm
Discharge limit: 1
Date:
Boiler #2:
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Testing Frequency: Annually (once per year on one boiler)
Units: µg/dscm
Discharge limit: 5
Date:
Boiler #2:
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Testing Frequency: Annually (once per year on one boiler)
Units: µg/dscm
Discharge limit: 1
Date:
Boiler #2:

Effective January 2019 Total Hydrocarbons are monitored continuously and are no longer a manual stack testing parameter.

Terms and conditions of data use

Send questions or feedback to icentre@metrovancouver.org

Questions or feedback

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