Environmental measurements

In particular, our range of services includes emission and ambient pollution measurements, as well as surveillance tests and calibrations.

a) Emission and ambient pollution measurements

We can advise you on the implementation of the environmental measurements required according to the approval certificate with incorporation into a valid and efficient emission measuring program. Our environmental measuring department is a notified body in accordance with §29b BImSchG (Federal Pollution Control Act). Our emission measurements cover the required scope of exhaust gas parameters to be measured in accordance with the 17th and 13th BImSchV (Ordinances on the implementation of the Federal Immission Control Act) and the TA Luft (Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control). In addition, we are in a position to determine a broad range of special parameters. Our interdisciplinary team of experts, made up of engineers, scientists and laboratory workers, has many years of extensive practical experience and can ensure the legally sound implementation of your environmental standards.

Thanks to close connections with research, the latest results can be incorporated into the practical work of our specialists. The current focal points of our research work are to be found in the areas of mercury measurement techniques and the measurement of biogenic CO₂ in emissions. Our work takes place not only in Germany but also in other countries. We have conducted numerous customised individual projects in eastern Europe, Russia, the Middle East and South East Asia. Our international work is also based on the European standards for measurement techniques. We can also apply US EPA Standards on request.

b) Surveillance tests and calibrations

Within the framework of plant monitoring, the owners of plants subject to approval are obliged to continuously measure their emissions by way of automated measuring systems and to record these in conformity with official requirements by means of emission evaluation calculators if specified emission mass flows are exceeded. Our notification as an environmental measuring department authorises us to check the correct installation of continuously operating emission measurement devices, as well as to perform regular function tests (AST) and calibration. Our experienced team of specialists can perform the legally prescribed annual surveillance tests (AST) and calibrations (QAL 2) for you in accordance with DIN EN 14181. We would also be pleased to assist you with the selection of suitable measurement systems, for instance by advising on the configuration of measurement points in conformity with the national standards, as well as with training courses for your employees on all aspects of measurement techniques, e.g. QAL 3, and accompaniment at official meetings.

a) Emission and ambient pollution measurements

Inorganic gases

• Determination of the mass concentration of nitrogen oxides (NO_x) in accordance with DIN EN 14792
• Measurement of sulphur dioxide concentration (SO₂) in accordance with DIN EN 14791
• Measurement of carbon monoxide emissions (CO) in accordance with DIN EN 15058
• Determination of the emission of gaseous chlorides in accordance with DIN EN 1911
• Determination of the emission of gaseous fluorides in accordance with VDI 2470, Sheet 1
• Determination of basic nitrogen compounds seizable by absorption in sulphuric acid (ammonium) NH₄₊ in accordance with VDI 3496, Sheet 1
• Determination of hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) in accordance with VDI 3486, Sheet 2
• Determination of bromine and bromine compounds employing in-house methods
• Determination of the volume concentration of oxygen (O₂) in accordance with DIN EN 14789
• Determination of water vapour in ducts in accordance with DIN EN 14790

Organic gases

• Determination of the mass concentration of gaseous total gaseous organic carbon using a continuous flame ionisation detector in accordance with DIN EN 12619
• Determination of benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene (BTEX) using active carbon adsorption and solvent desorption methods in accordance with DIN EN 13649
• Sampling and determination of the mass concentration of dioxins and furans (PCDD/PCDF) as well as dioxin-like PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) in accordance with DIN EN 1948-1 and -4
• Special components, e.g. polychlorinated benzenes (PCBz), polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCN), polychlorinated phenols (PCPh) based on DIN EN 1948
• Measurement of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in accordance with VDI 3874
• Measurement of methane (CH₄) emissions using FTIR methods
• Determination of organic carbon adsorbable on silica gel in accordance with VDI 3481, Sheet 2
• Measurement of aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes and ketones by DNPH method – impinger method (e.g. formaldehyde) in accordance with VDI 3862, Sheet 2
• Determination of the emission of phenols employing in-house methods

Dust and heavy metal emissions

• Determination of dust concentration (gravimetric method) in accordance with DIN EN 13284-1 or VDI 2066, Sheet 1
• Measurement of the emissions of fine dust (PM10) in accordance with VDI 2066, Sheet 10
• Determination of the total emissions of metals and metalloids [arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), thallium (Tl) and vanadium (V)] in accordance with DIN EN 14385
• Determination of the total emissions of metals and metalloids [cadmium (Cd), thallium (Tl), arsenic (As), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), tellurium (Te), antimony (Sb), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), vanadium (V), tin (Sn), beryllium (Be) and zinc (Zn)] in accordance with VDI 3868, Sheet 1
• Determination of the total emissions of other metals and metalloids based on DIN EN 14385 or VDI 3868, Sheet 1 (on request)
• Determination of mercury emissions in accordance with DIN EN 13211
• Measurement of the soot number in furnaces designed for EL-type fuel oil in accordance with VDI 2066, Sheet 8

Determination of greenhouse gas emissions

• Discontinuous sampling of biogenic 14 CO₂ in accordance with DIN EN ISO 13833
• Determination of N₂O emissions using FTIR methods
• Determination of CO₂ emissions in accordance with ISO 12039
• Determination of methane emissions (CH₄) using FTIR methods

Special measurement methods

• Determination of sulphur trioxide emissions (SO₃) in accordance with VDI 2462, Sheet 2
• Determination of anions and cations: Lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), chlorine (Cl), nitrate (NO₃) and sulphate (SO₄) using ion chromatography

Ambient pollution measurements
We can advise you on the selection of ambient pollution measurement points based on dispersion calculations and on-site inspections.

• Determination of dust deposition according to the Bergerhoff method VDI 4320, Sheet 2
• Determination of the heavy metal content of dust precipitation VDI 2267, Sheet 15

b) Calibration and function test

• Calibration and function test for total dust measuring devices (quantitative measurement) in accordance with DIN EN 14181 and DIN EN 13284-2
• Calibration and function test for total dust measuring devices (qualitative measurement) based on DIN EN 14181 for alarm threshold determination
• Calibration and function test for gas measuring devices (NO, SO₂, O₂, TOC, CO, CO₂, NH₃, HCI, H₂O) in accordance with DIN EN 14181 and the applicable standard reference method
• Calibration and function test for continuous mercury measuring devices in accordance with DIN EN 14181 and DIN EN 14884
• Calibration and function test for continuous volumetric flow measuring devices in accordance with DIN EN 16911-1 and -2
• Function test for emission evaluation systems in accordance with DIN EN 14181 and VDI3950
• Linearity check for process measuring devices (e.g. for CO monitoring of E-filters) in accordance with VDI 3950

• We can provide you with a full and dependable package of comprehensive services in the field of environmental measurements, such as emission and ambient pollution measurements, function tests, calibrations and installation certificates.
• In addition you can benefit from in-depth analyses of raw materials, fuels and products at our accredited laboratory.
• Our highly experienced interdisciplinary team of specialists can offer you full support and is always available to deal with any questions.
• We can support you reliably to ensure compliance with all official deadlines.
• Thanks to close connections with research, we are able to incorporate the latest findings directly into our daily work.