NOx Emission Limits and Required Adjustments

NOx Emission Limits and Required Adjustments

1. NOx Emission Limits and Required Adjustments

According to Legislative Decree No. 183 of November 15, 2017, implementing the European MCPD Directive 2015/2193, the following regulations apply:

• Existing plants (commissioned before December 20, 2018):
  • Thermal capacity > 5 MW: NOx limit of < 200 mg/Nm³, compliance required by January 1, 2025.
  • Thermal capacity between 1 MW and 5 MW: NOx limit of < 250 mg/Nm³, compliance required by January 1, 2025.
• New plants (commissioned after December 20, 2018):
  • NOx limit of < 100 mg/Nm³, effective immediately.

These limits were introduced to reduce the environmental impact of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, which have harmful effects on human health and the environment.

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2. Continuous Emissions Monitoring (CEMS) in Lombardy Region

In Lombardy, the use of Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) is mandatory to ensure compliance with regulatory limits. Companies operating combustion plants must install certified monitoring systems to control and record emissions.

Key requirements include:

• Continuous emissions monitoring for natural gas-fired plants with a thermal capacity exceeding 1 MW.
• Recording and archiving of pollutant emission data.
• Mandatory periodic inspections:
  • Every three years for plants between 1 MW and 20 MW.
  • Annually for plants exceeding 20 MW.
• Implementation of an automated control system for combustion regulation and plant performance optimization.

Compliance with these obligations is crucial to avoid penalties and ensure adherence to emission limits.

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3. Technical Solutions for Regulatory Compliance

To meet current regulatory requirements, adopting advanced combustion and emissions monitoring technologies is essential. According to the MCPD Directive, failure to comply with emission limits requires immediate corrective actions, including:

• Installation of continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS) for real-time emission tracking.
• Use of low-NOx burners, which can be retrofitted onto existing plants to enhance efficiency and reduce pollution.
• Detailed analysis of existing plants and implementation of advanced combustion and monitoring systems to ensure compliance.

Ensuring compliance with regulations not only avoids legal consequences but also improves environmental sustainability and operational efficiency.