Ramboll uses Gasmet gas analyzers for measuring process gases and emissions
Main photo showcases Ramboll’s emission measurements in the chimney. Photo: Hannu Lamberg/Neova
Ramboll Group is one of the world’s leading environmental consulting companies. In Finland, Ramboll has a unit that performs emission and process measurements and air quality consulting, which is the largest emission measurement group in the Nordic countries. The group serves customers mainly through measurements but also acts as an expert in questions related to measurements, emissions, and air quality.
Janne Houni works at Ramboll as a project manager and technical officer. He has been involved in various measurement projects and serves customers extensively in other matters related to air emissions and emission calculations, not forgetting technical investigations and legislation.
Read Janne’s article below about the use of Gasmet analyzers:
Ramboll Finland Oy’s measurers typically use a portable Gasmet analyzer for special measurements, which means measurements other than those required by energy plants’ permit obligations. Research and process development measurements are carried out, for example, in the chemical and process industries.
With one Gasmet analyzer, the presence of several compounds can be investigated
The device is simple to use, and each part of the device can be moved separately. The measurement equipment consists of an analyzer, a computer, a pump unit, heated sample lines, a heated probe, and a nitrogen cylinder. The equipment is thus very light compared to the use of compound-specific analyzers and calibration gas cylinders.
Sometimes the compounds present in the process gas or emission are unknown, and the purpose of the measurement is precisely to determine the formation of compounds. The Gasmet analyzer can be set to measure compounds that are estimated to be present in the gas matrix being measured.
Measurement data can also be re-analyzed after the measurements, allowing for a more detailed investigation of the gas composition.
The Gasmet analyzer can investigate the presence of several components with one device. The measurer does not necessarily need to change the device settings at the measurement site, but the measurement data can be reviewed after the measurement with a Gasmet expert, for example, if there are interfering components present.
The duration of the measurement can vary from a few hours to over a year, depending on the project.
The device is quickly warm and ready for measurement after installation. In short-term measurements, unexpectedly high concentrations, such as hydrocarbons, can cause surprises.
In some cases, gases that are too concentrated need to be diluted, which can be done with Ramboll’s dilution unit, but it is a procedure that requires precision and additional equipment. It is important to lead the exhaust gas from the analyzer out of the measurement area to ensure the safety of the measurers.
In longer measurement projects, the compounds to be measured are especially familiar after the project’s initial phase. Gasmet’s own Calcmet software runs on Windows and is very stable.
With the Calcmet software, the device can be set to measure the background spectrum once a day automatically, making the device suitable for long-term measurements.
Ramboll does not recommend leaving the device completely unattended. Monitoring can be done with periodic visits and by utilizing remote management solutions. Ramboll’s current analyzer does not include background gas pressure measurement, which would be a nice addition to the Calcmet program’s view. This would eliminate the need for other solutions for pressure monitoring.
Especially in long projects, the measurer must also be aware of the particle concentrations in the gas being measured to ensure the probe’s cleanliness often enough. For an inexperienced measurer, probe clogging can appear as a decrease in concentration levels when the gas being measured no longer reaches the analyzer.
Gasmet gas analyzers have long lifetime, and service is nearby
In research measurements, the devices can be at the mercy of exceptional conditions. Ramboll’s analyzer was once practically renewed from the inside because process liquids entered the device due to a process disturbance, and the pump could not be shut down before they reached the analyzer.
Gasmet’s maintenance works quickly in these situations, and the device was back in measurement condition within a few days.
In 2024, Ramboll measured the emissions from the production of Neova’s upcoming activated carbon plant in Ilomantsi when the process was being optimized. The plant produces a higher-grade product from peat, namely activated carbon. Activated carbon is used, for example, in air and water purification. It is also used in the pharmaceutical industry, where its quality is subject to very strict criteria. Activated carbon will be marketed under the Novactor brand.
For Neova, it was important to continuously measure the concentrations of emission components from the production of activated carbon to learn how to adjust the process to be as efficient and low-emission as possible. Typical emission components in activated carbon production include nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, particles, and hydrocarbons.
The plant uses modern gas purification equipment, where emission measurement data also plays an important role in optimizing their operation. In the project, particle concentrations were also continuously measured with a separate analyzer.
Ramboll measured the concentrations of emission components at the plant during a short-term measurement campaign also with accredited reference methods, i.e., nitrogen oxides with a chemiluminescence analyzer and sulfur dioxide with a UV fluorescence analyzer.
Based on the comparison, the Gasmet analyzer measured the emission components accurately.
The Gasmet device was set to run the background spectrum once a day. Concentrations were monitored using remote management, which also monitored the nitrogen cylinder’s pressure. Besides cleaning the measurement probe and replacing the nitrogen cylinder, the device did not require other maintenance during the measurement campaign.
Care to read more about emissions monitoring
Ramboll Group, a leading environmental consulting firm, utilizes Gasmet gas analyzers for accurate emission measurements and process gas analysis, ensuring accurate and reliable results. The portability of Gasmet analyzers and their ability to measure multiple compounds simultaneously make them a great fit for various industries, including the chemical and process sectors. While Ramboll currently uses the DX4000, its successor, the GT6000 Mobilis, offers even more advanced features for portable gas analysis. For deeper insights into capabilities of Gasmet gas analyzers visit emissions monitoring page.