Method and apparatus for time-alignment of non-plug flow

A method of time-aligning a plurality of sequential gas concentrations, generated by a non-plug flow real time emissions analyzer, with a plurality of corresponding plug flow inputs from an emissions source, comprising the steps of:

• selecting a sequence of known plug flow test gas pulses representative of the emissions source;
• feeding the sequence of known plug flow test gas pulses into the non-plug flow real time emissions analyzer;
• saving a sequence of blurred test pulses generated by the non-plug flow real time emissions analyzer;
• determining a mathematical relationship between the sequence of known plug flow test gas pulses and the sequence of blurred test pulses;
• configuring a filter corresponding to the mathematical relationship, the filter including a plurality of numerical filter weights having random initial values;
• inputting a subset of the sequence of blurred test pulses into the filter;
• recording a sequence of deconvoluted test pulses generated by the filter;
• comparing the deconvoluted test pulses with a subset of the sequence of known plug flow test gas pulses to generate a plurality of difference errors, the subset of the sequence of blurred test pulses corresponding to and originating from the subset of the sequence of known plug flow test gas pulses;
• adjusting the filter weights to minimize the plurality of difference errors;
• repeating said first inputting step, said first recording step, said comparing step, and said adjusting step to reduce the plurality of difference errors;
• feeding the plug flow inputs into the non-plug flow real time emissions analyzer;
• recording the plurality of sequential gas concentrations generated by the non-plug flow real time emissions analyzer;
• and
• deconvoluting the plurality of sequential gas concentrations.