Emission monitoring system

An apparatus providing output emission data corresponding to output emissions from a source of emissions operating in response to control signals from corresponding controls and having parameter sensors measuring selected operating parameters of the source of emissions and providing corresponding sensor output signals, the apparatus comprising:

• a sensing emission monitoring system for sensing the output emissions directly from the source of emissions and providing a first set of output values indicative of the output emissions;
• a predictive emission monitoring system for predicting the output emissions from the source of emissions, the predictive emission monitoring system receiving the control signals and the sensor output signals and providing a second set of output values indicative of the output emissions;
• and
• a computer receiving the first and second sets of output values and generating the output emission data from the first set of output values if the sensing emission monitoring system is operable and from the second set of output values if the sensing emission monitoring system is inoperable.

A method for providing output emission data corresponding to output emissions from a source of emissions operating in response to control signals from corresponding controls and having parameter sensors measuring selected operating parameters of the source of emissions and providing corresponding sensor output signals, the method comprising the steps of:

• installing a sensing emission monitoring system at the source of emissions;
• installing and training a predictive emission monitoring system at the source of emissions;
• measuring the output emissions directly from the source of emissions during normal operation thereof with the sensing emission monitoring system and providing a first set of output values indicative of the output emissions;
• predicting the output emissions from the source of emissions during normal operation thereof with the predictive emission monitoring system receiving the control signals and the sensor output signals, the predictive emission monitoring system providing a second set of output values indicative of the output emissions;
• comparing periodically the first set of output values with the second set of output values during normal operation of the source of emissions;
• and
• providing an indication to retrain the predictive emission monitoring system if a difference between any one of the second set of output values and a corresponding value of the first set of output values exceeds a selected threshold.

A method for providing output emission data corresponding to output emissions from a source of emissions operating in response to control signals from corresponding controls and having parameter sensors measuring selected operating parameters of the source of emissions and providing corresponding sensor output signals, the method comprising the steps of:

• installing a sensing emission monitoring system at the source of emissions;
• installing and training a predictive emission monitoring system at the source of emissions;
• measuring the output emissions directly from the source of emissions during normal operation thereof with the sensing emission monitoring system and providing a first set of output values indicative of the output emissions;
• predicting the output emissions from the source of emissions during normal operation thereof with the predictive emission monitoring system receiving the control signals and the sensor output signals, the predictive emission monitoring system providing a second set of output values indicative of the output emissions, wherein at least one output value of the second set of output values includes a bias adjustment;
• comparing periodically the first set of output values with the second set of output values during normal operation of the source of emissions;
• and
• adjusting the bias adjustment if a difference between said at least one output value and a corresponding value of the first set of output values is less than a selected difference.