The Continuous Emission Monitoring (CEM) Program is responsible for the quality assurance of data generated through the use of permit required CEMs at New Jersey facilities. The goal of the program is to provide reliable, accurate and dependable data to be used by NJDEP, the public and industry.

Continuous sampling generally requires a heated samplingline to bring a steady stream of stack gas down to analyzer equipment located at ground level.

In this example an analyzer and data recording equipment housed in a climate controlled environment provide a continuous record of contaminant levels in the stack exhaust of a permitted facility.

Getting Started
When a facility is required to install a CEM, either by its Air Permit, a regulation or as the result of an enforcement action, oversight is provided by the EMS. There are four main elements to the CEM approval process:

1. Equipment Protocol review and approval.
2. Certification Test Protocol review and approval.
3. Observation of the Certification test.
4. Review of the final test report.

In most cases, a test consultant is contracted to prepare the protocols, perform the test and submit the report.

Equipment Protocols
The equipment protocol is a source specific document which details the proposed equipment to be included in the CEM system. EMS reviews the equipment protocol to ensure that the proposed equipment is capable of providing reasonably accurate data. Deficiencies are identified and must be corrected before EMS will approve proceeding to the next step in the approval process.

Certification Test Protocol
The certification protocol is a source specific test plan that details how the equipment, once installed, will be initially tested for accuracy. It identifies the test methods and performance specifications that will be used, as well as how they will be adapted to meet the source specific conditions. EMS reviews the certification protocol to ensure that both the most appropriate methods and performance specification were proposed and that they are being applied properly to the specific source. Deficiencies are identified and must be corrected before EMS will approve initiating the actual testing.

Scheduling a Test
Once both protocols have been approved, a mutually acceptable test date is established. The certification test is then conducted (sometimes with EMS oversight) to ensure adherence to the protocol.

Final Report
Upon completion of testing, a final test report is prepared and submitted to EMS for evaluation. The test report must include copies of all raw field and laboratory data so that EMS staff can verify that all procedures were followed and can confirm the calculations of the emissions results.

For More Information
For more detailed explanation of how one goes about installing and certifying a CEM system, please download Technical Manual 1005,(in .pdf format), "Guidelines for Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) and Continuous Opacity Monitoring Systems (COMS)".

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