Luftemissionskontroll

Luftemissionskontroll, or air emissions control, refers to the set of practices, technologies, and regulatory measures aimed at reducing pollutants released into the atmosphere from human activities. Its purpose is to protect air quality, human health, and ecosystems by limiting emissions produced by industry, power generation, transport, and agriculture.

Common pollutants targeted include particulates (PM), sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), ammonia, mercury and other heavy metals, and, in climate contexts, certain greenhouse gases.

Measures are divided into end-of-pipe controls and process-integrated improvements. End-of-pipe options include fabric filters (baghouses), electrostatic precipitators, and wet or dry scrubbers to remove particulates and acid gases; catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters for vehicles; selective catalytic reduction (SCR) or selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) for NOx; activated carbon injection for mercury and VOCs; absorption and condensation for VOCs. Process improvements include optimizing combustion, energy efficiency, low-NOx burners, fuel switching, leak-detection and repair programs, and closed-loop solvent management.

Monitoring and compliance involve emission standards, permits, and continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS) for certain pollutants, along with periodic testing, inventories, reporting, and audits.

Regulatory frameworks vary by country and region, but luftemissionskontroll generally operates within environmental laws that set permissible emission limits, require monitoring, and enforce penalties for non-compliance. The field evolves with new technologies, stringency of standards, and market factors, balancing environmental benefits with cost and reliability considerations.