CEMS – A Core Tool in Air Pollution Control

In the context of air pollution increasingly becoming a serious threat to both the environment and human health, the monitoring and control of industrial emissions play a pivotal role. The Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS) has established itself as a core tool, enabling businesses and regulatory agencies to accurately and promptly track harmful emissions. This article explores the critical role of CEMS, how it works, and why it is an indispensable solution in our efforts to protect the atmosphere.

What is CEMS?

CEMS (Continuous Emissions Monitoring System) is a system designed to continuously monitor emissions. It measures, collects, and reports data on air pollutants released from fixed sources such as thermal power plants, cement factories, steel mills, chemical plants, and other industrial zones. CEMS is a crucial tool that enables both businesses and regulatory authorities to monitor pollution levels and implement timely control measures.a

Amid escalating climate change and air pollution concerns, CEMS has become a mandatory standard in many countries, including Vietnam.

The Importance of CEMS in Environmental Monitoring

1. Continuous and Accurate Monitoring

   • CEMS provides 24/7 real-time monitoring with high accuracy.
   • It enables facilities to detect incidents promptly and adjust emission treatment systems in time.

2. Compliance with Legal Requirements

   • In Vietnam, Circular 10/2021/TT-BTNMT mandates that facilities emitting air pollutants must install CEMS and transmit data to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DONRE).
   • Compliance with CEMS helps businesses avoid penalties and ensures transparency in environmental practices.

3. Protecting Communities and the Environment

   • CEMS data allows authorities to track pollution levels and issue early warnings when public health is at risk.

Components of a Standard CEMS

A standard CEMS includes the following components:

• Emission measurement equipment: Measures parameters such as SO2, NOx, CO, O2, dust, temperature, pressure, and flow rate.
• Signal processing unit and software: Collects, analyzes, displays, and stores data.
• Data transmission system: Sends data to internal servers or regulatory agencies using protocols like Modbus, FTP, TCP/IP.
• Display and alert system: LED displays and alerts via email/SMS when thresholds are exceeded.

Challenges in Implementing and Operating CEMS

1. High Initial Investment Costs

   • CEMS equipment is expensive and may pose financial challenges, especially for small and medium enterprises.

2. Lack of Skilled Operators

   • Operation, calibration, and maintenance require technicians with specialized training.

3. Inconsistent Data Transmission Regulations

   • Some countries require CEMS installation but lack clear data transmission regulations.
   • This makes effective pollution control more difficult.

CEMS Implementation in Vietnam

Vietnam has significantly promoted the installation of CEMS since 2015. Circular 10/2021/TT-BTNMT requires facilities in highly polluting industries such as thermal power, cement, metallurgy, and chemicals to implement CEMS.

In Vietnam, the deployment of CEMS has been strongly promoted since 2015. With Circular 10/2021/TT-BTNMT, facilities in highly polluting sectors such as thermal power, cement, metallurgy, and chemicals are required to install CEMS.

Key Highlights of Circular 10/2021/TT-BTNMT:

• Targeted Facilities:Those with large emissions such as thermal power plants, cement factories, metallurgical and chemical plants.

• Mandatory Installation:CEMS must monitor parameters like dust, SO₂, NOx, CO, O₂, temperature, pressure, and flow rate.

• Data TransmissionFacilities must connect and continuously transmit emissions data to local DONREs for management, inspection, and environmental warning purposes.

• Technical Assurance: Facilities must connect and continuously transmit emissions data to local DONREs for management, inspection, and environmental warning purposes.

Download full Circular 10/2021-TT-MONRE here: Download file

This regulation has contributed significantly to standardizing emissions monitoring in Vietnam, aiming for a more stringent, transparent, and modern environmental management system. chặt chẽ hơn, minh bạch hơn và hiện đại hơn.

However, challenges still remain:

• Many facilities have installed CEMS but do not fully transmit data to DONRE.
• Several provinces lack the infrastructure to receive and manage CEMS data.

Software Integration: iLotusLand

Amid the digital transformation in environmental management, many businesses and industrial parks in Vietnam have adopted the iLotusLand software for integration with their CEMS. This intelligent environmental monitoring platform facilitates seamless data connection from CEMS devices, ensuring compliance with Circular 10/2021/TT-MONRE.

iLotusLand offers numerous outstanding benefits:

• (Modbus TCP/IP, OPC, FTP, etc.) for stable, continuous emissions data collection and transmission.

• Automatically displays and alerts for system faults or threshold exceedances, enabling proactive handling.

• Analyzes emissions trends, generates periodic and real-time reports to support decision-making.

• Integrates digital maps and intuitive dashboardsfor monitoring multiple emission stations across different locations on one platform.

Thanks to iLotusLand, CEMS evolves from being a standalone measuring device to becoming part of a smart environmental management ecosystem, enhancing transparency, meeting legal requirements, and contributing to sustainable development.

The Role of Legal Regulations in CEMS Effectiveness

To truly unlock the potential of CEMS, clear legal frameworks on data transmission are essential:

• Specify allowable transmission protocols (Modbus, TCP/IP, FTP...)
• Standardize data formats and transmission frequency
• Ensure data integrity, security, and long-term storage

Countries such as China, South Korea, and India have established strict legal systems, making automated emissions monitoring more transparent and effective.

Future Development Trends

In the coming years, CEMS will advance in the following directions:

• Integration with IoT and AI: Enables automatic data analysis, early warnings, and operational optimization.
• Increased Transparency: Allows public access to CEMS data via open information portals.
• Integration with Comprehensive Environmental Systems: Links CEMS data with ambient air monitoring, wastewater, and meteorological systems.

Conclusion

CEMS is an indispensable element of modern environmental management. When properly implemented and legally supported, CEMS ensures continuous, accurate, and transparent emissions data. This plays a key role in pollution control, public health protection, and sustainable development.