Amesa in comparison to EN 1948-1

The sampling principle used in AMESA for the detection of dioxins/furanes in emissions was developed in 1989-1993.This sampling procedure is a modified adsorption process in accordance with VDI directive 3499, sheet 2, draft as at March 1993. This procedure has been tested manually as a modified adsorption process in a large number of different plants. In 1993, this adsorption process was officially recognised by the relevant German authorities as the first and only process suitable for checking the dioxin threshold value of 0.1 ng ITE/m3. However, no express recognition took place in accordance with VDI directive 3499, sheets 1-3, as the relevant process indicators were only available for the modified adsorption process but not - or only partially - for VDI directive 3499, sheets 1-3. This had already been done before any measures for the standardisation of testing methods were instigated on a European level.

As in Germany continuous emission measurement and control in accordance with the 17th Federal Emission Control Ordinance (17. BImSchV) must be carried out using a suitable (performance-tested) measuring device, for AMESA was done a  model type performance test by TÜV Rheinland in 1997, in which only the analytical has not corresponded in full extent with the EN-1948 and the drafts of the guideline VDI 3499 (p.1 - 3).
Even though AMESA does not measure dioxins directly, all other measurement devices, which are needed for a correct sampling and later for a correct calculation of the dioxin concentration, were tested very intensive by TUV Rheinland, according to the minimum requirements for emission control devices.
The used test formed the basis for the development of the minimum requirements for long-term sampling systems, which were published in the Joint Ministerial Gazette (GMBl, 15. September 1998, page 552) and were notified by the European Union (EU notification 97/26D).
AMESA was published by the Federal Ministry of environment, nature conservation and reactor safety (BMU) in the Ministerial Gazette (GMBl, 13 January 1998, page 10). According this publication the German authorities have the option to require long-term monitoring of dioxins in consultation with the operators.
Up to now (2004) no other long-term monitoring system for dioxins was published by BMU.
 
During the performance test, the modified adsorption process used in AMESA was validated by comparison measurings with the filter/cooler method pursuant to EN 1948-1.

The European standard EN 1948-1 came into force in May 1997. The filter/cooler method in accordance with EN 1948-1 largely corresponds to the VDI directive 3499, sheet 2, draft as at March 1993.
As opposed to the cooled probe and filter cooler methods set out by EN 1948-1, in the modified adsorption process the condensate is not collected and quartz wool is utilised in place of a table filter. Using the modified adsorption process, any dioxins/furanes are adsorbed by means of adsorption resin. .
As a result of cutting out the condensate collection and analysis stage, the modified adsorption process has significant handling advantages over the above mentioned measuring methods pursuant to EN 1948-1 when carrying out long-term monitoring. Due to the total quantity of water involved, the collection of condensate over a four-week period can be highly problematic depending on the humidity content of the air.

In Germany, the 17^th Federal Emission Control Ordinance currently requires a collection period of 6-8 hours for dioxin sampling with regard to the emission control of waste incineration plants. The threshold value of 0.1 ng ITE/m³ is defined as the mean concentration over the sampling period. The determination for longer sampling intervals has not yet been finalised. The possible introduction of precautionary values below the threshold value is currently being considered; the supervisory authorities have already developed some initial concepts.

Belgian authorities have imposed the continuous monitoring of all waste incineration plants in Flanders from 1.1.2000, in Walloon from 1.1.2001 and in Brussels from 1.1.2002. Due to these regulations, up to now (2003). more than 35 AMESA units were installed in Belgium.

In addition, German authorities require dioxin monitoring facility of a number of waste, wood and hazardous waste incinaration plants.