Compare the EU and Italian Emission Limit Values for dust in the case of large and medium-small plants.
This information will be used for a specific exercise. The Italian students are recommended to help foreign students for reading Italian regulations.
Some regulations to consider:
- DIR. 2010/75/EU
- D.Lgs. 152/2006
- DPR 59/2013
Condisering the Directive 2010/75/EU,
under "Allegato VI", we can find that the limit on the average daily
value of dust emission by a waste incineration plant is 10 mg/Nm3, while
considering 30 minuts the limit is 30 mg/Nm3 (100% dust).
The concentration of dust in the emissions into the atmosphere of a waste
incineration plant cannot in any case exceed 150 mg / Nm3 expressed as an
average over 30 minutes.
In Italy, the enivornmental matter is regulated by the D.Lgs. 152/2006. I have found that the limit on the average daily dust emission by waste incineration plant is 10 mg/Nm3, so the same as the one of the EU Directive. I noticed that the differentiation based on the plant power is applied to more general cases, maybe searching deeper is possible to find other clarifications.
Organic compounds in the form of gases, vapors, or dust (Table D) The emission values are:
| Relevance threshold (expressed as mass flow) | Emission value (expressed as a concentration) | |
| Class I | 25 g/h | 5 mg/Nm3 |
| Class II | 100 g/h | 20 mg/Nm3 |
| Class III | 2,000 g/h | 150 mg/Nm3 |
| Class IV | 3,000 g/h | 300 mg/Nm3 |
| Class V | 4,000 g/h | 600 mg/Nm3 |
- In case of the presence of more than one substance of the same class, the quantities of the same substances must be added together;
In the case of several substances of different classes, each class's quantities of substances must be added to the lower classes' quantities of substances.
To respect the concentration limit, in case of several substances of different classes, without prejudice to the limit established for each one, the total concentration must not exceed the highest class limit. For organic compounds in the form of dust, the conditions contained in paragraph 5 shall also be complied with.
According to Annex I - Emission values and requirements, Part III of Part Five of Legislative Decree 152/2006 and subsequent amendments and additions (in Italian).
Small industrial plants emission limit values (mg/Nm3):
Mws in which solid fuels are used Biomass and peat Liquid fuels
(Megawatts)
≤ 3 [1] 100 100 30
≤ 6 30 30
≤ 20 30 30
> 20 30 30
[1]: For plants with a rated thermal input equal to or greater than 0.035 MW and not exceeding 0.15 MW an emission value for total dust of 200 mg/Nm3 shall apply.
If the biomasses listed in Annex X are used in plants before 1988, the emission values given in the following table shall apply to the en content in the gaseous effluent of 11%.
If other solid fuels are used, the emission values shown in the following values refer to the content in the gaseous effluent of 6%.
≤ 5 100 – 150 100 – 150 150
> 5 50 50 100
Final note (My thoughts):
I realize that these values are different for different categories of plants based on the end product and, f course,based on the fule type. But I took the values for above mentioned plants (from small plants category) as their thermal input is below 50 MWh.