Industrial Pollution

Industrial pollution has historically represented the largest environmental impact in Norway. NILU has performed measurements, calculations, evaluations and impact assessments for the industry since the institute was first established in 1969. Air emissions can contain several different types of pollution, depending on the industry and what is being produced.

Carbon capture and storage - CCS - is an important tool for reducing CO2 emissions. The use of amines is a well-known technology that can be used to capture CO2, which will be tested at the test centre under construction at Mongstad (CO2 Technology Centre Mongstad, TCM). The plan also calls for using amines for full-scale CO2 capture.  

NILU has worked on issues related to the use of amines for a number of years, and is conducting research on the development of analytical methods, toxicity, chemical degradation, dispersion and transport of emissions. The institute also offers monitoring programmes to determine the concentration of amines and amine degradation products in the environment.

Oil and gas production

A large percentage of the oil and gas recovered from the Norwegian continental shelf is treated and processed at plants in Norway. These activities lead to air emissions, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), SO2, particulates (soot), hydrocarbons (such as benzene and toluene) and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). Ozone (O3) is formed by reactions between nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons in the presence of sunlight.

NILU provides monitoring and measurement of emissions and pollution from oil and gas processing plants. The purpose is to quantify the contamination and assess the impact on the environment. This monitoring is in addition to what the companies themselves must conduct for safety reasons, because of the presence of flammable and hazardous components.   

The measurement programme includes gases, particles and precipitation quality, and employs instruments that make continuous measurements (monitors) and passive samplers that measure averages over longer periods.

The metallurgical industry and smelting

Foundries and smelters will inevitably release emissions from the metals that they produce, but they also emit other pollutants, such as (NOx), SO2 and particulate matter.

NILU offers measurement programmes that include metals, gases, particulate matter and precipitation quality, using instruments that make continuous measurements (monitors) and passive samplers that measure averages over longer periods.