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Stack Testing Service
Since 1984, Bison Engineering has provided a full complement of air quality services. A major part of our full-service air quality engineering firm is our air emissions testing services or stack/source testing. Our experienced staff can test your facility, negotiate with government agencies and help to optimize your operating performance while meeting your compliance criteria. Bison Engineering takes great pride in staying abreast of changes to emission testing methods, requirements and technologies.
Bison Engineering’s approach to stack testing differs from most testing companies. We believe in working closely with our clients to prepare for the emissions test by discussing the operations of the facility, pollutants to be tested and testing methods. We can perform process optimization studies in order for a facility to achieve maximum efficiency and still meet its permit emissions limits. We continue that working relationship through the tests and on to submission and acceptance of final test reports.
Bison Engineering offers the latest stack testing equipment and technology for source emissions and performance testing. For example, our Bison Engineering Stack Testing (BEST) trailers contain a full suite of modern continuous analyzers for gaseous pollutants. Once testing is complete, Bison places heavy emphasis on quality control checks of the data and the test report. Often we provide assistance, as appropriate, in fine-tuning facilities or processes to achieve production targets while meeting emissions limits. Bison’s goal is to provide the knowledge and experience to complete emissions testing and to ensure emissions compliance responsibilities at facilities are met.
We use our 29+ years of experience to conduct particulate emissions tests and fine particulate tests. Our mobile stack testing trailers allow us to pull up to your facility and be testing in no time at all. The temperature controlled environment and data acquisition capabilities of the stack testing trailer allow for accurate and timely gaseous emissions data. Bison also has a mobile laboratory trailer that serves as a base of operations for extended manual test methods and for conducting on-site laboratory analysis.
Bison Engineering conducts Relative Accuracy Test Audits (RATA) on various industrial processes and Continuous Emissions Monitoring (CEM) systems. The stack testing trailers allow for reference method monitoring of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and total hydrocarbons (THC). Once the CEM system is installed and operational, Bison can use its BEST trailers to perform RATAs on various CEM systems, including those operating on a wet or dry basis. Bison can also assist you in meeting your data reporting requirements and CEM system quality assurance documentation and testing.
Bison Engineering’s stack testing services include opacity monitoring and compliance. We provide system audits, calibrations, operation maintenance and conditioning/test periods for Continuous Opacity Monitoring Systems (COMS). Bison also has several certified and experienced visible emissions evaluators available for opacity observations (Method 9, Method 22, etc.).
Predictive Emissions Monitoring Systems (PEMS) are accepted by the EPA to take the place of CEMS for some facilities. PEMS predict pollutant emission rates from a source based on correlating data from measured operating variables. The variables are analyzed with respect to the pollutant and an algorithm is written to predict the pollutant concentration. Bison can assist you in setting up and testing your PEMS.
In order to meet emerging accreditation standards, Bison is working toward certification as a Qualified Source Testing Firm as well as certification for individual team members as Qualified Source Testing Individuals. The certification program is administered by the Source Evaluation Society (SES), a professional organization that promotes the development of concepts and techniques relating to the source testing field; encourages related professional development and knowledge; and strives to ensure the highest professional standards by its members. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in the process of promulgating new emission testing standards that will require a QSTI.
To date, Calvin Loomis, Dave Blankenship and Bill Shaw of Bison are designated as Qualified Source Testing Individuals.