Data Acquisition & Handling System (DAHS)
Why is the time one hour off half the year? Why didn't my clock change with the daylight savings time change?
40 CFR75 requires reporting in standard time year round and therefore does not allow you to change to daylight savings time. If your computer adjusts for daylight savings time you may have an hour of missing data and an hour of overwritten data.
Why don't we have a PC in our shelter?
PCs in the shelters are considered optional. If you would like to have a View Node/Real View set up in the shelter please contact CiSCO's software department for options and pricing. (303)790-1000
What’s the difference between On-Time and Op Hours? Which is displayed where? Why don't my monthly reports and my downtime reports match?
On-Time is the actual time the unit ran, counted from flame on to flame off. Op. Hours are the number of clock hours in which the unit operated. Op. Hours are displayed on the Exceedance and Downtime reports, On-Time is displayed on the daily and monthly reports.
Why can’t I change a setting in the Database Editor?
The Database Editor does not communicate with the PLC’s, so any setting that is written to the PLC must be changed through the Data Monitor, not the Database Editor.
How do I setup Auto reports?
In the CeDAR Report Generator, open the File menu and choose “Setup Auto Reports…”
On the left hand side of the screen choose the type of report you would like to have auto reported. (In this example we will choose a daily report.)
Select the 
button to setup the auto report.
In the "Report:" pull down menu select the report you would like to add.
Choose when you would like to print.
Modify the report description as you desire and select OK.
At the top of the Screen there will be options to add destinations where the auto report will print to such as the default printer, named printer, email(PDF), or email (CSV).
If you have any more questions or need assistance feel free to call CiSCO Software Support at (303)790-1000.
Why does the excess emission report show an hour that was in startup or shutdown?
Sometimes the startup or shutdown signal from the PLC has a delay or the conditions to determine the turbine status weren't met at that time.
To fix this problem open the database editor. Under the "Edit/View Data menu, select "Edit Exceedences/Downtimes..."
Choose the date in the calendars displayed at the top with the exceedence that was supposed to be flagged as startup or shutdown. Mark the check box on the right to indicate the parameter is excludable. Then select the reason box, then select the drop down menu arrow and choose the appropriate reason from the list.
Choose save at the bottom of the window and close the Database Editor.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact CiSCO software support at (303)790-1000.
What do these acronyms mean?
CEMS – Continuous Emission Monitoring System
CERMS - Continuous Emission Rate Monitoring System
SCR – Selective Catalytic Reduction
RATA – Relative Accuracy Test Audit
CGA- Cylinder Gas Audit
LIN - Linearity
CGT – Cylinder Gas Test
DAHS – Data Acquisition Handling System
DARS – Data Acquisition Reporting System
DAS – Data Acquisition System
EDR – Electronic Data Report
HSL – Heated Sample Line
PPM – Parts per Million
OIT – Operator Interface Panel (see HMI)
HMI – Human Manual Interface (see OIT)
PLC – Programmable Logic Controller
UPS – Uninterruptable Power Supply
CAL – Calibration
TB – Terminal Barrier
TS – Terminal Strip
PB – Power Box
PS – Power Strip
When are alarms generated for cylinder expiration's?
As of Cedar version 4.51.06, this list shows when alarms are generated for cylinder expiration dates. The checks run every day at 10:30 AM.
end faq
Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)/Human Machine Interface (HMI)
Can you change the size of the real time screen?
No; the current Real Time screens are a set size. Giant Numbers, Bar Graphs, and Trends are all resizable.
How do I disable backflush?
On the HMI or Real View, set the Backflush interval to Zero.
Why does the analyzer display a different number than my HMI screen?
Often touch screen displays a calibration-corrected value unless you are in Out-of-Service mode. While in Out-of-Service mode, the analyzer and the HMI should agree.
If they do not agree, CiSCO CEMS units provide test jacks from each analyzer to determine if the output of the analyzer is correct. This is done by measuring the voltage and calculating, using the range of the instrument and the displayed value to determine if the output is correct.
If you need more assistance please contact CiSCO at (303)790-1000.
Why are my emissions reading high? Is my analyzer at fault?
The analyzer is compared to a calibration gas each day. If the calibration gas is accurate the instrument should give an accurate indication of the process emissions. The calibration gases flow through the same path as the source gases being monitored to ensure a complete sampling system check.
How can I decide if I have a vacuum leak in my sample handling system?
If you have an oxygen analyzer in the system it is the best diagnostic tool to determine leaks between the probe and the analyzer. Flow zero gas to the oxygen analyzer and monitor the displayed value after it is stable. Continue to flow the gas and turn the probe/cabinet valve to the cabinet position and watch for a different displayed value. In cabinet mode if you have more than two tenths difference in the display value you have a vacuum leak in the system. If the two values are less than 0.2% the system is leak free.
end faq
Electronic Data Reports (EDRs)/ECMPS Client Tool
What information do I need to put my RATA into the Client Tool?
1) Test Results
2) 40 CFR 75 Megawatts during the test (found in the audit section of the CEDAR Report Generator)
3) Protocol Gas Verification Program (PGVP) Data for all three levels of NOx and O2 gases including:
- Vendor ID
- Cylinder ID
- Gas Type (ex. CO = EPA Protocol gas bi-blend consisting of O2, CO, and a balance gas)
- Expiration Date
- Gas Level (low, mid, high)
4) Air Emission Testing Board (AETB) Information including:
- First and Last Name of the certified RATA team tester
- AETB Name (Name of Company which performed the RATA)
- AETB Phone Number
- AETB Email Address
- Exam Date of certified RATA team tester
- Provider Name (Company which tested and certified the RATA team tester)
- Provider Email
Do I need to enter PGVP information for my Zero Gas?
No, only on linearity and upscale span gas.
What do I do if I used an expired calibration gas for my linearity?
Have it reanalyzed by the gas vendor as long as there is over 100 psi in the cylinder. Note, the data is invalid until you rerun the linearity with a non-expired cylinder or have the gas bottle reanalyzed and recertified.
What documentation does the test team I hire need to provide?
Have them supply their AETB certificates before you write them a PO.
What load should I run my RATA at?
RATA needs to be run at normal or second normal load as shown in the monitoring play. Make sure you are looking at "40 CFR 75 MW" to determine the load. The High load is 60-100% of the range, Mid is 30-60% and Low is 0-30%. So, if the low (minimum) MW value is 20 and the high is 120, the High load would be 80-120 MW, Mid 50-80 MW, and the Low 20-50 MW.
Does the duct burner need to be operating during the RATA?
Only if you need it to be running in order to be in the proper load range for the RATA.
How do I resubmit a QA test or emission file if I find that I made an error or left out some information?
Use the resubmit request form at http://ecmps.camdsupport.com/help_resubmit_form.shtml to ask for permission to make changes to your EDR.
Does my plant have to be on-line during a quarterly linearity test?
Yes, but there is no specific load requirement.
Does my plant have to be on-line during a quarterly CGA Test?
There is no requirement in 40 CFR 60, Appendix F for the plant to be on-line, however it is good practice for the stack conditions during a QA test to be similar to those during emission sampling.
Cylinder Gas Certified Value Question:
40 CFR 60 Appendix A Method 7E indicates that calibration must be based on the NO gas value, what are the NO/NOX/NO2 requirements for 40 CFR 75 regarding the certified gas values used for calibration, linearity and the RATA reference analyzer?
Typically, most protocol gas bottles are only certified for the concentration of NO. However, vendors are providing calibration gases that do certify both NO and NOX concentrations. 40 CFR Part 75 Policy Manual Question 9.34 provides options indicating which certified values are appropriate. If the analyzer measures total NOX, you may use either the certified NO concentration or the certified NOX concentration. Otherwise, if the analyzer only measures NO you may only use the certified NO concentration. In addition, an NO2 EPA Protocol gas must also be used when calibrating a reference analyzer that measures NO and NO2 separately without a converter. If you have any further questions, contact CiSCO Environmental. 303-790-1000.
40 CFR 60 KKKK Limit Question:
What is the 4-hour rolling emission limit for a 200 MW CTG having a maximum heat input capacity of 850 MM btu/hr that includes startup and shut down hours for 40 CFR 60 Subpart KKKK? Since subpart KKKK is silent on periods of startup, shutdown, and malfunction the general provisions exclude these periods from being considered a violation of the numerical emissions standard. Any 4-hour period that contains either a startup, shutdown, or malfunction would be exempt from being considered a violation of the numerical standard. However, you would still have to report excess emissions for these periods and explain the 4-hour period including SSM and why it is not a violation of the numerical standard.
Since the turbine is greater than 30 MW then during startup/shutdown (less than 75% load) the applicable hourly standard would be 96 ppm. If it were under 30 MW then it would be 150 ppm. The "north of the arctic circle" rows at the end of Table 1 would apply if any of the conditions apply. The actual 4-hour average that they would report excess emissions against is a blended average. For example:
Hour 1 - startup (less than 75% of load at some point during the hour) - limit is 96 ppm (could be 150 ppm depending on the output) Hour 2 - operating at 60% load - limit is 96 ppm Hour 3 - operating above 75% load for the entire hour - limit is 25 ppm (since maximum heat input is less than 850 mmBtu/hr) Hour 4 - shutdown - limit is 96 ppm 4-hour standard = (96 + 96 + 25 + 96)/4 = 78 ppm @ 15% O2.
Am I required to do a 3-load RATA for my stack flow monitor each time the RATA is due?
A 3-Load RATA should be performed at least once every five years. In general, a 2-load RATA should be performed annually. However, if a unit operates within one load at least 85% of the time a single load RATA is acceptable.
Is a unit required to be operating to perform a stack flow leak check?
A unit is not required to be operating to perform a stack flow leak check.
Prior to performing a new RATA on a unit that previously used a BAF greater than 1.000, should the BAF be reset to 1.000?
Yes, the new RATA should represent an unbiased system.
ECMPS Client Tool Evaluation Error: The AdjustedHourlyValue repoted in the DHV record for NOX is inconsistent with the recalculated value.
This error occurs when the Bias Factor used in the emissions report, generated by Breeze75x, is not the same as the Bias Factor the client tool expects from the last RATA. In Breeze75x highlight the data where the bias factor is incorrect (ctrl+shift) and select the edit button
.
Then change the bias factor to the correct value, choose OK.
Finish by selecting the save 
button and refresh the data 
, before generating the report to re-import into the Client Tool.
Can I enter the PGVP values via the maple/OIT panel or from the CEMS shelter?
At this point in time that is not possible. Since PLC’s and panels are unique to sites there is no easy way for us to update these without updating them individually. Also, if it is an older PLC, a change like this would require an upgrade in PLC since some PLC’s do not have the space or capability to handle alpha numeric fields.
Can I enter these values in the Real View?
If you have a Real View (which is the windows based version of the panel) CiSCO can enable that feature if it has not been enabled at your site. Contact CiSCO's software department for information.
Why isn’t there a place in breez75X to enter my zero gases?
Zero calibrations gases and those that are Part 60 only do not fall under PGVP. There are place holders in the settings window in the Data Monitor and the Database Editor for you to track this information as we will be developing a gas bottle management utility in the future but those values do not get reported under PGVP. Because these gases don’t fall under PGVP, there are no gas type codes for these gases.
Do CGA's need PGVP information?
Quarterly CGA’s do not fall under PGVP as they are a Part 60 requirement (but Linearities do as they are Part 75 requirements). There are place holders in the CGA/Linearity window in the Database Editor for CGA’s in case you would like to track this information, but you are not required to electronically report this information and there are no gas type codes for these gases.
Can I use the same cylinder for different units when running my linearities?
Yes- Just put the same cylinder number in the appropriate place for each unit. You cannot use the same cylinder number for different types of gases.
What about gases that are recertified?
When you recertify a gas, you send it to the gas company for recertification. Once they recertify it, they send it back with a new expiration date. So, while the cylinder number is the same, the expiration date will be different.
Is NX (EPA Protocol gas bi-blend standard consisting of two certified components, NO and NO2, and a balance gas) the correct code for NOx for PGVP?
Only if the NO2 component is certified. Since NO2 is not very stable, it usually isn’t certified. In that case the code would be NO. Check your gas certification sheets or call your gas vendor to see if the NO2 component is certified.
What happens next year when the vendor ID’s change?
While the cylinder number and expiration date will remain the same, you will have to update the vendor ID with the new code.
In Breeze75x when I enter the PGV info the software is wanting an expiration date filled in for our O2 cylinders. The zero cylinder doesn’t have expiration date and our span gas is plant air, what should we use?
Again, the zero gases do not get reported under PGVP. If you use instrument air to calibrate your O2 span, the gas type code is “AIR” and the cylinder, expiration date, and vendor ID are left blank.
What code do we use for NOx L span gas? Ours is a mix of CO and NOx?
If the NO2 component is not certified then the gas type code would be NC.
Even if we don’t report CO in the EDR do we use NC or do we use NX as though it isn’t blended with CO?
If this gas is used for Part 60 calibrations, no gas type code is required so leave this field blank.
Do I have to enter the Vendor ID using a capital letter?
Yes, both CeDAR and breez75X will allow you to enter lower case letters for the Vendor ID. The logic is that at some point, the EPA may add Vendor ID’s with lower case letters. Breez75X will not convert the lower case letter to a capital letter when you create the EDR. The Client Tool will check Vendor ID’s in the EDR against the Vendor ID list so make sure you enter a capital letter if the letter is capitalized on the Vendor ID list.