The anticipated launch of the Automatic QAL3 for CMM marks a significant milestone in mercury emission monitoring. Aligned with the latest European standards, this game-changer is set to benefit waste-to-energy plants, coal-fired power plants, and cement kilns by simplifying mercury monitoring with a highly efficient and cost-effective solution for ensuring regulatory compliance.

What is automatic QAL3 for CMM?

Developed by us, at Gasmet, CMM is a world-leading continuous mercury emissions monitoring system (Hg-CEMS). As a new feature, we are releasing automatic QAL3 for CMM that performs regular zero and span checks fully automatically using an integrated elemental mercury (Hg⁰) test gas generator.

The integration of this technology simplifies the monitoring process, reducing operational costs and eliminating the need for external test gases.

The key advantages in using automatic QAL3 for CMM

• Simplified processes: Using an integrated Hg⁰ test gas generator eliminates the need to for manual work or hiring external parties to conduct the QAL3 checks.
• Cost efficiency: The automatic QAL3 system significantly reduces both capital expenditure (Capex) and operational expenditure (Opex). For instance, using the CMM test gas generator can lead to up to 100 000 euros in cost savings over ten years compared to traditional methods.
• Accuracy: The internal Hg⁰ test gas generator is QAL1 certified for QAL3 tests, providing accurate span check results.
• Reliability: Hg⁰ provides very reliable span check results by circulating throughout the entire sampling system into the analyzer.
• No consumables: The integrated test gas generator is designed with low maintenance needs and ensures consistent performance over its lifetime. This eliminates the need for sourcing and handling HgCl₂ solutions for QAL3 purposes.
• Simplified compliance: The system’s capabilities are aligned with updated standards such as EN 14884 and EN 15267-3:2024. This makes it easier for plants to meet regulatory requirements.

The role of QAL3 in quality assurance

QAL3 (Quality Assurance Level 3) is a critical component in the quality assurance framework for continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS). It involves regular performance checks using zero and span tests to ensure that the monitoring system remains accurate and reliable over time.

QAL3 checks are essential for detecting any drift or malfunctions in the monitoring equipment, which could lead to incorrect emission readings and potential regulatory non-compliance.

By incorporating automatic QAL3 checks for CMM, consistent and reliable mercury monitoring is ensured, reducing the risk of non-compliance and the associated penalties.

Changing industry standards and certification

The recent updates to EN14884 and EN15267-3 standards have made it possible to use both ionic and elemental mercury for QAL3. As a market forerunner, we have now QAL1-certified the elemental test gas generator of CMM system to be used in regular QAL3 testing.

MCERTS have granted the CMM system the updated QAL1 certificate in June 2025 with regular zero and span checks with the integrated test gas generator included.

The importance of continuous mercury monitoring

Mercury is a highly toxic pollutant that can cause severe health and environmental issues. Continuous mercury monitoring is crucial and a significant concern in industries like waste-to-energy, coal-fired power plants and cement production.

Accurate and reliable mercury monitoring ensures that plants remain in compliance with stringent environmental regulations. This also helps protect public health and the environment.

Continuous monitoring allows for real-time data collection, facilitating prompt responses to any exceedances or equipment malfunctions. Thereby preventing prolonged periods of non-compliance.

Regulations such as the WI BREF under IED 2.0 strongly advocate continuous mercury monitoring.

The benchmark for continuous mercury monitoring

As the industry continues to evolve, our CMM positions itself as the benchmark for continuous mercury monitoring.

• Future-proof operation. With the lowest certified measurement range in the world of 5 µg/m³, you are ready when emission limit values change.
• Avoid QAL3 test costs. Save up to 6000€/year with our certified and integrated test gas generator. In-house designed and manufactured CMM runs QAL3 tests fully automatically without any need for testing laboratories.
• Keep the process running. Modular design allows the operator to easily exchange key modules and keep the monitoring running self-sufficiently. This is to avoid expensive unexpected process disruptions.
• Avoid extending system shutdowns. As CMM is based on in-house technology, it is designed to be serviced locally. There is no need to send the system back to the factory. Use our application expertise built with over 7000 analyzer installations globally.
• Pass regulatory tests smoothly. Certified low measurement range and in-house designed and manufactured technology ensure certainty in passing regulatory QAL2, QAL3 and AST tests. Interference-free operation with dilution method keeps accuracy unchanged, even if the gas matrix would change.

Need more information on how the automatic QAL3 feature for CMM can benefit your plant? Contact Gasmet and schedule a consultation with our experts today.