Original Date: 02/23/1998
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

Northrop Grumman has reduced operating costs by installing an Electronic Metering System for eight natural gas boilers. This system analyzes gas flow rates and usage for remotely located boilers, and then transmits the information to a central computer. This information is necessary to satisfy reporting requirements and to obtain operating permits in the stringent southern California air quality region.

Northrop Grumman has reduced operating costs by installing an Electronic Metering System for its eight natural gas boilers. This system analyzes gas flow rates and usage for remotely located boilers, and then transmits the information to a central computer. Previously, the data collection was accomplished by meter readers who would gather this information on a monthly basis. The manual system involved significant work hours, and did not provide real-time snapshots of gas usage. This information is necessary for obtaining operating permits in the stringent southern California region.

A turbine meter, installed at each boiler, provides engineers with gas usage amounts which are then automatically calculated into emission rates. The electronic Monitoring System can track the dynamic emission discharges in either real-time, hourly, monthly, or annual modes. The reports generated by the system validate compliance of the facilities to the local air quality management inspectors.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) regulates the local air quality, and sets standards up to 12 times greater than those set by the EPA. To accomplish this goal, the SCAQMD provides incentives to its 353 participating sites through the Regional Clean Air Incentives Market (RECLAIM) program. As the world’s largest emissions trading market program, RECLAIM offers flexibility to local facilities in reducing their NO_x and SO_x emissions.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.