Automated control: how emissions are monitored in the Karaganda region

"Clean Kazakhstan" — "A clean and safe environment for everyone": an automated monitoring system (AMS) is being implemented at large energy enterprises in the Karaganda region, which allows real-time monitoring of emission parameters. Today, such indicators as the chemical composition of emissions and the flow rate are recorded at HPC-1. All data is sent to the operators' screens, which makes it possible to quickly respond to any deviations.

– AMS is a complex of equipment and software designed for continuous measurement and transmission of data on emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere. The system allows you to monitor emissions in real time, record excess standards and transmit data to environmental control authorities. The system operates in an autonomous automatic mode, so it is impossible to change these data manually," explains Akar Mukash, Deputy Head of Control and Measuring Devices and Automation at the HPC–1 Thermal Automation and Measurement workshop.

Previously, monitoring was carried out periodically using portable devices, but now monitoring has become continuous. This allows you to track not only current indicators, but also the dynamics of changes.

- All parameters are displayed on the main control panel. The staff sees the situation for each boiler and flue. In case of deviations, there is a well–established procedure for adjusting the air or fuel supply. The response takes place immediately," said Alexander Glotov, director of HPC-1.

The system infrastructure includes two containers, three GCS-510 complexes, nine sets of equipment for boiler flues, as well as server and network parts for data processing and transmission.

AMS has been operating at the enterprises of the Karaganda Energy Center company — at HPC-1 and HPC-3 — since 2024.

According to the Department of Ecology of the Karaganda region, 12 large enterprises in the region have been required to implement AMS. In total, the system should cover 51 sources of emissions and 14 sources of discharges.

Lyudmila Trushina, the department's chief specialist, emphasizes:

"To date, automated monitoring with data transmission to the national database has already been installed on 15 sources of eight large companies in the region. This work continues. The system allows you to monitor environmental indicators in real time, identify deviations in a timely manner and take measures to eliminate them.

The introduction of such technologies increases the transparency of environmental control, helps reduce the burden on the environment and improves the quality of life of the region's population. These measures are also aimed at implementing the Clean Kazakhstan program — "A clean and safe Environment for Everyone."