Comprehensive environmental measurement, research and consultancy services for industry, regulators and UK government.
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Environmental Monitoring
Environmental measurement scientists at NPL provide high quality, cost effective pollution monitoring and analysis services. We also offer a range of services and gas standards for the calibration of gas analysers.
NPL has an international reputation and track record based upon years of underpinning research.
Accurate measurements play a vital role in gauging the scale of anthropogenic and naturally driven effects, pollutant concentrations and the development of strategies to mitigate short- and long-term impacts.
Specific environmental services are outlined below.
View our Environment Measurement or Analytical Science sites.
Environmental monitoring services
- NPL offers a range of validation and calibration services which support atmospheric science, emissions monitoring and measurements for security.
- NPL undertakes a range of instrument development projects, building on expertise in applying optical and analytical techniques to atmospheric monitoring.
- NPL promotes good source emissions measurement practice via training and consultancy. We are on the Management Board of the Source Testing Association, with whom we organise proficiency testing schemes. We have been involved with the creation of the Environment Agency's MCERTS scheme and we offer guidance on the implementation of CEN standards, e.g. EN14181.
- Networks of ambient measurement sites exist to provide public health information, to monitor compliance with UK and EU regulation, and to further air quality modelling and research aims.
- NPL offers a range of services related to the security sector. These include instrument and technique development for chemical and biological agents, validation of techniques and underpinning metrological support.
- NPL produces an extensive range of gas calibration mixtures through a chain of direct comparisons to the national measurement standards, for highly accurate measurements of ambient air quality, natural gas, industrial emissions, vehicle and aircraft emissions, odour measurement and occupational exposure.
- Graphs showing ozone, nitrogen dioxide and particulate concentration at NPL.
- AGAC is a club for everyone interested in gas analysis.
Satellite instrumentation services
The Optical Technologies group can provide a number of solutions for the earth observation community. These include the calibration, characterisation and advice for sub-systems and components for satellite instruments, “end to end” pre-launch calibration through to the calibration of instrumentation used for vicarious calibration.
Environmental case studies
- Evaluation of a novel infrared meter for flare gas emissions measurement.
- NPL scientists have helped identify the world’s bluest sky, and at the same time proved that good-quality measurement does not have to be expensive.
- NPL is investigating the measurement of airborne nanoparticles in the environment and work place, helping to improve air quality.
- NPL can now measure the thermal performance of pipe insulation helping toward energy efficient building construction.
- NPL has worked with industry specialists to develop a field guide for the application of fibre optic Bragg sensors used to measure strain on large industrial structures.
- New automatic monitoring technique prevents the liquefaction of natural gas in transportation pipelines.
- NPL has developed a new method for analysing odorous gases from landfill sites.
- Helping industry meet the challenges of new legislation that requires the removal of lead from manufacturing processes.
- Scientists from around the world, coordinated by NPL, recently examined an Antarctic snowfield as part of the world's largest inter-comparison between satellite sensors.
- NPL is helping to move fuel cells from specialist technology into the mainstream energy economy.
- NPL is helping to make it safer to travel at twilight when light conditions are most dangerous.
- Measurements for fuel cell vehicle energy management.
- The application of MEMS sensors to small wind turbines.
- Gas flow and temperature distribution in solid oxide fuel cell stacks.
- A new calibration laboratory in space may help silence climate change sceptics by increasing the accuracy of earth observation data.
- A team of scientists from NPL's Applied Radiometry group have developed an instrument that helps validate Earth observation (EO) data used in climate models.