Advanced environmental monitoring at Riga Port – Latvia

Year

2021

Location

RIGA - LATVIA

Sector(s)

Ports

Related sensor(s)

Issues

Loading and unloading operations at the Ventspils Freeport oil terminals have led to significant odor complaints due to inefficient procedures, impacting the quality of life for local residents. The prevailing north winds from the Baltic Sea carry these odors southward, exacerbating the city’s environmental concerns. To meet new municipal regulations requiring continuous odor level monitoring, the Port of Riga has deployed an advanced monitoring network.

SOLUTION

To address these challenges, nine Ellona WT1 Pro devices were installed with terminal-specific configurations, equipped with H₂S, mercaptan sensors, and various MOX sensors for precise odor detection.

A preliminary study was conducted to optimize sensor placements based on terminal characteristics and prevailing wind directions. Data is integrated through the Ellona API into a municipal dashboard, ensuring real-time monitoring in compliance with EN13725 standards.

KEY RESULTS

This initiative has resulted in several significant benefits:

The monitoring network operates continuously as an alarm system, providing immediate alerts in case of odor threshold exceedances.
Ellona’s API allows the municipality of Ventspils to import and visualize data for comprehensive monitoring of port activities.
The ability to track odor intensity and quality at terminal boundaries online enables the municipality to quickly identify the type of odor and take immediate corrective actions if regulatory standards are breached.

With this proactive and technologically advanced approach, the Port of Riga strengthens its commitment to reducing odor emissions and maintaining a healthy urban environment for its residents.