EmiCo lite – Emissions Measurement for Wastewater Treatment Plants

Fast entry into the monitoring of nitrous oxide and methane

Why real-time emission monitoring is crucial

Wastewater treatment plants emit significant amounts of greenhouse gases—primarily nitrous oxide (N₂O), which is over 260 times more harmful to the climate than CO₂, as well as methane (CH₄). These emissions occur particularly when the biological treatment process is not functioning optimally. With increasing regulatory requirements, it is becoming essential for operators to make these emissions visible and ensure regulatory compliance.

Precise real-time emissions monitoring makes it possible not only to capture emissions but also to understand their causes. Only in this way can processes be specifically optimized, costs reduced, and sustainability goals achieved.

EmiCo lite was developed for this purpose: a fast, cost-effective entry into emissions monitoring—reliable, practical, and ready for immediate use.

EmiCo lite is a compact, real-time measurement system designed to monitor nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄) in biological treatment processes. With two measurement points and direct cloud connectivity, it enables operators to efficiently track emissions and optimize processes in a sustainable manner.

The system is plug & play and ready for operation within two hours - without complex installation or special tools. For wastewater facilities, this means: quick start, low investment, immediate results.

EmiCo lite is based on non-dispersive infrared spectroscopy (NDIR). This proven measurement technology enables the precise monitoring of greenhouse gases in the gas phase.

Measurable parameters:
Gas phase (vol. %): Nitrous oxide (N₂O), methane (CH₄), carbon dioxide (CO₂), oxygen (O₂, via integrated sensor)

In addition, flow and temperature measurements record the necessary context data so that concentrations are automatically converted into reliable emission rates. Detection limits of up to 2 ppm are achieved for nitrous oxide - precise enough to make even low emissions reliably visible.

EmiCo Insight makes measurement results immediately usable:

  • Interactive diagrams and intuitive dashboards provide a real-time overview
  • The EmiCo. Assistant automatically recognizes inefficient process states
  • Recommendations for action support operators with optimization
  • Analyses can be prepared

This makes EmiCo. lite a tool for more efficient processes, lower costs and regulatory security.

EmiCo lite is factory-calibrated and ready for use in less than two hours. It is installed directly on the sink of your choice—all you need is a power connection.
A clearly structured installation package, complete with documentation and configuration instructions, guides you through every step. Thanks to this plug-and-play architecture, neither extensive training nor external specialists are required.

EmiCo lite is designed for minimal maintenance:

  • Integrated zero gas cylinder for automatic daily calibration with nitrogen
  • Halbjährliche Kalibrierung in <15 Minuten – mit vorkonfektionierten Kalibriergasbeuteln, die einfach angeschlossen werden
  • No contact with waste water

EmiCo. lite thus considerably reduces the effort involved and ensures permanently precise results.

More about maintenance

The collected data is transmitted directly to the EmiCo Cloud. Thanks to the integrated eSIM, it can be accessed in real time from anywhere. This allows operators to maintain a clear overview of their processes at all times—across all locations and securely.

With the optional EmiCo Gateway, data can also be integrated bidirectionally into the wastewater treatment plant’s control system. All connections are encrypted and comply with EU NIS2 as well as applicable KRITIS regulations.

EmiCo lite – Making emissions visible
Targeted control of processes

You will find all the important facts, background and further information in our brochure.

Brochure

The benefits of EmiCo lite

  • Quick entry into emission monitoring - plug & play in two hours
  • Real-time measurement of N₂O, CH₄, CO₂ – relevant for regulatory purposes
  • Two measuring points with cloud dashboard - real-time overview, quick intervention possible
  • Bi-annual calibration within minutes - with material sent to you, simple and reliable
  • AI-supported software - recommendations for increasing efficiency and sustainability

Scientifically based & in practical use

EmiCo lite is already in use by numerous operators—including in Stuttgart, Reutlingen, Trier, Bietigheim-Bissingen, Heilbronn, Aarhus, Lolland, Lyngby, Schwäbisch Hall, and Friedrichshafen. Certifications and innovation awards confirm the system’s scientific basis and innovative strength.

Next steps - your path to a climate-neutral wastewater treatment plant

EmiCo lite offers a quick and cost-effective way to get started with emissions monitoring. By using it, operators not only meet legal requirements but also lay the groundwork for a climate-friendly future.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About the EmiCo lite

EmiCo lite measures nitrous oxide (N₂O), methane (CH₄), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and oxygen (O₂) in the gas phase using non-dispersive infrared spectroscopy (NDIR) and an integrated O₂ sensor. Flow rate and temperature are also recorded as contextual data, allowing concentrations to be automatically converted into emission rates. For nitrous oxide, the system achieves detection limits as low as 2 ppm, which is sufficient to detect even low emissions. A single device covers two measurement points.

Less than two hours. EmiCo lite is factory-calibrated and plug-and-play: It is installed directly on the desired basin and requires only a power connection. An installation kit with documentation and configuration instructions guides you through every step—no special tools, lengthy training sessions, or external experts are needed. The data is then transmitted directly to the EmiCo Cloud via the integrated eSIM.

No. EmiCo lite measures in the gas phase above the aeration tank and has no contact with the wastewater. It monitors the biological process based on its exhaust gas, rather than using probes immersed in the water. Maintenance is limited to calibration with gas bags every six months, an automatic zero-point adjustment with nitrogen, and occasional filter changes—a total of about 20 minutes per year.

EmiCo lite is installed in the aeration tank of your biological treatment stage and covers two measurement points. Their location is critical: Our case study from Trier shows that nitrous oxide levels fluctuate significantly within an aeration tank and depend heavily on the measurement location. Only by strategically placing the measurement points can a reliable extrapolation be made for the entire plant.

Yes. You can start with a trial period instead of purchasing right away. This is an affordable way to review the exhaust air data from your own system before you make a commitment. Please describe your system to us using the contact form or by email at info@variolytics.com—we’ll prepare a detailed quote and coordinate the best time to get started with you.

We do not publish prices because the right solution depends on your system: the number of measurement points and devices, the EmiCo Insight packages you need, and how you’d like to get started. Send us an inquiry, and we’ll prepare a customized quote for your system. If you’d like to start small, ask about a trial plan.

Via an integrated eSIM directly into the EmiCo Cloud—this allows you to view your data in real time from anywhere and across multiple locations. If you’d also like to have the data in your control system, the optional EmiCo Gateway integrates it bidirectionally. All connections are encrypted. We describe our approach to IT security on our security page.

EmiCo lite is in use in 10 countries. Notable reference installations include Stuttgart, Reutlingen, Trier, Bietigheim-Bissingen, Heilbronn, Aarhus, Lolland, Lyngby, Schwäbisch Hall, and Friedrichshafen. You can find several of these systems in our case studies—for example, Trier as a measurement site and Reutlingen as an intake strategy. The summaries are available on our Success Stories page.

We recommend a 12-month period so that you can capture seasonal variations. Emissions are often low in the summer; in contrast, high nitrous oxide peaks occur primarily in the winter and during transitional seasons, when biological processes are shifting. A short monitoring campaign is likely to fall during a quiet period and miss these peaks. A full year provides a realistic picture for your carbon footprint and for process optimization.

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