Effects of particle-control devices on atmospheric emissions of minor and trace elements from coal combustion

Conference · Mon Aug 06 04:00:00 EDT 1979

OSTI ID:5845661

Ondov, J M; Biermann, A H

Emissions of elements in total suspended particles and in discrete particle size intervals are compared from five coal utility boilers, equipped with either cold- or hot-side electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) or high-energy, venturi wet scrubber systems. Coal and ash samples collected from emission-control systems and samples of atmospheric discharges were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and x-ray fluorescence. Emissions of Cr, Mn, Zn, and Co were enhanced probably because of corroded internal metal surfaces of the scrubbers. Concentrations of several potentially toxic elements, including Br, As, Se, Sb, U, V, and Cr, in aerosol particles emitted from the scrubber were as much as 170 times greater than in aerosol particles from the ESP. Also, the scrubber emitted a greater proportion of aerosol mass in particles of respirable sizes than did units equipped with cold-side ESPs. We conclude that the wet scrubber systems tested would be less effective in reducing the potential hazard associated with the elements cited above than a cold-side ESP of comparable overall efficiency. Based on their relative concentrations in total suspended aerosol particles and in discrete size fractions, it appears that Se, Mo, and Cr, and to a lesser extent As, Ba, Ga, U, V, and In, may be less effectively collected by the hot-side ESP than by the cold-side ESPs tested.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5845661
• Report Number(s): UCRL-82558; CONF-790855-7
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200202 -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Waste Management-- Noxious Gas & Particulate Emissions
42 ENGINEERING
424000 -- Engineering-- Pollution Control Equipment-- (1980-1989)
500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACTINIDES
AEROSOLS
AIR POLLUTION
ANTIMONY
ARSENIC
ASHES
BROMINE
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHROMIUM
COAL
COBALT
COLLOIDS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DISPERSIONS
ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATORS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
FOSSIL FUELS
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
FUELS
GALLIUM
HALOGENS
INDIUM
MANGANESE
METALS
MOLYBDENUM
NONMETALS
PARTICLE SIZE
PARTICLES
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
POWER PLANTS
QUALITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
REFRACTORY METALS
RESIDUES
SAMPLING
SCRUBBERS
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
SIZE
SOLS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
URANIUM
VANADIUM
ZINC