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Model calculations of the chemical processes occurring in the plume of a coal-fired power plant

Abstract

Computer simulations of the homogeneous, gas phase chemical reactions which occur in the plume of a coal-fired power plant were conducted in an effort to understand the influence of various environmental parameters on the production of secondary pollutants. Input data for the model were selected to reproduce the dilution of a plume from a medium-sized power plant. The environmental conditions chosen were characteristic of those found during mid-August in the south-eastern United States. Under most conditions examined, it was found that hydroxyl radicals were the most important species in the homogeneous conversion of stack gases into secondary pollutants. Other free radicals, such as HO/sub 2/ and CH/sub 3/O/sub 2/, exceeded the contribution of HO radicals only when high background hydrocarbon concentrations are used. The conversion rates calculated for the oxidation of SO/sub 2/ to SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ in these plumes were consistent with those determined experimentally. The concentrations and relative proportions of NO/sub x/ (from the power plant) and reactive hydrocarbons (from the background air) determine, to a large extent, the plume reactivity. Free radical production is suppressed during the initial stages of dilution due to the high NO/sub x/ levels. Significant dilution is required before a suitable mix  More>>
Publication Date:
Feb 01, 1982
Product Type:
Journal Article
Reference Number:
EDB-82-090105
Resource Relation:
Journal Name: Atmos. Environ.; (United Kingdom); Journal Volume: 16:2
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; PLUMES; CHEMICAL REACTIONS; MATHEMATICAL MODELS; AIR POLLUTION; ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY; CALCULATION METHODS; COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION; FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS; HYDROCARBONS; HYDRONIUM RADICALS; HYDROXYL RADICALS; METEOROLOGY; NITROGEN OXIDES; REACTION KINETICS; SMOG; SULFUR DIOXIDE; CHALCOGENIDES; CHEMISTRY; KINETICS; NITROGEN COMPOUNDS; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; OXIDES; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; POLLUTION; POWER PLANTS; RADICALS; SIMULATION; SULFUR COMPOUNDS; SULFUR OXIDES; THERMAL POWER PLANTS; 500200* - Environment, Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
OSTI ID:
5531321
Research Organizations:
Tennessee Valley Authority, Muscle Shoals, AL
Country of Origin:
United Kingdom
Language:
English
Other Identifying Numbers:
Journal ID: CODEN: ATENB
Submitting Site:
HEDB
Size:
Pages: 183-195
Announcement Date:
May 01, 1982

Citation Formats

Meagher, J F, and Luria, M. Model calculations of the chemical processes occurring in the plume of a coal-fired power plant. United Kingdom: N. p., 1982. Web.
Meagher, J F, & Luria, M. Model calculations of the chemical processes occurring in the plume of a coal-fired power plant. United Kingdom.
Meagher, J F, and Luria, M. 1982. "Model calculations of the chemical processes occurring in the plume of a coal-fired power plant." United Kingdom.
@misc{etde_5531321,
title = {Model calculations of the chemical processes occurring in the plume of a coal-fired power plant}
author = {Meagher, J F, and Luria, M}
abstractNote = {Computer simulations of the homogeneous, gas phase chemical reactions which occur in the plume of a coal-fired power plant were conducted in an effort to understand the influence of various environmental parameters on the production of secondary pollutants. Input data for the model were selected to reproduce the dilution of a plume from a medium-sized power plant. The environmental conditions chosen were characteristic of those found during mid-August in the south-eastern United States. Under most conditions examined, it was found that hydroxyl radicals were the most important species in the homogeneous conversion of stack gases into secondary pollutants. Other free radicals, such as HO/sub 2/ and CH/sub 3/O/sub 2/, exceeded the contribution of HO radicals only when high background hydrocarbon concentrations are used. The conversion rates calculated for the oxidation of SO/sub 2/ to SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ in these plumes were consistent with those determined experimentally. The concentrations and relative proportions of NO/sub x/ (from the power plant) and reactive hydrocarbons (from the background air) determine, to a large extent, the plume reactivity. Free radical production is suppressed during the initial stages of dilution due to the high NO/sub x/ levels. Significant dilution is required before a suitable mix is attained which can sustain the free radical chain processes common to smog chemistry. In most cases, the free radical concentrations were found to pass through maxima and return to background levels. Under typical summertime conditions, the hyroxyl radical concentration was found to reach a maximum at a HC/NO/sub x/ ratio of approximately 20.}
journal = []
volume = {16:2}
journal type = {AC}
place = {United Kingdom}
year = {1982}
month = {Feb}
}