An examination of utility emissions contributions to elevated ozone concentrations in the Chicago area
In order to reduce the pollutant load to the atmosphere and subsequent damaging effects, Titles I and IV of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAAs) require reductions in emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO[sub 2]), nitrogen oxides (NO[sub x]), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Title IV is aimed at reducing acidic deposition and requires utilities to reduce SO[sub 2] and NO[sub x] emissions to specified levels. As a consequence of this, many utilities will have to install SO[sub 2] and NO[sub x] control technologies. Title I is concerned with bringing regions into compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for the criteria pollutants, among which is ozone (O[sub 3]). The NAAQS for O[sub 3] is 120 ppb (parts per billion by volume) hourly average concentration, not to be exceeded four times in three years. O[sub 3] is a secondary pollutant formed in the atmosphere when NO[sub x] and VOCs react together in the presence of sunlight. Utilities are a significant source of NO[sub x] and an unimportant source of VOCs. In the past, O[sub 3] control strategy has focused on reducing VOC emissions because of the possibility that reducing NO[sub x] actually might make O[sub 3] concentrations higher. However, this approach has not worked, perhaps because of underestimation of natural and manmade VOC emissions and transport of O[sub 3] from other regions. Computer modeling has shown that for many highly polluted areas massive NO[sub x] reductions may be necessary in addition to or in place of VOC controls. Utilities are a potential source of these NO[sub x] reductions.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., IL (United States). Environmental Assessment and Information Sciences Div.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 6413636
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/EAIS/CP-78927; CONF-930647-2; ON: DE93012852
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 86. annual meeting and exhibition of the Air and Waste Management Association, Denver, CO (United States), 13-18 Jun 1993
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CHICAGO
US PUBLIC UTILITY REGULATORY POLICIES ACT
NITROGEN OXIDES
EMISSION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OZONE
SULFUR DIOXIDE
ACID RAIN
AIR POLLUTION
AIR QUALITY
CARBON MONOXIDE
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
METEOROLOGY
VOLATILITY
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
ILLINOIS
LAWS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NORTH AMERICA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
POWER PLANTS
RAIN
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR OXIDES
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
URBAN AREAS
US NATIONAL ENERGY ACT
USA
200500* - Fossil-Fueled Power Plants- Environmental Aspects- (1990-)
540120 - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
540150 - Environment
Atmospheric- Site Resources & Use Studies- (1990-)