Atmospheric emission of polychlorinated naphthalenes from iron ore sintering processes

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2012-10, Vol.89 (4), p.467-472
• Main Authors: Liu, Guorui, Zheng, Minghui, Du, Bing, Nie, Zhiqiang, Zhang, Bing, Liu, Wenbin, Li, Cheng, Hu, Jicheng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air Pollutants - analysis; Applied sciences; Atmospheric pollution; China; Disaccharides; Emission inventory; Environmental Monitoring; Exact sciences and technology; Glucuronates; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated - analysis; Iron; Iron ore sintering; Metallurgy; Naphthalenes - analysis; Other pollution sources in industry; Persistent organic pollutants; Pollution; Pollution sources. Measurement results; Polychlorinated naphthalenes; Stockholm Convention
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.05.101

[Display omitted] ► PCN emissions from sintering processes were identified and quantified. ► The derived emissions factors were significant for developing a PCN inventory. ► The PCN profiles were dominated by lower chlorinated homologs. ► The congener characteristics could be used to identify PCN sources. ► The annual PCN emissions from sintering processes were estimated. Iron ore sintering processes constitute significant sources of dioxins, and studies have confirmed a close correlation between polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) and dioxin formation. Thus, iron ore sintering processes are thought to be a potential source of PCNs, although intensive investigations on PCN emissions from sintering processes have not been carried out. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to qualify and quantify PCN emissions from nine sintering plants operating on different industrial scales. PCN concentrations ranged from 3 to 983ngm−3 (0.4–23.3pgTEQPCNm−3) and emission factors ranged from 14 to 1749μgt−1 (0.5–41.5ngTEQPCNt−1), with a geometric mean of 84μgt−1 (2.1ngTEQPCNt−1). The estimated annual emission of PCNs from sintering processes in China was 1390mg TEQPCN. These figures will assist in the development of a PCN emissions inventory. Regarding emission characteristics, PCNs mainly comprised low-chlorinated homologs. The ratios of several characteristic PCN congeners were also measured and compared with those from other sources. Taken together, these results may provide useful information for identifying the sources of PCNs produced by iron ore sintering processes.