Emission factors of domestic coal-burning braziers

• Published in: South African Journal of Science 2017-03, Vol.113 (3-4), p.1-11
• Main Authors: Forbes, Patricia B.C., Annegarn, Harold J., Masekameni, Daniel M., Makonese, Tafadzwa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air quality; Coal; Design; Domestic coal combustion; Emission rates; Emissions; Households; Ignition method; Methods; Particulate matter; Ventilation; Ventilation rates
• ISSN: 0038-2353; 1996-7489
• DOI: 10.17159/sajs.2017/20160187

We present experimental results of emission factors from a suite of domestic coal-burning braziers (lab fabricated and field collected) that span the possible range of real-world uses in the Highveld region of South Africa. The conventional bottom-lit updraft (BLUD) method and the top-lit updraft (TLUD) method were evaluated using coal particle sizes between 20 mm and 40 mm. Emission factors of CO2, CO and NOx were in the range of 98–102 g/MJ, 4.1–6.4 g/MJ and 75–195 mg/MJ, respectively. Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) emissions were in the range 1.3–3.3 g/MJ for the BLUD method and 0.2–0.7 g/MJ for the TLUD method, for both field and lab-designed stoves. When employing the TLUD method, emission factors of PM2.5/PM10 reduced by up to 80% compared with those when using the BLUD method. Results showed the influence of ventilation rates on emission factors, which reduced by ~50% from low to high ventilation rates. For energy-specific emission rates, the combined (3-h) PM10 emission rates were in the range of 0.0028–0.0120 g/s, while the combined average CO emission rates were in the range of 0.20–0.26 g/s, with CO2 emission rates in the range of 0.54–0.64 g/s. The reported emission factors from coal braziers provide the first comprehensive, systematic set of emission factors for this source category, and fill a major gap in previous efforts to conduct dispersion modelling of South African Highveld air quality. Significance:The study provides the first comprehensive, systematic set of emission factors from coal braziers.The study fills a major gap in previous efforts to conduct dispersion modelling of South African Highveld air quality. Results have implications for stove design and lay the groundwork for improvements in the design of existing coal braziers.Results have implications for understanding the potential health impacts of condensed matter emissions from coal braziers.