PCDDs/PCDFs, dl-PCBs and HCB in the flue gas from coal fired CFB boilers

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2008-08, Vol.73 (1), p.97-103
• Main Authors: Grochowalski, Adam, Konieczyński, Jan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air Pollutants - analysis; Applied sciences; Atmospheric pollution; Benzofurans - analysis; Coal; Coal firing; Combustion and energy production; Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; Dl-PCBs; Exact sciences and technology; Fluidized bed; Gases - chemistry; HCB; Hexachlorobenzene - analysis; PCDDs/ PCDFs; Pollution; Pollution sources. Measurement results; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - analysis; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins - analogs & derivatives; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins - analysis; Power generation
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2008.04.087

The aim of the project was to measure the actual emissions of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) from four selected power plants in Poland in order to update the national inventory of PCDDs/PCDFs emission. Relatively low PCDDs/PCDFs as well as dl-PCBs concentrations in flue gas obtained in measurements in this study for four different circulated fluidized bed (CFB) boilers indicate practical absence of any hazards caused by PCDDs/PCDFs emission from these units. The results of PCDDs/PCDFs determination obtained in this study indicate that hard coal combustion in large CFB in the four central heating plants (CHP) is not a significant source of PCDDs/PCDFs emission to the environment even if operated by co-firing of waste coal. PCDDs/PCDFs concentration in flue gases as well as emission factors were recorded in the range of 0.012–0.060 ng I-TEQ/ m n 3 and 7.51–46.4 μg I-TEQ/TJ, respectively. Dl-PCBs concentration was practically below the LOQ = 0.006 ng WHO-PCB TEQ/ m n 3 in all experiments. HCB concentration as well as emission factors were recorded in the range of 11.5–42.0 ng/ m n 3 and 6.19–26.7 mg/TJ, respectively, where the highest value was obtained for co-firing of waste coal, however. Obtained in this work emission factors will be used for national emission inventory purposes instead of the factors proposed by Toolkit or taken from previous measurements. However, consideration should be given to the fact that the measurements in most cases are related to single installations. Therefore, the need for further development of national factors for the power generation industry in Poland is desired.