Composition and size distribution of particules emissions from a coal-fired power plant in India

• Published in: Fuel (Guildford) 2008-08, Vol.87 (10-11), p.2095-2101
• Main Authors: Bhanarkar, A.D., Gavane, A.G., Tajne, D.S., Tamhane, S.M., Nema, P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air pollution caused by fuel industries; Applied sciences; Chemical composition; Coal combustion; Collection efficiency; Electrostatic precipitator; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy; Metering. Control; Particle size distribution; Thermal power plants
• ISSN: 0016-2361; 1873-7153
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2007.11.001

Particulate matter in fly ash from ESP inlet and outlet of a coal fired power plant in India was measured for five units of 120MW and 210MW of the power plant. Samples of the pulverised coal and bottom and fly ashes were also collected. The size distribution and chemical composition of particulate matter were determined using a laser particle analyser, an ion chromatograph (IC) and an inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES). The observed particle mass concentration at the ESP inlet was 5443–21483mgNm−3 whereas the outlet concentration was found as 12–315mgNm−3 thereby giving total removal efficiency of 95.7–99.8%. A fine particle mode appeared at the particle size of 0.4–0.9μm and coarse particle mode appeared at the particle size greater than 1μm. Magnesium and iron remained in bottom ash and showed high concentrations 99 and 2154μgg−1 (ppmw) respectively, while other elements such as lead, chromium and zinc were observed in higher concentration in ESP inlet flue gas. Relative enrichment of trace elements (except Fe) in fly ash was observed higher than that in bottom ash.