Mercury Emissions from a Coal-Fired Power Plant and Their Impact on the Nearby Environment

Abstract

This study investigated Hg emissions from a coal-fired power plant (CFPP) and their impact on the nearby environment. Atmospheric Hg concentrations were measured at sampling sites near a CFPP located in central Taiwan from November 2008 to March 2011. The mean gaseous and particulate Hg concentrations were 2.59-4.12 ng/m 3 and 105-182 pg/m 3 , respectively, with gaseous Hg predominant at all sites (approximately 96% of the total atmospheric Hg). The seasonal variations of both gaseous and particle Hg concentrations in the atmosphere showed a similar pattern, with the highest concentrations in the cold season and the lowest in warm season. The mean emission factor of 13.1 mg/ton was found for the CFPP burning bituminous coal, with an electrostatic precipitator (ESP), flue gas desulfurization (FGD), and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) in series as air pollution control devices (APCDs). This figure was significantly lower than that measured at various power facilities, probably due to different fuel type, APCDs configuration, and flue gas condition. The modeling of the Industrial Source Complex Short Term (ISCST) revealed that the contribution of the CFPP to ambient atmospheric Hg was minimal (less than 1%).

Preparation of Cu-Doped TiO2 Photocatalyst with Thermal Plasma Torch for Low-Concentration Mercury Removal

“…Coal-fired power plants are known to be the largest source of Hg in most countries with high Hg emissions (Fang et al, 2012;Wu et al, 2012). Nevertheless, low-concentration Hg, within 1-10 ppb v in the coal-combustion flue gases, is difficult to control due to mass transfer limitations.…”

A Comparative Study of Human Health Impacts Due to Heavy Metal Emissions from a Conventional Lignite Coal-Fired Electricity Generation Station, with Post-Combustion, and Oxy- Fuel Combustion Capture Technologies

“…After that, the concentrations are evaluated for the possible impacts on human health. The emissions released from the tall stacks of the electricity generation plants were not deposited near the source, but further away [9,10]. PM 2.5 is ingested into the body via the respiratory system.…”

“…, with their high reactivity and solubility in water, can be controlled by some emission control units such as electrostatic precipitators (ESP) and wet and dry flue gas desulfurization (FGD) [10,12]. In addition, while rainfall parameters (e.g., wind, temperature, inversions, rainfall's duration, frequency, and intensity) and precipitation near the stacks affect the deposition of wet mercury (Hg), various meteorological factors such as wind speed affect the deposition of dry Hg [12,13].…”

Simulation of Pollutant Gas Dispersion on Case Study of <i>Lontar 3</i> Coal Fired Power Plant in Addition into 1 x 660 MW Capacity in Kemiri, Tangerang District, Banten Province

“…Increasing pollution levels due to rapid industrialization and urbanization are now causes of major concern in industrializing countries [3]. Coal combustion for power generation and residential heating is believed to make the most important contribution to atmospheric emissions [4]. The usage of power plant to meet energy necessity has also an impact for the environment such as exhaust emissions that can pollute the ambient air.…”