Coal-fired power plants are major contributors to air pollution through the emission of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides can react with water and oxygen to form acid rain and particulate matter that harm the environment and human health. Carbon dioxide emissions from energy use are the largest source of greenhouse gases linked to climate change. The document then outlines various pollution control methods for coal plants as well as disposal options for nuclear waste.
1. Pollution from thermal power plant
o Coal-Fired Power Plants are the largest contributor of
hazardous air pollutants.
•Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
•Nitrogen Oxide (NOx)
•Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
2. CO2 ~ carbon dioxide pollution, making energy use the single largest
source of greenhouse gases.
Pollution
3. SO2
o Sulfur dioxide combined with nitrogen
oxide react with water and oxygen in the
atmosphere to form acidic compounds,
which can mix with natural precipitation
and fall to the earth as acid rain.
o Sulfur dioxide can also combine with
nitrogen oxide and other particles to form
particulate matter.
Pollution
4. Pollution
NOx
When nitrogen oxide (chemically) reacts with volatile organic
compounds (VOC’s) and sunlight ground-level ozone or smog is
formed.
5. Pollution Controls
Control of CO2
Cleaning coal
Improved ESP Design
Increasing the height of chimney
Control of SO2
Desulpherisation of fuel
Use low sulphur fuels
Use of tall stacks
Flue gas cleaning
Control of NOx
Reduction of combustion temperature
Reduction of combustion timing
Increasing equivalence ratio 1.6 to 1.8.
