POLLUTION-CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES IN COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS AND THEIR IMPACT ON AEROSOL NUCLEATION AND GROWTH IN EMISSIONS PLUMES

Abstract

Nucleation and growth of particles in coal-fired power-plant plumes can greatly contribute to particle concentrations near source regions. Pollution-control technologies have been added to coal-fired power plants to reduce emissions of SO2 and NOX; however, their cumulative effects may be increasing in-plume particle production. Therefore, a quantitative understanding of in-plume particle production is needed to determine the implications of emission controls on the climate system. Changes in particle production with changing emissions for coal-fired power plants are simulated using the SAM-TOMAS large-eddy simulation model. For the W.A. Parish power plant, the model predicts increased particle production due to the emissions control technologies. From this, a general understanding of particle production rate changes with NOX and SO2 emissions is plotted, and estimates of US coal-fired power plant production rate changes are created. Additional particle production mechanisms are discussed, in particular an exploration of particle production from ammonia slip of NOX emission controls.