Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Emission Profiles and Removal Efficiency by Electrostatic Precipitator and Wetfine Scrubber in an Iron Ore Sintering Plant

Abstract

A monitoring campaign of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyl was carried out in an Italian iron ore sintering plant by sampling the combustion gases at the electrostatic precipitator (ESP) outlet, at the Wetfine scrubber (WS) outlet, and by collecting the ESP dust. Few data are available on these micropollutants produced in iron ore sintering plants, particularly from Italian plants. This study investigates the PAH emission profiles and the removal efficiency of ESPs and WS. PAHs were determined at the stack, ESP outlet flue gases, and in ESP dust to characterize the emission profiles and the performance of the ESP and the WS for reducing PAH emission. The 11 PAHs monitored are listed in the Italian legislative decree 152/2006. The mean total PAH sum concentration in the stack flue gases is 3.96 microg/N x m3, in ESP outlet flue gases is 9.73 microg/N x m3, and in ESP dust is 0.53 microg/g. Regarding the emission profiles, the most abundant compound is benzo(b)fluoranthene, which has a relative low BaP toxic equivalency factors (TEF) value, followed by dibenzo(a,l)pyrene, which has a very high BaP(TEF) value. The emission profiles in ESP dust and in the flue gases after the ESP show some changes, whereas the fingerprint in ESP and stack flue gases is very similar. The removal efficiency of the ESP and of WS on the total PAH concentration is 5.2 and 59.5%, respectively.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Indoor Dusts of Guizhou, Southwest of China: Status, Sources and Potential Human Health Risk

“…This result indicated that PAHs tend to accumulate in dust particles, which could be used as an indicator of environmental pollution. The highest Σ 18 PAHs concentration was found in dust from orefield where the high concentrations of PAHs may have resulted from the emissions of mining activities and mineral processing operations [24]. …”

PCDD/Fs removal efficiency by electrostatic precipitator and wetfine scrubber in an iron ore sintering plant

“…In a previous paper [8] we have described the influence of different charge typologies and additives on the PCDD/Fs amount produced and on the congener profiles in an iron ore sintering plant. We have, also, investigated the PAH emitted by the same plant [9]. This work can supply ulterior information on this very important sector.…”

Characteristics of Fine Particulate Matter and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Emitted from Coal Combustion Processes

“…Li et al indicated that the removal efficiencies of PAHs associated with PM 2.5 and total filterable PM achieved with the low-low temperature electrostatic precipitator (LLT-ESP) are 86 and 87%, respectively. Guerriero et al . reported that the removal efficiency of PAHs achieved with a wet scrubber is 60%.…”

“…Li et al 37 indicated that the removal efficiencies of PAHs associated with PM 2.5 and total filterable PM achieved with the low-low temperature electrostatic precipitator (LLT-ESP) are 86 and 87%, respectively. Guerriero et al 38 reported that the removal efficiency of PAHs achieved with a wet scrubber is 60%. For the TEQ removal efficiency achieved with BH + SWFGD in plant A, the overall removal efficiency is 94.3%, while the removal efficiencies of particulate and gaseous PAHs are 99.3 and 89.5%, respectively.…”