Prognosis of environmental impact of trace elements from brown coal-fired power plant “Bełchatów”

Abstract

Keywords: Environment protection, brown coal, traceelements, combustion products, fl ue gas desulphurization (FGD) gypsum, forecast of trace elements emission, forecast of trace elements transfer.Abstract: A forecast of the negative impact exerted on the environment by selected trace elements in "Bełchatów" Power Plant has been prepared on the basis of the results of investigations into these elements' distribution carried out as part of earlier research on coal from "Bełchatów" Field and the data on updated analyses of the content of these elements in 55 brown coal samples from test boreholes.Work in "Bełchatów" Power Plant, which is supplied with coal from "Szczerców" Field, will be accompanied by trace elements transfer. On the basis of the conducted investigations it has been found that the biosphere is most threatened by mercury emissions. As shown by the presented results of analyses and calculations, the emissions of mercury in "Bełchatów" Power Plant are low. Mercury is accumulated chiefl y in gypsum produced in the FGD plant. The content of mercury in slag and ash is low.

Coal Cleaning Versus the Reduction of Mercury and other Trace Elements’ Emissions from Coal Combustion Processes

“…The content of mercury in coal depends on the type of fuel, the origin and share of mineral matter [33]. According to different authors, the level of mercury in Polish hard coal ranges from 50 to 240 ppb, and in brown coal -from 120 to 516 ppb [24]. In the coal cleaning process by the fl otation and gravity method, 30 to 45% of mercury can be separated from coal [1], and with more advanced cleaning methods this fi gure can reach even 60% [39].…”

“…The data on mercury content in combustion waste indicates that it is mainly contained in fl y ash, and only a small amount remains in slag. The authors' own investigations into the distribution of mercury in coal combustion and fl ue gas desulphurisation products suggest that up to 95% of released mercury is accumulated in gypsum formed in FGD plants by the limestone method [23,24].…”

“…Poland is obliged to apply BATs (Best Available Techniques) in order to reduce the emission of pollutants, including mercury release into the atmosphere [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27]. These methods include the above mentioned mercury sorption on active coal with an addition of sulphur as well as fabric fi lters and electrostatic precipitators, comprising fl ue gas desulphurisation processes.…”

“…Therefore, studies into simpler methods to be used as major and supporting technologies of mercury emissions reduction are necessary. It has to be emphasised that according to the data provided by EMEP (European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme), the annual emission of mercury into the air from the territory of Poland reached ca 20 Mg [2], which accounted for approximately 10% of mercury emissions in Europe [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. Currently, mercury emission from anthropogenic sources amounts to 14.6 Mg/a [5].…”

Preparation and Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2 Tablets

“…[1] There is an urgent need to develop high efficiency, low energy consumption, wide range of use, do not pollute the environment function material and the suitable technology. [2] Photocatalytic degradation technology can fully biodegrade various kinds of organic and inorganic pollutants in wastewater, and waste gas, so has attracted wide attention both at home and abroad, and the researching of nanometer photocatalytic materials has entered a new era, becomes a new technology may be widely applied. [3][4][5] The nanometer TiO 2 as a catalyst with high stability and activity, safety, low cost and no secondary pollution, [6] so it in the environment pollution control and other fields has huge potential value.…”