Atmospheric oxidation of flue gases from coal-fired power plants-A comparison between conventional and scrubbed plumes

J. F. Meagher*, L. Stockburger, R. J. Bonanno, E. M. Bailey, M. Luria

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

A series of plume samples was taken by instrumented aircraft to determine atmospheric oxidation rates of flue gases from coal-fired power plants. This study was carried out at two of TVA's large power plants: Colbert Steam Plant, located in Pride, Alabama, a conventional power plant that burns high (3.7%) sulfur coal; and Widows Creek Steam Plant, located at Stevenson, Alabama, which generates 29% of its electrical power from a boiler that burns high (3.9%) sulfur coal but that is equipped with a wet limestone SO2 scrubber. The average atmospheric oxidation rates at both sites were almost identical, indicating that the atmospheric oxidation rate is not significantly affected by the presence of a scrubber. The average morning rates for SO4= and NO3- formation for both the scrubbed and unscrubbed plumes were found to be 0.012 and 0.029 h-1 respectively. Rates larger by a factor of two were found for the afternoon measurements. For both parts of this study, the average rate for NO conversion to NO2 was found to be 0.51 h-1, and the rate for NOx removal was estimated to be 0.12 h-1. On one day during the second part of this study (August 23, 1978), net O3 production in the plume was observed. Net production of O3 was attributed to the mixing of the power plant plume with a polluted airmass transported from Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)749-762
Number of pages14
JournalAtmospheric Environment
Volume15
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1981
Externally publishedYes

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