Smoke wind and coal in thermal power plants

How do thermal power plants affect emissions?

Emissions from thermal power plants are influenced by many factors. CO2 and SO2 emissions are influenced by the chemical composition (particularly carbon and sulfur content) of coal and the coal usage per unit of electricity. NO emissions are influenced by the excess air used during combustion and the coal usage.

How do coal-fired power plants affect the environment?

Large amount of gaseous and particulate emissions from coal-fired power plants has different environmental impacts associated with them. High concentration of greenhouse gases (such as CO 2) is emitted from coal-fired power plants.

How much CO2 does a thermal power plant emit?

There are wide variations in emissions at different plants due to coal quality, specific coal usage, and use of excess air. ‘Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR)’ during 2001-02 to 2009-10 of CO2 emissions from thermal power plants is estimated to be 4.9 %, of electricity generation and SO2 emissions as 4.7 %, and of NO emissions as 4.9%.

Do coal-fired power plants cause air pollution?

Also, the paper aims to examine how potential air pollutants (e.g., PM 2.5, SO 2, NOx, CO 2), including mercury from the coal-fired power plants, cause environmental impacts. The data synthesis shows that coal quality is the most significant factor for increasing air emissions, regardless of power plant capacity.

What are the emission control technologies for coal-fired power plants?

The particulate matter emission control technologies for coal-fired power plants have been developed since the 1960s, including cyclones (Wang 2020). The particulate size and composition generated during coal combustion depend on the coal quality, the boiler type, and capacity (Rallo et al. 2012).

What is a coal-fired power plant?

Coal is a fossil fuel and nonrenewable energy source that is combusted and used to generate electricity. A coal-fired power plant is a prodigious generator of environmental pollution, releasing large quantities of particles as aerosols in the atmosphere.