A Discussion on recent research in air pollution - Air pollution problems in Czechoslovakia

Abstract

The air pollution problem is one of the drawbacks associated with large industrial developments. Because the solution to atmosphere pollution has been delayed, considerable damage and losses appear in regions of high concentration of industry, so much so that limitations may be placed on future industrial developments if no satisfactory solutions are found. In Czechoslovakia the consumption of electric power is approximately doubling every ten years. Owing to the limited fuel possibilities, most of the new power stations will have to use inferior lignite fuels with a high sulphur and ash content, of a heating capacity ranging from 2.3 to 3.5Mcal/kg, and of sulphur content from 1.5 to 9.3 g/Mcal. The disadvantages of this fuel, compared with black coal, are the following: (1) A high sulphur content and thus also of sulphur oxides in flue gases emitted from the stack. For an 800 MW power station it amounts to approximately 7 kg of S0 2/s. (2) It doubles the required capacity of the fuel and slag handling equipment, and the sizes of mills and boiler. (3) Increased demands on the dust-separating efficiency of the dust collectors. (4) A higher internal consumption of power necessary for coal grinding. (5) A lower boiler efficiency. (6) A higher rate of wear, especially of convectional surfaces of the boiler. With regard to the coal transport costs, the new power stations are built and ought to be built in the North-Bohemian region in the neighbourhood of the lignite mines. There are both unfavourable climatic conditions and a high industrial concentration in this area. Great losses in the forest cover and adverse effects on the health of the inhabitants have been experienced there already. Thus the construction of new power stations without desulphurizing equipment would be impossible in this region. The solution of the air pollution problems in our country can be divided into three parts: (1) Research and development of flue gas desulphurizing equipment. (2) Continuous measurement of the background pollution and, if possible, the reduction of pollution sources. (3) Investigation of dispersion conditions of flue gases from tall stacks.