A simple model for estimating emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons from the combustion of coal

Abstract

Carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) are evolved during coal combustion in amounts which are highly dependent on the purpose for which the coal is used. Detailed information has been obtained about the use of coal in 34 countries (those in the OECD and 10 others). The total consumption of coal in all other regions of the world is also known; however, separate figures are not always available for the different consumption sectors. Those countries for which detailed information was obtained in this work were thus used as models for specific regions of the globe. The pattern of use of coal in each region was then assumed to be the same as that for one of the specific model countries for which more precise information had been obtained. The consumption of coal in the various sectors was calculated for all regions with the same consumption pattern. Summation of the amounts for the various regions gives the world consumption of coal for each of the consumption sectors and multiplication of these by the appropriate emission factors yields the total amounts of CO and HC generated into the atmosphere as a result of coal combustion. There are three main conclusions to be drawn from this work. First, CO is a much more abundant product of coal combustion than HC. Second, for both pollutants, the most important coal use sector is commercial/domestic, mainly due to lack of effective control measures. Finally, the emissions from coal combustion are relatively unimportant compared with those from combustion of other fuels, particularly petroleum.