Adaptation of Real Industrial Applications into the Proposed Environmental Emission Standard for Stationary Combustion Systems

K T Jayasinghe,D D Ananda Namal

doi:10.4038/engineer.v50i3.7263

Abstract

In this study, the authors have attempted to analyze and emphasize on the impact of the “Proposed Environmental Emission Standard for Stationary Combustion Systems on real industrial applications by collecting data from industry experts who have been directly involved in the implementation of those emission standard with respect to the regulations and limitations that have been defined, industrial impacts, instrumentations, pre-facility requirement and external interferences. This study, however, does not discuss policy implementation practices of different organizations when monitoring the emission levels of stationary combustion systems. The strong recommendations given in this study are based on performance analysis and comparisons of 225 industrial stationary combustion systems that included categories such as thermal power plants, industrial boilers, thermic fluid heaters, incinerators, cupolas/ blast furnaces/coke ovens/basic oxygen furnaces/electric (induction & arc) furnaces and standby generators mentioned in the proposed environmental emission standard. In addition to plant performance, feedback received from different sectors and data related to emission standards implemented and practiced in 13 Asian countries were also considered. The recommendations given in this study emphasize on the special areas that need to be reconsidered before implementing this proposed stationary source emission standard. The areas highlighted are bio mass combustion systems, standby diesel generators, incinerators and various categories of furnaces, kilns, ovens etc. The outcomes of this study will therefore be important and useful when implementing the proposed emission standard in terms of plant categorization, capacity ranges, reference oxygen levels, normalizing conditions, emission limits, system behaviors, standard test methods, requirement of precise and accurate instrumentation etc. Finally, this study expects to provide a reliable, convenient and effective stationary sources emission standard for the benefit of regulatory bodies, industries, instruments & equipment suppliers, monitoring organizations etc.

Highlights

During the last 10 year period, due to the rapid development of energy and industrial sectors, the use of fossil fuel and bio mass in Sri Lanka for electricity generation and other industrial applications has increased by 8%[SLSEA Energy Balance 2014]
Toxic gases (Pb, Cl2), noxious gases (SOX, Nitric Oxides (NOX)), greenhouse gases (CO2, O3), unburned gases (CO, CXHY) and Particulate Matter (PM) are the most common types of emissions. These emissions can adversely affect, in various ways, human health and the environment a set of recommended standards has been introduced as a general guideline to industrialists under “Section 32 of National Environmental Act No 47 of 1980” as amended by Acts 56 of 1988 and 53 of 2000 [1], those standards are not being strictly practiced by the responsible parties due to several factors such as the failure on the part of authorities concerned to define plant categorizations and specify emission limits in the standard, lack of monitoring facilities and instrumentation etc
7.1 Oil Fired Thermal Power Plants When the regional emission standards are compared with the emission levels measured and the reference levels, it becomes necessary to reconsider the reference oxygen levels given in the proposed emission standard for oil fired power plants

Summary

Introduction

During the last 10 year period, due to the rapid development of energy and industrial sectors, the use of fossil fuel and bio mass in Sri Lanka for electricity generation and other industrial applications has increased by 8%[SLSEA Energy Balance 2014]. Toxic gases (Pb, Cl2), noxious gases (SOX, NOX), greenhouse gases (CO2, O3), unburned gases (CO, CXHY) and Particulate Matter (PM) are the most common types of emissions These emissions can adversely affect, in various ways, human health and the environment a set of recommended standards has been introduced as a general guideline to industrialists under “Section 32 of National Environmental Act No 47 of 1980” as amended by Acts 56 of 1988 and 53 of 2000 [1], those standards are not being strictly practiced by the responsible parties due to several factors such as the failure on the part of authorities concerned to define plant categorizations and specify emission limits in the standard , lack of monitoring facilities and instrumentation etc. Regulatory bodies have proposed a stationary source emission standard by amending the existing in active standard.

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion