Analysis of Radiative Transfer Equation for Measurement of Particulate Matter Emitted from Coal-Fired Power Plants

Abstract

Objectives This study represents the analysis of radiative transfer equation (RTE) for measurement of particulate matter emitted from coal-fired power plants. Generally, the light extinction method is used to measure the mass concentration of particulate matter. Methods In this paper, the two-flux approximation is used to solve the radiative transfer equation and obtain the nondimensional incident radiation within emission outlet. Also, the radiation characteristics of the particulate matter are predicted with Lorenz-Mie theory. The particulate matter has three size distributions with geometric mean particle diameters 10 nm, 100 nm and 1 µm. Results and Discussion Absorption and scattering cross-sections and asymmetric factor are predicted as a function of wavelength and compared with respect to geometric mean particle diameters. Also, mass absorption and scattering cross-sections are predicted for conversion of particulate matter mass concentration. The nondimensional incident radiations at the emission outlet are calculated and compared with that of Beer-Lambert law for mass concentration 10 mg/m3 and 50 mg/m3. Conclusions Beer-Lambert law is valid for low scattering medium compared with absorption of medium. Nondimensional incident radiations at the emission are highly affected by the radiation characteristics of particulate matter. Key words: Particulate matter, Light scattering, Light extinction, Radiative transfer equation, Radiation characteristics