Distribution and emission characteristics of filterable and condensable particulate matter in the flue gas emitted from an ultra-low emission coal-fired power plant

Abstract

Total particulate matter emitted from coal-fired power plants can be classified into filterable particulate matter (FPM) and condensable particulate matter (CPM). In this study, the FPM and CPM in the flue gas were sampled from a 300 MW ultra-low emission coal-fired power plant by the simultaneous sampling system, which was conducted according to ISO 23210-2009 and U.S. EPA method 202. The results show that the emission concentration of CPM rose from 5.15 mg/Nm3 to 7.19 mg/Nm3 at the stack when coal mixed with sludge. Almost all of the air pollutant control devices have a positive effect on the removal of CPM and FPM in the flue gas, except the influence of the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) denitration device on CPM. And the SCR denitration equipment increased the concentration of inorganic components of CPM in flue gas. The low-low temperature electrostatic precipitator had the most obvious removal effect on CPM and FPM, and the removal efficiency for FPM and CPM was more than 90% and 75% respectively. The organic fraction in CPM was mainly composed of hydrocarbons, esters, organosilicon, and other organics. In particular, the proportion of hydrocarbons and organosilicon was relatively high. In the case of co-combustion of sludge and coal, the concentration of CPM and FPM in flue gas increased as a whole, but the distribution trend of CPM and FPM was consistent with that of the non-combustion sludge and the distribution of organic components in CPM was almost the same.