Distribution of PAHs and trace elements in coal fly ash collected from a 5-stage electrostatic precipitator

Abstract

This paper presents comparative experimental studies of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and trace elements (TEs) of coal fly ash (CFA), collected in each stage (STG1-5) of a 5-stage electrostatic precipitator (ESP). Results showed that coarse fly ashes were collected on the previous stages of ESP, and fine-sized particles were deposited on posterior stages of ESP. Low (2,3-ring) and medium (4-ring) molecular mass PAHs existed in all CFA samples, and macromolecular (5,6-ring) PAHs only presented in STG4 and STG5. For TEs, the concentrations of Ba, Pb were the highest in STG1-STG2 and Ba, Se were top two in STG3-STG5.