Emission characteristics of filterable particulate matter and condensable particulate matter from coal-fired power plants

Abstract

Particulate matter (PM) emission has been widely concerned all over the world. The formation of condensable particulate matter (CPM) was affected by atmospheric temperature. An optimal-designed sampling device and monitoring method for particulate matter in high-humidity flue gas were applied to the particulate matter emission concentration of 12 ultra-low emission coal-fired units. The emission levels and composition characteristics of particulate matter and main inorganic ions in the flue gas were analyzed and evaluated. The results showed that the filterable particulate matter (FPM) concentration range was 0.81–7.52 mg/m 3 , and the condensable particulate matter concentration range was 1.10–12.25 mg/m 3 . The emission characteristics of CPM/FPM was significantly affected by different air pollution control devices. Preferable emission reduction result of condensable particulate matter may be realized by units equipping wet limestone-gypsum flue gas desulfurization and wet electrostatic precipitator. The certain correlation was showed between CPM/FPM and ash content. The inorganic ion concentration range was 1104–8240 μg/m 3 in condensable particulate matter. Ca 2+ concentration accounted for more than 45% of the cation concentration, and SO 4 2− concentration accounted for up to 97.81% of the anion concentration in CPM.