Study Traces Most SO Emissions To Burning of Moderate-Sulfur Coal

Abstract

Electric utilities burning moderatesulfur coal—not those that use highsulfur coal—are the major source of sulfur dioxide emissions implicated in acid rain, a study by the Department of Energy's Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center (PETC) concludes. These emissions could be cut in half without having to change coal sources or boilers if promising coal-cleaning technologies are successfully developed, the study finds. The results of the acid rain control initiative study were presented by PETC chemist Dennis H. Finseth at a symposium on controlling emissions from coal combustion. The session was part of a three-day symposium on acid rain that included presentations on atmospheric sulfur species and the effects of acid deposition on soil, water, and materials, as well as strategies for controlling emissions of acid precursors. We need to know where sulfur dioxide is coming from—both the geographical origin and what combustion technology produces it, Finseth says. Without that information it is hard to cons...