The migration and transformation characteristics of particulate matter and trace elements in a cement plant

Abstract

ABSTRACT The particulate matter (PM) and trace elements (TEs) from industrial kilns have attracted extensive attention due to serious harm to the environment. In this work, the emissions of PM and TEs were investigated in a new dry-process cement plant. The PM was collected through a particle sampling system, and the TEs were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in the collected particle. The results showed significant differences of PM and TEs in the flue gas and hot air. The content of PM10 in flue gas was an order of magnitude higher than that in hot air. The TEs in flue gas were mainly Mn. In hot air, Cr accounted for more than half of the mass concentration of TEs. The conditioning tower could reduce PM10 and TEs in the flue gas. The removal efficiencies were 33.77% and 50.37%, respectively. PM10 and TEs at the end of the kiln were 18.91 mg·m−3 and 77.53 μg·m−3, respectively. The gravity settler could remove PM10 and TEs well through sedimentation, and the removal efficiencies were 31.11% and 68.18%, respectively, while the exhaust heat boiler of air quenching cooler had little effect on PM10 and TEs in the hot air.