Antipollution measures

Direct use of coal, as in pulverized form for the firing of boilers in the electric utility industry, poses a number of environmental problems that can be solved only through the use of costly and elaborate antipollution measures and equipment. But, also in considering the expanded use of solid coal as a major source of energy, there arc several other limitations over and beyond the environmental. 

Here we mention as advanced technique the use of supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) for destroying organic impurities. Note that organic species become highly soluble in supercritical water. For example, highly harmful PCBs can be converted in benign small molecules, as COj, HCl and NH by oxidation is supercritical water. However, this is a typical end-of-pipe antipollution measure. 

The environmental analysis consists of evaluating the risks on health and environment, even if prevention measures have been incorporated in design. The requirements formulated in project definition should be examined on the base of the proposed solutions. For example, the cost of antipollution measures should be added to the operating costs, and their impact on profitability estimated. For this section we recommend the book of Allen Rousselot (1997). 

For the refiner, the main problem is to meet the specifications for kinematic viscosity and sulfur content. Dilution by light streams such as home-heating oil and LCO, and selection of feedstocks coming from low-sulfur crude oils give him a measure of flexibility that will nevertheless lead gradually to future restrictions, most notably the new more severe antipollution rules imposing lower limits on sulfur and nitrogen contents. 

The society achieved some measure of success in shaping the course of antipollution legislation during the first five years of its existence. Proposed legislation for the purification of rivers was discussed by each branch of the society between 1884 and 1885. The proposals elicited a uniformly hostile response in which both the principles and practicalities of the measures were attacked. E.K. Muspratt claimed that, as a direct result of these discussions, Sir Henry Roscoe was able to convince parliament, the president of the Local Government Board, and the country of the impractical character of the proposals. He added whenever legislation does take place, the opinion of this Society is certain to have considerable influence . ... 

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