Emission of heavy metals from coal-burning power plants

EMISSION OF HEAVY METALS FROM COAL-BURNING POWER PLANTS 

Heavy metal Combustion sources only All anthro pogenic sources All natural sources Total Combustion from total emission. % 

We will consider the role of coal-burning power plants in emission of heavy metal using the example of Mae Moh power plant in the northern Thailand (Bashkin et al, 2000). 

The operation of lignite-fired boilers of the power plant is followed by a significant emission of SPM into the atmosphere. By the early 1990s, the annual pollution rate of SPM from the 100%-loaded power plant had approached the maximum, estimated as much as about 1 Mton/year (see more details in Chapter 1). 

It might be specifically emphasized that Thai lignite is a highly sulfurous fuel containing 1.7-3.0% (in some samples up to 7.0%) of sulfur in fuel mass as-received. The share of SO2 emission from the power generation sector accounts for 60-65%, the predominant part of which belongs to the Mae Moh Power Plant. The contribution shares of other pollutants (NOx, CO2, CO) formed in utility and industrial boilers of power and other sectors are much lower (Chungpaibulpatana et al, 1997). 

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