Article
Energy & Fuels
Yanli Wu, Wenrui Chang, Marcos Millan, Yanhong Hao
Summary: A model for mercury transformations in a flue gas treatment process was established in this study. Concentrations, mass flow rates, and emission factors of mercury, NOX, PM, and SO2 were investigated in a coal-fired power plant. The mercury removal efficiency of different units, such as the SCR unit, ESP, and WFGD, were also analyzed. The proposed flue gas treatment process model is considered a feasible approach for quantitative evaluation of multi-pollutants emissions at plant level.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhonggen Li, Xufeng Chen, Wenli Liu, Taishan Li, Guangle Qiu, Haiyu Yan, Mingmeng Wang, Ji Chen, Guangyi Sun, Qingfeng Wang, Xinbin Feng
Summary: This study indicates that emissions from coal-fired power plants have a noticeable impact on ambient GEM and agricultural soil THg levels in the vicinity, with approximately 3.9% of the discharged mercury accumulating in nearby soils. The low retention rate of total emitted mercury by soils is attributed to the high proportion of Hg-0 in stack gas emissions and the potential loss of Hg through reemission from soil surfaces.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Dorcas Linda Ernesto Uaciquete, Takahiro Kato, Hirokazu Okawa, Katsuyasu Sugawara, Risehiro Nonaka
Summary: This study investigated the elution pattern and dissolvable amount of mercury in desulfurization gypsum through batch and semi-batch elution tests. The results revealed that the semi-batch method is more accurate for evaluating mercury elution from desulfurization gypsum.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Qingfeng Wang, Dan Wang, Zhonggen Li, Leiming Zhang, Xinbin Feng
Summary: The study revealed that the mercury content in flue gas desulfurization gypsum of coal-fired power plants primarily originates from the flue gas, with a lesser contribution from limestone. The mercury content in gypsum correlates positively with chlorine content and mercury content in coal, while coal characteristics play a significant role in influencing mercury contents in gypsum.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mona Q. Dai, Benjamin M. Geyman, Xindi C. Hu, Colin P. Thackray, Elsie M. Sunderland
Summary: Hazardous air pollutants emitted by U.S. coal-fired power plants have been controlled by the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) since 2012. However, there are sociodemographic disparities in exposures to mercury from these power plants. Despite a significant decrease in atmospheric mercury deposition, communities near active power plants still face potential exposure risks, especially for individuals consuming self-caught fish. The study highlights the need for further efforts to address distributional justice and protect vulnerable populations.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hridesh Agarwalla, Tarit Baran Das, Rabinarayan Senapati, Monalisa Gangopadhyay, Reginald E. E. Masto, Manish Kumar, Vikram Singh
Summary: India is a major emitter of mercury, primarily from coal combustion in power plants. Mercury content in coal samples from the SECL region in India was positively correlated with ash and sulfur. In a coal-fired power plant, 65% of the mercury in the feed coal was emitted through the stack, while the remaining portion was associated with fly ash, bottom ash, and mill rejects. The concentration of mercury in the stack gas varied, with Hg0 being higher than Hg2+. The estimated mercury emission factor was higher due to the use of high ash coal and the lack of flue gas desulphurisation system.
JOURNAL OF MATERIAL CYCLES AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Dorcas L. E. Uaciquete, Kosuke Sakusabe, Takahiro Kato, Hirokazu Okawa, Katsuyasu Sugawara, Risehiro Nonaka
Summary: Mercury forms in coal-fired power plant fly ash were qualitatively and quantitatively determined using X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) analysis. The mercury content in fly ash increased linearly with an increase in unburned carbon content. The inflection point method was used to estimate the type and abundance of chemical forms present, with a linear combination fitting of control mercury compounds used for modeling the XANES spectrum of fly ash mercury.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shuai Yuan, Juepeng Zheng, Lixian Zhang, Runmin Dong, Ray C. C. Cheung, Haohuan Fu
Summary: In this study, a MUltistage Recursive Enhanced Detection Network (MUREN) is proposed for accurate and efficient detection of coal-fired power plants (CFPPs). The effectiveness of MUREN lies in the design of a symmetrically enhanced module, which includes a spatial-enhanced subnetwork (SEN) and a channel-enhanced subnetwork (CEN). MUREN also uses a recursive construction set on top of feature pyramid networks to strengthen feature learning for relatively small CFPPs.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Alphin Joy, Asif Qureshi
Summary: Coal combustion is the primary source of power in India and it emits hazardous substances such as mercury. India is one of the top mercury emitters globally, with coal combustion contributing to a significant portion of the emissions. Current regulations do not require specific technologies to control mercury emissions, and reductions can be achieved through controlling other pollutants or improving power plant efficiency. Accelerating the transition to renewable energy in India could further reduce mercury emissions.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Li Bing, Wang Hongliang
Summary: The study found that the main type of mercury emitted in coal-fired flue gas is gaseous mercury, and the mercury emissions from all units meet the standard requirements. SCR denitration facilities have a significant impact on mercury type, promoting the oxidation of elemental mercury into oxidized mercury that can be easily removed downstream. Particulate mercury and oxidized mercury are synergistically removed in dust removal and wet desulfurization facilities, respectively.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qing Ye, Yu Shen, Qi Zhang, Xi Wu, Wangbiao Guo
Summary: A life-cycle assessment was conducted to evaluate the energy conversion characteristics and environmental impacts of flue gas CO2 fixation by microalgae. The results indicate that improving CO2 aeration efficiency and microalgae growth rate are crucial for advancing this technology.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mao Hung Huang, Wei Huan Chen, Minh Man Trinh, Moo Been Chang
Summary: This study examined the mercury emissions from a coal-fired power plant in Taiwan and found that the plant's air pollution control devices effectively reduced the mercury emissions. The dominant form of mercury emitted was Hg-0, and the emission factor was relatively low compared to other studies. However, controlling mercury released from fly ash and discharged seawater is still necessary to minimize environmental damage and health effects.
SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yang Teng, Peixuan Li, Guangyu Wang, Chen Wang, Nana Qi, Kai Zhang, Minwu Wang
Summary: Field testing at a 300 MW coal-fired power station showed that selective catalytic reduction (SCR) can effectively reduce mercury content in flue gas. Commercial testing demonstrated that SCR catalyst breakage resulted in an increase in total mercury concentration at the electrostatic precipitator (ESP) inlet and outlet. Laboratory experiments confirmed the Hg0 oxidation capability of the commercial SCR catalyst.
APPLIED CATALYSIS A-GENERAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jonilda Kushta, Niki Paisi, Hugo Denier Van der Gon, Jos Lelieveld
Summary: This study examined the impact of coal-fired power plant emissions on air pollution levels and health in Europe, revealing a significant underestimation of annual excess mortality attributed to the emissions. The phase-out of coal-fired power plant emissions could lead to substantial health benefits, emphasizing the need for coordinated air pollution control strategies at the European level.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
Hui Yan, Daotong Chong, Zhu Wang, Ming Liu, Yongliang Zhao, Junjie Yan
Summary: A revised control strategy for a solar-aided coal-fired power plant is proposed to enhance energy conversion and stability. Experimental results show that the strategy improves power stability and reduces energy fluctuations.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Muhammad Waqas, Majid Nazeer, Man Sing Wong, Wu Shaolin, Li Hon, Joon Heo
Summary: The socio-economic restriction measures implemented in the United States have significantly reduced nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions. The study highlights the impact of factors such as human mobility, population density, income, climate, and stationary sources on the reduction of NO2 at different stations. The research emphasizes the scientific impacts of the NO2 reduction and income inequality revealed by the pandemic on air quality and health disparities.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guorui Zhi, Jinhong Du, Aizhong Chen, Wenjing Jin, Na Ying, Zhihui Huang, Peng Xu, Di Wang, Jinghua Ma, Yuzhe Zhang, Jiabao Qu, Hao Zhang, Li Yang, Zhanyun Ma, Yanjun Ren, Hongyan Dang, Jianglong Cui, Pengchuan Lin, Zhuoshi He, Jinmin Zhao, Shuo Qi, Weiqi Zhang, Wenjuan Zhao, Yingxin Li, Qian Liu, Chen Zhao, Yi Tang, Peng Wei, Jingxu Wang, Zhen Song, Yao Kong, Xiangzhe Zhu, Yi Shen, Tianning Zhang, Yangxi Chu, Xinmin Zhang, Jiafeng Fu, Qingxian Gao, Jingnan Hu, Zhigang Xue
Summary: An comprehensive emission inventory for China in 2019, which includes both air pollutants and greenhouse gases, was developed in this study. The inventory utilizes existing frameworks and data to provide comparable emissions data and demonstrates the relationship between emissions and economic development.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
I-Ting Ku, Yong Zhou, Arsineh Hecobian, Katherine Benedict, Brent Buck, Emily Lachenmayer, Bryan Terry, Morgan Frazier, Jie Zhang, Da Pan, Lena Low, Amy Sullivan, Jeffrey L. Collett Jr
Summary: Unconventional oil and natural gas development (UOGD) in the United States has expanded rapidly in recent decades, raising concerns about its impact on air quality. This study conducted extensive air monitoring during the development of several large well pads in Broomfield, Colorado, providing a unique opportunity to examine changes in local air toxics and VOC concentrations during well drilling and completions and production. The study identified significant increases in VOC concentrations during drilling operations, highlighting the importance of emissions from synthetic drilling mud. The findings suggest opportunities to mitigate emissions during UOGD operations.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Puji Lestari, Akbar R. Tasrifani, Wiranda I. Suri, Martin J. Wooster, Mark J. Grosvenor, Yusuke Fujii, Vissia Ardiyani, Elisa Carboni, Gareth Thomas
Summary: This study developed field emission factors for various pollutants in peatland fires and estimated the total emissions. Gas samples were collected using an analyzer, while particulate samples were collected using air samplers. The study found significant emissions of CO2, CO, PM2.5, carbon aerosols, water-soluble ions, and elements from the fires in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia in 2019.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ligang Li, Yuyu Chen, Lu Fan, Dong Sun, Hu He, Yongshou Dai, Yong Wan, Fangfang Chen
Summary: A high-precision retrieval method based on a deep convolutional neural network and satellite remote sensing data is proposed to obtain accurate methane vertical profiles.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hyung Joo Lee, Toshihiro Kuwayama, Michael Fitzgibbon
Summary: This study investigated the changes in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) air pollution levels and their disparities in California, U.S. during the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The results showed a decrease in NO2 concentrations, especially in urban and high-traffic areas. However, socially vulnerable populations still experienced higher levels of NO2 exposure. The study suggests that reducing NO2 disparities, particularly racial inequity, can be achieved through continued regulatory actions targeting traffic-related NOx emissions.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria Chiara Pietrogrande, Beatrice Biffi, Cristina Colombi, Eleonora Cuccia, Umberto Dal Santo, Luisa Romanato
Summary: This study investigates the chemical composition and oxidative potential of PM10 particles in the Po Valley, Italy, and demonstrates the impact of high levels of atmosphere ammonia. The rural area had significantly higher ammonia concentrations compared to the urban site, resulting in higher levels of secondary inorganic aerosol. Although the SIA components did not contribute significantly to the PM10 oxidative reactivity, they were correlated with the oxidative potential measurements. This suggests that the contribution of SIA to PM oxidative toxicity cannot be ignored.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Natalie Allen, Jan Gacnik, Sarrah M. Dunham-Cheatham, Mae Sexauer Gustin
Summary: Accurate measurement of atmospheric reactive mercury is challenging due to its reactivity and low concentrations. The University of Nevada, Reno Reactive Mercury Active System (RMAS) has been shown to be more accurate than the industry standard, but has limitations including long time resolution and sampling biases. Increasing the sampling flow rate negatively affected RM concentrations, but did not impact the chemical composition of RM captured on membranes.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chin-Yu Hsu, Wei-Ting Hsu, Ching-Yi Mou, Pei-Yi Wong, Chih-Da Wu, Yu-Cheng Chen
Summary: This study estimated the daily exposure concentrations of PM2.5 for elderly individuals residing in different regions of Taiwan using land use regression with machine learning (LUR_ML) and microenvironmental exposure (ME) models. The accuracy of the models varied across regions, with the ME models exhibiting higher predictions and lower biases. The use of region-specific microenvironmental measurements in the ME model showed potential for accurate prediction of personal PM2.5 exposure.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaohan Si, Kerrie Mengersen, Chuchu Ye, Wenbiao Hu
Summary: This study found that there is an interactive effect between air pollutants and weather factors, which significantly affects influenza transmission. Future research should consider the interactive effects between pollutants and temperature or humidity to evaluate the environment-influenza association.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Luxi Xu, Ruijun Xu, Yunshao Ye, Rui Wang, Jing Wei, Chunxiang Shi, Qiaoxuan Lin, Ziquan Lv, Suli Huang, Qi Tian, Yuewei Liu
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of ambient air pollution on hospital admissions for angina. The results showed that exposure to ambient particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone are associated with an increased risk of hospital admissions for angina. The association with nitrogen dioxide exposure was found to be the strongest.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xinyu Yu, Man Sing Wong, Majid Nazeer, Zhengqiang Li, Coco Yin Tung Kwok
Summary: This study proposes a novel method to address the challenge of missing values in satellite-derived AOD products and creates a comprehensive daily AOD dataset for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. By reconstructing missing values and developing a new model, the derived dataset outperforms existing products and agrees well with ground-based observations. Additionally, the dataset exhibits consistent temporal patterns and more spatial details.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yidan Zhang, Yifan Xu, Bo Peng, Wu Chen, Xiaoyu Cui, Tianle Zhang, Xi Chen, Yuan Yao, Mingjin Wang, Junyi Liu, Mei Zheng, Tong Zhu
Summary: This study developed a sensitive method to measure the metallic components of atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and compared the results with different analysis methods. The concentrations of metallic components in personal PM2.5 samples were found to be significantly different from corresponding fixed-site samples. Personal sampling can reduce exposure misclassifications, and measuring metallic components is useful for exploring health risks and identifying sources of PM2.5.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Jamie Leonard, Lea Ann El Rassi, Mona Abdul Samad, Samantha Prehn, Sanjay K. Mohanty
Summary: Increasing concentrations of microplastics in the Earth's atmosphere could have adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. The deposition rate of airborne microplastics is influenced by both land use and climate, and a global analysis suggests that climate may have a greater impact on the concentration and deposition rate of microplastics than land use.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tian Zhou, Xiaowen Zhou, Zining Yang, Carmen Cordoba-Jabonero, Yufei Wang, Zhongwei Huang, Pengbo Da, Qiju Luo, Zhijuan Zhang, Jinsen Shi, Jianrong Bi, Hocine Alikhodja
Summary: This study investigated the long-range transport and effects of North African and Middle Eastern dust in East Asia using lidar observations and model simulations. The results showed that the dust originated from multiple sources and had a long transport time. The vertical distribution of the dust was found to be crucial for assessing its impacts.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2024)