Filterable and Condensable Fine Particulate Emissions from Stationary Sources

PM2.5 emissions from stationary sources contain a filterable and condensable portion. In this study, USEPA Method 201A/202 are used to measure filterable and condensable PM2.5 emissions from 5 stationary sources (power plants, boilers, brick manufacturing plant, incinerators and are furnaces). The average filterable PM2.5 concentrations for power plant, boiler, brick manufacturing plant, incinerator and are furnace are 0.75, 16.9, 8.67, 0.15 and 2.12 mg/Nm(3), respectively. The amount of PM2.5 residue on the exit tube of cyclone and front half of the filter holder is significantly higher when the filterable PM2.5 concentrations are low. It is necessary to collect both filter and the residue particulates to avoid underestimation of PM2.5 emissions. The condensable PM accounts for 61.2%, 73.5%, 44.2%, 52.8% and 51.2% of total PM2.5 for power plant, boiler, brick manufacturing plant, incinerator and are furnace plant, respectively. The real PM2.5 contribution to the atmosphere would be underestimated if condensable PM is not included. The condensable PM fraction increases as the exhaust temperature rises. The inorganic fraction accounts for 89.0%, 69.4%, 72.3%, 89.8% and 72.8% of condensable PM, respectively, for power plant, boiler, brick manufacturing plant, incinerator and are furnace. The inorganic fraction is dominant in the condensable PM, which might be due to the high content of SO4.