Solid Pollutants from Energy Plants

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which of the following is a potential adverse health effect associated with particulate matter?

Diabetes

Asthma (correct)

Hypertension

Osteoporosis

What can particulate matter do to the environment?

Decrease the pH of lakes and streams (correct)

Enhance forest and crop growth

Improve the effects of acid rain

Increase visibility

What happens to trace elements found in solid fuels?

They are filtered out in the nose and throat

They are released as gas emissions

They are left behind with the ash (correct)

They burn off during combustion

Which type of collector uses centrifugal force and an abrupt change in direction to separate particles?

Cyclone separator Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum size of particles that mechanical collectors are unable to remove?

10 microns Signup and view all the answers

What is the common method used to clean fabric filter bags?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the supplied voltage range for electrostatic precipitators?

10,000 to 100,000 volts DC Signup and view all the answers

Which type of collector is the most efficient at removing particulate from flue gases?

Electrostatic precipitator Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a saleable product of the regenerable FGD process?

Elemental sulfur Signup and view all the answers

Why are most FGD byproducts diverted to waste disposal?

Because they have no market value Signup and view all the answers

Which method of FGD byproduct disposal is generally preferred?

Dry disposal Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a factor that can determine the effects of pollutants?

The type of pollutant Signup and view all the answers

What are some potential consequences of hazardous liquid spills?

Fires or explosions Signup and view all the answers

What can be an indicator of water pollution?

An unexpected decrease in population of one or more species Signup and view all the answers

What can occur in a population due to water pollution?

Sickness, deformity, and abnormal behavior Signup and view all the answers

What could be a possible cause of thousands of dead fish found along the banks of a river?

A hazardous spill Signup and view all the answers

Which method is used to bring the pH under control when the system shows an alkaline deviation?

Acid pump Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of settling ponds or tanks in industries that discharge particulate laden water?

To allow particulate matter to settle to the bottom Signup and view all the answers

What is used to help cluster small particles together so that they will settle in settling ponds?

Coagulants Signup and view all the answers

What happens to very fine particles or those in colloidal solution in a settling pond?

They are too small to settle out Signup and view all the answers

What has caused the practice of dumping discharge into the nearest body of water to change?

Responsible management, regulatory requirements, and environmental awareness Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following treatment methods can change organic and inorganic compounds into less hazardous forms?

Chemical treatment Signup and view all the answers

What is the only certain way to destroy many organic materials?

Thermal treatment Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment method reduces the amount of organic matter and waste in industrial effluent and wastewater?

Biological treatment Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of settling ponds in the treatment of liquid waste?

To remove water from solid components Signup and view all the answers

What is the most effective and environmentally sound disposal method for a wider range of wastes according to Environment and Climate Change Canada?

Thermal treatment Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sources and Effects of Solid Pollutants from Energy Plants

Solid pollutants from energy plants come from the fuel that is burned, such as coal, wood-based fuel, biomass, and municipal solid waste.
Ash is produced as a residual product when these fuels are burned, with fly ash being the lighter ash that travels with flue gas, and bottom ash being the larger particles that fall.
Different fuels produce different types and quantities of ash, with coal having up to 20% ash content by mass.
Some flue gas desulfurization processes result in byproducts with economic value, while others result in sludge that must be properly disposed of.
Soot is another type of particulate that can form when combustion is incomplete, containing a significant percentage of carbon residue.
Particulates from solid pollutants can be easily inhaled and cause health problems such as asthma, lung cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.
Particulate matter can also affect the environment by reducing visibility, changing the pH of lakes and streams, increasing the effects of acid rain, and damaging forests and crops.
Solid fuels can contain trace elements like uranium, mercury, arsenic, and heavy metals, which do not burn off and are left behind with the ash.
There are several methods of removing fly ash from flue gas, including mechanical separation, fabric filters, and electrostatic precipitators.
Mechanical collectors use inertia, centrifugal force, and barriers to remove particles from the flue gas stream.
Fabric filters trap dust on cloth filters or bags, achieving high dust-removal efficiency.
Electrostatic precipitators create an electric charge on particles and gather them onto collecting electrodes, being the most efficient method for removing particulate from flue gases.

Disposal Methods of Solid Waste from Energy Plants

Ash can be waste or a reusable, marketable product, depending on its composition.
Waste ash can be disposed of in landfills or surface impoundments, which must be constructed to prevent contaminants from leaching into groundwater.
Ash can also be reused as an additive to cement, in road construction, as a soil amendment, and in other applications.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on the sources and effects of solid pollutants from energy plants. This quiz will cover topics such as the types of solid fuels used in energy plants and the resulting ash production.