Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following is a potential adverse health effect associated with particulate matter?
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?
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?
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?
Which type of collector uses centrifugal force and an abrupt change in direction to separate particles?
What is the maximum size of particles that mechanical collectors are unable to remove?
What is the maximum size of particles that mechanical collectors are unable to remove?
What is the common method used to clean fabric filter bags?
What is the common method used to clean fabric filter bags?
What is the supplied voltage range for electrostatic precipitators?
What is the supplied voltage range for electrostatic precipitators?
Which type of collector is the most efficient at removing particulate from flue gases?
Which type of collector is the most efficient at removing particulate from flue gases?
Which of the following is a saleable product of the regenerable FGD process?
Which of the following is a saleable product of the regenerable FGD process?
Why are most FGD byproducts diverted to waste disposal?
Why are most FGD byproducts diverted to waste disposal?
Which method of FGD byproduct disposal is generally preferred?
Which method of FGD byproduct disposal is generally preferred?
Which of the following is a factor that can determine the effects of pollutants?
Which of the following is a factor that can determine the effects of pollutants?
What are some potential consequences of hazardous liquid spills?
What are some potential consequences of hazardous liquid spills?
What can be an indicator of water pollution?
What can be an indicator of water pollution?
What can occur in a population due to water pollution?
What can occur in a population due to water pollution?
What could be a possible cause of thousands of dead fish found along the banks of a river?
What could be a possible cause of thousands of dead fish found along the banks of a river?
Which method is used to bring the pH under control when the system shows an alkaline deviation?
Which method is used to bring the pH under control when the system shows an alkaline deviation?
What is the purpose of settling ponds or tanks in industries that discharge particulate laden water?
What is the purpose of settling ponds or tanks in industries that discharge particulate laden water?
What is used to help cluster small particles together so that they will settle in settling ponds?
What is used to help cluster small particles together so that they will settle in settling ponds?
What happens to very fine particles or those in colloidal solution in a settling pond?
What happens to very fine particles or those in colloidal solution in a settling pond?
What has caused the practice of dumping discharge into the nearest body of water to change?
What has caused the practice of dumping discharge into the nearest body of water to change?
Which of the following treatment methods can change organic and inorganic compounds into less hazardous forms?
Which of the following treatment methods can change organic and inorganic compounds into less hazardous forms?
What is the only certain way to destroy many organic materials?
What is the only certain way to destroy many organic materials?
Which treatment method reduces the amount of organic matter and waste in industrial effluent and wastewater?
Which treatment method reduces the amount of organic matter and waste in industrial effluent and wastewater?
What is the purpose of settling ponds in the treatment of liquid waste?
What is the purpose of settling ponds in the treatment of liquid waste?
What is the most effective and environmentally sound disposal method for a wider range of wastes according to Environment and Climate Change Canada?
What is the most effective and environmentally sound disposal method for a wider range of wastes according to Environment and Climate Change Canada?
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.
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