Effect of reaction temperature on the PM10 features during coal combustion

Coal-fired power plants produce fine fly ash consisting of particulate matter (PM). Particulate matter less than 10 micrometers in aerodynamic diameter (PM10) is of significant concern because of its adverse environmental and health impacts. This paper studied the effect of reaction temperature on particulate matter (PM10) emission and its chemical composition. The emission characteristics and elemental partition of PM10 from coal combustion were investigated in a drop tube furnace. The paper discussed the experimental apparatus and conditions as well as the coal properties and sample analysis. Liupanshui (LPS) bituminous coal from China was used for the study. The fuel composition of LPS coal and the composition of low temperature ash of Chinese LPS coal were described. The paper also presented the results of the study with reference to particle size distribution and emission characteristic of PM10; elemental partition within PM10; and effect of the reaction temperature on elemental partition within PM10. The PM mass size distribution was found to be bimodal. 14 refs., 2 tabs., 6 figs