Emission of thermal power plant

Answer 1

Emissions from a thermal power plant can be characterized generally (and in relative amounts of mass emitted) as:

CO2 - Carbon Dioxide. Formed when you burn anything containing carbon including coal, oil, natural gas, wood, biomass. CO2 is the largest emitted greenhouse gas from a thermal power plant, and is the most difficult to control.

Particulate Matter - can be thought of as dust or ash, though different jurisdictions characterize PM slightly differently. PM is generally talked about in terms of total particulate and fine particulate. Fine particulate measures under 2.5 microns and is significant due to its health implications; it more easily enters an organism. PM is commonly controlled with Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs) or baghouses.

Sulphur Dioxide - SO2 is formed when sulphur present in the fuel feed conbusts. It can have negative environmental effects such as contributing to acid rain. SO2 is often reduced post-combustion using scrubber technologies.

Nitrous Oxides - NOX is a combination of NO and NO2. It is formed in two ways, both normally occurring in a thermal plant at the same time. The first is called thermal NOX and is formed when N2 - naturally present in air - combusts in the extreme temperatures of the furnace or boiler. The second - called fuel-bound NOX is created when Nitrogen found in the fuel is combusted. NOX is commonly controlled with staged combustion. ("Low-NOX burners")

Carbon Monoxide - CO is a by-product of the incomplete combustion of carbon.

Trace Metals - metals such as Hg, As, Pb, and others that are found in the fuel stream either end up in ash that is removed from the boiler (bottom or flyash) or in the air emission stream.