Condensable particulate matter is considered to be among the 2.5 µm particulate matter which are mainly produced in industrial combustion processes, such as cement clinkers and coal-powered electricity production plants. In the past few decades there has been significant advances in terms of creating policies aimed at curbing emissions. More so, stricter emission thresholds have been imposed as the damage caused by the micro-sized particulate matter begin to take toll on human health. Moreover, the condensable particulate matter has been seen to be the major contributor to the total mass of fine particles present in the air that we breathe. Unfortunately, these inhalable micro-sized particles have not been properly studied in terms of their ideal measuring methods and characterization.
Mercedes Cano and colleagues at University of Seville in Spain proposed a study where they employed dilution system to provide high accuracy and representative condensable particulate matter emission measurements for samples obtained from clinker kilns. They hoped to characterize the nature and morphology of the condensable particulate matter taken from source for a specific fuel. Their work is now published in the research journal, Energy Fuels.
The researchers initiated their measurements at the clinker production plant. They noted that the fuels used in the clinkering process were petroleum coke, as the main fuel, or alternative fuels and fuel oil, the latter being used for startup operations. They then set up the modified dilution-based sampling train as proposed by standard CTM-039. The researchers then applied United States Environmental Protection Agency techniques where the various provided methods were used.
The authors observed that the measured concentrations were relatively small compared to the emission limits for filterable particles that are applicable to these plants, currently set at 30 mg/Nm3. From the morphological analysis, the researchers were able to observe that from the different tests performed, the average size of the particles was 2 µm and their distribution over the surface of the filter was quite homogeneous. The team also noted that mercury and chlorine were present in the condensable particulate matter deposited in the filters. Trace amounts of other elements were also detected.
The work compiled by Mercedes Cano and coworkers presents comprehensive results obtained from condensable particulate matter concentration measurements taken at the source of combustion gas emissions in an industrial clinker kiln, using an innovative sampling train developed at the University of Seville. By applying adequate analytical techniques, the researchers were able to characterize the nature of the condensable particulate matter emitted at the facility and its morphology, thereby obtaining erratic results, depending upon the nature of the fuel in question, the raw material used in the process, and the different operating modes of the system. Therefore, their study ratifies that clinker production plants emit condensable particulate matter in concentrations that are below the current legal limits for particle emissions in the studied kind of facility, although they are, for the most part, higher than the typical emissions of filterable particles.
M. Cano, F. Vega, B. Navarrete, A. Plumed, and J. A. Camino. Characterization of Emissions of Condensable Particulate Matter in Clinker Kilns Using a Dilution Sampling System. Energy Fuels 2017, 31, 7831−7838.
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