Problems of Hazardous Waste Storage Facilities in Coal-fired Power Plants and Countermeasures

The hazardous waste produced by coal-fired power plants are large in quantity and variety. It is important for ecological environment protection to properly store hazardous waste in coal-fired power plants. The environmental management of hazardous waste in coal-fired power plants started late, and there are many problems in the construction and management of their storage facilities. In this paper, taking eight typical coal-fired power plants as examples, the present problems of hazardous waste storage facilities in coal-fired power plants are analyzed, and corresponding countermeasures are put forward to solve the main common problems.

Considerations on FGD in Coal-Fired Power Plants

Aiming at issues on flue gas des-ulfurization facing coal-fired power plants inChina, such as process selection, whetheradopting flue gas desulfurization (FGD) or not,qualification of flue gas desulfurization en-gineering company, the localization of technicalequipment, charge for SO2 emission andnormalized management, this article makes acomprehensive analysis and puts forwardconstructive suggestions. These will providesome references for those being engaged in fluegas desulfurization in coal-fired power plants.[

Environmental life cycle assessment of Indian coal-fired power plants

Coal is the backbone of the Indian power sector. The coal-fired power plants remain the largest emitters of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and substantial amounts of nitrogen oxides, which are associated with climate and health impacts. Various CO2 mitigation technologies （carbon capture and storage--CCS） and SO2/NOx mitigation technologies （flue gas desulfurization and selective catalytic reduction） have been employed to reduce the environmental impacts of the coal-fired power plants. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the feasibility of various mitigation technologies employed. This paper attempts to perform environmental life cycle assessment （LCA） of Indian coal-fired power plant with and without CO2, SO2 and NOx mitigation controls. The study develops new normalization factors for India in various damage categories, using the Indian emissions and energy consumption data, coupled with the emissions and particulate emission to come up with a final environmental impact of coal-fired electricity. The results show a large degree of dependence on the perspective of assessment used. The impact of sensitivities of individual substances and the effect of plant efficiency on the final LCA results is also studied.

Progress and prospects of innovative coal-fired power plants within the energy internet

The development of electrical engineering and electronic, communications, smart power grid, and ultra-high voltage transmission technologies have driven the energy system revolution to the next generation: the energy internet. Progressive penetration of intermittent renewable energy sources into the energy system has led to unprecedented challenges to the currently wide use of coal-fired power generation technologies. Here, the applications and prospects of advanced coal-fired power generation technologies are analyzed. These technologies can be summarized into three categories:(1) large-scale and higher parameters coal-fired power generation technologies, including 620/650/700 oC ultra-supercritical thermal power and double reheat ultra-supercritical coal-fired power generation technologies;(2) system innovation and specific, highefficiency thermal cycles, which consist of renewable energy-aided coal-fired power generation technologies, a supercritical CO_2 Brayton cycle for coal-fired power plants, large-scale air-cooling coal-fired power plant technologies, and innovative layouts for waste heat utilization and enhanced energy cascade utilization;(3) coal-fired power generation combined with poly-generation technologies, which are represented by integrated gasification combined cycle(IGCC) and integrated gasification fuel cell(IGFC) technologies. Concerning the existing coal-fired power units, which are responsible for peak shaving, possible strategies for enhancing flexibility and operational stability are discussed. Furthermore, future trends for coal-fired power plants coupled with cyber-physical system(CPS) technologies are introduced. The development of advanced, coal-fired power generation technologies demonstrates the progress of science and is suitable for the sustainable development of human society.

Formation and emission characteristics of VOCs from a coal-fired power plant

On-site measurements of volatile organic compounds(VOCs)in different streams of flue gas were carried out on a real coal-fired power plant using sampling bags and SUMMA canisters to collect gas samples,filters to collect particle samples.Gas chromatography-flame ionization detector/mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was the offline analysis method.We found that the total mass concentration of the tested 102 VOC species at the outlet of wet flue gas desulfuration device was(13456±47)μg·m^(-3),which contained aliphatic hydrocarbons(57.9%),aromatic hydrocarbons(26.8%),halogen-containing species(14.5%),and a small amount of oxygen-containing and nitrogencontaining species.The most abundant species were 1-hexene,n-hexane and 2-methylpentane.The top ten species in terms of mass fraction(with a total mass fraction of 75.3%)were mainly hydrocarbons with a carbon number of 6 or higher and halogenated hydrocarbons with a lower carbon number.The mass concentration of VOC species in the particle phase was significantly lower than that in the gas phase.The change of VOC mass concentrations along the air pollution control devices indicates that conventional pollutant control equipment had a limited effect on VOC reduction.Ozone formation potential calculations showed that aromatic hydrocarbons contributed the highest ozone formation(46.4%)due to their relatively high mass concentrations and MIR(maximum increment reactivity)values.

Optimization of an Existing Coal-fired Power Plant with CO²Capture

Nowadays, the worsening environmental issue caused by CO2 emission is greatly aggravated by human activity. Many CO2 reduction technologies are under fast development. Among these, monoethanolamine (MEA) based CO2 capture technology has been paid great attention. However, when connecting the CO2 capture process with a coal-fired power plant, the huge energy and efficiency penalty caused by CO2 capture has become a serious problem for its application. Thus, it is of great significance to reduce the related energy consumption. Based on an existing coal-fired power plant, this paper proposes a new way for the decarburized retrofitting of the coal-fired power plant, which helps to improve the overall efficiency of the power plant with less energy and efficiency penalty. The decarburized retrofitting scheme proposed will provide a new route for the CO2 capture process in China.

Field Studies on the Removal Characteristics of Particulate Matter and SO_(x) in Ultra-Low Emission Coal-Fired Power Plant

In order to reduce the environmental smog caused by coal combustion,air pollution control devices have been widely used in coal-fired power plants,especially of wet flue gas desulfurization(WFGD)and wet electrostatic precipitator(WESP).In this work,particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 10μm(PM_(10))and sulfur oxides(SO_(x))have been studied in a coal-fired power plant.The plant is equipped with selective catalytic reduction,electrostatic precipitator,WFGD,WESP.The results show that the PM_(10)removal efficiencies in WFGD and WESP are 54.34%and 50.39%,respectively,and the overall removal efficiency is 77.35%.WFGD and WESP have effects on the particle size distribution.After WFGD,the peak of particles shifts from 1.62 to 0.95μm,and the mass concentration of fine particles with aerodynamic diameter less than 0.61μm increases.After WESP,the peak of particle size shifts from 0.95 to 1.61μm.The differences are due to the agglomeration and growth of small particles.The SO_(3)mass concentration increases after SCR,but WFGD has a great influence on SO_(x)with the efficiency of 96.56%.WESP can remove SO_(x),but the efficiency is 20.91%.The final emission factors of SO_(2),SO_(3),PM_(1),PM_(2.5)and PM_(10)are 0.1597,0.0450,0.0154,0.0267 and 0.0215(kg·t^(−1)),respectively.Compared with the research results without ultra-low emission retrofit,the emission factors are reduced by 1~2 orders of magnitude,and the emission control level of air pollutants is greatly improved.

Development of Carbon Dioxide Capture Technologies in Coal-Fired Power Plants

With a particular reference to China Huaneng Group's practices in CO_2 capture, this article presents a brief ing on the current development of CO_2 capture technologies in coal-fired power plants both in China and abroad. Sooner or later, the integration of CO_2 capture and storage (CCS) facility with coal-fired power plant will be inevitably put on the agenda of developers.

Xiangfan Coal-fired Power Plant - a matched large power plant for Three Gorges Project starts to construct

Xiangfan Coal-fired Power Plant, a key energy construction project matched with Three Gorges Project, approved by the State Council. formally started to build in the suburb of Xiangfan City, Hubei Province on November 29, 1996.

Carbon Dioxide Mineralisation and Integration with Flue Gas Desulphurisation Applied to a Modern Coal-Fired Power Plant

For Finland, carbon dioxide mineralisation was identified as the only option for CCS （carbon capture and storage） application. Unfortunately it has not been embraced by the power sector. One interesting source-sink combination, however, is formed by magnesium silicate resources at Vammala, located -85 km east of the 565 MWe coal-fired Meri-Pori Power Plant on the country＇s southwest coast. This paper assesses mineral sequestration of Meri-Pori power plant CO2, using Vammala mineral resources and the mineralisation process under development at Abo Akademi University. That process implies Mg（OH）E production from magnesium silicate-based rock, followed by gas/solid carbonation of the Mg（OH）2 in a pressurised fluidised bed. Reported are results on experimental work, i.e., Mg（OH）2 production, with rock from locations close to Meri-Pori. Results suggest a total CO2 fixation capacity -50 Mt CO2 for the Vammala site, although production of Mg（OH）2 from rock from the site is challenging. Finally, as mineralisation could be directly applied to flue gases without CO2 pre-capture, we report from experimental work on carbonation of Mg（OH）2 with CO2 and CO2-SO2-O2 gas mixtures. Results show that SO2 readily reacts with Mg（OH）2, providing an opportunity to simultaneously capture SO2 and CO2, which could make separate flue gas desulphurisation redundant.

Regulations and Practice on Flue Gas Denitrification for Coal-Fired Power Plants in China

In China, according to the relative up-to-date regulations and standards, the maincontrol measure for NOX emission of coal-fired power plants is, in principle, low NOXcombustion. However, in recent years, more and more newlyapproved coal-fired plantswere required to install flue gas denitrification equipment. This article expounds if fluegas denitrification is necessary from several aspects, including constitution of NOX, itsimpact to environment, operation ofdeNOXequipment in USA, as wellas the differencein ambient air quality standard between China and World Health Organization. It setsforth themes in urgent need of study and areas where deNOX equipment is necessaryfor new projects, besides a recommendation that the emission standards for thermalpowerplants should be revised as soon as possible in China.

Effects of coal-fired power plants on soil microbial diversity and community structures

Long-term deposition of atmospheric pollutants emitted from coal combustion and their effects on the eco-environment have been extensively studied around coal-fired power plants.However,the effects of coal-fired power plants on soil microbial communities have received little attention through atmospheric pollutant deposition and coal-stacking.Here,we collected the samples of power plant soils(PS),coal-stacking soils(CSS)and agricultural soils(AS)around three coal-fired power plants and background control soils(BG)in Huainan,a typical mineral resource-based city in East China,and investigated the microbial diversity and community structures through a high-throughput sequencing technique.Coal-stacking significantly increased(p<0.05)the contents of total carbon,total nitrogen,total sulfur and Mo in the soils,whereas the deposition of atmospheric pollutants enhanced the levels of V,Cu,Zn and Pb.Proteobacteria,Actinobacteria,Thaumarchaeota,Thermoplasmata,Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the dominant taxa in all soils.The bacterial community showed significant differences(p<0.05)among PS,CSS,AS and BG,whereas archaeal and fungal communities showed significant differences(p<0.01)according to soil samples around three coal-fired power plants.The predominant environmental variables affecting soil bacterial,archaeal and fungal communities were Mo-TN-TS,Cu-V-Mo,and organic matter(OM)-Mo,respectively.Certain soil microbial genera were closely related to multiple key factors associated with stacking coal and heavy metal deposition from power plants.This study provided useful insight into better understanding of the relationships between soil microbial communities and long-term disturbances from coal-fired power plants.

Overlooked CO_(2)emissions induced by air pollution control devices in coal-fired power plants

China's efforts to mitigate air pollution from its large-scale coal-fired power plants(CFPPs)have involved the widespread use of air pollution control devices(APCDs).However,the operation of these devices relies on substantial electricity generated by CFPPs,resulting in indirect CO_(2) emissions.The extent of CO_(2)emissions caused by APCDs in China remains uncertain.Here,using a plant-level dataset,we quantified the CO_(2)emissions associated with electricity consumption by APCDs in China's CFPPs.Our findings reveal a significant rise in CO_(2)emissions attributed to APCDs,increasing from 1.48 Mt in 2000 to 51.7 Mt in 2020.Moreover,the contribution of APCDs to total CO_(2)emissions from coal-fired power generation escalated from 0.12%to 1.19%.Among the APCDs,desulfurization devices accounted for approximately 80%of the CO_(2)emissions,followed by dust removal and denitration devices.Scenario analysis indicates that the lifespan of CFPPs will profoundly impact future emissions,with Nei Mongol,Shanxi,and Shandong provinces projected to exhibit the highest emissions.Our study emphasizes the urgent need for a comprehensive assessment of environmental policies and provides valuable insights for the integrated management of air pollutants and carbon emissions in CFPPs.

An integrated analysis of air pollution from US coal-fired power plants

The United States is one of the world’s leaders in electricity production,generating about 4116 billion kWh in 2021,of which coal accounted for 21.8%of the total.This study applies an integrated approach using both terrestrial and satellite data to specifically examine emissions from coal-fired power plants and its spatial extent.The study also highlights the effectiveness of government policies to reduce emissions.It was found that emission of pollutants from the country’s energy sector has been steadily declining,with annual emissions of sulfur dioxide(SO_(2))and nitrogen oxides(NOx)decreasing from the US electric power sector between 1990 and 2020 by 93.4%and 84.8%,respectively,and carbon dioxide(CO_(2))by 37%between 2007 and 2020.Although overall emissions from coal-fired power plants are declining,some individual plants have yet to install environmental equipment to control emissions.According to US government data,major emitters of SO_(2),NO_(x),and CO_(2) in the US are the Martin Lake power plant in East Texas,the Labadie power plant near St.Louis,Missouri,and the James H Miller Jr plant near Birmingham,Alabama.This study also integrates TROPOMI satellite data to detect point emissions from individual power plants.While the highest levels of measured pollutants were over the country’s major cities and areas of fossil fuel extraction,TROPOMI could clearly distinguish the pollution caused by power plants in more rural areas.Although the US has made great strides in reducing emissions from coal-fired power plants,these plants still represent a major source of pollution and remain a major concern.Totally eliminating coal as a power source will be difficult with the higher power demands resulting from the transition to electric automobiles.

Assessing the cost reduction potential of CCUS cluster projects of coal-fired plants in Guangdong Province in China

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) have garnered extensive attention as a target of carbon neutrality in China. The development trend of international CCUS projects indicates that the cluster construction of CCUS projects is the main direction of future development. The cost reduction potential of CCUS cluster projects has become a significant issue for CCUS stakeholders. To assess the cost reduction potential of CCUS cluster projects, we selected three coal-fired power plants in the coastal area of Guangdong as research targets. We initially assessed the costs of building individual CCUS projects for each plant and subsequently designed a CCUS cluster project for these plants. By comparing individual costs and CCUS cluster project costs, we assessed the cost reduction potential of CCUS cluster projects. The results show that the unit emission reduction cost for each plant with a capacity of 300 million tonnes per year is 392.34, 336.09, and 334.92 CNY/tCO_(2). By building CCUS cluster project, it could save 56.43 CNY/tCO_(2) over the average cost of individual projects (354.45 CNY/tCO_(2)) when the total capture capacity is 9 million tonnes per year (by 15.92%). Furthermore, we conducted a simulation for the scenario of a smaller designed capture capacity for each plant. We found that as the capture scale increases, the cost reduction potential is higher in the future.

Increasing Coal-Fired Power Plant Operational Flexibility by Integrating Solar Thermal Energy and Compressed Air Energy Storage System

This paper proposed a novel integrated system with solar energy,thermal energy storage(TES),coal-fired power plant(CFPP),and compressed air energy storage(CAES)system to improve the operational flexibility of the CFPP.A portion of the solar energy is adopted for preheating the boiler’s feedwater,and another portion is stored in the TES for the CAES discharging process.Condensate water from the CFPP condenser is used for cooling compressed air during the CAES charging process.The thermodynamic performance of the integrated system under different load conditions is studied.The system operations in a typical day are simulated with EBSILON software.The system enables daily coal saving of 9.88 t and reduces CO_(2)emission by 27.95 t compared with the original CFPP at 100%load.Under partial load conditions,the system enables maximum coal saving of 10.29 t and maximum CO_(2)emission reduction of 29.11 t at 75%load.The system has maximum peak shaving depth of 9.42%under 40%load condition.The potential of the system participating ancillary service is also discussed.It is found that the integration of solar thermal system and CAES system can bring significant ancillary service revenue to a conventional CFPP.

Valuing Health Effects of Natural Radionuclides Releases from Yatagan Power Plant

The objective of this paper is the valuation of radiological health effects of Yatagan Power Plant. To this aim the radiation dose calculations are carried out for the population living within 80 km radius of the plant. The average of the maximum measured specific isotopes 238U, 232Th and 226Ra in the flying ash samples are considered as radioactive sources. Based on the dose calculations, first the stochastic health effects and then monetary health effects are estimated. The estimated total collective dose and economic value of the pre-dicted health effects are 0.3098 man Sv/y and 14791 US$/y respectively. The results obtained from the dose calculations are lower than the limits of International Commission of Radiation Protection (ICRP) and it does not pose any risk for public health. Monetary value of health risks is also negligible in comparison to the av-erage yearly sales revenue of the plant which is 250 million US$.

Optimization and Innovation of Engineering Design for Ninghai Power Plant

In order to build a power plant with high efficiency,low investment and zero warm water discharge,a series of innovations are applied to the two 1 000-MW units of Ninghai Power Plant.The new technologies include the closed-circuit system for seawater cooling tower with a spraying area of 13 000 m2,the main buildings with reinforced concrete structure,the plasma ignition system for tower boiler and the fieldbus control system.Optimization measures are taken in some aspects,such as the open point of the turbine overload valves,the boiler dimensions,the technical process,the electric system,the building structures and the layout of the power plant.The units have been running for more than half a year with the thermal efficiency as high as 45.79% and without warm water discharged,which indicates that all the systems are safe and steady and the original purpose of optimization has been realized.