Performance of PAHs emission from bituminous coal combustion

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Combustion Science
• Toxicology

Background:

• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are carcinogenic and mutagenic compounds released during coal combustion.
• Incomplete combustion of coal pyrolysis products at high temperatures is a major source of PAHs, posing environmental health risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the formation of seventeen PAHs during bituminous coal combustion.
• To determine the influence of combustion temperature, gas atmosphere, and coal chlorine content on PAH formation.
• To assess the impact of copper and cupric oxide additives on PAH release.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of seventeen PAHs in five raw bituminous coals and their combustion products.
• Controlled combustion experiments varying temperature, atmosphere (oxygen/nitrogen), and chlorine content.
• Addition of copper and cupric oxide to evaluate their effect on PAH formation.

Main Results:

• High combustion temperatures significantly increase the formation of PAHs.
• Increased chlorine content in coal correlates with decreased PAH concentrations, particularly in oxygen or nitrogen atmospheres.
• Copper and cupric oxide additives were found to promote the formation of PAHs, especially multi-ring structures.

Conclusions:

• Combustion temperature is a critical factor in PAH generation.
• Chlorine content acts as a mitigating factor in PAH formation during coal combustion.
• The use of copper-based additives can inadvertently enhance PAH production, necessitating further research for cleaner combustion strategies.