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Las emisiones de mercurio de las plantas de energía geotérmica
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|June 3, 1977
Resumen
Las plantas de energía geotérmica liberan mercurio significativo a la atmósfera. Estas emisiones de mercurio, principalmente vapor de mercurio elemental, son comparables a las de las centrales eléctricas de carbón.
Área de la Ciencia:
- Ciencias del medio ambiente Ciencias del medio ambiente.
- La geoquímica es la geoquímica.
- Química de la atmósfera química de la atmósfera
Sus antecedentes:
- La energía geotérmica es un recurso renovable.
- El vapor geotérmico contiene mercurio volátil.
- El mercurio es un metal pesado tóxico con implicaciones ambientales.
Objetivo del estudio:
- Para cuantificar las emisiones de mercurio de las plantas de energía geotérmica.
- Para comparar las emisiones de mercurio geotérmico con otras fuentes.
- Para evaluar la liberación atmosférica de mercurio de las operaciones geotérmicas.
Principales métodos:
- Análisis de la composición del vapor geotérmico.
- Monitoreo de los gases de escape de las torres de refrigeración.
- Cálculo de los factores de emisión por megavatio (eléctrico).
Principales resultados:
- El vapor geotérmico contiene una cantidad sustancial de mercurio volátil.
- El vapor de mercurio elemental es un componente importante de las emisiones.
- Las tasas de liberación de mercurio son comparables a las de las centrales eléctricas de carbón en una base por megavatio.
Conclusiones:
- La generación de energía geotérmica contribuye a la contaminación atmosférica por mercurio.
- Los controles de emisiones pueden ser necesarios para las instalaciones geotérmicas.
- Se justifica una mayor investigación sobre la especiación y el destino del mercurio.
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