Potential Health and Environmental Effects of the Fluidized-Bed Combustion of Coal

摘要

A summary of the potential health and environmental effects of burning coal by fluidized bed combustion is presented. An increased use of coal combustion as a whole, an increasing fraction of which may be burned at the low temperature of fluidized bed combustors (FBC), is causing concern about potential health and environmental effects. The following concerns, in particular, are addressed: the use of coal and the FBC market penetration projected for the year 2000; the use of raw materials and the production of effluents and wastes by the industry; the health risks to both workers and the public of operating the power plant and of mining, transporting and preparing the raw materials necessary and disposing of the wastes; the environmental levels of effluents and waste products; and the resulting damage to human health, the environment, and materials. Results of a first analysis of the health and environmental risks due to coal combustion in FBC power plants show the following main areas of concern: acid deposition in the environment from atmospheric releases of sulfur and nitrogen oxides; possible climatic changes due to a carbon dioide buildup in the atmosphere; trace elements mobilized by the mining of coal and limestone; health effects resulting from occupational accidents; occupational diseases due to inhalation of coal dust; accidents connected with the transport of raw and waste materials; and public health effects due to industrial effluents. (ERA citation 07:044834)