Overview of Pollution from Combustion of Fossil Fuels in Boilers of the United States

摘要

The report describes the fossil-fuel-fired boiler population of the U.S. It presents data on the number and capacity of boilers for categories most relevant to producing pollution. Information presented includes: type of fuel burned (coal, residual oil, distillate oil, natural gas); usage sector (utility, industrial, commercial); size category (less than 25 million Btu/hr, 25-250 million Btu/hr, greater than 250 million Btu/hr); and heat transfer configuration (water tube, fire tube, cast iron). Fuel consumption data are presented for each type of fuel burned in each usage sector. These data are used to estimate the amount of sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate air emissions produced by boiler operation. Other air pollutants are discussed qualitatively. Solid waste and water pollution from boiler operation is discussed generally.