First assessment of dioxin emissions from coal-fired power stations in Spain.

In this work, the findings of the first assessment of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in emissions releases to the atmosphere from coal-fired power plants are given. A total of five plants were selected for the study located at different provinces in Spain. In all the cases, the results revealed very low levels, in the range of 0.41 pg I-TEQ/Nm(3). The profile indicated in the majority of the cases predominance of highly chlorinated congeners being OCDD the most important contributor. The findings were also used to estimate contribution of PCDDs/PCDFs emitted from coal-fired power plants in Spain. Individual plant results revealed values below 0.02 g I-TEQ per year and plant. Nevertheless, considering the total coal consumption in Spain in 1997, the values are comparable to those reported in other countries in the range of 0.6-0.7 g I-TEQ per year. Moreover, emission factors were determined considering operating conditions of evaluated plants. In general, large variability was observed and values below 1-5 pg I-TEQ/kg coal were early reached.

[1]  Ulrich Quass,et al.  The European dioxin air emission inventory project--final results. , 2004, Chemosphere.

[2]  H. Hagenmaier,et al.  Correlation of environmental occurrence of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans with possible sources , 1994 .

[3]  E. Abad,et al.  Evaluation of a new automated cleanup system for the analysis of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in environmental samples. , 2000, Journal of chromatography. A.

[4]  H. Fiedler.  Sources of PCDD/PCDF and impact on the environment. , 1996, Chemosphere.

[5]  E. Abad,et al.  Application of DB-5ms gas chromatography column for the complete assignment of 2,3,7,8-substituted polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorodibenzofurans in samples from municipal waste incinerator emissions , 1997 .

[6]  E. Abad,et al.  Dioxin abatement strategies and mass balance at a municipal waste management plant. , 2002, Environmental science & technology.

[7]  G. Fernández-Martínez,et al.  Distribution of volatile organic compounds during the combustion process in coal-fired power stations , 2001 .

[8]  Kees Olie,et al.  Chlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and chlorodibenzofurans are trace components of fly ash and flue gas of some municipal incinerators in The Netherlands , 1977 .

[9]  U. Quass,et al.  Steps towards a European dioxin emission inventory. , 2000, Chemosphere.

[10]  G. Fernández-Martínez,et al.  Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds in Emissions by Coal-Fired Power Stations from Spain , 2001, Environmental technology.

[11]  Christoffer Rappe,et al.  Dioxin, patterns and source identification , 1994 .