R&D Activities,Operating Experience Discussed at Fabric Alternatives Forum

ABSTRACT

Previously reported volatile organic compounds (VOC) radiocarbon (¹⁴C) measurements for 1992 summertime Atlanta, GA, have been compared with chromatographic data and emissions inventory predictions. The chromatographic approach that was used provided a more comprehensive VOC characterization than typically achieved, and the emissions inventory was research-grade level (date-, site-, and time-specific). The comparisons are in general agreement that biogenic emissions contribute only modestly (<10%) to the VOC content of the particular ambient samples that were collected and measured. The choices of sampling site (near city-center) and times (early morning and late evening) are major influences on the results, which consequently should not be regarded as representing the average VOC biogenic impact for the Atlanta area.     

Filter Beds: Energy-Efficient Packing Diameter

Factors which help minimize pressure drop at a given level of collection efficiency for a bed packed with roughly spherical collectors are studied here by using the quality factor, the ratio of the single collector collection efficiency to the force per unit area on the single collector. This analysis indicates that energy-efficient designs can be obtained as follows: choose a representative particle size; if impaction predominates, design for an impaction parameter near one; if interception predominates, design for the smallest packing diameters feasible; if gravitational settling predominates, design for the largest packing diameters possible; if diffusion predominates, design for collector Reynolds numbers near 10². Some more general cases are also discussed.     

The Everchanging Air Pollution Control Market

While the United States is the largest single market for air pollution control equipment, it constitutes only about one-third of the total world market. This overview explores the legislative, economic, and technological factors that affect those markets.     

Electrostatic Stimulation of Fabric Filtration

The concept of electrostatic stimulation of fabric filtration (ESFF) has been investigated at pilot scale. The pilot unit consisted of a conventional baghouse in parallel with an ESFF baghouse, allowing direct comparison. All results reported in this paper are for pulse-cleaned bags in which the electric field was maintained parallel to the fabric surface. The performance of the ESFF baghouse has been superior to the parallel conventional baghouse by several measures. The ESFF baghouse demonstrated: (1) a reduced rate of pressure drop increase during a filtration cycle, (2) lower residual pressure drop, (3) stable operation at higher face velocities, and (4) improved particle removal efficiency. These benefits can be obtained with only minor modifications to conventional pulse-jet hardware and at low electrical power consumption. The indicated ability to operate at increased face velocities with only modest expenditure for electrical hardware leads to very favorable economic projections.     

Change in Pulmonary Function in Children Associated with Air Pollution Episodes

Pulmonary function of approximately 200 school children in Steubenville, OH was measured before and immediately following air pollution alerts in the fall of 1978 and 1979. TSP concentrations exceeded the National Primary Ambient Air Quality 24 h standards in 1978. SO₂ exceeded the standard in 1979. The children were then reexamined in three weekly visits following each alert. Estimated mean Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) was approximately 2% lower following each alert, although the lowest means were observed one to two weeks after the episodes. Forced Expired Volume in 0.75 sec (FEV_0.75) did not change during the 1978 study, but was 4% lower immediately following the 1979 alert. The children were measured again in five weekly examinations in the spring and fall of 1980. Air pollution levels did not exceed the standards on either occasion. In the spring of 1980, estimated mean FVC and FEV_0.75 showed a decline similar to that observed following the alerts in 1978 and 1979. In the fall of 1980, there were no significant differences in the estimated mean FVC or FEV_0.75 between the examinations. A total of 335 children were tested in the four studies, including 194 who participated in more than one study. The evidence for each child from all the studies was combined in a regression analysis of pulmonary function on TSP and SO₂ average concentrations in the previous 24 h. The distribution of the individual regression coefficients was centered significantly below zero, implying a decrease in pulmonary function with increasing TSP and SO₂ concentrations. The magnitude of the median change was less than 1% of the mean FVC and FEV_0.75 over the range of TSP and SO₂ concentrations observed.     

Resource Recovery from Flue Gas Desulfurization Systems

The cost effective benefits of yielding a flue gas desulfurization (FGD) sludge predominantly composed of CaSO₄·2H₂O, have been previously established. The recovery of this material as FGD by-product gypsum has been demonstrated abroad. Recently U.S. wallboard manufacturers have recognized the viability of this recovery practice. Such techno-economic decision making variables as a) by-product specification, b) transportation costs, and c) location of suitable FGD systems enable the recognition of FGD by-product recovery. Recent investigations of resultant solids content and chloride washing reflect the technical possibility of delivering a suitable product. Commercial and economic factors favor recovery based upon rising disposal and transportation costs. Existing and near term proposed systems surface the technical and commercial problems faced by utilities considering recovery.

Generation of an oxidized FGD sludge consisting of 90⁺% CaSO₄·2H₂O and dewatered to 80⁺% solids is technically achievable by air sparging within the FGD system. Although the product is suitable for land disposal, electric power utilities should consider and evaluate by-product recovery. U.S. wallboard manufacturers have established technical criteria for FGD by-product gypsum. Percent CaSO₄·2H₂O, final solids content, particle size, and chloride content are primarily technical parameters. Technology exists within the FGD industry to satisfy these criteria and results are discussed.

Economic factors comparing mining costs, transportation costs, and disposal costs are developed for specific utility projects. Such comparison established generalized financial criteria for a given utility to develop the economic reasonableness of considering FGD byproduct recovery.

End product user perspectives are presented providing electric utilities with a realistic appreciation for by-product recovery potential. Location of existing wallboard plants highlight potential recovery regions. Quality control problems are discussed in terms of generating a by-product rather than a disposable material.