Modelling VOCs Emissions in Coal Fired Power Stations using Perfectly Stirred Reactor Approach

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from coal-fired power stations. A quantitative understanding of the chemistry controlling the formation and destruction of these intermediate species is a prerequisite for the realistic modelling of pollutant formation in flames. Therefore, well investigated skeletal reaction mechanism has been built and introduced into perfectly stirred reactor model in order to accomplish prediction of some of these hazardous important intermediate species. This can be great help in considering lack of experimental VOCs data from fossil fuel fired power stations. Predicted results have been validated against ICSTM Furnace data where possible. The performance of the model against the large laboratory scale experimental data has resulted in considerable confidence in the use of this model for a full-scale boiler configuration. But, more confidence will be forthcoming from an increase in the amount of validation data, which is unluckily lacking at the moment. Furthermore, the model can be used in order to provide deeper insight into the formation processes of VOC species emitted from coal-fired power stations. However, this can be accomplished far better by including more elementary reactions into the skeletal reaction mechanism.