EMISSIONS FROM ESTONIAN OIL-SHALE POWER-PLANTS

Flue gas emissions from pulverized oil shale fired boilers of Estonian and Baltic powerplants have been studied The concentrations of NOx, C O, CxHy, HCl, HF and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in flue gases ha ve been found to be relatively low and acceptable according to German emission limits, for instance. Desulphurization degree of flue gases b y SO2 absorption with ash has been found to vary depending on boiler t ype and operation conditions. In spite of significant sulphur capture (average values for different boilers in the range between 68 and 77 % of the initial sulphur content of the fuel), SO2 concentrations in fl ue gases remain still wry high (up to 2,600 mg/m(3), 10 % O-2). Very h igh concentrations of particles, especially at Estonian Power Plant (u p to 6,250 mg/m(3), 10 % O-2) have been detected. Heavy metal emission s were too high by the reason of particle control insufficiency as wel l. Yearly emission estimates of this study support the former Estonian ones within the range of 10-15 %.