Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

PARTICULATE MATTER IN STACK EMISSIONS, GENERATED BY VARIOUS FUELS – A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Karuppiah I., Sumathi S. and Gurunadha Rao B.V.S.

Abstract

Particulate matters emitted from the stack, develop into a significant and vital air pollutants. Also, the nature of the particulate emission depends on the type, quality and the characteristics of the fuels used for the combustion activities in an Industry. While, the gaseous emissions from the stacks tend to disperse in to the environment due to the action of meteorological factors like wind speed and wind direction, the particulate matters tend to settle down very close to the stacks due to the action of gravity. In addition, the stack specifications also play an important and key role in particulate emission studies. This study focuses on the experimental investigation of the particulate matters emitted from the stacks, by various types of fuels. The fuels used for the combustion activities and considered for our studies are High-Speed Diesel (HSD), Super Kerosene Oil (SKO), Furnace Oil (FO) and Coal. The stack specification includes stack diameter, stack height, stack temperature, stack gas velocity and the stack emission rate. The Experimental studies were carried out by using a standard stack monitoring assembly and the standard procedure adopted for the studies as per IS 11255 (Part 1) 1985 RAZ009. The particulate emissions from the various stacks were measured. The experimental results and their analysis are presented.