Power Stations and the Environment

Conference Paper

1987

Al-Mutaz, Ibrahim S. . 1987

The estimated total electric power consumed worldwide was 8.2 x 10El2 Watt, 16% of this figure was consumed in the third world countries with an average consumption rate of 500 kW per person every year according to the 1980 statistics. In those power stations, about 15,000 million tons of carbon dioxide was produced annually. About 50% of sulfur dioxide present in the atmosphere comes from power stations. 750 MW power station produces about 9000 pounds of nitrogen oxides per hour.
 
This massive amount of pollutants emitted to t he atmosphere every hour must be controlled to protect the environment while maintaining the same product ion and efficiency of the stat ion. In general, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and particulate are emitted in the fuel combustion processes. The level at which hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide emitted is determined by the combustion completeness. Also the presence of sulfur dioxide in the flue gases depends on the sulfur content of the fuel. So the combustion process and the type of the fuel used play an important role in controlling the amount of pollutants emitted from power stations.
 
This paper will throw some light on the effect of the power station on the environment. A simple discussion of the possible controlling techniques will be presented as well as the impact of those controlling processes on the power station itself. The main purpose of building these stations was for the convenience of humen by utilizing the produced electricity. So it is required that these power stations will not deteriorate the environment and harm people.

• Conference Location: College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh
• Conference Name: First Symposium on Electric Power Systems in Fast Developing Countries
• Sponsoring Organization: King Saud University