Scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University are developing a technology for fuel production from coal processing wastes. This fuel is ten times more environmentally friendly that will make it possible to resolve two problems at once: to reduce the amount of anthropogenic emissions of TPSs and efficiently dispose wastes from coal processing and beneficiation. The research team of the Department of Automation of Thermal Power Processes led by Professor Pavel Strizhak shares its outcomes.
Scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University are developing a technology for fuel production from coal processing wastes. This fuel is ten times more environmentally friendly that will make it possible to resolve two problems at once: to reduce the amount of anthropogenic emissions of TPSs and efficiently dispose wastes from coal processing and beneficiation. The research team of the Department of Automation of Thermal Power Processes led by Professor Pavel Strizhak shares its outcomes.
As Pavel Strizhak notes, thermal power plants generate up to 40-45% of the world’s electricity. Meantime, TPSs are the sources of five contaminants which account to 90-95% of all emissions to the atmosphere such as cinder particles, sulfur oxides, nitrogen and carbon oxides as well as water vapor. Operating TPSs release carbon dioxide (CO2) which scientists consider as the main cause of the green gas effect. Besides, particles of volatile cinder released into the atmosphere may contain other compounds, in particular, heavy metals. Gaseous products of organic fuel combustion may also include toxic and carcinogenic microelements, carcinogenic hydrocarbons and other harmful substances.
‘People believe the most dangerous are the emissions of sulfur and nitrogen oxides which, when merged with atmospheric moisture, oxidize thus forming weak solutions of sulfuric and nitrous acids. They are the main causes of acid rains.
The increase of concentration of nitrogen oxides contributes to the destruction of the ozone layer which protects our planet from ultraviolet space radiation,’ says Pavel Strizhak.
Read more at Tomsk Polytechnic University
Photo credit: Boby Dimitrov via Wikimedia Commons
