Investigation of Particulate Emission from a Malaysian Power Plant Firing Australian Coal

A New Plant, Tanjung Bin Power Station, in Jahor, Malaysia reported high opacity readings from the stack when firing an Australian Coal. This paper reports the results of an investigation by a team assembled by Peter Tait, Process Essential, to determine if the properties of the coal contributed to the emissions. We formulated hypotheses of what could cause increased opacity at Tamjun Bin Power Station. These were: 1. miss calibration of the opacity meter, 2. Small particles, 3. electrical properties of the particles and ESP layers, 4.. slippage of particles past the ESP. Tanjung Bin Power Station had two of three 700 MWe units commissioned in at the time of this investigation, January 2008. We took and analyzed samples at 4 location through the electrostatic precipator (ESP), a pulverized coal sample from the conveyor belt feeding the boiler, and the fly ash slipping through the ESP. These samples were analyzed for partile size distribution (PSD), the images were recorded using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and the samples evaluated for elemental analyses. The pulverized coal samples were also analyzed for mineral matter distribution (excluded, included, organically attached mineral matter) The analyses showed: 1. the fly ash from the ESP showed no fine particles. 2. The fly ash from each progressively zone of the ESP showed a natural progression in size. 3. The slippage fly ash contains large particles indicating that sneakage (flue gas by-passing the collection fields) is normal. 4. The quantity of fly ash collected is one order of magnitude lower than predicted by the opacity reading, indicating possible miss calibration of the opacity meter. 6. The resistivity of fly ash is normal and should not result in excess particle emissions. 7. Elements including Ca are not high in the fly ash slippage, indicating elements are not adversely contributing to slippage. 8. Greater slippage of the fine particles past the electric fields in the ESP is considered normal. 9. The resistivity of the fly ash may be causing collection problems