Sulfur, lead, and mercury in South Africa coals: existential form of the elements, isotope, and emissions from the coal fired-power plants

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teklit Zerizghi Tekleab ◽  
Qingjun Guo ◽  
Changqiu Zhao ◽  
Chukwunonso Peter Okoli
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Statistical Correlation ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Equivalent Fractions ◽  
Sulfur Lead ◽  
Reduce Emissions ◽  
Low Sulfur ◽  
Pyritic Sulfur

Abstract Coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) are the dominant source of electricity in South Africa due to natural abundance of coal in the country. However, emission of SO2, Pb, and Hg has raised serious environmental and public health concerns. Hence, to reduce emissions and utilize coal efficiently, estimating emission trend, understanding the forms of elemental occurrence in coals, and affinities to minerals, organic matter, and pyrite, are essential. Therefore, this paper aimed to assess the forms of elemental occurrence of sulfur, and Pb and Hg affinities to ash and sulfur, in the coals via statistical correlation and their isotopic compositions. This study also estimated SO2, Pb, and Hg emissions from 1971 to 2018 from the CFPPs on levels of activity and emission factors. Based on the results, South Africa coals mostly comprise equivalent fractions of organic and pyritic sulfur. The Pb were correlated with ash (R2 = 0.393), which is an indication of the presence of bound clay mineral. However, the highest Pb208/Pb206 and the lowest Pb208/Pb206 in South Africa coals which contain high inertinite (organic matter) and low sulfur, reveal organically associated Pb. Similarly, clay minerals associated Hg appeared based on its relationship with ash (R2 = 0.450), and the remaining could be an organic matter related. As an organic matter associated element least cleanability and readily oxidizing nature, burning South Africa coals containing a substantial quantity of organic sulfur and organically bound Pb and Hg without washing will obviously result to higher emissions. The estimated for SO2, Pb, and Hg emissions were 355.84 Gg, 168.91 tons, and 4.84 tons in 1971, and increased to 1468.13 Gg, 696.89 tons, and 19.95 tons in 2018, respectively. The values approximately increased by a factor of 4.

scholarly journals A SWOT Analysis Approach for a Sustainable Transition to Renewable Energy in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 3933
Author(s):  
Solomon E. Uhunamure ◽  
Karabo Shale
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Regional Integration ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Analysis Approach ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources

South Africa is been faced with erratic power supply, resulting in persistent load shedding due to ageing in most of its coal-fired power plants. Associated with generating electricity from fossil fuel are environmental consequences such as greenhouse emissions and climate change. On the other hand, the country is endowed with abundant renewable energy resources that can potentially ameliorate its energy needs. This article explores the viability of renewable energy using the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis approach on the key renewable potential in the country. The result indicates that geographic position, political and economic stability and policy implementation are some of the strengths. However, Government bureaucratic processes, level of awareness and high investment cost are some of the weaknesses. Several opportunities favour switching to renewable energy, and these include regional integration, global awareness on climate change and the continuous electricity demand. Some threats hindering the renewable energy sector in the country include land ownership, corruption and erratic climatic conditions. Some policy implications are suggested based on the findings of the study.

scholarly journals Thermal efficiency investigations on the self-ignition test engine fed with marine low sulfur diesel fuels

2019 ◽  
Vol 178 (3) ◽  
pp. 15-19
Author(s):  
Zbigniew KORCZEWSKI
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
The Self ◽  
Laboratory Research ◽  
Diesel Fuels ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Marine Diesel ◽  
Test Engine ◽  
Low Sulfur

Within the article an issues of implementing the new kinds of marine diesel fuels into ships’ operation was described taking into ac-count restrictions on the permissible sulphur content introduced by the International Maritime Organization. This is a new situation for ship owners and fuel producers, which forces the necessity to carry out laboratory research tests on especially adapted engine stands. How to elaborate the method enabling quality assessment of the self-ignition engine performance, considered in three categories: ener-gy, emission and reliability, represents the key issue of the organization of such research. In the field of energy research, it is necessary to know the thermal efficiency of the engine as the basic comparative parameter applied in diagnostic analyzes and syntheses of sequen-tially tested marine diesel fuels. This type of scientific research has been worked out for two years in the Department of Marine and Land Power Plants of the Gdańsk University of Technology, as a part of the statutory activities conducted in cooperation with the Regional Fund for Environmental Protection in Gdansk and the LOTOS Group oil company. This article presents the algorithm and results of thermal efficiency calculations of the Farymann Diesel D10 test engine in the con-ditions of feeding with various low-sulfur marine diesel fuels: distillation and residual fuels. This parameters stands for one of ten diag-nostic measures of the ranking of energy and emission quality of newly manufactured marine diesel fuels being built at the Department.

Disparities in Distribution of Particulate Matter Emissions from US Coal-Fired Power Plants by Race and Poverty Status After Accounting for Reductions in Operations Between 2015 and 2017

2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (5) ◽  
pp. 655-661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Richmond-Bryant ◽  
Ihab Mikati ◽  
Adam F. Benson ◽  
Thomas J. Luben ◽  
Jason D. Sacks
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
High Poverty ◽  
Emissions Inventory ◽  
Particulate Matter Emissions ◽  
Poverty Status ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
Reduce Emissions ◽  
Racial Ethnic

Objectives. To investigate potential changes in burdens from coal-fired electricity-generating units (EGUcfs) that emit fine particulate matter (PM2.5, defined as matter with a nominal mean aerodynamic diameter of ≤ 2.5 µm) among racial/ethnic and economic groups after reduction of operations in 92 US EGUcfs. Methods. PM2.5 burdens calculated for EGUs listed in the 2008, 2011, and 2014 National Emissions Inventory were recalculated for 2017 after omitting emissions from 92 EGUcfs. The combined influence of race/ethnicity and poverty on burden estimates was characterized. Results. Omission of 92 EGUcfs decreased PM2.5 burdens attributable to EGUs by 8.6% for the entire population and to varying degrees for every population subgroup. Although the burden decreased across all subgroups, the decline was not equitable. After omission of the 92 EGUcfs, burdens were highest for the below-poverty and non-White subgroups. Proportional disparities between White and non-White subgroups increased. In our combined analysis, the burden was highest for the non-White–high-poverty subgroup. Conclusions. Our results indicate that subgroups living in poverty experience the greatest absolute burdens from EGUcfs. Changes as a result of EGUcf closures suggest a shift in burden from White to non-White subgroups. Policymakers could use burden analyses to jointly promote equity and reduce emissions.

Long-term stacking coal promoted soil bacterial richness associated with increased soil organic matter in coal yards of power plants

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 3442-3452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Congcong Shen ◽  
Dawei Ma ◽  
Ruibo Sun ◽  
Benyao Zhang ◽  
Delin Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Bacterial Richness ◽  
Soil Bacterial

scholarly journals Numerical simulation of environmentally-safe technologies in power engineering

2018 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 00076 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexei Trinchenko
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Environmental Standards ◽  
Engineering Problems ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Solid Fuel Combustion ◽  
Environmentally Safe ◽  
Reduce Emissions ◽  
Subsequent Incorporation

One of the effective tools of solving engineering problems is the mathematical simulation of newly built and reconstructed industrial equipment. A necessity of solving identical problems fully belongs to ge-nerating equipment of thermal power plants too, which makes the use of methods of mathematic simulation quite a promising one in the course of designing power-generating units. The work presents the results of simula-tion and subsequent incorporation of the method of low-temperature vortex fossil solid-fuel combustion. Based on the developed algorithms and calcu-lation program the assessment of environmental indicators of reconstructed boiler equipment has been carried out and compliance with environmental standards with respect to the level of emissions of gaseous pollutants into environment confirmed. The incorporation of the method being considered into power-generating production has made it possible to reduce emissions of gaseous nitrogen oxides during combustion of coals of different types by 30%.

scholarly journals 1673. Gendered Patterns of HIV, TB, and Other Primary Care Referrals in Rural South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S612-S613
Author(s):  
Koeun Choi ◽  
Anthony Moll ◽  
Sheela Shenoi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Hazardous Drinking ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Running Water ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Background Men’s lack of engagement in healthcare hinders HIV efforts in sub-Saharan Africa. Masculine norms and lack of accessibility in a female-dominated healthcare system deter male health-seeking behavior. Community interventions combat the gender gap. In South Africa (SA), alcohol-based venues (ABV) are common locales for men. We created an ABV community health screening to determine the need. Methods Community Health Workers targeted ABV in rural SA, offering screenings for HIV, TB, Isoniazid Preventive Therapy, STI, hypertension, diabetes, circumcision, with referral to primary care services (PCS) for any positive screenings. Participants completed questionnaires, including socioeconomic (SE), healthcare use, and alcohol use evaluated by AUDIT scores. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with referral to PCS. Results From July 2018 to March 2019, 1356 were screened, 74% were men, median age was 30 (IQR 22–46), 26% employed and 30% had running water. Men are more likely to have never gone to a PCS compared with women (15.9% vs. 9.7%, P = 0.004) and have lengthier time since the last clinic visit (1.4 years vs. 0.6 years, P < 0.001). Men are significantly more likely than women to report hazardous drinking (49% vs. 28%, P < 0.001) Overall, positive screenings were noted in 537 (53.9%) community members, and χ 2 analysis show men more likely to require referrals after screening (P = 0.08). Multivariate analysis shows among men, referrals were associated with older age, hazardous drinking, any health concerns; while higher SE was protective. For women, only age and health concerns were associated with referral. Similarly, alcohol contributed to HIV and TB referrals for men, while higher SE was protective of TB referrals for men (Table 1). Conclusion ABV males in this rural community, although disengaged from health care, required more referrals than women. HIV, TB, and any referrals for men screened at ABV in rural SA were associated with lower SE and hazardous drinking, highlighting the challenges that this population faces in seeking health care. Differentiated and targeted community-based services may facilitate care for these hard to reach men in sub-Saharan Africa. Next steps include determining clinical outcomes of referrals. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

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