A literature survey was conducted to address fuel contaminants and atmospheric emissions from the following energy-related operations: coal gasification, coal liquefaction, shale oil production, and petroleum refining. Sulfur and nitrogen found in coal, coal liquid product, shale oil, and petroleum crude are, for the most part, organically bound. Only coal was found to have substantial amounts of inorganic contaminants, and this was as pyrite (FeS2). The sulfur content of most fuels is less than 5% and occurs as thiols (mercaptans), sulfides, disulfides, and thiophenes. Nitrogen is usually reported at less than 2% and occurs as pyridines, pyrroles, indoles, carbazoles, and benzamides. Quantitative estimates of criteria air pollutant emissions from energy-related operations are tabulated. A broad spectrum of sulfur-containing compounds, nitrogen-containing compounds, and hydrocarbons has been identified from analyses of intermediate process streams and final products from fuel conversion processes. The surveyed literature provides a basis for identifying the major emissions. The same or similar species are expected to be emitted from each fuel conversion facility.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 62-66).