Abstract |
The report gives results of an evaluation and ranking of environmental hazards associated with coal gasification. Applied chemical analytical data were provided by (1) research with an experimental gasifier, and (2) sampling of four commercial gasification processes. Gas, liquid, tar, and solid streams were quantitatively analyzed for almost 300 substances. Levels of production, stream concentrations, and estimated hazard potential of individual substances are included. Hazard potential was measured. A worst-case approach was taken in this summary, with maximum stream concentrations emphasized for all processes. These processes represent packed-bed, low- to medium-Btu gasifers, which are known to produce significant contaminant loadings relative to other gasifiers. Coals tested ranged from lignite to anthracite. Approximately 50 representative pollutants were emphasized and ranked according to relative environmental hazard potential. Relative hazard potentials by stream type and process were also estimated. |