FORMATION OF SULFATE, AMMONIUM AND NITRATE IN AN OIL-FIRED POWER-PLANT PLUME

A series of experiments was performed at the oil-fired Anclote power plant of the Florida Power Corp., Tarpon Springs, Florida. Plume samples at varying downwind locations were obtained by means of a high-volume filter pack. Operational oxygen levels during fuel combustion were varied experimentally; particulate sulfate and sulfuric acid concentrations in both flue gas and plumes increased directly with excess O2 levels. Plume dropout of paniculate sulfate was found to occur during some experiments. A generalized trend toward increasing ammonium content of plume particulates with time was observed. Particulate nitrate formation did not indicate a similar trend. Oxidation of SO2 to sulfate within a time frame of up to 100 min and 50 km ranged within 1-3 %, with but two runs exceeding 3 %. No correlation was found between any individual meteorological parameter and extent of oxidation. A significant difference between conversions during summer and winter runs was observed, conceivably attributable to differences in the vanadium content of the fuel oils and to some extent the combination of higher temperature, relative humidity, water partial pressure and unstable weather during the summer. © 1979.