The removal of NOx and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from flue gas was investigated, as a preliminary test, with alcohol addition by using electron beam irradiation in EPS Kaweczyn. The experimental conditions were the followings: flue gas flow rate 5000 nm(3)/h; humidity 4-5%; inlet concentrations Of SO2 and NOx, which were emitted from power station, were 192 and 106 ppm, respectively; ammonia addition was 2.75 m(3)/h; alcohol addition was 600 1/h. It-was found that below 6 kGy applied doses the NOx removal efficiency increased by 10% in the presence of alcohol as compared to the absence of alcohol; on the other hand, the NO, removal efficiency decreased at doses higher than 10kGy. In order to understand the behavior of these aromatic hydrocarbons under electron irradiation, unirradiated samples (i.e. as emitted from the coal combustion process, called inlet) and irradiated samples (called outlet) were collected by using a condense bottle connected with an XAD-2 adsorbent and an active carbon adsorbent and were then analyzed by a GGMS. It was found that using 8 kGy absorbed dose the concentration of aromatic hydrocarbons of small aromatic rings (<3, except acenaphthylene) were reduced, but the concentration of these hydrocarbons of large aromatic rings (greater than or equal to4) were increased. A possible mechanism is proposed. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.