In recent years, an increasing number of epidemiological studies was carried out in order to show the correlation between the particulate matter (PM) and negative health effects such as cardiovascular and breathing problems. Toxicologists have paid attention on fine (PM2.5, particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm) and ultrafine particles (UFPs, particles with diameter less than 100 nm), but there is no consensus in the scientific community on which particle property has the worst effects on human health both in terms of size and chemical composition (organic carbon, soot, heavy metals). Emission inventories suggest that the highest contribution to the fine and UFPs come from anthropogenic activities, industrial combustion processes and traffic-related emissions. Then, it is important to characterize the emission sources as well as the evolution of particle size distribution in the proximity of these emission points in order to carried out aerosol source apportionment and exposure assessment analysis in the areas characterized by high anthropogenic pressure. In the waste management, incineration represents a favourable technique for reducing the waste volume and recovering its energy content for generating electricity and district heating. The incinerators have undergone rapid technological development over the last 10–15 years, due to specific legislation applied to industry that obliged several European countries to reduce toxic emissions from municipal waste incinerators (MWIs). In the present paper, after a brief description of the MWI examined, the results of an experimental campaign carried out in order to characterize the ultrafine particles emitted at the stack of the San Vittore del Lazio incineration plant are presented. The measurements were performed during stable combustion conditions. The particle measurements were obtained through a mobile system consisting of a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS 3936, TSI Inc.), a Rotating Disk Thermodiluter and Thermal Conditioner (Matter Engineering AG) as well as a home-designed sampling system. The experimental campaign was also extended in a section located before the fabric filter in order to evaluate the removal efficiency of the flue gas treatment in terms of ultrafine particles (Figure 1). Maximum values of 2.7 x107 part. cm-3 and 2x103 part. cm-3 were found for number concentration before and after the fabric filter, respectively, showing a very high efficiency in particle removing by the fabric filter.
ON THE CHARACTERIZATION OF ULTRAFINE PARTICLES EMITTED BY A WASTE-TO-ENERGY PLANT
BUONANNO G;P. VIGO
2010-01-01
Abstract
In recent years, an increasing number of epidemiological studies was carried out in order to show the correlation between the particulate matter (PM) and negative health effects such as cardiovascular and breathing problems. Toxicologists have paid attention on fine (PM2.5, particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm) and ultrafine particles (UFPs, particles with diameter less than 100 nm), but there is no consensus in the scientific community on which particle property has the worst effects on human health both in terms of size and chemical composition (organic carbon, soot, heavy metals). Emission inventories suggest that the highest contribution to the fine and UFPs come from anthropogenic activities, industrial combustion processes and traffic-related emissions. Then, it is important to characterize the emission sources as well as the evolution of particle size distribution in the proximity of these emission points in order to carried out aerosol source apportionment and exposure assessment analysis in the areas characterized by high anthropogenic pressure. In the waste management, incineration represents a favourable technique for reducing the waste volume and recovering its energy content for generating electricity and district heating. The incinerators have undergone rapid technological development over the last 10–15 years, due to specific legislation applied to industry that obliged several European countries to reduce toxic emissions from municipal waste incinerators (MWIs). In the present paper, after a brief description of the MWI examined, the results of an experimental campaign carried out in order to characterize the ultrafine particles emitted at the stack of the San Vittore del Lazio incineration plant are presented. The measurements were performed during stable combustion conditions. The particle measurements were obtained through a mobile system consisting of a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS 3936, TSI Inc.), a Rotating Disk Thermodiluter and Thermal Conditioner (Matter Engineering AG) as well as a home-designed sampling system. The experimental campaign was also extended in a section located before the fabric filter in order to evaluate the removal efficiency of the flue gas treatment in terms of ultrafine particles (Figure 1). Maximum values of 2.7 x107 part. cm-3 and 2x103 part. cm-3 were found for number concentration before and after the fabric filter, respectively, showing a very high efficiency in particle removing by the fabric filter.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
