Question

Given the following temperature and elevation data, determine the atmospheric stability and explain what type of plume behavior you would expect. Show all work: Elevation (m) Temperature (oC) 16.0 8.24 184.0 17.03 Question 1: A coal-fired electricity generation facility burns coal at a rate of 1.433 lbs/sec. The coal has a sulfur content of 3.25% by mass. Assuming that all but 5.00% of the sulfur is oxidized according to the reaction S + O2 → SO2, find the emissions rate (E) of sulfur dioxide (SO2) in g/sec.

Answer 1

adiabatic lapse rate, dT/dZ >0 the atmosphere is stable or else it is unstable

(17.03-8.24)/( 184-16)=0.052>0 and hence the atmosphere is stable.

: A coal-fired electricity generation facility burns coal at a rate of 1.433 lbs/sec. The coal has a sulfur content of 3.25% by mass. Assuming that all but 5.00% of the sulfur is oxidized according to the reaction S + O2 → SO2, find the emissions rate (E) of sulfur dioxide (SO2) in g/sec.

flow rate of coal= 1.433 lb/sec, 1 lb =0.4535 kg, 1kg= 1000gm, 1 lb= 0.4535*1000 gm= 453.5 gm

flow rate of coal= 1.433* 453.5 gm/sec =650 gm/sec

it contains 3.25% S by mass, mass of S= 650*3.25/100 =21 gm/sec

moles of S= mass flow rate/ molar mass= 21/32 gmoles/sec=0.66 gmoles/sec

the combustion reaction S+O2----->SO2

1 mole of S reacts with 1 mole of oxygen to produce 1 mole of SO2

hence moles of SO2= 0.66 gmoles/sec if complete combustion takes place. but 95% of S is only combusted.

hence moles of SO2 formed =0.66*0.95 =0.63 gmoles/sec

molar mass of SO2= 32+32= 64 g/mole

mass of SO2 formed =moles/sec* molar mass =0.63*64 g/sec=40.32 g/sec