8/3/2019 AirQuality_ AICHE#188V75p247_1977(2)

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Hal B. H. Cooper, Jr.; Otis P. Armstrong; Sulaksh R. Gartom; Martin L Baughman; and Gale F.Hoffnagle ( The American Institute of Chemical Engineers, 1979.)

The authors are affiliated with the University of Texas at Austin, Center for Energy Studies, Austin,Texas. Mr. Hoffnagle was with the Intera Environmental Consultants, Houston, Texas, during thestudy, and is now With Environmental Research and Technology, Inc. item: 0065-8812-79-9218-0188-$2.55 AICHE#188V75p247-1977.rtf

AIR QUALI TY IMPACTS FROM FUTURE ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION IN TEXASABSTRACT

Studies have been conducted concerning future impacts an air quality if alternativescenarios for electric power generation using Western coal, Texas lignite, fuel oil, andnuclear power between 1976 and 2000. Minimal increased in emissions of conventional air

pollutants would result from extensive nuclear power development. Extensive lignitedevelopment would result in increased sulfur oxides emissions of 470% to 2,640% abovepresent levels by the year 2000 as compared to 420% for Western coal. Major use of lowsulfur Western coal would result in increased nitrogen oxides emissions of 100% to 150%by 2000 as compared to 30% to 60% for major use of Texas lignite. Increased air pollutantemissions would be less for extensive oil use as compared to use of coal or lignite, but thepotential health effects could be most severe because of the proximity to metropolitanareas. Extensive lignite use would act to aggravate acid rainfall formation in northeastTexas and Arkansas. Major constraints to power plant siting would occour with respect tosecondary ambient particulate matter standards because of the generally high naturalbackground dust levels in many areas of Texas. Photochemical air pollution would tend tobe aggravated in adjacent downwind urban areas. Increased agricultural crop damagewould occur for coal-fired plants at coastal sites. Radiation releases of noble gases wouldbe greatest from nuclear power plants, especially if reprocessing facilities were constructedin Texas. Substantial increases in radioactive particulate releases could occur withextensive south Texas lignite development to a level equivalent to nuclear power unlesssuitable control technologies were utilized.INTRODUCTION- Problem

The increasingly serious national energy problem of decreasing availability and increasing cost of petroleumand natural gas will necessitate increasing reliance on alternative fuels such as coal, lignite, and uranium inthe future. This conversion to alternative fuels is especially important in the electric power industry, where theuse of coal, lignite, and nuclear power can be most readily accomplished. The potential problems associatedwith excessive reliance on the use of natural gas as an energy source was forcefully brought home in the north

eastern United States in the winter of 1976 to 1977 by the need to curtail deliveries during the extremely coldweather in periods of peak demand. The potential problems relating to fuel conversion for electric utilitieshave nowhere been greater than in Texas, where as much as 95% of the state's electricity was supplied bynatural gas as late as 1972. In recognition of the need to convert from natural gas to alternate fuels, the TexasRailroad Commission issued Docket No. 600 requiring all major combustion sources to reduce their naturalgas usage by 25% below the 1975 base levels prior to 1985 (1). The electric utility industry in Texas presentlyhas a mayor conversion program underway to convert a major portion of its base-load capacity from naturalgas firing to coal, lignite, and nuclear power by 1985.It is estimated that there will be as many as 10 lignite-fired and 5 coal-fired power plants operating in Texasby 1985 With a total generating capacity of approximately 15,000 and 7,500 MH(e), respectively, and 2nuclear plants with a total generating capacity of 4,000 MWe (2).Trade-offs

The increasing use of coals lignite, and nuclear power plants in Texas is expected to have mayor impacts onthe state's air quality. The extensive conversion from natural gas to coal and lignite is expected to result inlarge-scale increases in emissions of particulate matter, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides to the atmosphere.These increased emissions are expected to alter the photochemical air pollution in downwind urban areas bychanges in reactant ratios, to increase vegetation damage to crops in farming areas, to reduce forestry andproductivity in northeast Texas, and to reduce atmospheric visibility(to read all; order full text of thisimportant historical document).