Criteria Pollutants from Utility Plants
Criteria pollutants are pollutants for which there are federal National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), these include nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOC).
The NOx is formed when the nitrogen in the atmosphere is oxidized in the combustion chamber. SO2 is formed when the sulfur in the fuel is burned. PM consists of the inert and partially combusted material in the fuel. CO and VOC are products of incomplete combustion.
The following sources were used in developing emission estimates for utility sources. Our calculations assumed that all sources met mid-70s New Source Performance Standards. Some do, some don't - but on average its probably not a bad guess.
- Texas Public Utility Commission, Monthly Fuel Use Reports, Annual 1993
- USEPA, New Source Performance Standards
- USEPA, Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors
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Revised June 8, 2001
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