Toxicologic and Physicochemical Characterization of High-Temperature Combustion Emissions

Abstract

Particles and combustion gases produced by two different high-temperature combustors, which burned pulverized coal and a No. 2 fuel oil-fly ash slurry, respectively, at adiabatic flame temperatures greater than 2400 K, were characterized. Effluent samples were taken at locations along the product gas stream and within the stack. Measurements of the particle size distributions, number concentrations, and gas species concentrations were made. The toxicity and mutagenicity of the effluent particles were determined. A large number of submicrometer particles were found in both cases of high-temperature combustion. The product emissions differed significantly in their particle size distribution and final chemical composition from those of conventional combustion systems having lower combustion temperatures.