Nuclear techniques for the on-line bulk analysis of carbon in coal-fired power stations

Carbon trading schemes usually require large emitters of CO2, such as coal-fired power stations, to monitor, report and be audited on their CO2 emissions. The emission price provides a significant additional incentive for power stations to improve efficiency. In the present paper, previous work on the bulk determination of carbon in coal is reviewed and assessed. The most favourable method is that based on neutron inelastic scattering. The potential role of on-line carbon analysers in improving boiler efficiency and in carbon accounting is discussed.