Broadband UV spectroscopy system used for monitoring of SO2 and NO emissions from thermal power plants

A gas monitoring system based on broadband absorption spectroscopic techniques in the ultraviolet region is described and tested. The system was employed in real-time continuous concentration measurements of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitric oxide (NO) from a 220-ton h−1 circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler in Shandong province, China. The emission coefficients (per kg of coal and per kWh of electricity) and the total emission of the two pollutant gases were evaluated. The measurement results showed that the emission concentrations of SO2 and NO from the CFB boiler fluctuated in the range of 750–1300 mg m−3 and 100–220 mg m−3, respectively. Compared with the specified emission standards of air pollutants from thermal power plants in China, the values were generally higher for SO2 and lower for NO. The relatively high emission concentrations of SO2 were found to mainly depend on the sulfur content of the fuel and the poor desulfurization efficiency. This study indicates that the broadband UV spectroscopy system is suitable for industrial emission monitoring and pollution control.