Trajno rešavanje problema letećeg pepela iz termoelektrana vezivanjem za elementarni sumpor

Abstract

Lignite is the basic raw material used by thermal power plants in Serbia to produce electricity. In the process of burning coal, ash appears as a secondary product for 17% (data from the Nikola Tesla Power Plant). Fly ash, which is an ultrafine ash content, causes air, water, and soil pollution, and is the main cause of a significant increase in the number of various diseases among the surrounding population. A chemical analysis of fly ash samples from the Nikola Tesla thermal power plant in Obrenovac was performed, and results were obtained that inevitably require a reaction in terms of eliminating the components found in this product. The presence of heavy metals was established: Zn, Cr, Cd, Sr, Pb, Co and Ni. Despite the fact that these elements are difficult to dissolve in water, they led to serious environmental pollution, which eventually led to very serious health complications, primarily in the population living directly next to the thermal power plant. The air very easily disperses this fly ash, and besides it pollutes water and soil, not only in the surroundings but also on a larger surface of the land, the particles carried by the wind spread to areas that are more distant. The toxicity of these heavy metals is particularly dangerous due to their cumulative deposition in the human body, which is the last in the food chain, and is in direct danger due to the presence of fly ash from the air, water and soil, through cultivated agricultural products. This is a very complex problem, which is the subject of research and finding solutions in many countries. At the same time, elemental sulfur appears as a secondary product of oil refining. By applying sulfur in the process of homogenization and agglomeration of ash in amounts from 15% to 22%, coating and increase of ultrafine ash particles <63мm in size is achieved and their presence is reduced from 17.5% to 1%. The product obtained in this way can easily and without additional investment be disposed of in landfills without the possibility of polluting the environment. This would prevent and significantly reduce environmental pollution, as well as further illness of the population due to the influence of the presence of fly ash. It would also solve the problem of sulfur disposal as a secondary product of oil refineries. The resulting agglomerate of ash and sulfur could be further used in construction.