Air Pollution Control Strategies in Thermal Power Plants

Published Paper PDF: PDF

Devansh Joshi

Independent Researcher

India

Abstract
This manuscript examines air pollution control strategies deployed in thermal power plants up to 2014, focusing on emission reduction techniques such as electrostatic precipitators, fabric filters, flue gas desulfurization, low-NOx burners, and selective catalytic reduction. A statistical analysis compares particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) removal efficiencies across five representative plants. Methodology involves literature synthesis and secondary data analysis. Results demonstrate average removal efficiencies of 98% for PM, 90% for SO₂, and 70% for NOx. Research gaps include limited integration of multi-pollutant control, lack of real-time monitoring, and economic analyses. Conclusions highlight the effectiveness of established technologies while underscoring the need for integrated, cost-optimized, and real-time adaptive control systems. Ten references from 2014 and earlier are provided.

Keywords electrostatic precipitator; flue gas desulfurization; low-NOx burner; selective catalytic reduction; particulate matter

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