Air quality impacts of a coal-fired power plant in the Upper Cook Inlet of Alaska

• Main Author: McNaughton, D. J.
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; ALASKA; FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS; SULFUR DIOXIDE; MONITORING; COAL; DATA ANALYSIS; DATA COMPILATION; DIAGRAMS; ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT; MATHEMATICAL MODELS; NITROGEN DIOXIDE; PLANTS; PLUMES; REGIONAL ANALYSIS; TABLES; VELOCITY; WIND; CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS; CHALCOGENIDES; DATA; DATA FORMS; ENERGY SOURCES; FOSSIL FUELS; FUELS; INFORMATION; MASS TRANSFER; NITROGEN COMPOUNDS; NITROGEN OXIDES; NORTH AMERICA; NUMERICAL DATA; OXIDES; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION; POWER PLANTS; SULFUR COMPOUNDS; SULFUR OXIDES; THERMAL POWER PLANTS; USA; Pacific; Beluga; Beluga*; Alaska
• Online Access: http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/5886858; https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5886858; https://doi.org/10.2172/5886858

Air quality impacts for a proposed 500-MWe power plant in the Upper Cook Inlet are analyzed using screening-level models as a means to study coal development in Alaska. Simulation cases were run that examined impacts of controls on sulfur dioxide emissions. Results indicated that the highest concentrations of sulfur dioxide occur for the uncontrolled case whereas lower plume rise causes maximum concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and total suspended particulates when sulfur dioxide emissions controls reduce plume rise. Plume interactions with terrain result in maximum plant impacts and indicate a sensitivity of results to plant location. Analysis of visibility degradation and sulfate formation indicated small plant impacts on the Cook Inlet. The generic plant simulated at Beluga would be in compliance with federal and state standards when sulfur dioxide emissions are controlled but would exceed prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) increments for sulfur dioxide if emissions are not controlled, which would indicate, when model conservatism is considered, a need for further studies if sulfur dioxide emissions were not controlled. Impacts for a plant significantly different from the generic plant in design and location would require additional study.