air pollution

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Write an essay on air pollution arising from coal-fired electricity generating plants and on measures to reduce the amount of air pollutants in the flue gas

Coal is burnt to release energy to generate electricity for the daily usage of many households and factories. However, coal-fired electricity generating plants also produce many air pollution problems that may damage our environment and harm our health. In this essay, both the problems and the measures to reduce them will be discussed.

Air pollutants arising from coal-fired electricity generating plants

. Sulphur dioxide (SO2)

Coal is burnt in coal-fired electricity generating plants to generate electricity. But the coal used in power plants may not be very pure and may contain some sulphur-containing compounds. As a result, when these impurities are burnt in the presence of oxygen, unwanted pollutants may be produced. In the case of sulphur, and acidic gas, sulphur dioxide will be produced.
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S(s) + O2(g) SO2(g)

Sulphur dioxide gas is an acidic gas and causes serious air pollution. It attacks human respiratory system. In addition, it can dissolve in rain water to form acid rain which can damage buildings.

SO2(g) + H2O(1) H2SO3(aq)

2H2SO3(aq) + O2(g) 2H2SO4(aq)

2. Nitrogen oxides (NO, NO2)

Due to the high temperature in the combustion chamber, nitrogen in air reacts with oxygen to produce nitrogen monoxide.

N2(g) + O2(g) 2NO(g)

Nitrogen monoxide react with oxygen in air, producing nitrogen dioxide.

2NO(g) + O2(g) 2NO2(g)

Nitrogen oxides ...

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