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Energy and the Environment
Book reviews Law/Regulations on Disposal of Solid Waste) considers a number of experiences and makes the very valid point that such regulations are not always technically realistic; constraints in both time and cost are not always considered, but clearly should be. Many environmental problems require a combination of actions in order to remedy them, and the paper makes this clear. Although individual topics have, of necessity. only been addressed briefly the message that new regulations should consider what control measures are actually currently available comes across clearly. Paper 2 (Integrated Resource Recovery -Combination of RDF in a Fluidized Bed Boiler) is a useful paper in the light of increasing difficulties in the disposal of the large amounts of refuse currently being generated. It points out that whereas landfill will remain an important option, it is certainly not the complete answer. Once again. a combination of techniques aimed at efficient separation of the various fractions present within refuse, is suggested, leading to the recycling of useful materials and the generation of a low grade fuel (RDF), ideally suited to combustion in a fluidized bed. The paper is clearly written and well illustrated and makes it clear that fluidized bed combustion of RDF could form an important part of the overall strategy. Paper 3 (Advances in Uses of Modular Waste to Energy Systems) provides useful and well-researched data on the determination of toxic waste, gases and ash measurements, primarily in a gas-fired co-combustion process. Although not necessarily directly applicable to cocombustion with other fuels, the data provide useful pointers in that direction. One minor point refers to p. 25 (cocombustion in energy recovery systems). This comments that cultivated biomass as a fuel will have to await lower oil prices. This is presumably related to the costs associated with its transport, although it is worded in such a way that it could be mistakenly understood to be referring to direct competition with oil as a fuel. This does not detract from a detailed and interesting piece of work. Paper 4 (Economics of Combined Cycle Waste-to-Energy) describes a patented plant that makes use of standardized, proven technologies and components; the plant design and operation is described. The plant is designed around the use of natural gas; the costs of construction and operation. and the operating revenues involved provide useful economic data. However, it might prove difficult to translate this to other
locations, as the economics of such a plant are heavily influenced by local factors, such as availability of fuel. Overall, the paper is well written and makes useful comments on a number of topics. Paper 5 (Economic Evaluation of Process Alternatives for Direct CoalFueled Combustion Turbine Combined Cycle) examines a number of aspects of the use of a slagging combustor system for the production of electricity and carries on from earlier work. The process and operating variables of the slagging system are explored, as are the costs of electricity produced. A useful economic comparison between the plant and a pf/fgd unit, and two combustion turbine combined-cycle plants (fired by distillate oil and natural gas, respectively) is included. It is concluded that electricity produced by natural gas combined cycle plants will still have the edge, based on current costs. This is a well produced paper containing some useful data. The overall layout and presentation is good. Paper 6 (Modified Fluidized-Bed Furnace as a Module for Combined-Cycle Processes with Integrated Coal Gasification) is technically sound, although in many ways, the concept and arguments for it, are common to the British Coal Topping Cycle. In some areas, such as the
CFBC tiring on gas turbine exhaust, the project is technically adventurous and does not appear to consider risks of commercialization (hot gas valves, etc.). Although the paper is clear and fairly concise, the English leaves something to be desired in places. presumably due to difficulties in translation (e.g. combustion instead of combustor). Paper 7 (Potential CO, Emission Reduction Processes) is a summary of a number of techniques for CO2 control. Some of these are currently viable wheieas others are still hypothetical. Some useful general data on CO, sources are included. The point is clearly made that substantial CO, reductions could be made through the use of new coal-fired power generation techniques (combined cycles, etc.). Part of the paper is taken up with techniques potentially useful for the removal of CO, from coal flue gases, although these largely unproven techniques have been well explored elsewhere in the past year or so. Nevertheless, although some descriptions are very brief, the paper is generally well presented and potentially useful to someone working in the field.
s. Mi//s
Energy and the Environment J. Dunderdale (Ed.) Royal Society of Chemistry, Special Publication No. 81, Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, 1990, ISBN O-85186-647-6, pp. 322, f47.50
This timely volume records the proceedings of a symposium organized by the Royal Society of Chemistry and held at the University of Leeds in April 1990. It comprises 18 concise chapters containing sufficient information to permit the reader to compare the environmental impact of, first, energy producing processes and, second, that of energy use. Introductory chapters describe the influence of pollutants on the environment through acid deposition, global warming and destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer. The effects of power generation by nuclear and coal-fired stations are discussed along with those of oil and gas production. Emissions from vehicles, stationary sources of fossil fuel combustion, and from fuel cells are also reviewed. An account of (UK) statutory requirements is included. The chapter on severe nuclear accidents is especially sobering.
Attention is also paid to renewable resources and conservation. Most of the chapters present overviews, although that on vehicle emission control is a research report. Rapid publication in inexpensive soft-cover form has been achieved from camera-ready material so that the volume is an up-todate account: however, the quality of some parts of the reproduction has suffered somewhat. The subject index is especially comprehensive. This book contains a wealth of information, written in a thoroughly readable style, of value to scientist and layman alike. Those involved in decision-making, and indeed in commenting on such decisions. in the fields of energy and the environment should not be without it.
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locations, as the economics of such a plant are heavily influenced by local factors, such as availability of fuel. Overall, the paper is well written and makes useful comments on a number of topics. Paper 5 (Economic Evaluation of Process Alternatives for Direct CoalFueled Combustion Turbine Combined Cycle) examines a number of aspects of the use of a slagging combustor system for the production of electricity and carries on from earlier work. The process and operating variables of the slagging system are explored, as are the costs of electricity produced. A useful economic comparison between the plant and a pf/fgd unit, and two combustion turbine combined-cycle plants (fired by distillate oil and natural gas, respectively) is included. It is concluded that electricity produced by natural gas combined cycle plants will still have the edge, based on current costs. This is a well produced paper containing some useful data. The overall layout and presentation is good. Paper 6 (Modified Fluidized-Bed Furnace as a Module for Combined-Cycle Processes with Integrated Coal Gasification) is technically sound, although in many ways, the concept and arguments for it, are common to the British Coal Topping Cycle. In some areas, such as the
CFBC tiring on gas turbine exhaust, the project is technically adventurous and does not appear to consider risks of commercialization (hot gas valves, etc.). Although the paper is clear and fairly concise, the English leaves something to be desired in places. presumably due to difficulties in translation (e.g. combustion instead of combustor). Paper 7 (Potential CO, Emission Reduction Processes) is a summary of a number of techniques for CO2 control. Some of these are currently viable wheieas others are still hypothetical. Some useful general data on CO, sources are included. The point is clearly made that substantial CO, reductions could be made through the use of new coal-fired power generation techniques (combined cycles, etc.). Part of the paper is taken up with techniques potentially useful for the removal of CO, from coal flue gases, although these largely unproven techniques have been well explored elsewhere in the past year or so. Nevertheless, although some descriptions are very brief, the paper is generally well presented and potentially useful to someone working in the field.
s. Mi//s
Energy and the Environment J. Dunderdale (Ed.) Royal Society of Chemistry, Special Publication No. 81, Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, 1990, ISBN O-85186-647-6, pp. 322, f47.50
This timely volume records the proceedings of a symposium organized by the Royal Society of Chemistry and held at the University of Leeds in April 1990. It comprises 18 concise chapters containing sufficient information to permit the reader to compare the environmental impact of, first, energy producing processes and, second, that of energy use. Introductory chapters describe the influence of pollutants on the environment through acid deposition, global warming and destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer. The effects of power generation by nuclear and coal-fired stations are discussed along with those of oil and gas production. Emissions from vehicles, stationary sources of fossil fuel combustion, and from fuel cells are also reviewed. An account of (UK) statutory requirements is included. The chapter on severe nuclear accidents is especially sobering.
Attention is also paid to renewable resources and conservation. Most of the chapters present overviews, although that on vehicle emission control is a research report. Rapid publication in inexpensive soft-cover form has been achieved from camera-ready material so that the volume is an up-todate account: however, the quality of some parts of the reproduction has suffered somewhat. The subject index is especially comprehensive. This book contains a wealth of information, written in a thoroughly readable style, of value to scientist and layman alike. Those involved in decision-making, and indeed in commenting on such decisions. in the fields of energy and the environment should not be without it.
FUEL, 1991, Vol 70, October
1239