COMPARISON OF PARTICLES TAKEN FROM THE ESP AND PLUME OF A COAL-FIRED POWER-PLANT WITH BACKGROUND AEROSOL-PARTICLES

In order to determine the biological effects of plume flyash arising from the emissions of a coal-fired power plant, a major study is underway to develop an in-plume sampling capability in order to collect a sufficient quantity of material to permit toxicological testing. To ascertain the effects of plume flyash, it is necessary to be able to determine that the collected particles were emitted from the plant and are distinguishable from the background aerosol particles. It is also of interest to compare the plume particles with those collected by the electrostatic precipitator (ESP). Samples of both in-plume and background aerosol particles were collected from a helicopter. Preliminary experiments were conducted to determine if computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy (CCSEM) can be used to examine such in-plume samples and to relate the observed particle types to the conditions under which they were collected.