Current and future emissions of primary pollutants from coal-fired power plants in Shaanxi, China

A high-resolution inventory of primary atmospheric pollutants from coal-fired power plants in Shaanxi in 2012 was built based on a detailed database compiled at unit level involving unit capacity, boiler size and type, commission time, corresponding control technologies, and average coal quality of 72 power plants. The pollutants included SO2, NOx, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), inhalable particulate matter (PM10), organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), carbon monoxide (CO) and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC). Emission factors for SO2, NOx, PM2.5 and PM10 were adopted from standardized official promulgation, supplemented by those from local studies. The estimated annual emissions of SO2, NOx, PM2.5, PM10, EC, OC, CO and NMVOC were 152.4, 314.8, 16.6, 26.4, 0.07, 0.27, 64.9 and 2.5 kt, respectively. Small units (<100 MW), which accounted for similar to 60% of total unit numbers, had less coal consumption but higher emission rates compared to medium (>= 100 MW and <300 MW) and large units (>= 300 MW). Main factors affecting SO2, NOx, PM2.5 and PM10 emissions were decontamination efficiency, sulfur content and ash content of coal. Weinan and Xianyang were the two cities with the highest emissions, and Guanzhong Plain had the largest emission density. Despite the projected growth of coal consumption, emissions would decrease in 2030 due to improvement in emission control technologies and combustion efficiencies. SO2 and NOx emissions would experience significant reduction by similar to 81% and similar to 84%, respectively. PM2.5, PM10, EC and OC would be decreased by similar to 43% and CO and NMVOC would be reduced by similar to 16%. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.