Environmental IMpacts

COAL ash

When coal is burnt in the furnace, ash is made as a byproduct. However, ash comes in different types. Bottom ash, which is larger, falls to the bottom of the furnace and is stored in a silo. Fly ash, which is smaller, is lifted easily by air and can escape outside the furnace. Ash can be a medium for nastiness such as carbon dioxide, making it an environmental hazard.

Bottom ash

As aforementioned, bottom ash is much larger than fly ash, so it drops to the ground when created. It can be easily collected by means of a bottom ash silo. From the bottom ash silo, it is then transported to the ash disposal area via truck. The ash disposal area is a large landfill, roughly three kilometers from the main plant area.

fly ash

Fly ash on the other hand is trickier, since the particles are so small, it is difficult to separate it from regular water vapor. In this case, Electrostatic Precipitators are employed. Fly ash particles are charged, causing them to collect on plates that contain an opposite charge, preventing fly ash from escaping the area. The separated fly ash is then transported to the plant's ash disposal area.

In the disposal site, both ash types are tested to see if they can be recycled into the creation of cement. The ash that does not meet the criteria of the test are left in the disposal site as a landfill. Water is then sprayed on it to prevent it from flying away in the wind and from reigniting. Overall though, majority of the ash may be used in cement making, so the plant donates them to nearby cement factories.

FLUE GAS

Flue gas is also produced when coal is burnt, it contains harmful gases like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Apart from possible respiratory illnesses, these gases may also cause acid rain which can affect livestock, crops, and other bodies of water.

desulfurization

The Sual Power Station combats this by running the emissions through a flue gas desulfurization plant. Sulfuric gases interact with limestone slurry to create non-toxic gypsum slurry and carbon dioxide. This process eliminates the potential harm caused by sulfur in the gases. Desulfurizing fact: the desulfurizing plant is the first in the country and second in Asia!

Sedimentation basins

From the waste water treatment plant, the treated waste water is brought to sedimentation basins to allow the settlement and collection of any remaining sediments. After that, the clean water is brought back to sea.

Waste water

Before releasing back to the ocean, the waste water generated by the Sual Power Plant undergoes treatment in the waste water treatment plant, extracting all harmful subtances.

buffer zone tree planting

Currently, thirty-five (35) hectares of trees have been planted as a buffer zone around the Sual Power Station and the Ash Disposal Area.

liner system technology

Barricades made from high-density polyethylene liners surround the coal yard and ash disposal site to prevent contamination with groundwater

CEMS and COMS

Continuous Emissions Monitoring System and Continuous Opacity Monitoring System. Monitors sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and dust levels of flue gas in the chimney.

Water Sprinkler System

Eliminates and controls the coal dust during operation at the coal yard, coal unloaders, conveying system, and ash disposal area.

Air Monitoring Stations

Three AMs are located in three barangays surrounding the station to monitor the quality of ambient air.

Temperature Monitoring

Water temperature is monitored to ensure that the plant does not have a thermal impact to the marine environment.

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