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Analysis of Co-Effects on Air Pollutants and CO 2 Emissions Generated by End-of-Pipe Measures of Pollution Control in China’s Coal-Fired Power Plants

Author

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  • Haijun Zhao

    (Department of Environmental and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China)

  • Weichun Ma

    (Department of Environmental and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China)

  • Hongjia Dong

    (Department of Environmental and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
    Fudan Tyndall Centre, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China)

  • Ping Jiang

    (Department of Environmental and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
    Fudan Tyndall Centre, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China)

Abstract

China is now facing great challenges resulting from climate change and air pollution, driven by the processes of industrialization and urbanization. Greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions produced by the coal-fired power industry represent approximately 70% of the total emissions in China’s industrial sector. In this study, 39 coal-fired power plants built in China between 2014 and 2015 were analyzed in regards to the co-effects oncarbon dioxide and air pollutant emissions generated directly and indirectly by end-of-pipe measures of pollution control. After completing the quantitative analysis with input data from 83units of power plants, we found that co-effects were positive only for air pollutant reductions through the implementation of desulfurization, denitrification, and dedusting measures, but co-effects were negative for carbon dioxide production because of the corresponding electricity use and chemical reactions that led to the increases in carbon dioxide emissions. We also performed an assessment of the synergistic coefficients to better understand the degree of co-effects. It will be important for researchers to take a comprehensive view of China’s coal-fired power plants and look for solutions that can maximize positive co-effects and achieve overall co-benefits of reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants.

Suggested Citation

  • Haijun Zhao & Weichun Ma & Hongjia Dong & Ping Jiang, 2017. "Analysis of Co-Effects on Air Pollutants and CO 2 Emissions Generated by End-of-Pipe Measures of Pollution Control in China’s Coal-Fired Power Plants," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:4:p:499-:d:94150
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    Cited by:

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    2. Peng Su & Degen Lin & Chen Qian, 2018. "Study on Air Pollution and Control Investment from the Perspective of the Environmental Theory Model: A Case Study in China, 2005–2014," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-16, June.
    3. Danyang Guo & Jilai Yu & Mingfei Ban, 2018. "Security-Constrained Unit Commitment Considering Differentiated Regional Air Pollutant Intensity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-27, May.
    4. Haoyue Tang & Ping Jiang & Jia He & Weichun Ma, 2020. "Synergies of Cutting Air Pollutants and CO 2 Emissions by the End-of-Pipe Treatment Facilities in a Typical Chinese Integrated Steel Plant," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-23, June.
    5. Xu, Hao & Xu, Jingxuan & Wang, Jie & Hou, Xiang, 2023. "Reduce production or increase efficiency? Hazardous air pollutants regulation, energy use, and the synergistic effect on industrial enterprises' carbon emission," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    6. Ping Jiang & Adila Alimujiang & Hongjia Dong & Xiaoyu Yan, 2019. "Detecting and Understanding Synergies and Co-Benefits of Low Carbon Development in the Electric Power Industry in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-16, December.
    7. Xueyan Liu & Xiaolong Gao, 2018. "A New Study on Air Quality Standards: Air Quality Measurement and Evaluation for Jiangsu Province Based on Six Major Air Pollutants," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-16, October.

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