Question

1) The power company is considering installing a new plant using natural gas as fuel to generate the same amount of energy. If the natural gas to be used has an energy capacity of 43MJ/m³ (mega joules per cubic meter of gas)

a) Estimate the volume of natural gas needed in m3/yr.

b) Calculate the annual emissions of criteria pollutants including SO₂, NO_x, PM and green house gasses including CO₂ and CO using the appropriate emission factors given in the table below.

2) Given the cost of Bituminous coal is $750/MT and natural gas is $25/m³ calculate the operating costs for the plant per year.

3) Based on the emission estimates and costs which fuel would you recommend as the best fossil fuel power source for the plant? Why?

Pollutant	Anthracite coal	Bituminous coal	Fuel oil	Natural Gas
CO2 (g/GJ)	94600	101000	77400	56100
SO2 (g/GJ)	765	1361	1350	0.68
NOx (g/GJ)	292	183	195	93.3
CO (g/GJ)	89.1	89.1	15.7	14.5
Particulate matter (g/GJ)	1203	3254	16	0.1