Identification of emission sources by trace metal concentration (original) (raw)

Aerosols emitted by antropogenic activity are in relationship to their emission source and exhibit distinguishable characteristics (size, metal concentration and density) that can often univocally identify the source. Nevertheless, different processes can characterize industrial plants that produce the same product. Due to this, dusts emitted by the same source can have different chemical composition and physical properties. This paper reports the analysis carried out on dusts emitted by two cement plants that produce Portland cement, according to a substantially similar technological cycle, realized using the same raw materials. The most important difference between the two cement plants is that one uses a long kiln while the other utilizes a short one equipped with cyclon preheater and precalciner. This causes differences to be noticed in the composition of the dusts emitted by the two plants.