How does air pollution control reduce harmful emissions from power plants and factories?

Air pollution control reduces harmful emissions from power plants and factories primarily by trapping or chemically transforming pollutants before they are released into the atmosphere. This process, often referred to as flue gas treatment, employs several specialized technologies:1

• Particulate Removal: Devices such as electrostatic precipitators, cyclones, and baghouse filters capture solid particles and liquid droplets. Precipitators use an electric charge to attract and deposit these particles onto collection plates, allowing for their removal and disposal.123
• Gaseous Pollutant Control: Techniques including absorption, adsorption, and combustion (incineration) are used to neutralize gases. For instance, denitrification units use catalytic reactions with ammonia or urea to convert harmful nitrogen oxides into nitrogen gas.13
• Scrubbing Systems: Wet scrubbers typically use an alkaline slurry, such as limestone or lime, to remove sulfur dioxide from gas streams. These systems are also effective at capturing certain hazardous materials like mercury.3

By implementing these technologies, facilities can significantly decrease the discharge of pollutants that contribute to respiratory illness, acid rain, and climate change.23