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42
32. SMOKE ABATEMENT.
During the year, 164 smoke observations were carried out on factory chimneys,
and notices were served with respect to the 18 offences registered.
At the present time, bye-laws are not in operation in the district, but the permissible
limit recognised generally is two minutes black smoke in every observation
of thirty minutes duration.
In June, 1930, the Electricity Commissioners appointed a Committee "To
consider and report upon the measures which have been taken both in this eountiy
and in others to obviate the emission of soot, ash, grit and gritty particles from the
chimneys of electric power stations." The Committee took evidence so far as power
station practice in this country is concerned, and visited twenty power stations in
Germany and France.
In December, 1932, the Committee reported "Where it is possible to carry
out the recommendations contained in this Report, the creation of a dust nuisance
will be avoided. The Committee appreciate, however, that at some existing stations
there may be considerations which render it impossible to give full effect to the
recommendations."
The generating station at Creeksmouth is one of two stations in this country
having a capacity of over 200,000 kilowatts.
The plant includes stoker-fired and pulverised fuel-fired installations.
The grit extraction plant fitted is of the Cyclone type. The dust extraction
plant recommended by the Committee of the Electricity Commissioners is one
consisting of electrostatic precipitators.
Our information is that there would be very considerable difficulty in incorporating
such plant with existing installations.
The two additional 75,000 kilowatt sets referred to in my Report for last year
have not yet commenced operation.
The new chimneys are 250 feet high, the chimneys of the pulverised fuel plant
are 185 feet high, and the chimneys of the old stoker-fired plants are at present
being extended 60 feet in height.