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88
In December, I issued to the Council a special report which set out in detail
particulars of the Station (which is the largest generating station in Europe and will
shortly have a capacity of 540,000 kilowatts) and also of modern practice for the
prevention of grit and sulphur emission.
The coal consumed is 20,000 tons weekly.
We have been in conference with the Engineers of the Company, with a view to
reducing the grit emission, particularly from the pulverized fuel installation.
Grit Emission from Wood Fuel.—Complaints of grit emission were received from
260 residents in the neighbourhood of a wood-block factory, where the wood refuse
was being burned in the furnace of a Lancashire Boiler. Considerable nuisance
was being caused. The Company in the autumn installed a new furnace, but the
nuisance continued. A gas-producer furnace was later placed on order but at the
time of writing we are unable to say with what success this will be operated. The
cost of the installation is £3,200.
A summons was issued against the Company and at present stands adjourned.
Grit Emission from Mechanically Fired Vertical Boiler.—At a small factory
near Abbey Road grit was emitted and deposited in nearby houses.
A grit arrestor of the centrifugal type has been fixed.
Stone-dust Emission.—In the industrial area at River Road, we have experienced
trouble from the operations of road material hauliers and manufacturers.
In the one case the nuisance arises from the discharge from the steamer to the
road lorry of fine granite and similar dusty material and in the second case from the
grading and screening plant. Although de-dusting screens were in operation the
nuisance was considerable.
Whilst alterations in handling have been effected this has only mitigated the
nuisance.
It is clear that an elaborate and expensive electro-static precipitation plant
would effect a cure, but the cost of this on such a small plant would be considerable.