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The difficulties of dust extraction at the Gas Works are not so
easily overcome but new methods are being tried.
Much of the trouble from smaller installations arises from
inefficient plant operation and generally smoke is caused because of
imperfect combustion of the coal in the furnace. It should be possible
by better operation and supervision to prevent this smoke emission
and thus increase fuel saving. The expected new legislation should
help Local Authorities to encourage industrial consumers to achieve
such improved operation and supervision.
During the year 262 observations of industrial chimneys were
made resulting in the service of 20 notices calling attention to
contraventions of the byelaws.
Your sanitary inspectors who are qualified as smoke inspectors
continued to seek improvements by discussion with managements and
by giving advice on methods of plant operation.
Sulphur Dioxide Pollution
It was stated in last year's Annual Report that the insidious
risk to health due to additional sulphur dioxide emission which will
arise from increased fuel consumption at the Barking Generating
Station, had been brought to the notice of Mr. Somerville Hastings.
M.P., and the Minister of Fuel and Power.
This action gave rise to questions in the House of Commons
asked by Mr. Somerville Hastings and to correspondence with the
Ministry of Fuel and Power.
It seems that the condition of the Thames water at Barking is
such as to preclude its use for flue gas washing as is carried on elsewhere.
There is a division of opinion as to whether flue gas washing
is advisable or not. Such washing reduces the temperature of the
flue gases so that immediately upon discharge from the chimney they
descend, whereas if they were of high temperature they would continue
to ascend, and thus achieve better dispersal. As at present carried
out the removal of sulphur gases is a very expensive process.
The Minister of Fuel and Power stated in the House of Commons
and the Chairman of the British Electricity Authority wrote that
where gas washing is not possible the discharge of flue gases at high
velocity, high temperature and high altitude, is the best method o
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