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dealing with the problem of sulphur gas emission. The Minister also
said that "a steady decrease in fuel consumption at Barking Generating
Station is to be expected from now onwards, and the discharge of
sulphur oxides will, therefore, be reduced".
The problem of sulphur gas pollution of the atmosphere is
undoubtedly one which will require a great deal more research before
it is finally solved. All coal contains from 1% to 2\% of sulphur
mainly in the form of pyrites, and there is no known method of
extracting it before combustion. Some authorities believe that more
efficient cleaning of the coal at the pit head would effect a considerable
reduction in he sulphur content and also in the ash content. In 1954
55.2% of th national output of coal was mechanically cleaned and
about 50 ne plants are in various stages of erection.
The use of smokeless fuels is not the complete answer to sulphur
gas emission because there is some sulphur in these fuels.
Reseach is continually going on to seek an economic method
of overcoming the problem.
Wood Ash
In the Borough there are several furnaces which are fired with
wood waste The burning of such a fuel requires a different type
of installation and different technique from that required for burning
coal. A large combustion chamber and an increased air supply is
required for efficient combustion. If too little air is supplied black
smoke is emitted from the chimney. If too much air is supplied the
velocity of the flue gases is such that wood ash is carried up the
chimney.
Careful operation is, therefore, essential to avoid nuisance and
even with the best equipment available an unskilled or disinterested
stoker can cause trouble.
Constant attention has to be given to this matter and emissions
of ash have been checked regularly.
In one case which gave particular trouble to nearby residents,
the owners experimented with alterations to their furnace and considerable
improvement was achieved. In another case where nuisance
was being caused to an adjoining factory the management are taking
step to place their furnace with one more suitable for wood burning.
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