Value of Forestation in Absorbing Carbon Dioxide Surrounding a Coal Fired Power Plant

摘要

The dispersion of carbon dioxide emitted from 1000 MW(e) coal fired power plant is investigated. Calculated ground level carbon dioxide concentrations as a function of distance from the power plant stack is validated by the results derived from sulfur dioxide dispersion measurements. Forestation is examined as a means for removal and control of atmospheric carbon dioxide at a distance of 5 to 10 km away from the power plant stack. An equilibrium and a dynamic approach are considered. For an average temperate zone forest growth rate (7.42 mg/dm exp 2 h), the overall reduction in forested land area required to remove the equivalent of all of the CO sub 2 from a 1000 MW(e) power plant would be less than 3.3% compared to removing the equivalent amount of CO sub 2 by planting forests remotely from the plant. If faster growing tropical plants or trees having up to 4 times the temperate plant growth rate were used, there would be a maximum savings of 15% in forested land area compared to a remote planting. This magnitude of reduction in cultivated forest area is insufficient to recommend planting forested areas adjacent to central power stations as a means of controlling CO sub 2 emission. Rather it is suggested to provide sufficient increased regional forested areas on a global scale for the purposes of absorbing the equivalent increase in CO sub 2 emission due to increased fossil fuel use. (ERA citation 06:004764)