The paper presents the results of the research on particle size distribution of dust emitted from drybottom boilers burning pulverized coal. A cascade impactor separated fly-ash particles into seven size fractions with the following equivalent aerodynamic diameters: 0.38; 0.88; 1.9; 2.9; 6.3; 10.0 μm. Cumulative size-specific emission factors were determined. In order to obtain some information on the trace elements distribution in the fly-ash size-fraction concentration of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Zr, Sr, Pb, Br was determined in the samples collected. The elemental analysis was performed by Proton Induced X-Ray Emission Spectroscopy. Small mass loadings obtained from the cascade impactor, which are often insufficient for other analytical methods, are well within the sensitivity range of the PIXE/RBS analysis. The results of the research concerning one of the domestic power stations arc presented as an example.

The emission of dust from power and industrial sources introduces a lot of contaminants into the air, including compounds of trace clements contained in fuels and raw materials. They arc contained in rcspirablc dust particles, creating hazard to human health. The results of investigations into the occurrence of selected trace clements in PM1, PM25 and PM10 fractions of dust emitted from coal-fired boilers equipped with air protection devices such as cyclone, clectrofiltcr, wet and dry-scrubbing FGD plant have been presented. Dust emitted from a coke battery (battery heating) and rotary kiln for cement manufacture was also subjected to research. The research material was taken by means of a cascade impactor, enabling a fraction or different grain size dust to be separated from a stream of dust collected in an elcctrofiltcr. The ICP-AES method (of atomic emission spectrometry (AES) with plasma excitation) was used to determine the trace clements alter prior mineralization of samples by microwave method. The results of measurements and analyses were presented by determining the ranges of trace elements occurrence in flue dust and emission factors in PM,s It was found out that big utility boilers and rotary kilns in the cement industry which are equipped with air protection devices meeting BAT requirements do not contaminate the air with dust and dust-related trace elements in the amounts that could create hazard. Excessive emission of dust, including a resp i rabie fraction is still observed in the case of municipal heating plants equipped solely with mechanical dust separators (cyclones). Coke battery heating docs not pose danger due to small range of influence.