Gases and ash particles are created when coal is burnt.
Apart from possible health problems, ash particles contain salts which can damage surface and groundwater.
One of the advantages of the brown coal at Loy Yang Power is that it contains quite small amounts of sulfur. This means that when the brown coal is burnt sulfur dioxide emissions are relatively small. However there are potential health and acid rain issues with any sulfur dioxide emission.
Carbon dioxide adds to the enhanced greenhouse effect. Refer to the Energy section of this case study.
Gas and particle emissions from the boilers first go to 'electrostatic dust precipitators'. These trap over 99% of the ash.
Ash collected by the precipitators is carried in pipes by water to a settling pond (see Waste).
Emissions not trapped by the precipitators are released to the air through two 260 metre high chimneys (higher than the Rialto building) whose height helps disperse the gases and the small quantities of ash remaining.
Sulphur dioxide emissions are kept within Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) licence levels by making sure that coal with a high sulfur level is mixed with coal with a low sulfur level in the bunker.
Chimneys
Noise is created by the power station, dredgers, conveyor belts and by other vehicle movements around the site. This can disturb local residents and native animals.
Noise levels are measured around the site and kept within noise limits set by the EPA. Plantations of trees are also used as buffers between the mine and nearby housing.
Dust from a truck
Large particles of dust can be annoying to mine workers and to people who live or work near a mine site, making roofs dirty or being blown into drinking water tanks. Wind-blown dust from the mine's floor is the main source of dust. Also, trucks and other vehicles driving around the mine site can raise dust.
Dust levels are measured, the mine floor is sprayed during hot, dry or windy conditions to keep dust levels down, and water trucks spray the roads where necessary.
