Final Activity Report Summary - RAPIT SOFCS (Reducing Air Pollution In Turkey using Solid Oxide Fuel Cells)
This project linked expertise in air pollution and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) from Turkey and the United Kingdom (UK). The overall aim was to emphasise the public health advantages of generating energy without emissions. Three fellows were exchanged between Turkey and UK during this project, for a total of 27 months. There were three components to this project:
- Estimating pollution sources and emissions in Bursa
A 100-page review report on air quality in Bursa was published by Tubitak-Butal and 2 4-page summary documents (one in English and one in Turkish) were compiled. Preliminary annual source estimates for 2 000, indicate that coal combustion for industrial and domestic electricity generation dominates SO2 and PM10 emissions in Bursa. Coal-fired power stations produce 63 % and 73 % of the SO2 and PM10 emissions, respectively. Domestic fuel combustion contributes 15 % of total PM10 and total SO2 emissions in Bursa. Road traffic contributes 20 % of SO2 emissions in Bursa, and 12 % of PM10 emissions. Of those emissions, diesel vehicles dominate: diesel vehicles generate almost 95 % and 90 % of annual PM10 and SO2 emissions. While these estimates have high uncertainty, they serve as a guide to the main sources of air pollution in Bursa.
- Air quality measurements
Statistical analysis of the SO2 and black smoke measurements in comparison to EU assessment thresholds and limit values were completed for Bursa. Concentrations of SO2 and black smoke have been measured daily in Bursa since 1996 at 10 stationary monitors around Bursa using British standard BS1747 methods. SO2 levels were found to be very high in Bursa, especially in winter and continue to be a public health issue. Highest SO2 levels occurred simultaneously with high black smoke levels. SO2 significantly exceeded the 24-hour and calendar year EU limit values every year. Black smoke levels are also very high in Bursa, especially in winter. Since no PM2.5 or PM10 data were available in Bursa, this project established a new monitoring site using a Partisol sampler to separate fine and coarse particles. Data from this site showed that Bursa was on a par with many major cities in rapidly developing countries, and that the health consequences of air pollution may be significant to public health. Around 10 % of total deaths may be related to particulate pollution alone.
- ToK training programme on SOFCs
Project staff delivered seven days of Transfer of Knowledge (ToK) seminars, the first taught course on SOFC in Turkey. 13 talks about the project were given by Dr Kendall, at local, national and international meetings. All events were held in Turkey, normally at TUBITAK sites.
As an introduction to the project, Dr Kendall chaired a session on 'Air quality, energy and health effects' at a national symposium held in Bursa, and invited five international and local speakers to talk about energy generation, air pollution and health. SOFC technology: design, operation and application was a two-day intensive course at Tubitak-MAM, Gebze, Istanbul, during month 9 of the project (20-21 September 2007). 29 attendees from all sectors in Turkey, already working in some capacity on SOFCs, came for the two day taught course on SOFCs provided by a leading international SOFC scientist. SOFCs in Turkey: markets and barriers was a 1-day intensive course during month 14 (20 April 2007). Dr Michaela Kendall provided the course, 2 invited speakers provided insight into ongoing work on SOFCs in Turkey and 16 scientists attended. Fuel cell development, deployment and demonstration was a 1-day intensive course during month 15 (21 May 2007). Two invited speakers, plus PEM and SOFC fuel cells demonstrations were provided to 15 attending scientists. Discussion on new EU proposals was offered at an international meeting on SOFCs organised by Nigde University, Nigde, during month 23 (November 2007).
- Estimating pollution sources and emissions in Bursa
A 100-page review report on air quality in Bursa was published by Tubitak-Butal and 2 4-page summary documents (one in English and one in Turkish) were compiled. Preliminary annual source estimates for 2 000, indicate that coal combustion for industrial and domestic electricity generation dominates SO2 and PM10 emissions in Bursa. Coal-fired power stations produce 63 % and 73 % of the SO2 and PM10 emissions, respectively. Domestic fuel combustion contributes 15 % of total PM10 and total SO2 emissions in Bursa. Road traffic contributes 20 % of SO2 emissions in Bursa, and 12 % of PM10 emissions. Of those emissions, diesel vehicles dominate: diesel vehicles generate almost 95 % and 90 % of annual PM10 and SO2 emissions. While these estimates have high uncertainty, they serve as a guide to the main sources of air pollution in Bursa.
- Air quality measurements
Statistical analysis of the SO2 and black smoke measurements in comparison to EU assessment thresholds and limit values were completed for Bursa. Concentrations of SO2 and black smoke have been measured daily in Bursa since 1996 at 10 stationary monitors around Bursa using British standard BS1747 methods. SO2 levels were found to be very high in Bursa, especially in winter and continue to be a public health issue. Highest SO2 levels occurred simultaneously with high black smoke levels. SO2 significantly exceeded the 24-hour and calendar year EU limit values every year. Black smoke levels are also very high in Bursa, especially in winter. Since no PM2.5 or PM10 data were available in Bursa, this project established a new monitoring site using a Partisol sampler to separate fine and coarse particles. Data from this site showed that Bursa was on a par with many major cities in rapidly developing countries, and that the health consequences of air pollution may be significant to public health. Around 10 % of total deaths may be related to particulate pollution alone.
- ToK training programme on SOFCs
Project staff delivered seven days of Transfer of Knowledge (ToK) seminars, the first taught course on SOFC in Turkey. 13 talks about the project were given by Dr Kendall, at local, national and international meetings. All events were held in Turkey, normally at TUBITAK sites.
As an introduction to the project, Dr Kendall chaired a session on 'Air quality, energy and health effects' at a national symposium held in Bursa, and invited five international and local speakers to talk about energy generation, air pollution and health. SOFC technology: design, operation and application was a two-day intensive course at Tubitak-MAM, Gebze, Istanbul, during month 9 of the project (20-21 September 2007). 29 attendees from all sectors in Turkey, already working in some capacity on SOFCs, came for the two day taught course on SOFCs provided by a leading international SOFC scientist. SOFCs in Turkey: markets and barriers was a 1-day intensive course during month 14 (20 April 2007). Dr Michaela Kendall provided the course, 2 invited speakers provided insight into ongoing work on SOFCs in Turkey and 16 scientists attended. Fuel cell development, deployment and demonstration was a 1-day intensive course during month 15 (21 May 2007). Two invited speakers, plus PEM and SOFC fuel cells demonstrations were provided to 15 attending scientists. Discussion on new EU proposals was offered at an international meeting on SOFCs organised by Nigde University, Nigde, during month 23 (November 2007).