STACK PARAMETER CONSIDERATIONS:

1.Stack Height:
Air pollution control considerations are the principal determinant for stack heights in modern
power plants. While fly ash may be effectively removed from flue gas by mechanical
collectors and electrostatic precipitators, no practical means other than stacks have been
found acceptable for disposition of the large quantity of sulphur dioxide formed in coal
combustion
Based on field experience have demonstrated that downwash does not pose a problem where
the stack height is at least 2 ½ times the height of the powerhouse or other nearby structures
and appropriate efflux velocities are provided.
"The well known 2 ½ times rule concerning chimney heights is commendable because it is
comprehensible as a working rule, it has no precise theoretical justification, and if experience
proved to be inadequate it could be changed by Act of Parliament."[1].
Thermal Power Plants : Stack Height/Limits:

Generation Capacity Stack Height (Metres)

500 MW and above 275

200 MW/21 0 MW and above to 220
less than 500 MW H=1 4(Q)0.3 where Q is emission
Less than 200 MW/210 MW rate of SO2 in kg/hr, and H is
Stack height in metres.

Source : EPA Notification

[G.S.R. 742(E), dt. 30th Aug; 1990]
2.Stack Exit Velocity:
A trend for the use of increasingly greater flue gas exit velocity is evident in the design of
steam plants over recent .years. In some circumstances, such as legal restriction of stack
heights for airways control, there may be no alternative to the use of higher exit velocities for
obtaining necessary plume dilution. In other instances existing structures a velocity of 50 to
60 fps has been conventionally accepted as adequate to prevent significant downwash in the
lee of the stack. Also, for velocities in this order the available draft in the stacks is
approximately equivalent to the draft loss in the stacks. Higher velocities, say 90 to
120fps.[1].
A rule of thumb for avoiding stack-tip down-wash is to make the exit velocity at least 1.5
times the wind speed at the top of the stack [2]
3.Flue Gas Exit Temperature:
The minimum flue gas exit temperature is dependent on the sulphur content of the coal fired.
Sulphur oxides in the stack gases, produced as a result of combustion, react with water
vapour to form sulphuric acid that condenses on the stack when the flue gas temperature is
reduced below the condensation temperature of sulphuric acid. The condensation temperature
is lower for high sulphur coals; however, experience with a large variety of coals indicates
that a flue gas temperature maintained above 135°C (275°F) is sufficient for the safe
operation of pulverized coal fired boilers.[3][4]
Ranges Of Stack Parameter :
S.No Stack Parameters Maximum Range Minimum Range
1 Stack Exit Velocity 37m/S 15m/S
2. Stack Exit Temperature 1600c 1350c
3. Stack Heigth - 2 ½ Times Of Height
Of The Power House

References:
1.F. W. Thomas , S. B. Carpenter & F. E. Gartrell (1963) Stacks—How High? , Journal of the
Air Pollution Control Association, 13:5, 198-204, DOI:10.1080/00022470.1963.10468165.
2.Laboratories for the 21st Century: Best Practices Guide: Modeling Exhaust Dispersion for
Specifying Acceptable Exhaust/Intake Design (Brochure)
3.Mechanical Engineering Thermodynamics I Supplementary Notes On Steam Power Plants.
4.Desalination and water resources thermal power plant and cogeneration planning volume :2