TVA’s Air Quality Management Program

This article reviews the TVA air quality control and studies program since 1950 when the first large coal-burning steam-electric generation station was authorized. It identifies the principal atmospheric emission from both power and chemical operations and describes methods and progress for controls. The scope and magnitude of operations are reviewed. Summary accounts of principal study activities such as engineering appraisals, preoperational documentation, postoperational monitoring, and special diffusion studies are presented. Special studies have included (1) A 5-yr program for definition of plume dispersion rates for principal dispersion models; (2) a 3-yr study of plume rise from plants having a wide range of unit sizes, unit configurations, and stack heights; and (3) a 2-yr study for definition of inversion breakup from large power plant plumes. A summary description is also provided of the air quality program related to the 3,456-MWe Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant.