[A-CG39] Global Carbon Cycle Observation and Analysis

[ACG39-10] Quantification of SO₂ and CO₂ Emission Rates from Coal-Fired Power Plants in the Korean Peninsula via Airborne Measurement

*Jeonghwan Kim¹, Yongjoo Choi¹, Gangwoong Lee¹, Jihoon Son¹, Jongbyeok Jun¹, Beom-Keun Seo², Misun Lee², Chisung Yun¹ (1.Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, 2.Hanseo University)

Keywords:Emission rates, Airborne measurements, Gaussian footprint, Mass balance

A reliable ensemble averaging method was developed to quantify sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission rates from the Taean and Dangjin power plants in South Korea by integrating the mass balance and Gaussian footprint approaches, while accounting for individual uncertainties and deviations arising from distinct modeling assumptions and measurement variability. Eighteen representative spiral flights in 2022 and 2023 were conducted to evaluate emission rates, revealing several optimal conditions for accurate quantification, including a small spiral radius with a fine vertical resolution under unstable atmospheric conditions. Validation of the estimated SO₂ emission rate revealed comparable correlation coefficients (R>0.72) between the two methods and the real time automatic telemonitoring system (CleanSYS). The ensemble method mitigated the sensitivity of the Gaussian footprint to meteorological conditions and high uncertainty in the mass balance, resulting in an improved correlation of the estimated SO₂ emission rate with that measured by the CleanSYS (R>0.78). When the same approach was applied, the CO₂ emission estimates from both methods displayed a high correlation (R>0.78), confirming the robustness of our ensemble method. Although there was no significant difference between monthly electricity production in 2022 (October and November) and 2023 (May, October and November), the SO₂ emission rates decreased by 37% and 29% from the ensemble method and CleanSYS, respectively; however, CO₂ emission rates increased by approximately 62% at Taean and 83% at Dangjin. This could be attributed to the usage of carbon-intensive fuel sources, more intensive operation during research flight, and the desulfurization process aimed at reducing SO₂ emissions, which releases CO₂ as a byproduct. This study highlights the broad application of our ensemble method for emission monitoring, particularly in CO₂, where real-time emission monitoring systems are absent.