Emissions
from South Asian Brick Production
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Abstract
Thirteen South Asian
brick kilns were tested to quantify aerosol
and gaseous pollutant emissions. Particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>), carbon monoxide (CO), and optical scattering and absorption measurements
in the exhaust of six kiln technologies demonstrate differences in
overall emission profiles and relative climate warming resulting from
kiln design and fuel choice. Emission factors differed between kiln
types, in some cases by an order of magnitude. The kilns currently
dominating the sector had the highest emission factors of PM<sub>2.5</sub> and light absorbing carbon, while improved Vertical Shaft and Tunnel
kilns were lower emitters. An improved version of the most common
technology in the region, the zig-zag kiln, was among the lowest emitting
kilns in PM<sub>2.5</sub>, CO, and light absorbing carbon. Emission
factors measured here are lower than those currently used in emission
inventories as inputs to global climate models; 85% lower (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) and 35% lower for elemental carbon (EC) for the most common
kiln in the region, yet the ratio of EC to total carbon was higher
than previously estimated (0.96 compared to 0.47). Total annual estimated
emissions from the brick industry are 120 Tg CO<sub>2</sub>, 2.5 Tg
CO, 0.19 Tg PM<sub>2.5</sub>, and 0.12 Tg EC