Abstract
This paper discusses a life cycle analysis of a
thermal power plant to quantify environmental impacts of
thermal power production at an old power plant. Coal is used
in electricity generation worldwide and many power plants in
developing countries are very old. Knowing the life cycle
environmental impacts of such power plants is very important
since they produce a lot of greenhouse gases. This paper
develops life cycle inventories for an old power plant in Africa
and identifies ways to minimize coal consumption for the same
capacity of power output. A life cycle assessment (LCA) was
done for the power plant. The emitted carbon dioxide, sulphur
dioxide, nitrous oxides and solid waste have adverse effects on
flora, fauna, water bodies and humans. A number of
environmental metrics were obtained for the thermal power
plant and these form the basis for future comparative and
extended studies.