Dispersion of NO2 pollutant in a gas refinery with AERMOD model: A case study in the Middle East

Zahra Eslamidoost; Morteza Arabzadeh; Vahide Oskoie; Samaneh Dehghani; Mohammad Reza Samaei; Hassan Hashemi; Mohammad Ali Baghapour

doi:10.18502/japh.v7i3.10544

Zahra Eslamidoost Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Morteza Arabzadeh Environmental Unit, Fajr Jam Gas Refinery, Jam, Iran
Vahide Oskoie Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Samaneh Dehghani Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Reza Samaei Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Hassan Hashemi Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Mohammad Ali Baghapour Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/japh.v7i3.10544

Keywords: Air pollution modeling; AERMOD; Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

Abstract

Introduction: Air pollution from industrial sources is a growing problem increasing the amount of air pollution by emitting various gaseous pollutants such as Nitrogen Oxides (NOx). This study analyzed Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) emissions using American Meteorological Society/Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Model (AERMOD) from the stacks and flares of a gas refinery in the Middle East.

Materials and methods: The NO₂ emissions were measured from the stacks and flare of the refinery (231 samples). The distribution of emissions was investigated over a statistical period of 1 year for an average time of 1 h using the AERMOD dispersion model in an area of 25×25 km². The predicted concentrations were compared with national and international standards and are plotted for the desired zones.

Results: Comparison of simulation results with national and international clean air standards showed that NO₂emission modeled in all periods of 4 seasons is higher than the standard. Examination of NO₂ emission and distribution maps also showed that the maximum concentration of NO₂ pollutants occurred in the central parts and the area close to the refinery. The highest maximum concentration of 1-h NO₂was 3744.3716 μg/m³ in summer in the west and south of the refinery. Validation results also showed a high correlation between the predicted and actual results.

Conclusion: The power of resources in emission and distribution, topographic conditions, and meteorological characteristics of the region are three important and influential factors in the distribution of NO₂ pollutants. So pollution reduction strategies are needed due to the different types of use, surrounding residential areas, personnel, and people involved in the gas refining company.