Modeling the Dispersion of Gaseous Pollutants CO and NO2 from Fixed Sources (Stacks) Using AERMOD model (Maroon petrochemical company)

A Izadrezaei; M Ahmadi Nadoushan; P Lotfi

doi:10.18502/tkj.v14i4.12309

A Izadrezaei Department of Environmental Sciences, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
M Ahmadi Nadoushan Department of Environmental Sciences, Waste and Wastewater Research Center, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
P Lotfi Department of Environmental Sciences, Waste and Wastewater Research Center, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tkj.v14i4.12309

Keywords: Air Pollution, Modeling, AERMOD, Petrochemical Industries

Abstract

Introduction: AERMOD model is a Gaussian model, which is widely used to model the emission of air pollutants from different sources and for distances less than 50 km from emission sources. Nowadays, petrochemical industries are one of the essential and cost-effective industries for the country. So, along with the progress of these industries, air pollution control should be considered. The purpose of this study is to model the dispersion of two pollutants, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides, emitted from Maroon petrochemical stacks.

Materials and Methods: In this study, the emission of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides from the stacks of the Maroon Petrochemical Complex was modeled using the AERMOD model in 2019. For modeling the dispersion of pollutants using AERMOD, which is the model proposed by the EPA for comprehensive studies of air pollution, the three-hour data from Bandar Mahshahr synoptic station as well as a digital elevation model with 30 m pixel size were gathered and then modeling was done in an area of 2500 square kilometers.

Results: The results indicated that the average annual concentration of nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide pollutants was 1.44 and 1.3 mg/m3, respectively, at a distance of 900 meters from the stacks. This land area includes Maroon Petrochemical Complex and does not affect residential areas.

Conclusion: The results of this study also indicated that the AERMOD model is suitable for comprehensive studies, with a focus on pollution concentration.

The results of this study showed that the concentration of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide pollutants is lower than the standards assigned by the Iranian Department of Environment. Maintenance programs, employee health monitoring, output control, and appropriate controls under EPA recommendations have a significant impact on controlling and reducing pollutant emissions. The result of this study also showed that the AERMOD model is highly efficient in comprehensive air pollution studies that require a detailed investigation of pollutant concentration.