Air quality assessment and modelling of pollutants emission from a major cement plant complex in Nigeria

Abstract

Cement manufacturing contributes to the elevation of air pollutants in the atmosphere and thus impact on the nearby communities. This study assessed air quality in a major Cement Plant in Ibese Ogun State, Nigeria, through an ambient air quality monitoring and air emission dispersion modelling. Particulate Matter (PM) and gaseous pollutants were measured using portable samplers and AERMOD View was used for the emission dispersion modelling. Combustion products including SO 2 , NO, NO 2 , CO and VOCs were the gaseous pollutants detected along the complex fenceline and in the receptor environments. Pollutants measurements were undertaken at 23 locations within the fence line and receptor locations. The daily SO 2 and NO 2 Federal Ministry of Environment - Nigeria (FMEnv) limits were exceeded in ten (10) and five (5) locations along the fenceline, respectively. Particulates were detected in all the locations along the fenceline and in the communities. The cumulative gaseous pollutants resulting from simultaneous operations of all the identified plant air emission point sources are 0.01–276.13% of their respective 24-h limits along the fenceline, with 1-h SO 2 within the threshold limit at all fenceline locations, but 1-h NO X exceeds the threshold limit at all locations 16–21 times. The 24-h CO and VOCs are within their limits at all fenceline locations; however the 24-h SO 2 and NO X are breaching the limits at some locations 30–34 times (0.34–0.39% of the investigation period) and 44–87 times, respectively. Daily and Annual averaging concentrations of PM 10 was 14.32–31.54% and 4.90–52.60% of their respective limits. Process facilities are the major point sources of atmospheric emissions identified in the factory. Several fugitive emission sources were also identified during the field work. Comprehensive evaluation of the fugitive emission sources should be carried out in the cement plant for immediate attention. • Pollutants measurements were undertaken at 23 locations around a Nigerian major cement plant complex. • AERMOD View was used to model the impact of the cement plant activities on the receptor environment. • The daily SO 2 and NO 2 FMEnv - Nigeria and the World Bank’s limits were exceeded in 10 locations. • Process facilities are the major point sources of atmospheric emissions identified in the factory.