Abstract
According to emissions data reported to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the BP Products North America Inc. (BP) Texas City Refinery is the worst polluter of all the industries in Texas City and is one of the worst polluting refineries in the country. The facility has reported releasing substantial emissions of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Air dispersion modeling of the emissions from the facility can be used to assess contamination in the community surrounding the BP Texas City Refinery. In the present study, air dispersion modeling of SO2 and VOCs was performed using AERMOD, the EPA-preferred regulatory dispersion model, to determine the impact of BP’s contribution to local air pollution on residents of Texas City and La Marque. SO2 emissions reported to be released by the facility were modeled using AERMOD and it was determined that geographical locations inside this plume experienced ambient air concentrations of SO2 meeting or exceeding 50 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) in 2009 and 2010. Data collected by six active SO2 air monitors located in Texas City support the air dispersion modeling results. Additional modeling was conducted for VOCs emitted by the facility in 2010. The AERMOD analysis of SO2 concentrations in and around the BP facility produced results consistent with data collected by the air monitoring network in Texas City. This confirms the accuracy of AERMOD’s estimations and its reliability as an emissions modeling tool. VOC concentrations available for analysis from the air monitoring network in Texas City are extremely limited in terms of the quantity of VOCs sampled for. This evidence affirms the ability of AERMOD to demonstrate comprehensive contaminant impacts that surpass the ability of the current air monitoring network.
Highlights
The BP Products North America Inc. (BP) Texas City Refinery is an oil refinery that has been in operation since 1998
According to emissions data reported to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the BP Products North America Inc. (BP) Texas City Refinery is the worst polluter of all the industries in Texas City and is one of the worst polluting refineries in the country
The air monitoring data was obtained through TCEQ and other agencies that operate a network of ambient air quality monitoring stations in the Texas City area
Summary
The BP Products North America Inc. (BP) Texas City Refinery is an oil refinery that has been in operation since 1998. (BP) Texas City Refinery is an oil refinery that has been in operation since 1998. The surrounding communities of Texas City and La Marque are located primarily to the west, northwest, north and northeast of the BP facility. The geographic location of Texas City near Galveston Bay, with its high precipitation and humidity, is conducive to the acceleration of chemical processes in the atmosphere. Texas City is located in a county with nonattainment status for ozone. The BP Texas City Refinery emits large quantities of atmospheric pollutants and has an extensive history of poor operational performance, including upsets, excessive emissions events, violations and accidents.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
