AERMOD View Research Articles

Analysis of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Exhaust Gas Emission Distribution Patterns from Airport’s Incinerators in East Java

The airport in this study is one of the airports in East Java that uses an incinerator to process its waste. Emissions generated by the incinerator will disperse in the area surrounding one of the airports in East Java. With the increasing interest of the public in air travel, activity at the airport also increases. This increase also impacts the amount of waste processed by the incinerator and the emissions produced, including Sulfur Dioxide (SO2). The aim of this study is to analyze the dispersion of air pollutants using Aermod View modeling software with SO2 parameters from environmental document data of the airport from January to June and from July to December generated by the incinerator stack. The model produces isopleths representing the dispersion of SO2 emissions. The results of the SO2 model still meet ambient air quality standards, as indicated in Appendix VII of Government Regulation Number 22 of 2021.

Studying effects of emissions from thermal power plants on ambient air quality in Cam Pha city

The article presents some research results on assessing emissions from the chimneys of Cam Pha, Mong Duong 1 and Mong Duong 2 thermal power plants through comparison of the concentrations of TSP, SO2 and NOx with national and local standards on industrial emissions (QCVN 22:2009/BTNMT, QCDP 5:2020/QN), and applying AERMOD VIEW 10.2.1 software to simulate pollutant dispersions in order to evaluate the effects of this emission on ambient air quality in Cam Pha city. The research results show that at several times, the emission concentrations of all three parameters of TSP, NOx và SO2 were higher than standard values, with the maximum frequencies of exceeding standard were 2,79%, 25,92% and 8%, respectively. The maximum levels of exceeding standard were 4,29 times for TSP, 4,04 times for NOx and 7,17 times for SO2. The research results also indicate that there is a place where the hourly average concentration of NO2 is 2.7 times higher than the local standard QCDP 4:2020/QN on ambient air quality. The simulation results of pollutant dispersions showed that the area in the west-northwest of Mong Duong 1 and 2 thermal power plants has concentrations of SO2 and NO2 (hourly average) exceeding the current allowable standards.

Correlation between odour and hydrogen sulphide concentrations from municipal wastewater treatment plant immissions

The study focused on odours generated by hydrogen sulphide (H2S) immissions from a municipal wastewater treatment plant in a city of 2 million people. Odour awareness was vital to monitor environmental pollution and human’s safety. H2S was released from decomposition of organic matter, sulphites (SO32-) and sulphates (SO42-) by anaerobic microorganisms used in the biological stage of wastewater treatment. H2S was responsible for odours coming from the treatment plant. Long exposure (8 hours) to 2-5 ppm causes headaches and watery eyes, and 50 ppm irritates the airways. Maximum permissible concentrations for H2S are 0.006 ppm (24 hours) and 0.011 ppm (30 minutes). In Romania there are no limits on the concentration of odours. The sludge pumping station from the wastewater treatment plant registered the highest odour concentration at 36.000 OUE/m3, with significant levels of H2S primarily found there. Nevertheless, the activated sludge aeration system effectively eliminated around 99% of the H2S through degradation and absorption processes. The correlation between H2S and odour has been proved by a direct proportional relationship with a ratio of 25.000. Experimental determinations and mathematical modelling, using the Aermod View program, contributed to a deeper understanding of the impact of odours on the environment and on sensitive receptors, showed maximum odour concentrations of 38.8 ouE/m3 at the site of the municipal wastewater treatment plant and 5 ÷7 ouE/m3 at receptors, but without affecting residential areas.

Evaluation of Pollutants Along the National Road N2 in Togo using the AERMOD Dispersion Model.

Background.Air pollution has become a major problem around the world and is increasingly an issue in Togo due to increased vehicular traffic. Gaseous pollutants are released by engines and are very harmful to human health and the environment. The fuels used on the major road in Togo, the N2, are adulterated with unknown contents and are of poor quality. Many of the vehicles come from neighboring countries, such as Benin, Ghana and Nigeria.Objectives.The present study aims to evaluate the pollution rate in Togo through the estimation of the concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particular matter (PM) on the international road, the National Road N2, in Lomé, compared to the World Health Organization's (WHO) standard limit.Methods.The simulations of pollutant concentration were performed using the Industrial Source Complex Short Term Version 3 model, which is included in the United States Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Model (USEPA) AERMOD View software. The meteorological averages data were obtained from the local station near the National Road N2 in Togo in 2018. Hourly averages were calculated according to the European Monitoring Evaluation Programme/European Environmental Agency air pollutant emission inventory guidebook 2016 and were processed using AERMET View and a terrain pre-processor, AERMAP. For the model, the sources of pollution were the vehicles traveling on the road segment. The source was a line volume with 20 m of width and 2 m of height. The estimation methodology covered exhaust emissions of NOx, SO2 and PM contained in the fuel.Results.The simulations provided average hourly, daily and annual concentrations of the different pollutants: 71.91 μg/m3, 42.41 μg/m3,11.23 μg/m3 for SO2; 16.78 μg/m3, 9.89 μg/m3, 2.46 μg/m3 for NOx and below the detection limit, 0.62 μg/m3, 0.15 μg/m3 for PM, respectively. These results indicate that on the National Road N2 in Togo, the concentrations of SO2 were high compared to those of NOx and PM. The daily average concentration of SO2 was twice the permissible limits set by the WHO.Conclusions.Emissions obtained from the AERMOD for NOx and PM were less than the permissible limits set by the WHO, while the rate of SO2 was twice the permissible limit. The fuels used on this road were very rich in sulfur. The sulfur level in fuels must be monitored by stakeholders in Togo.Competing Interests.The authors declare no competing financial interests.

An analysis of air pollution at some industrial areas of Kano using the AERMOD Model

The effect of pollution on air quality has been a concern for mankind for a long time. In some cases the problem is essentially one of local emissions in a given urban area leading to an adverse effect on air quality in that same area. However, in the general case, the problem is more diverse in that the problem of air pollution has multiplicity effects beyond the point source and these effects are dynamic in nature. Such effects are usually evaluated using dynamical equations. In this study, a comprehensive review on effect of air polluting variables was described on the basis of evaluation of formulation equations of the American Meteorological Society and U.S. Environmental protection Agency Regulatory Model (AERMOD view 9.6.5). The AERMOD model was also used to simulate the dispersion and deposition of the hourly and daily H2S and NO2 concentrations from two domains: Challawa and Sharada industrial estates /areas respectively. The AERMOD model evaluation showed that there was good correlation between the modelled and observed H2S concentration for the daily and hourly comparison at Challawa (0.53 and 0.91 respectively) but the daily and hourly comparison of H2S at Sharada (0.13 and 0.46 respectively) was seen to drop indicating poor correlation and model skill. However, model evaluation of NO2 shows poor agreements and model skill at Challawa as well as daily comparison at Sharada. However, the modelling shows good agreement (R2= 0.64) in the trend for the hourly value modelled versus observed concentrations at Sharada. Moreover, the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) for the two pollutants (H2S and NO2) at all the two domains indicates highly accurate result for both daily and hourly concentrations. AERMOD software can therefore be used to estimate the dispersion and deposition of the pollutants at some domains considered in this study.
 Key Words: AERMOD model, Air pollutant, Industrial sources, Dispersion and Deposition

Vehicle atmospheric pollution evaluation using AERMOD model at avenue in a Brazilian capital city

One of the most complex environmental problems is the air pollution, and automotive vehicles are one of the main sources of urban air pollution. Aracaju-SE, Sergipe’s capital in the northeast of Brazil, faces frequent congestion in traffic and does not have a monitoring network of air quality, so mathematical models are useful for impact assessment. This work consisted of an unusual application of AERMOD View software for vehicular pollution evaluation at Tancredo Neves Avenue in Aracaju’s city. The modeling was performed for the two avenue tracks, considered as urban linear sources. The rate of emission source was calculated from emission factors, average speed, and the number of vehicles accounted for footage circulating on the promenade at peak times. Concentrations distributions of total suspended particles (TSP), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen oxide (NOx) on the mesh receptors were determinated from weather, topographic, and sources of emission data. The dispersion maps showed that the pollutants were concentrated around the sources; the estimated TSP concentrations were within the standards of CONAMA 491/2018 law. The CO concentration values exceeded the standard due to the high rate of emission sources. NO2 concentrations also exceeded the standard for hourly average, attributed to the contribution of heavy vehicles and the emission rates of light vehicles and motorcycles. The simulations showed that the meteorological and topographical conditions of Aracaju favor the atmospheric pollutants dispersion, that vehicles significantly affect air quality in the region and that the mathematical modeling is a useful tool for the study of atmospheric dispersion.

Air quality impact of carbon monoxide emission from diesel engine electric power generators

AbstractAn emissions inventory and the AERMOD View dispersion model were used to estimate the concentrations and the potential effects of carbon monoxide (CO) from diesel engine electric power generators operated by and providing electricity to a textile factory in Nigeria on its host air shed. The CO emissions from simultaneous operations of all of the electric power generators in the factory resulted in: 1‐hr average CO emissions of 4.2 to 54.5 micrograms per cubic meters (μg/m3) and 24‐hr average CO emissions of 0.3 to 20.9 μg/m3. The estimated 1‐hr averaging period maximum ground‐level concentrations of CO were deposited within the factory, while the 24‐hr maximum ground‐level concentrations are estimated at a distance 90 meters (m) from the factory in a southeast direction. The ground‐level concentrations of CO emanating from the textile factory are within the stipulated ambient air quality standards.

Atmospheric pollutants: modeling with Aermod software

In the operation of thermoelectric power plants, fossil fuels are burned, generating air pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NOX), particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Accordingly, the objective of this study was to simulate the dispersion of atmospheric pollutants from the Borborema S.A thermal power plant, using the Aermod View program as a tool to evaluate the concentrations resulting from the simulation and to make comparisons with allowable levels according to current law. Thus, the emission sources of chimney air pollutants of a thermal power plant in 2016 were evaluated using the Aermod View, Aermet View, and WRPLOT View software. Regarding the pollutants generated, NOx values at 1 h showed NO2 concentration over the primary and secondary standards allowed by law, with a maximum concentration of 1680 μg/m3, about five times higher than the primary standard and eight times the secondary. The simulation indices for the concentrations of PM, SOx, NOx, and CO, even though they are appeared very low, except NO2 at 1 h, it was observed that these pollutants can affect the health of the local population, fauna and flora, in view of the process of bioaccumulation, which is inherent to organisms, which directly or indirectly absorb substances or chemical compounds.

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

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.

An assessment of dispersing pollutants from the pre-harvest burning of sugarcane in rural areas in the northeast of Brazil

In recent years, the Brazilian government has been applying several restrictions with regard to preventing environmental pollution. Although Brazilian legislation is becoming stricter as to the pre-harvest burning of sugarcane, this practice is frequently used in order to assist manual harvesting. In the northeast region of Brazil, sugarcane is an important crop, which accounts for about 15% of the national production in a total area of 1,060,660 ha, the average production being 51,119 kg per hectare. The pre-harvest burning of sugarcane generates smoke, which has a high concentration of atmospheric pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (P.M. 2.5 and 10), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), volatile organic compounds (VOC) and nitrogen oxides (NOX). This article estimates the volume of CO, P.M. 2.5 and NOX generated and how they are dispersed in the atmosphere when this arises from the burning of sugarcane biomass in rural areas of Northeast Brazil, and does so by using AERMOD VIEW® simulation software. Using the characteristics of the emissions and environmental (meteorological and topographical) data, quality air profiles based on pollutant dispersion were obtained. Three studies were taken into account in order to determine the relationship between pollutant dispersion and some parameters of the burning process, such as those for the spatial distribution of resources, the duration of pre-harvest burning and the influence of undertaking burning in different months. As to spatial distribution, to divide an area into small lots contributes to decreasing the maximum concentration of pollutants by 53% compared to burning a single area of equivalent size. The study of the burning duration indicated that doing so gradually (using a lengthier procedure) could decrease the maximum concentration of the pollutants by an inverse relation. The harvesting period in this region is between November and April. The pollutants dispersion process was greatest in February. April presented the worst dispersion conditions, and was associated with the highest pollutant concentrations.

Gaseous emissions of landfill and modeling of their dispersion in the atmosphere of Shahrekord, Iran

Anaerobic biodegradation of municipal solid waste produces a large amount of air pollutants. Therefore, it is important to estimate the quality and quantity of emitted pollutants from landfills worldwide. The aim of this study is to predict the amount of methane, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and non-methane organic compounds emitted from the Shahrekord, Iran landfill. The LandGEM model, introduced by the US Environmental Protection Agency, was utilized to predict the amount of the above-mentioned gases. Additionally, the AERMOD View model was used to estimate the dispersion of emitted pollutants from the Shahrekord landfill into the atmosphere. Metrological data, the most basic requirement enabling the models to work, were collected from the Islamic Republic of Iran Meteorological Organization. Results showed that the maximum amount of methane, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and non-methane organic compounds will be emitted from Shahrekord landfill in 2021. It is also elaborated that 114 million m3 of methane will be emitted between 1997 and 2023, with the potential to generate 188100MW electrical energy. The modeling of pollutants' dispersion into the atmosphere shows that concentration of the pollutants emitted by the landfill was within permissible levels in the city of Shahrekord.

DISPERSIÓN DE MATERIAL PARTICULADO (PM10), CON INTERRELACIÓN DE FACTORES METEOROLÓGICOS Y TOPOGRÁFICOS

Los procesos minero-industriales llevados a cabo por acción antrópica, traen consigo la generación de impactos al medio ambiente; entre los asociados a la minería está la afectación de la calidad del aire producida por la liberación de contaminantes atmosféricos, siendo objeto de estudio el comportamiento de la fracción respirable de material particulado menor a 10 micras (PM10) con respecto a los factores meteorológicos y topográficos. Los escenarios analizados en el estudio involucraron tiempos de exposición diario y anual de PM10, para los cuales se hizo la modelación con el Software AERMOD View. El modelo se corrió para dos zonas topográficas, una zona compleja ubicada en el Municipio de Socha y una zona simple ubicada en el Municipio de Sogamoso. Se empleó información meteorológica horaria de tipo satelital, en formato .SAM para las zonas modeladas. Se identificaron tres tipos de fuentes de emisión en las zonas; teniendo que, predominan las fijas dispersas, seguido de las móviles y en baja proporción las puntuales. Los modelos de dispersión de PM10 realizados para las zonas de topografía simple y compleja, dieron como resultado que la dirección y velocidad del viento está condicionada por la misma. Ésta permitió un flujo libre en la dirección predominante en la rosa de vientos para la zona de topografía simple y un flujo turbulento en la zona compleja. Se determinó que los focos de emisión dePM10 en ambos casos son de escala local; estos presentaron un radio crítico de arrastre y deposición de partículas de 200 m aproximadamente.

Dispersion Modeling of Total Suspended Particles (TSP) Emitted from a Steel Plant at Different Time Scales Using AERMOD View

Introduction: One of the main challenges of this modern life is air pollution and industry is the major producer of pollutions in the environment. In this regard, air quality monitoring and assessing exceedance of air quality standards around an area or industrial plant can be a useful method in order to control and establish limits for pollutant sources. Air dispersion models could be the simplest and the most effective way for monitoring and evaluating the pollutant concentrations as well as the impact of each source on the air quality of a given area, and also can be applied for adopting management approaches and appropriate strategies to prevent and reduce air pollution. Aim: In this study, by applying AERMOD developed by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and recommended as one of the preferred and advanced models, dispersion of total suspended particles (TSP) emitted from electric arc furnace chimney of a steel plant in Isfahan was simulated. Materials and Methods: In this study, AERMOD View is run within an area with 30 km × 30 km extent (regional scale) and 2000 m network distance (961 grid points) for 1, 3, 8, 12, 24-h time averages and monthly and annual periods, and then maximum ground level concentrations (GLC) compared with EPA and Iran clean air standards to assess the exceedance of this pollutant. Results: Results revealed that simulated concentrations for 24-h average and annual period are far below the threshold limits of both standards. Moreover, the highest concentrations of TSP took place in a different direction with prevailing winds where there are no inhabitants. However, the cumulative impact of such activities must be considered. This study also highlights the effectiveness of bag filter systems in reducing particle matter emissions from industrial units.

Case Study on Risk Assessment From Manganese Inhalation Impact on Childrenʼs Health

O-29C7-1 Background/Aims: Manganese is neurotoxicant to which children are particularly susceptible. Metallurgical and chemical plants and burning of fossil fuels contribute to the increase of manganese concentrations in the ambient air of the cities. The aim of the study was to estimate the inhalation risk for the children's health formed by the ambient air pollution related to metallurgical enterprise emissions in one of the Ukrainian cities. Methods: US EPA Human Health Risk Assessment Methodology was applied as the main method. On the hazard identification stage manganese was identified as 1 of 8 priority pollutants emitted by this enterprise. Calculation of averaged concentrations was done in AERMOD View taking into account point source parameters, meteorological data, and terrain and land use peculiarities. Concentrations were calculated for 72 receptor points. Results: Daily averaged concentrations of manganese (0.33–6.98 ìêã/m3) were used for calculation for noncancer risk. It was defined that noncancer effects due to manganese presence in ambient air range from 7 to 138. Estimated risk was classified in 5 levels according to quantile distribution and overlaid with the layer of schools and kindergartens with the help of ArcGIS tools. Eight schools (3881 students) and 9 kindergartens (1295 children) situated in the first risk zone (HQ = 1–14). The second risk zone (HQ = 15–17) covers 8 schools (3681 students) and 13 kindergartens (2287 children); the third risk zone (HQ = 18–21)—7 schools (2720 students) and 4 kindergartens (603 children); the fourth (HQ = 22–30)—12 schools (7038 students) and 11 kindergartens (1212 children); and the fifth (HQ = 31–138)—1 school (645 students) and 3 kindergartens (557 children). Conclusion: This study defined inconsistency between Ukrainian hygienic regulations and referent concentrations that proved the need for harmonization. Health measures and prophylactic programs for children could be optimized by municipal administration taking into account the results of this study.

Peculiarities of Exposure Assessment for the Population Living in the Zones of Chemical Pollution of Ambient Air

PP-30-017 Background/Aims: Estimation of the pollutant concentration in the ambient air is one of the key stages of human exposure assessment for the population that is living on the territories with high levels of air pollution. Exposure assessment requires calculation of concentrations for different averaging periods depending on the acute or chronic and prolonged effects. The study was aimed at analysis of the pollutant concentration calculation approaches described in OND-86 methodology that is applied for emission regulations in Ukraine and methods introduced by United States Environmental Protection Agency and program complex AERMOD View. Methods: The comparison was done on the results of the calculation that included 27 industrial enterprises with low point sources of cold emissions. The average height of the stacks is 16.5 ± 1.8 meters (median = 18.2 meters, maximum = 23 meters, minimum = 2 meters), average temperature of the emissions equals 36.6°C ± 1.8°C (median = 55.1°C, maximum = 89°C, minimum = 25°C). Calculations were done for 17 polluting substances in the uniform polar receptors grid that was divided into 5 intervals according to 8 direction radials. Results: Maximum 20-minutes concentrations were calculated according to the OND-86 approach. Average 1 hour, 24 hours, and annual concentrations were modeled in AERMOD view. The comparison shows that maximum 20-minutes concentrations are applicable for the estimation of acute effects. Analysis of the chronic effects can be done if the concentration averaging period equals at least 24 hours. The correlation analysis of the maximum 20-minutes and 1-hour concentrations, as both samples comply with requirements of the linear dependence, proved statistically the hypothesis of absence of the correlation between maximum 20-minutes and 1-hour concentrations. Conclusion: This study proves the necessity of changes in the Ukrainian air quality regulating legislation and orientation on the official application of ambient air pollution modeling programs that allow to receive not just maximum concentrations for 20 minutes interval but wider diapasons of meanings for longer averaging periods.