Complete Emission Inventory Research Articles

Assessment of the impact of ship emissions on air quality based on a complete annual emission inventory using AIS data for the port of Naples

Air pollution due to marine traffic is strongly rising due to the rapid development of marine traffic and has brought great challenges to maritime policy and management. The purpose of this paper is to create a complete emissions inventory for the port of Naples and to assess its impact on air quality on an urban scale. The study presents a comprehensive global shipping emission inventory of NOx, SO2, and PM based on AIS data for the 2018. A bottom-up methodology was developed to assess the amounts of atmospheric pollutants emitted by all ships in port and its impact on the atmospheric pollution. A MATLAB code was developed to associate every AIS record to the most relevant phases that cover a ship in port. To estimate the emissions, a database containing the main information regarding over 900 ships was created. A Gaussian puff model (CALPUFF) was used to study the dispersion of the pollutants in the atmosphere and the impact on the urban area. The results obtained were compared with data from fixed monitoring stations in the urban area in Naples to assess the contribution of ship emissions to air quality. The methodology can be used to estimate shipping emissions in other port and/or regions and hence may serve as an input for other researchers and policy makers working in this field.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) emissions from electric arc furnaces for steelmaking

The proportion of steel produced using electric arc furnaces (EAFs) is increasing. In this study, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) concentrations and patterns in stack gas samples from three typical EAFs in steelmaking plants were determined to allow the contributions of EAFs in steelmaking plants to PCDD/Fs emissions in China to be assessed. Samples collection was accomplished by adopting the automatic isokinetic sampling technique, then the PCDD/Fs congeners concentrations were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by isotope dilution high-resolution gas chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC-HRMS). The mean PCDD/Fs mass concentrations in stack gases emitted during the scrap preheating phase of plants E1, E2, and E3 were 0.48, 385.55, and 0.34 ng Nm−3, respectively, and the total toxic equivalent (WHO2005-TEQ) concentrations were 0.05, 33.16, and 0.03 ng Nm−3, respectively. The PCDD/Fs mass concentration in stack gases emitted during the melting phase at plant E3 was 0.12 ng Nm−3 (0.02 ng WHO2005-TEQ Nm−3). The operational temperature of the bag filter of the preheating in the E2 EAF was as high as 230 °C, which is conducive to the generation of PCDD/Fs, whether the temperature in the bag filter of E1 (150 °C) and E3 (120 °C) are not. Moreover, the bag filter temperature is suggested to be best controlled to below 150 °C. The emission factors (EF) for PCDD/Fs released into the air during the scrap preheating phase for plants E1, E2, and E3 were 0.13, 52, and 0.10 μg WHO2005-TEQ t−1, respectively, and the EF for the smelting phase from plant E3 was 0.14 μg WHO2005-TEQ t−1. The emission factor in E2 is 5 times higher than the highest current UNEP toolkit factor for EAFs (10 μg TEQ/tonne steel). Therefore, an update for the UNEP toolkit emission factor for a few case plants is suggested. Several congeners, including 2,3,7,8-TeCDF, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF, and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD, were dominant during the preheating phase, while 2,3,7,8-TeCDF, 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF, and 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF were dominant during the smelting phase. The monitoring data from the case plants helps to better understand the PCDD/Fs emissions of EAFs using preheating process stages. However, a more complete emission inventory requires more case investigations on the PCDD/Fs emissions from representative EAFs steelmaking plants.

TNO-MACC_II emission inventory; a multi-year (2003–2009) consistent high-resolution European emission inventory for air quality modelling

Abstract. Emissions to air are reported by countries to EMEP. The emissions data are used for country compliance checking with EU emission ceilings and associated emission reductions. The emissions data are also necessary as input for air quality modelling. The quality of these "official" emissions varies across Europe. As alternative to these official emissions, a spatially explicit high-resolution emission inventory (7 × 7 km) for UNECE-Europe for all years between 2003 and 2009 for the main air pollutants was made. The primary goal was to supply air quality modellers with the input they need. The inventory was constructed by using the reported emission national totals by sector where the quality is sufficient. The reported data were analysed by sector in detail, and completed with alternative emission estimates as needed. This resulted in a complete emission inventory for all countries. For particulate matter, for each source emissions have been split in coarse and fine particulate matter, and further disaggregated to EC, OC, SO4, Na and other minerals using fractions based on the literature. Doing this at the most detailed sectoral level in the database implies that a consistent set was obtained across Europe. This allows better comparisons with observational data which can, through feedback, help to further identify uncertain sources and/or support emission inventory improvements for this highly uncertain pollutant. The resulting emission data set was spatially distributed consistently across all countries by using proxy parameters. Point sources were spatially distributed using the specific location of the point source. The spatial distribution for the point sources was made year-specific. The TNO-MACC_II is an update of the TNO-MACC emission data set. Major updates included the time extension towards 2009, use of the latest available reported data (including updates and corrections made until early 2012) and updates in distribution maps.

Cluster Analysis for Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins and Dibenzofurans Concentrations in Southern Taiwan

This study investigates the characteristics of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in the ambient air of two municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs: GS and RW) and a coal-fired power plant (PW) in the Kaohsiung County (KC) area in Taiwan. The results show that the toxic equivalency (TEQ) concentration in the flue gas of GS and RW averaged 0.090 and 0.044 ng international toxic equivalents (I-TEQ)/N·m3, respectively. The TEQ concentration in the flue gas of PW averaged 0.050 ng I-TEQ/N·m3. All PCDD/Fs concentrations from the stack flue gas are lower than the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration emission standard. Furthermore, the mean I-TEQ concentration in the ambient atmosphere ranged from approximately 0.019 to 0.165 pg I-TEQ/N·m3, much lower than the environmental quality standards for dioxins in Japan (0.6 pg TEQ/N·m3). This work classified all sampling sites into three clusters according to k-means cluster analysis. The result shows a probable direct correlation between the GS incinerator and site C. Although the concentration from the PW plant did not exceed the emission standard, it was much higher than that in Fernández-Martínez’s study. For proper environmental management of dioxins, establishing a complete emission inventory of PCDD/Fs is necessary. The government of Taiwan should particularly pay more attention to power plants to address the information shortage.

Emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo- p-dioxins and dibenzofurans from a heavy oil-fueled power plant in northern Taiwan

We measured the concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo- p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) from the flue gas and the ambient atmosphere of a power plant fueled by heavy oil in northern Taiwan. The mean emission concentration and I-TEQ concentration of total PCDD/Fs were 0.292 ng/N m 3 and 0.016 ng I-TEQ/N m 3, respectively. All PCDD/F emission concentrations in the flue gas were supposed to meet the Environmental Protection Administration Executive Yuan, R.O.C. standard (1.0 ng I-TEQ/N m 3 from 2008). Furthermore, the mean I-TEQ concentration in the ambient atmosphere was 0.011 pg I-TEQ/N m 3, which was much lower than the environmental quality standards for dioxins in Japan (0.6 pg TEQ/N m 3). Also, the PCDD/F emission factor was 0.188 ng I-TEQ/L fuel, which was comparable to the data issued in US EPA [EPA, Locating and estimating air emissions from sources of dioxins and furans, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Research Triangle Park, NC, DCN No. 95-298130-54-01, 1997] (0.2 ng I-TEQ/L of fuel). Also, the result of the correlations of PCDD/Fs and operational parameters illustrated that the positively significant correlation ( r = 0.502, p = 0.048) was found only between PCDD/Fs (I-TEQ) and the flue gas emission temperature (125–157 °C). However, PCDD-TEQ/PCDF-TEQ ratios were statistically significantly associated with the decreased flue gas flow ( r = −0.659, p = 0.006), moisture ( r = −0.612, p = 0.012) and flue gas temperature ( r = −0.503, p = 0.047). For proper environmental management of dioxins, it is necessary to establish a complete emission inventory of PCDD/Fs, and, in particular, the government should pay more attention to power plants to address the information shortage.

A gas/aerosol air pollutants study over the urban area of Rome using a comprehensive chemical transport model

The aim of this study was to identify areas of potential relevant exposure to pollutants within Rome's urban core. To meet this goal, intensive field campaigns were conducted and simulations were performed, using the flexible air quality regional model (FARM), to study winter and summer pollution episodes. The simulations were performed using a complete emission inventory that included traffic flow model results of the Roman street network to better describe, with respect to the available diffuse national emission inventory, the hourly variation of traffic emissions in the city. The meteorological reconstruction was performed by means of both prognostic and diagnostic models by using experimental data collected during the field campaigns. To evaluate the capability of the FARM model to capture the main features of the selected episodes, a comparison of modelled results against observed air quality data for different pollutants was performed at urban and rural sites. FARM performed well in predicting ozone (O 3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2) concentrations, showing a good reproduction of both daily peaks and their diurnal variations. The model also showed a good capability to reproduce the magnitude of volatile alkane, aromatic and carbonyl compound concentrations. PM 10 model results revealed the tendency to under-predict the observed values. PM composition model results were compared with observed data, evidencing good results for elemental carbon (EC), nitrate (NO 3 −) and ammonium (NH 4 +), underestimation for sulphate (SO 4 2−) and poor performance for organic matter (OM). The soil components of PM were found to be significantly under-predicted by the model, especially during Saharan dust episodes. Overall, the study results show large areas of high O 3 and PM 10 concentrations where levels of pollutants should be carefully monitored and population exposure evaluated.

An assessment of global and regional emissions of trace metals to the atmosphere from anthropogenic sources worldwide

An accurate and complete emission inventory for atmospheric trace metals on a global scale is needed for both modeler community and policy makers to assess the current level of environmental contamination by these pollutants, major emission sources and source regions, and the contribution of the atmospheric pathway to the contamination of terrestrial and aquatic environments. Major progress has been made in assessing emissions of trace metals in various countries and even regions, e.g., Europe, since the first global emission estimate for these pollutants was made by Nriagu and Pacyna (1988). These improved national and regional emission inventories have been used in this work to assess the global trace metal emissions from anthropogenic sources in the mid-1990s. The results of this work conclude that stationary fossil fuel combustion continues to be the major source of Cr, Hg, Mn, Sb, Se, Sn, and Tl with respect to the coal combustion and the major source of Ni and V with respect to oil combustion. Combustion of leaded, low-leaded, and unleaded gasoline continues to be the major source of atmospheric Pb emissions. The third major source of trace metals is non-ferrous metal production, which is the largest source of atmospheric As, Cd, Cu, In, and Zn. The largest anthropogenic emissions of atmospheric trace metals were estimated in Asia. This can be explained by growing demands for energy in the region and increasing industrial production. As a result, the Asian emissions are not only larger than the emissions on other continents, but also show an increasing trend. Another factor contributing to high emissions in Asia is the efficiency of emission control, which is lower than in Europe and North America. Concerning the two latter continents, emissions of trace metals show a decreasing tendency over the last two decades. Key words: anthropogenic sources, atmospheric emissions, trace metals, global emission inventory

A Positive Air Quality Control Program At A New Kraft Mill

In the design of the Crown Simpson bleached kraft mill at Fairhaven, California, the latest technological developments in odor and dust control were used to design a system capable of removing in excess of 90% of the malodorous sulfur emission and more than 98%of the dust load. The odor control system consists of high-efficiency black liquor oxidation, noncondensible gas burning, and stripping of “foul” condensate followed by burning of the off-gases. The dust control system on the recovery furnace consists of a high-efficiency electrostatic precipitator followed by wet scrubbers. The lime kiln gases are scrubbed in a Venturi scrubber and the smelt dissolver stack is equipped with demister pads. The gases from the lime kiln, power boiler, recovery furnace, and black liquor oxidizer are combined and discharged through a 310-ft stack. A complete emission inventory has been conducted and the volume, composition, and quantity of materials discharged are presented.