Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Predicting ambient concentrations of NO2 in a gas refinery located in South Pars Gas Complex

International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology volume 13, pages 897–906 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

In this study, AERMOD dispersion model has been applied for predicting the values of ambient concentrations of NO2 emissions due to the stacks of fourth gas refinery located in South Pars Gas Complex in Asaluyeh, Iran. First, the values of NO2 emissions from the stacks and the amounts of ambient concentrations of NO2 in nine monitoring stations have been measured in four seasons in 2013. Then, dispersion of NO2 emissions has been predicted by using AERMOD model in the region with the domain area of 10 × 10 km2, in average times of 1 h. Finally, the simulated and observed values of ambient NO2 concentrations in the nine receptors have been compared. Comparison of 1-h concentrations of the observed and predicted results with the international ambient standard levels shows that NO2 concentrations are higher than the standard value. The results show that AERMOD model can be used effectively for predicting the amounts of pollutants’ concentrations in the study area.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

References

  • Abdul-Wahab S, Sappurd A, Al-Damkhi A (2011) Application of California Puff (CALPUFF) model: a case study for Oman. Clean Technol Environ Policy 13:177–189. doi:10.1007/s10098-010-0283-7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Akdemir A, Ozel U, Ergun ON (2013) Multivariate regression analysis for ground-level ozone modeling in Kurupelit, Samsun, Turkey. Ekoloji 22:84–89. doi:10.5053/ekoloji.2013.8610

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arya SP (1999) Air pollution meteorology and dispersion. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM (2011a) Standard practice for general ambient air analyzer procedures. ASTM International, West Conshohocken. doi:10.1520/D3249-95R11

  • ASTM (2011b) Standard test method for determination of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and oxygen concentrations in emissions from natural gas-fired reciprocating engines, combustion turbines, boilers, and process heaters using portable analyzers. ASTM International, West Conshohocken. doi:10.1520/D6522-11

  • Bhanarkar AD, Goyal SK, Sivacoumar R, Chalapati Rao CV (2005) Assessment of contribution of SO2 and NO2 from different sources in Jamshedpur region. India Atmos Environ 39:7745–7760. doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2005.07.070

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cimorelli AJ et al (2004) AERMOD: description of model formulation. US Environmental Protection Agency, North Carolina

    Google Scholar 

  • Cimorelli AJ et al (2005) AERMOD: a dispersion model for industrial source applications. Part I: general model formulation and boundary layer characterization. J Appl Meteorol 44:682–693. doi:10.1175/JAM2227.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dresser AL, Huizer RD (2011) CALPUFF and AERMOD model validation study in the near field: Martins Creek Revisited. J Air Waste Manag Assoc 6:647–659

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freddy Kho WL, Sentian J, Radojevic M, Tan CL, Law PL, Halipah S (2007) Computer simulated versus observed NO2 and SO2 emitted from elevated point source complex. Int J Environ Sci Technol 4:215–222. doi:10.1007/BF03326277

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huertas JI, Huertas ME, Díaz J (2012) Assessing precision and accuracy of atmospheric emission inventories. Int J Environ Sci Technol 9:195–202. doi:10.1007/s13762-012-0022-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IRIMO (2014) Iran Meteorological Organization. http://www.weather.ir/. Accessed 26 Jun 2014

  • Perkins HC (1974) Air pollution. Mcgraw-Hill Book Company, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Perry SG et al (2005) AERMOD: a dispersion model for industrial source applications. Part II: model performance against 17 field study databases. J Appl Meteorol 44:694–708. doi:10.1175/JAM2228.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seangkiatiyuth K, Surapipith V, Tantrakarnapa K, Lothongkum AW (2011) Application of the AERMOD modeling system for environmental impact assessment of NO2 emissions from a cement complex. J Environ Sci 23:931–940. doi:10.1016/S1001-0742(10)60499-8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shooter D, Brimblecombe P, Brasell MR (1993) Ground level nitrogen dioxide concentrations in the rural Waikato Valley, New Zealand. Environ Monit Assess 25:159–168. doi:10.1007/bf00549137

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Snyder WH et al (1985) The structure of strongly stratified flow over hills: dividing-streamline concept. J Fluid Mech 152:249–288. doi:10.1017/S0022112085000684

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Software LE (2011) Wind Rose Plots for Meteorological Data, 7.0.0 edn

  • SPGC (2012) South Pars Gas Complex Company. http://www.spgc.ir/. Accessed 2 Jan 2013

  • US EPA (2003) Guidelines for developing an air quality (ozone and PM2.5) forecasting program. Office of Air Quality, Planning and Standards, Research Triangle Park, NC

  • US EPA (2004) USER’S GUIDE FOR THE AERMOD TERRAIN PREPROCESSOR (AERMAP). US EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, North Carolina 27711

  • US EPA (2010) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) vol 2012. US EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, USA

  • US EPA EPA (2004) User’s Guide for the Aermod Meteorological Preprocessor (AERMET). Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards Emissions, Monitoring and Analysis Division Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711

  • WHO (2014) Ambient (outdoor) air quality and health. World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs313/en/

  • Willis GE, Deardorff JW (1981) A laboratory study of dispersion from a source in the middle of the convectively mixed layer. Atmos Environ 15:109–117. doi:10.1016/0004-6981(81)90001-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This project was made possible through the financial and continued supports of South Pars Gas Complex (SPGC). Authors would like to appreciate the experts who participated in this research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Environment and Energy, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    F. Jafarigol, F. Atabi & F. Moattar

  2. Department of Environmental Management, Graduate School of Environment and Energy, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    J. Nouri

Authors
  1. F. Jafarigol
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. F. Atabi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. F. Moattar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J. Nouri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. Atabi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Jafarigol, F., Atabi, F., Moattar, F. et al. Predicting ambient concentrations of NO2 in a gas refinery located in South Pars Gas Complex. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 13, 897–906 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-015-0870-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-015-0870-6

Keywords

search

Navigation