Air Pollution Study & Environmental Impact Assessment

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Air Pollution Study & Environmental Impact Assessment

Implementation of an Air Pollution Study

EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) have restricted industries to emit certain restricted pollutants.

Determination of environmental issues and their resolutions require the implementation of a comprehensive study that satisfies the local and federal environmental standards that promotes a sustainable future. AAI is offering an Environmental Impaction Assessment (EIA) plan including:

  • Air Pollution Investigation (identifying pollutants and sources, and measuring the pollutants)
  • Air Pollution Modeling (2D and 3D dispersion simulation)
  • Air Pollution Control Strategy (determining priority pollutants and sources)
  • Best Available Control Technology (BACT) (value engineering and risk assessment)

Air Pollution Measurement

Stack gas analyzing, free surface pollutant measurement and ambient air quality monitoring are provided by AAI. Proper equipment, arrangement and method of measurement are engineered in our systems.

Ambient air measurement monitoring
Ambient air measurement monitoring
Stack monitoring
Stack monitoring
Sampling from free surface
Sampling from free surface
Preparing the samples
Preparing the samples

Dynamic and Static Head Space Analysis

Dynamic and Static Head Space Analysis are two innovative methods applied by AAI in measurement of pollutant in free surface sources.  Static Headspace Analysis is a practical and widely practiced method for measurement of gaseous concentration in quasi-equilibrium with a liquid phase in a container.

The results from this method are both reliable and reproducible for any given condition.

In this method, first the sample of liquid is extracted from the main source, and then poured into a tight closed container. Volatile components will reach equilibrium in liquid and gas phases accordingly. Once the equilibrium is reached, it is time for measuring the pollutants concentration by placing the measuring sensors in head space of the sample.

EPA approved dispersion model software
EPA approved dispersion model software
3D modelling (top) and 2D modelling(bottom)
3D modelling (top) and 2D modelling(bottom)

Air Pollution Dispersion Modeling

Dispersion modelling is an effective tool for evaluating the effect of various levels of pollutant discharges on the surrounding area. This is a useful decision making tool to determine the final selection of the Air Pollution Control, APC, equipment capacity and scope.

Eulerian, Gaussian and Lagrangian models provide the overall modelling methods which are solving the suggested differential equations of pollution dispersion based on various conditions such as pollution discharge rates, site and atmospheric conditions.

EPA approved dispersion model software, SCREEN3 ( 2D modelling) and AERMOD( 3D modelling), are simulation softwares based on Gaussian modelling. In these models by considering the sources, emission rate of pollutants, geometrical characteristic of adjacent area and meteorology parameters the emission of pollutant could be estimated in site boundary and up to 100 Km radius of source downstream in 24 hours.

Best Available Control Technology (BACT)

There are three basic approaches for resolving air pollution: Firstly, modifying the emission quality and pattern by dilution, high stack, intermediate operation, and moving the source; Secondly, elimination of the source of pollution by modifying the process and changing the consumed materials; and lastly utilizing APC systems such as scrubbers, bughouses, incinerator and other available technologies to lower the pollutants to acceptable standards.

EPA determines what air pollution control technology will be used to control a specific pollutant to a specified limit. When a BACT is determined, factors such as energy consumption, total source emission, regional environmental impact, and economic costs are taken into account. It is the current EPA standard for all polluting sources that fall under the New Source Review guidelines and is determined on a case-by-case basis.

There are various control technologies such as Chemical Scrubbing, Carbon Adsorption, Biological Scrubbing and Thermal Oxidation, and the other new technologies such as UV Decomposer. Selection of the best option is carried out based on the technical comparison and by Value Engineering principals.

These qualitative indexes are expressed by quantitative technical score estimated for each option by considering several criteria: performance reliability, space requirements, availability of consuming materials, dependency to experts for long term operation and other site specific requirements. Each criterion has its own quantitative value determined by weighted multiplier in a total technical score of each option.

The technical-financial value rating is achieved by applying the technical score on the total sum of first cost and 10 years operation cost of each option. The option with the lowest modified cost will be selected as the best technology.

JGE

AAI Air Pollution Study Services

Trust the experts at AmerAir International for all of your air pollution study requirements including:

  • Site Investigation
  • Pollutants Measurement (stack and ambient air monitoring, free surface static/dynamic head space analysis, and odorous air sampling and Olfactometry analysis methods.
  • Result Analysis
  • Control Methods Review; (emission pattern modification, process modification and control system)
  • Pollution Control Strategy
  • Dispersion Modeling
  • Best Available Control Technology
  • Control System Design

Use the contact form below to get in touch with an AmerAir International representative regarding an air pollution study.

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