Prediction of NOX Concentration in the Vicinity of Cement Industry Employing AERMOD Dispersion Modeling

Abstract

NOX is one of the major pollutants that evolves from the cement industries during the high-temperature calcination in the rotary kiln. Air quality modeling techniques are cost effective than measurement but are data intensive as modeling requires emission and meteorological data. In the present study, the prediction of the concentration of NOX in and around the area of ULTRATECH cement Industry located at Tadipatri, Anantapur, India has been reported. A dispersion modeling technique AERMOD is used for the prediction of emission rate of criteria pollutants were obtained from supplier’s specification and direct measurement. In Level 1, predication and measurement of NOX concentration for 24 hrs was performed where, in Level 2, assessment was carried out using refined AERMOD 9.1 model with site specific hourly data. Analytical results show that emission inventory obtained from supplier’s specifications and direct measurement are comparatively equal. Predicted parameters of emission were evaluated for different key pollutants where previous emission data is not available. Yearly emissive flux were furnished from estimated values of emission factors and activity in the the study area. Low relative error (<0.05), high coefficient of regression (R2 0.8–0.95) and willmott-d-index (≥0.95) reflects the accuracy of the study.