Determination of process developing effects of cement factory on PM10 dispersion using AUSTAL 2000 model

Background and Aim: There is well-documented relationship between industrial development and environmental pollution, but there are no enough studies that have predicted development impacts on pollutants emission. In the current study, impacts of three development periods of Bojnourd cement factory on PM10 emission was investigated using the AUSTAL 2000 model.Methods: The collected emission data during 19 years were classified for each period and analyzed via the model, separately. Two sets of monitoring point (5 points for each) determined at the model; first set for estimation of PM10 concentration in residential areas (three villages, one suburban, and one city), and the second set for model validity assessment located near the factory.Results: According to model results, the second development period had the highest emission load per unit area for PM10 by 164%. However, by applying the bag filter at the beginning of the third period, PM10 concentration was reduced significantly to the same as the first period. Moreover, the model showed a good agreement with the field measured data that it could be usable to predict pollutants emission.Conclusion: The findings of this paper prove the importance of predicting the emissions prior to construction or any stages of industrial upgrading and development. In other words, it emphasizes environmental protection during economic boost. Also, the model showed how the use of pollution control equipment (bag filter) during development can be effective to reduce the pollutants emission.

Keywords:

air pollution , modeling , AUSTAL 2000 , cement factory , industry development