Modeling and ambient air pollution in a cluster of brickfields

Abstract

Verification of the applicabilityof an effective air quality model in Bangladesh condition, especially for brickfie1dpollution was the main concern of this thesis work. To achieve that objective, ambient pollutant concentrations were measured experimentally and compared with the results generated through modeling using Industrial Source Complex (ISC3) model. Then the model was applied to predict ambient air pollution loads under different circumstances.Air sampling was done at different locations in a cluster of brickfields of 41 brick kilns near Amin Bazar, Savar using Gastec tubes and High volume sampler. Gastec tubes were used for gaseous pollutants and High volume sampler was used for Total Suspended Particulates (TSP). Gaseous pollutants included Sulfur dioxide, Carbon monoxide, and Hydrocarbons. Effects of meteorological conditions, stack height, and stack exit velocity on the ambient pollutant concentration were analyzed for multiple pollution sources over a long period of time by using this model, after successful verification of its acceptability. Significant effect of the meteorological conditions on ambient air quality was observed. Effectiveness of increase in stack height to reduce air pollution was also analyzed. Increased stack height was found effective in reducing average ambient concentration up'to a certain stack height. Beyond that stack height, change in ambient pollutant concentration with the increase of stack height was found to be insignificant. Stack exit velocity was found to have negligible influence on the ambient air quality at the surroundings of the sources but effect in the cluster area was prominent. In brief, Industrial Source Complex (lSC3) model was found very effective and appropriate both for gaseous pollutants and particulate matter for brickfield pollution in Bangladesh and its different utilizations were exercised successfully in this thesis work.