Modeling and analysis of hydrogen fluoride pollution from an aluminum smelter located in Oman. (November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abdul-Wahab, Sabah; Alsubhi, Ziyad
• Is Part Of: Sustainable cities and society. Volume 51(2020)
• Publication Date: 2019-11
• Subjects: Aluminum smelter -- HF -- Dispersion -- Concentration level -- CALPUFF -- Sultanate of Oman; Sustainable urban development -- Periodicals; Sustainable buildings -- Periodicals; Urban ecology (Sociology) -- Periodicals; 307.76
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scs.2019.101802
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2210-6707

Abstract

Highlights: Determination the dispersion of hydrogen fluoride (HF) emitted from an aluminum smelter. Application of CALPUFF modeling system to predict the dispersion of HF in Oman. The HF concentration levels were found to be well below the allowable concentrations. Abstract: Despite the small quantities of hydrogen fluoride (HF) that are emitted from aluminum smelters compared with the other gaseous emissions, HF is one of the most dangerous gases to be considered when studying the environmental impact of these smelters. Therefore, modeling HF dispersion is essentially important to make sure that concentrations do not exceed threshold limit, especially for buildings, which are located close to the emission source. The objective of the current study was to examine the dispersion of atmospheric HF emitted from an aluminum smelter located in Oman. The results of the study indicated that the concentrations were found to be well below the allowable concentrations. Results in winter showed that the highest hourly HF concentration (0.104 μ g / m 3 ) was occurred at 18:00 h local standard time and was found to be at a location −9.5 km west and 2.5 km north of the plant. Conversely, the simulation in summer indicated that the highest hourly HF concentration (0.374 μ g / m 3 ) was obtained at 22:00 h and was found to be at a location -8.5 km west and 3.5 km north of the plant. The results of the study will have significant importance to the residents, stakeholders, and related permitting authorities in the area.