Bahman Ramavandi; Mehdi Ahmadi Moghaddam; Narjes Shah Heidar; Maryam Bighami
Volume 23, Issue 2 , March and April 2016, , Pages 253-261
Abstract
Background & Purpose: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) significantly affect the chemistry of atmosphere and human health and petroleum storage has been identified as largest emitters of VOCs. With models of air pollution can model the concentration and distribution ...
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Background & Purpose: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) significantly affect the chemistry of atmosphere and human health and petroleum storage has been identified as largest emitters of VOCs. With models of air pollution can model the concentration and distribution of VOCs from oil tanks. The aim of this study was to investigate and model of VOCs emissions from an oil tanks field in Iran using the TANKs 4.0.9d software and the distribution of these compounds in the study area using AERMOD model. Materials & Methods: In this study, the rate and percentage of monthly emissions of VOCs from 22 oil storage tanks in 12 months year 2014(1392-1393) using the TANKS software were determined according to losses and tank type in Esfahan, Iran. Then, by using AERMOD model the maximum concentration of VOCs in the area with the surface of 10 × 10 km2 and with a network distance of 200m and then in the range of 50 × 50 km2 and with a network of 1000 m in the statistic period of 12 months and for a average time of 1, 3, 8 and 24 hours, one-month and one -year statistical period at the height of 1.5m of the Earth's surface was determined and the distribution of VOCs in the area was simulated and displayed by GIS software. Results: The results of TANKS software showed that the studied tanks were annually emitted 1485801.26 tons VOCs in which the tanks with external floating roof 99.98% and with fixed vertical roof 0.017% were contributed. The results of AERMOD software also indicated that maximum concentrations of VOCs occur in the area 10×10 km2 in cold seasons. This phenomenon is due to reduce of mixing depth and resulting in the formation of the inversion phenomenon. Conclusions: This work can help plant engineers to decide on an appropriate strategy to control VOCs. Employing the tanks with fixed vertical roof and modification of operational pattern could lead to a reduction of VOCs emissions and eventually affect the economical, ecological and hygienic aspects.
Samira Rahimnejad; Abdorrahman Bahrami; Mohammadjavad Asari; Alireza Soltaniyeh; Razagh Rahimpoor; Seyyed Amirreza Negahban; Farshid Ghorbani shahna
Volume 21, Issue 5 , September and October 2014, , Pages 829-841
Abstract
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Personal exposure to volatile organic compounds can cause variety of adverse health effects, containing a large range from non-cancer effects up to cancer. The purpose of this study was quantitative risk assessment of occupational exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds ...
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Abstract
Background and Purpose: Personal exposure to volatile organic compounds can cause variety of adverse health effects, containing a large range from non-cancer effects up to cancer. The purpose of this study was quantitative risk assessment of occupational exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds in the oil-dependent chemical industry.
Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study NIOSH 1501& 2549 methods were applied for sampling and analyzing the amount of hydrocarbons in the oil-dependents of chemical and after detecting hydrocarbons, the quantitative risk assessment was calculated by United States Environmental Protection Agency method. Also the Hazard Quotient parameter for non-cancer VOCs and Life time Cancer Risk for cancer VOCs were calculated. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS16 software.
Results: The Life time Cancer Risk (LCR) of benzene for 13complexes were Definite and for 8 complexes, in all complexes that have been studied, the LCR of benzene were more than threshold limit recommended by WHO. The Lifetime Cancer risk of trichloroethylene in one complex and ethyl benzene in two complexes were Definite. The Hazard Quotient of xylene, chlorobenzene, methyl ethyl ketone and N-hexane in several complexes were more than values recommended by WHO. There are significant relationships between carcinogenic hydrocarbons risk and parameters like age and work history, with the correlation coefficient of 0.336 and 0.409 respectively (P< 0.001).
Conclusion: This method ofrisk assessment is comprehensive and achieved results can be used for correcting and controlling prioritization of resources in case of reducing the level of risk.