Abstract

GARCIA, Cezar et al. Comparative evaluation of SO₂ in less favorable wind direction from a thermal power plant. Rev. Téc. Ing. Univ. Zulia [online]. 2003, vol.26, n.2, pp.78-92. ISSN 0254-0770.

There is a thermal power plant located at Maracaibo State of Zulia, Venezuela. This plant represents an important source of sulphur dioxide emissions in the zone because of combustion of fuel oil. The SO₂ emissions from the chimneys are dispersed into atmosphere, generating high levels of SO₂ in the areas near to the plant that surpassed the limits for air quality.This work analyzes the distribution of SO₂ concentration toward the northen zone of the plant and in the less favorable wind direction. For the experiment, samples were collected by absorption through the RAC 5 system (model all weather shelter). For computational purposes the atmospheric dispersion models presented by Briggs and Pasquill-Gifford were applied. To apply the model hourly values of meteorological conditions were recorded at Maracaibo such as: wind speed, wind direction, cloudiness, insolation and temperature during December 2000 and January 2001. The results indicated that the Briggs model for urban dispersion fit quite well experimental values from the sampling zone, which takes into account local meteorological conditions and data from the pollution source.

Keywords : SO₂ dispersion; air pollution; dispersion model; atmospheric stability.