Dispersion of gas flaring emissions in the Niger delta: Impact of prevailing meteorological conditions and flare characteristics

Abstract

An understanding of the dispersion and level of emissions source of atmospheric pollutants; whether point, area or volume sources, is required to inform policies on air pollution and dayto-day predictions of pollution level. Very few studies have carried out simulations of the dispersion pattern and ground-level concentration of pollutants emitted from real-world gas flares. The limited availability of official data on gas flares from the oil and gas industries makes accurate dispersion calculations difficult. Using ADMS 5 and AERMOD, this study assessed the sensitivity of dispersion and ground-level concentration of pollutants from gas flares in the Niger Delta to prevailing meteorological condition; fuel composition; and flare size. Although, during the non-WAM (West African Monsoon) months (November and March), the simulated ground-level concentrations of pollutants from a single flare are lower, the dispersion of pollutants is towards both the inland and coastal communities. In the WAM months, the ground-level concentrations are higher and are dispersed predominantly over the inland communities. Less buoyant plumes from smaller flares (lower volume flow rates) and/or flaring of fuel with lower heat content results in higher ground-level concentrations in areas closer to the flare. Considering the huge number of flares scattered around the region, a mitigation of the acute local pollution level would be to combine short stacks flaring at lower volume flow rates to enhance the volume flow rate of a single exhaust, and hence, the buoyancy of the plume exiting the stack. Main finding Flare and fuel characteristics significantly affects the dispersion pattern and ground-level concentration of pollutants. There is greater population dose during the non-WAM months.

Cumulative effects assessment requirements in selected developed and developing countries

“…Rather, a switch to a rigorous CEA regime that is focused on an approach that reconciles scientific assessments, plan development and social policy is required (Parkins, 2011;Duinker et al, 2013;Olagunju & Gunn, 2016). This integrated approach to CEA is especially important to reconcile and address the complex mix of environmental pollution (including the notorious issue of gas glaring in the Niger Delta with its local, regional and transboundary effects7), social justice and livelihood sustainability challenges in its oil producing region of Niger Delta (Giwa et al, 2017;Fawole et al, 2019;Matemilola et al, 2019). Some international EIA jurisdictions (for example, the United Kingdom) demonstrate promising ways to overcome such limitations through collaboration between agencies and levels of governments and through engagement with subject matter expertise across sectors (mining, oil and gas, and transportation, for example).…”

“…Some international EIA jurisdictions (for example, the United Kingdom) demonstrate promising ways to overcome such limitations through collaboration between agencies and levels of governments and through engagement with subject matter expertise across sectors (mining, oil and gas, and transportation, for example). As it stands, CEA in Nigeria has the legal basis to succeed but more work is 7 Nigeria Niger Delta region contains over 300 active gas flare sites with an estimated 15.1 billion cubic metres (bcm) of natural gas flared, with impacts spreading to the entire West Africa sub-region (see Fawole, 2019). A 2018 Regulation (Flare Gas (Prevention of Waste and Pollution) Regulations, 2018) introduced by the Federal government to minimize the environmental and social impact of natural gas flaring in the region is mute on its cumulative effects.…”

Emissions characteristics and impact on the Environment for LPG And Gasoline in Spark Ignition Engine

“…Coma or death may also occur if high exposures continue. The show of symptoms varies wide from individuals to individuals and should occur sooner in inclined people like young or aged individuals, people with pre-existing respiratory organ or cardiovascular disease, or those living at high altitudes locations [9,10,11,12].…”