ID :
56630
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 15:02
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https://oananews.org//node/56630
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Dubai works towards containing NOx emissions
Dubai, April 21, 2009 (WAM) - Dubai is seriously addressing the issue of excessive levels of nitrogen oxide (NOx) in the emirate, a top official from the government said. According to Rashed Mohammed Karkain, Head of Environmental Planning and Studies Section at Dubai Municipality, the emirate currently exceeds the limit imposed by the World Health Organisation due to power plants' burning of fuel oil and continuous emission of hazardous fumes by trucks.
"It (NOx emission) is exceeding the WHO limit. Our air control monitoring shows we have no other emission concerns except NOx, which results from power stations," he told 'Emirates Business'.
"The reason for this is Dubai needs to use fuel oil," Karkain added. "We do not have enough gas, so power stations are forced to use a kind of fuel that is causing that problem. We need the power so sometimes they would have to use this."
NOx, a kind of nitrogen oxide, attacks bronchial and lung tissues, irritates mucous membrane and can affect individuals with asthma and bronchitis. It is emitted by motor vehicles, power stations and other fuel-burning equipment.
The WHO guideline levels of exposure to NOx should not exceed 0.21 ppm (parts per million) for one hour and 0.08 ppm for 24 hours. Karkain said a two-part programme is needed to solve the problem. First is for the power plants to shift to low NOx burners – a scheme that is already in place; and second is to avail more gas feedback so the emirate can avoid using fuel oil, a costlier and dirtier alternative.
Karkain said the government is aware of the problem and is working on getting more gas from neighbouring countries such as Qatar.
"We hope to get more gas from Qatar and that will definitely solve the problem," he said. "This issue has being addressed. We cannot put a deadline in solving this as it is a strategy at the governmental level. The government has to get gas… Municipality doesn't sign contracts." Some, however, have a different view on the issue.
Khalid Al Awadi, a Dubai-based gas expert, said although power plants do emit this orange-brown irritating gas with pungent odour, the bulk of the blame should go to the smoke-belching trucks on Dubai roads.
"The current NOx level in Dubai comes mainly from the trucks on Dubai roads," he said. "I know the power generation in Dubai is 90 per cent gas. In fact, for the past six months, no oil has being burned but we still have high pollution in Dubai. Gas also makes NOx emissions, so even if they convert all power and aluminium plants to gas, NOx will still not come down," Al Awadi, who is also a gas manager at a governmental firm, said. He said vehicles should be converted to natural gas or otherwise be banned. "Licenses should be cancelled to those who cause pollution in Dubai," Al Awadi added.
He said under the current situation, the emirate would find it difficult to secure gas from Qatar, which has not been signing new deals due to the ongoing study of its gas fields, also known as the gas moratorium.
Meanwhile, the environmental department of Dubai Municipality is set to increase its ambient air quality monitors from seven to at least 10 this year. The department is also looking at projects that range from identification of hot spots in Dubai to remote sensing or the use of satellite imagery for environmental control. "We must have the results of all these projects by the year-end," Karkain said.
"It (NOx emission) is exceeding the WHO limit. Our air control monitoring shows we have no other emission concerns except NOx, which results from power stations," he told 'Emirates Business'.
"The reason for this is Dubai needs to use fuel oil," Karkain added. "We do not have enough gas, so power stations are forced to use a kind of fuel that is causing that problem. We need the power so sometimes they would have to use this."
NOx, a kind of nitrogen oxide, attacks bronchial and lung tissues, irritates mucous membrane and can affect individuals with asthma and bronchitis. It is emitted by motor vehicles, power stations and other fuel-burning equipment.
The WHO guideline levels of exposure to NOx should not exceed 0.21 ppm (parts per million) for one hour and 0.08 ppm for 24 hours. Karkain said a two-part programme is needed to solve the problem. First is for the power plants to shift to low NOx burners – a scheme that is already in place; and second is to avail more gas feedback so the emirate can avoid using fuel oil, a costlier and dirtier alternative.
Karkain said the government is aware of the problem and is working on getting more gas from neighbouring countries such as Qatar.
"We hope to get more gas from Qatar and that will definitely solve the problem," he said. "This issue has being addressed. We cannot put a deadline in solving this as it is a strategy at the governmental level. The government has to get gas… Municipality doesn't sign contracts." Some, however, have a different view on the issue.
Khalid Al Awadi, a Dubai-based gas expert, said although power plants do emit this orange-brown irritating gas with pungent odour, the bulk of the blame should go to the smoke-belching trucks on Dubai roads.
"The current NOx level in Dubai comes mainly from the trucks on Dubai roads," he said. "I know the power generation in Dubai is 90 per cent gas. In fact, for the past six months, no oil has being burned but we still have high pollution in Dubai. Gas also makes NOx emissions, so even if they convert all power and aluminium plants to gas, NOx will still not come down," Al Awadi, who is also a gas manager at a governmental firm, said. He said vehicles should be converted to natural gas or otherwise be banned. "Licenses should be cancelled to those who cause pollution in Dubai," Al Awadi added.
He said under the current situation, the emirate would find it difficult to secure gas from Qatar, which has not been signing new deals due to the ongoing study of its gas fields, also known as the gas moratorium.
Meanwhile, the environmental department of Dubai Municipality is set to increase its ambient air quality monitors from seven to at least 10 this year. The department is also looking at projects that range from identification of hot spots in Dubai to remote sensing or the use of satellite imagery for environmental control. "We must have the results of all these projects by the year-end," Karkain said.
