Air Pollution Assessment Around Al-Rumaila Combined Cycle Power Plant, Basrah Governorate Under Dry Climatic Conditions

The paper addresses the potential air pollution levels resulting from the combustion of natural gas in the Rumaila combined cycle power plant in Basrah city. The study aims to evaluate the concentrations of pollutants (carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter) at distances of 100, 500, and 1000 meters from the plant using a Gaussian dispersion model. This includes calculating the emission rates of pollutants from the stacks and estimating atmospheric stability based on data from the Iraqi Meteorological Authority. The study also determines the Turner-Pasquill stability classes for August 2023 and the wind speed and direction at the height of the stack. The results indicate that the concentrations of pollutants in the exhaust gas from the five stacks are well below the national ambient air quality standards, indicating that the power plant has no negative impact on the local climate and air quality.