Background: This study aims to investigate the dispersion of pollutant gases emitted from the Sahand thermal power plant's chimney and determine the maximum concentration of these pollutants in the surrounding areas.
Materials and Methods: The emission of exhaust gases from the chimney was simulated using Screen View software. This software calculates the maximum concentration of pollutants at specific distances from the chimney for all air stability classes, using input data such as the mass emission rate of pollutants, the temperature and velocity of the exhaust gases, the ambient temperature, the chimney's dimensions, and the height in the direction of emission. This research calculated the concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide in eight directions: north, northeast, east, southeast, south, southwest, west, and northwest of the power plant chimney.
Results: The modeling results indicate that at a distance of 1218 meters from the power plant chimney, the maximum 1-hour concentrations of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide are 915.9, 54.14, and 1.305 micrograms per cubic meter, respectively. Moreover, for areas with higher elevations relative to the chimney, the maximum 24-hour concentrations for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide are 680.5, 40.22, and 0.97 micrograms per cubic meter, respectively.
Conclusion: The levels of nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide in some areas near the power plant exceed the permissible limits set by the environmental standards of Iran and the World Health Organization, posing a health risk to the residents of these areas.