Emission and exposure of hydrogen sulfide in the air from oil refinery: spatiotemporal field monitoring

• Published in: International journal of environmental science and technology (Tehran) Vol. 20; no. 5; pp. 4727 - 4736
• Main Authors: Salih, M. Q., Hamadamin, R. R., Hama, J. R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.05.2023
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Science and Engineering; Original Paper; Soil Science & Conservation; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Hydrogen sulfide; Human health; S; Refinery units; Crude oil; H; Air pollution
• ISSN: 1735-1472; 1735-2630
• DOI: 10.1007/s13762-022-04309-2

Little is known regarding the amount of hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) emitted during refinery process under different management systems. Therefore, two refinery fields were investigated to explain their H 2 S emission, as they were managed using non-standardized and standardized protocols. In addition, three units of standardized refinery were investigated to correlate the amount of emitted H 2 S with oil quality. Both of non-standardized and standardized oil refineries emitted H 2 S, but the former contributed more; in fact, it was orders of magnitude higher. At non-standardized and standardized oil refineries, the highest concentration of H 2 S measured was 35.6 ± 2.4 and 2.6 ± 0.3 mg/m 3 , respectively, and the concentrations steadily declined with the distance from the refinery subunits until it was not detected at 550 and 130 m, respectively. In addition, refinery subunits: distillation tower, flare gas, and storage tank, emitted H 2 S, but the former was the dominant source. The crude oil quality affected H 2 S concentration in the air, the higher sulfur content the more H 2 S released. Furthermore, there was diurnal pattern of H 2 S concentrations, with higher H 2 S emitted during nighttime than the daytime. This study demonstrates that H 2 S emitted into atmosphere, and it most likely affects refinery workers health, surrounding area, and this can lead to further environmental consequences. Graphical abstract