Spatial distribution of hydrogen sulfide from two geothermal power plants in complex terrain

S. Olafsdottir; S. M. Gardarsson; H. O. Andradottir

doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2013.10.013

Spatial distribution of hydrogen sulfide from two geothermal power plants in complex terrain

S. Olafsdottir, S. M. Gardarsson, H. O. Andradottir

University of Iceland

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Concerns have arisen about the health impact and odor annoyance of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) emissions associated with geothermal power production. Measurements have been made at stationary measuring stations in inhabited areas but little is known about the spatial behavior of the H₂S plumes. This study presents field measurements of the spatial distribution of the ground concentration of H₂S within a 30km radius of two geothermal power plants during 20 distinct events spanning one year. The results showed that high H₂S concentration was correlated with high air stability, low wind speed and absence of precipitation. The odor threshold (11μgm^-3) was exceeded in all events. The instantaneous measurements exceeded the 24-haverage national health limit (50μgm^-3) up to 26km from the power plants. The shape of the measured plumes at the same location was similar between events, indicating repeated patterns in plume distribution. Convergence of plumes was observed due to spatial variability in wind direction. Plumes were found to follow mountain passes and accumulate alongside a mountain range. AERMOD modeling demonstrated that narrower plumes with higher concentration can be expected for smoother terrain, such as lakes, consistent with measurements.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	60-70
Number of pages	11
Journal	Atmospheric Environment
Volume	82
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2013.10.013
Publication status	Published - Jan 2014

Bibliographical note

Funding Information: The financial support of the Landsvirkjun Energy Research Fund (F2008-13) is gratefully acknowledged, as is the assistance and financial support from Reykjavik Energy . Iceland Geosurvey, The United Nations University Geothermal Training Program, Belgingur – Institute for Meteorological Research, and the Vedurvaktin – Meteorological consultancy are duly thanked for their assistance. Assistance and access to weather and H 2 S data from the Icelandic Meteorological Office, The Icelandic Road Administration, and the Environmental and Health Protection Department of Hafnafjordur, Kopavogur and Gardabaer are also acknowledged.

Other keywords

Air quality
Dispersion modeling
Geothermal emissions
Hydrogen sulfide
Spatial distribution

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1016/j.atmosenv.2013.10.013

Cite this

@article{0e0e8b90b3bc474093d3a227fad884f8,

title = "Spatial distribution of hydrogen sulfide from two geothermal power plants in complex terrain",

abstract = "Concerns have arisen about the health impact and odor annoyance of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emissions associated with geothermal power production. Measurements have been made at stationary measuring stations in inhabited areas but little is known about the spatial behavior of the H2S plumes. This study presents field measurements of the spatial distribution of the ground concentration of H2S within a 30km radius of two geothermal power plants during 20 distinct events spanning one year. The results showed that high H2S concentration was correlated with high air stability, low wind speed and absence of precipitation. The odor threshold (11μgm-3) was exceeded in all events. The instantaneous measurements exceeded the 24-haverage national health limit (50μgm-3) up to 26km from the power plants. The shape of the measured plumes at the same location was similar between events, indicating repeated patterns in plume distribution. Convergence of plumes was observed due to spatial variability in wind direction. Plumes were found to follow mountain passes and accumulate alongside a mountain range. AERMOD modeling demonstrated that narrower plumes with higher concentration can be expected for smoother terrain, such as lakes, consistent with measurements.",

keywords = "Air quality, Dispersion modeling, Geothermal emissions, Hydrogen sulfide, Spatial distribution",

author = "S. Olafsdottir and Gardarsson, \{S. M.\} and Andradottir, \{H. O.\}",

note = "Funding Information: The financial support of the Landsvirkjun Energy Research Fund (F2008-13) is gratefully acknowledged, as is the assistance and financial support from Reykjavik Energy . Iceland Geosurvey, The United Nations University Geothermal Training Program, Belgingur – Institute for Meteorological Research, and the Vedurvaktin – Meteorological consultancy are duly thanked for their assistance. Assistance and access to weather and H 2 S data from the Icelandic Meteorological Office, The Icelandic Road Administration, and the Environmental and Health Protection Department of Hafnafjordur, Kopavogur and Gardabaer are also acknowledged.",

year = "2014",

month = jan,

doi = "10.1016/j.atmosenv.2013.10.013",

language = "English",

volume = "82",

pages = "60--70",

journal = "Atmospheric Environment",

issn = "1352-2310",

publisher = "Elsevier Ltd.",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Spatial distribution of hydrogen sulfide from two geothermal power plants in complex terrain

AU - Olafsdottir, S.

AU - Gardarsson, S. M.

AU - Andradottir, H. O.

N1 - Funding Information: The financial support of the Landsvirkjun Energy Research Fund (F2008-13) is gratefully acknowledged, as is the assistance and financial support from Reykjavik Energy . Iceland Geosurvey, The United Nations University Geothermal Training Program, Belgingur – Institute for Meteorological Research, and the Vedurvaktin – Meteorological consultancy are duly thanked for their assistance. Assistance and access to weather and H 2 S data from the Icelandic Meteorological Office, The Icelandic Road Administration, and the Environmental and Health Protection Department of Hafnafjordur, Kopavogur and Gardabaer are also acknowledged.

PY - 2014/1

Y1 - 2014/1

N2 - Concerns have arisen about the health impact and odor annoyance of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emissions associated with geothermal power production. Measurements have been made at stationary measuring stations in inhabited areas but little is known about the spatial behavior of the H2S plumes. This study presents field measurements of the spatial distribution of the ground concentration of H2S within a 30km radius of two geothermal power plants during 20 distinct events spanning one year. The results showed that high H2S concentration was correlated with high air stability, low wind speed and absence of precipitation. The odor threshold (11μgm-3) was exceeded in all events. The instantaneous measurements exceeded the 24-haverage national health limit (50μgm-3) up to 26km from the power plants. The shape of the measured plumes at the same location was similar between events, indicating repeated patterns in plume distribution. Convergence of plumes was observed due to spatial variability in wind direction. Plumes were found to follow mountain passes and accumulate alongside a mountain range. AERMOD modeling demonstrated that narrower plumes with higher concentration can be expected for smoother terrain, such as lakes, consistent with measurements.

AB - Concerns have arisen about the health impact and odor annoyance of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emissions associated with geothermal power production. Measurements have been made at stationary measuring stations in inhabited areas but little is known about the spatial behavior of the H2S plumes. This study presents field measurements of the spatial distribution of the ground concentration of H2S within a 30km radius of two geothermal power plants during 20 distinct events spanning one year. The results showed that high H2S concentration was correlated with high air stability, low wind speed and absence of precipitation. The odor threshold (11μgm-3) was exceeded in all events. The instantaneous measurements exceeded the 24-haverage national health limit (50μgm-3) up to 26km from the power plants. The shape of the measured plumes at the same location was similar between events, indicating repeated patterns in plume distribution. Convergence of plumes was observed due to spatial variability in wind direction. Plumes were found to follow mountain passes and accumulate alongside a mountain range. AERMOD modeling demonstrated that narrower plumes with higher concentration can be expected for smoother terrain, such as lakes, consistent with measurements.

KW - Air quality

KW - Dispersion modeling

KW - Geothermal emissions

KW - Hydrogen sulfide

KW - Spatial distribution

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/84886620653

U2 - 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2013.10.013

DO - 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2013.10.013

M3 - Article

SN - 1352-2310

VL - 82

SP - 60

EP - 70

JO - Atmospheric Environment

JF - Atmospheric Environment

ER -

Spatial distribution of hydrogen sulfide from two geothermal power plants in complex terrain

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Other keywords

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Cite this