Experimental and mathematical study on ammonia emission from Kahrizak landfill and composting plants, Tehran, Iran

Ammonia (NH 3 ) as a toxic, reactive and corrosive compound with a sharp odor, found in landfills and composting plants. In this paper, ammonia emission from Kahrizak landfill and composting plants in the south of Tehran was studied. A mathematical model for ammonia emissions based on Gaussian fluctuating plume theory was developed using the two-dimensional theory of dispersion. This model was based on Pasquill–Gifford and Gaussian theory. Dispersion parameters and emission equation were analyzed using meteorological data in Pasquill–Gifford equations. WRPLOT software was applied to determine the wind direction, and the Land gem software was used to calculate the ammonia emission rate from the landfill. Monin–Obukhov length and net radiation were used for stability class specification. Radiation angle and topographic parameter effects were considered in these computations. The results showed the ammonia emission rate from the Kahrizak complex is about 163 g/s that had good agreement with other studies. Also the emitted ammonia could be detected up to 2 km away from the complex, which was verified by the field measurement of ammonia monitored at 9 stations in the complex.