Analyzing the Impact of Beverages Industries on the Air Quality and Climate Change

Abstract

The study evaluated the stack emissions and ambient air quality of five beverage industries across five cities in Pakistan. High volume air sampler, LANCOM gas analyzer and HORIBA AQMS were utilized to measure and assess key parameters in the ambient air and stack emissions from boilers and generators at the industries. The results of ambient air quality at five beverage industries revealed that all assessed parameters were within the recommended limit given Pak NEQs. Noise levels were high but within WHO guidelines. All five industries had different wind speed, direction, humidity, and temperature. Faisalabad's diesel-powered boilers and generators exceeded Pak NEQs in stack emissions, with boiler 1 emitting the maximum CO and SO2, boiler 2, generator 2 and 3 generating NO, NOx, and PM under stipulated load conditions. Boiler 1 in Lahore released more CO, NO, NOx, and PM than Pak NEQs (natural gas boilers). NO2 and SO2 met Pak NEQs. Generators 1 and 3 exceeded Pak NEQ limits for CO, SO2, NO, NOx, and PM (dieselfueled, fully loaded). Fully loaded natural gas boilers and diesel generators served Rawalpindi. SO2 and NO2 met Pak NEQs, but CO, NO, NOx, and PM exceeded. Generators 2 and 3 released higher CO and NOx. Diesel generators and natural gas boilers were completely loaded in Haripur. CO and NO2 met Pak NEQs, whereas CO, SO2, NO, NOx, PM exceeded. Generators released the most CO and NOx. NO was greater in boiler 1 (167±23.06) µg/m3 and generator 3 (190±10.0) µg/m3. Overall, emissions were minimal. Sheikhupura boiler 2 emitted more than boiler 1. CO (334.3±30.2)%, SO2, NO (423.0±13.0) µg/m3, NOx (458.0±18.0) µg/m3, and PM (89.6±0.1) µg/m3 exceeded Pak NEQs. Diesel emissions peaked at generator 3. CO, SO2, NO, NOx, PM exceeded limits; NO2 and CO2 were within. Both machines were fully loaded. Comparative investigation showed that boiler 1 in Lahore was above the safe PM level (62.2 µg/m3), while boiler 2 was below the 35 µg/m3 limit. PM emissions from Sheikhupura boiler 2 were high (89.4 µg/m3). Haripur and Rawalpindi boilers had tolerable PM levels. Inefficient fuel combustion, fuel quality, and pollution management can cause boiler PM. All beverage boilers exceeded Pak NEQs' CO limitations (232.6 µg/m3). Improper fuel ratios and combustion temperatures increase CO emissions. Maintenance issues with furnaces and controls might increase emissions.iii Boilers in Faisalabad have higher SO2 levels (409.3 µg/m3). All boiler NO2 emissions were fine. Generators disregarded Pak EPA PM Emission’s regulations (76.8 µg/m3). Diesel combustion with low air-fuel mixing ratios creates particles. The NO2 emissions were safe. SO2 levels in Lahore, Sheikhupura, and Faisalabad (161.6 µg/m3) surpassed Pak NEQs due to diesel generators. Rawalpindi and Haripur had safe SO2 levels. Additionally, generators surpassed CO (284.8 µg/m3) Pak NEQ emission limits. Poor diesel generator maintenance and control increase CO emissions. Faisalabad and Rawalpindi have the largest CO2 equivalent emission potentials, followed by Lahore, Haripur, and Sheikhupura. Boilers have greater CO2 percentages and equivalents than generators. CO2 percentages range from 9.47% to 9.57%, or 0.17 kg/m³. The C02 Eq results of GWP showed that emission management and mitigation activities should target boilers and generators in facilities with greater emissions, improving efficiency, using cleaner fuels like natural gas, optimizing processes, and cleaner technology.