H_2S emissions from Cerro Prieto geothermal power plant, Mexico, and air pollutants measurements in the area

摘要

We measured meteorological parameters and environmental concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (H_2S) and criteria pollutants at Cerro Prieto, Mexico, from May to July 2010. In addition, non-condensable gases from vent stacks at Cerro Prieto geothermal power plant were sampled and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A dispersion model, which was validated with environmental measurements, was applied to H_2S. Criteria pollutants never exceeded the Mexican air quality standards. Results from dispersion modeling were compared against measured concentrations showing acceptable agreements for Chi square goodness of fit (x~2) in the 95% significance level (α - 0.05), at afternoons and evening events when boundary layer is decreasing and wind speed is less than 5.5 ms~(-1). Determination coefficient of curve fitting for computed concentrations at less than 4 km from the source was 0.513 and farther 0.568. This study was the first to measure criteria pollutants and H_2S in Cerro Prieto area.