Regional air quality management by pollution prevention - a partnership with industry

The Gulf Coast of the United States has an unusual mix of large industrial emission sources, extensive transportation emission sources, significant biogenic emissions and a complex coastal meteorology. These sources and the meteorology interact to produce high levels of ozone, hazardous air pollutants and fine particulate matter (PM). The ozone concentrations in areas of the region are among the highest in the nation. It has been identified that the major causes of air emission from point source are related to operation and maintenance in Chemical Process Industry (CPI). This paper describes the regional air quality management through pollution prevention by using information technology (IT). Three areas are identified: (1) implementation of an integrated operation system, (2) flare minimization by using dynamic simulation, and (3) the proposal of a regional air clearing house concept. The benefits from this project are not only for the environment and society but also for economics and sustainability.