Sensitivity analysis of pollutant dispersion from petroleum refining process using advection diffusion equation: a mathematical modeling approach

Air pollution is one of the most serious environmental problems in urban areas due to rapid development and starting of new industries. This salient hazard affects the human health and economy of the country. Mathematical models can be considered as one approach to identify the controlling measures of air pollution. These models consist of parameters which fluctuate with respect to external factors such as climate. Hence it is significant to recognize the dynamic behavior of air pollution model with respect to parameters. The two dimensional advection-diffusion equation is used to simulate the pollutant concentrations. Sensitivity equations are derived considering the variation of pollutant concentration with respect to parameters. Model equation and the sensitivity system are solved simultaneously using finite difference approximation. According to the study, the variation of pollutant concentration with respect to the parameters wind velocity and the diffusion coefficient are significant. When the velocity of wind doubled, it reduces the concentration of the pollutant in the ground level. But this pollutant air deposited in the highest places of the domain. These results reveal that considering different climatic periods and different zones, model parameters get dissimilar values. Hence, modifying air quality model season wise and area wise is important.