ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF USING GENERATORS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY IN BAGHDAD, IRAQ

Year 2020, , 272 - 281, 01.12.2020

Wahab K. Ahmed Talib A. Abed Ahmed Q. Salam Khalid S. Reza Maitham T. Mahdiy Miqdam T. Chaichan

https://doi.org/10.18186/thermal.822496

Cited By: 9

Abstract

The environmental impact of using large electrical generators in the University of Technology in Iraq is
studied. These generators are utilised due to the lack of electricity from the national grid. The emissions are very
high and exceed the acceptable limits set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the World Health
Organization and Iraqi Standard No. 4950. The impact of switching to the use of photovoltaic cell systems, as
what is done in the Energy and Renewable Energies Technology Center (ERETC), and the environmental impact
of this transformation are also studied.

Results show that when the generators are used, high concentrations of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 are released,
exposing students and staff to health hazards. The amounts of pollutants from SO2, H2S, NOx and volatile organic
compounds are high due to the high sulphur content in Iraqi diesel fuel. Generator noise is extremely high that it
could pose serious health risks to university staff and students. Furthermore, using the photovoltaic system
considerably reduces PM1.0 and PM2.5 concentrations by 85.6% and 52.4%, respectively. The levels of CO2, CO,
H2S and SO2 decrease by 60.5%, 49.6%, 91.7% and 95.3%, respectively. The noise inside ERETC is reduced by
29% compared with that in the external environment. Shifting towards the generation of photovoltaic electricity
instead of using fossil fuel generators provides an immediate and appropriate treatment of Iraqi atmospheric
pollution.

Keywords

Iraq, Air Quality, PM, Electricity Generators, Noise, University of Technology

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