International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)
Volume 10, Issue 1, January 2019, pp.498–508, Article ID: IJCIET_10_01_047
Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=10&IType=1
ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316
©IAEME Publication
Scopus Indexed
ESTIMATION OF CEMENT KILN EXHAUST ON
AIR QUALITY OF ARIYALUR IN TERMS OF
SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTER-A CASE
STUDY
J Ashok
School of Architecture, Periyar Maniammai Institute of Science and Technology,
Thanjavur – 613 010, Tamil Nadu, India
S. Senthamil Kumar
Department of Civil Engineering,
Periyar Maniammai Institute of Science and Technology,
Thanjavur - 613 010, Tamil Nadu, India
P. Satheesh Kumar, M. Jeganathan
Department of Environmental and Herbal Science, Tamil University,
Thanjavur - 613 010, Tamil Nadu, India
ABSTRACT
Total Suspended particulate matter which includes RPM (Respirable Particulate
Matter) and NRPM (Non Respirable Particulate Matter) serves as an important tool
to determine the ambient air quality. This study reveals the concentration of RPM,
NRPM and SPM (Suspended Particulate Matter) at all the sampling stations to be
dangerous to plants, animals and human beings. The sampling stations fall under the
category of industrial, residential and sensitive zones. As the cement industries
happen to be the main establishment of this area it is highly important to understand
about the ambient air quality. The statistical analysis reveals a positive correlation for
Annanagar between the day and night values of SPM and the correlation was found to
be a bit lesser between RPM, NRPM and SPM during both day and night of all the
areas, But still there is no negative correlation noticed between the data.
Key words: High volume air sampler APM 460 model, RPM, NRPM and SPM.
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J Ashok, S. Senthamil Kumar, P. Satheesh Kumar and M. Jeganathan
Cite this Article: J Ashok, S. Senthamil Kumar, P. Satheesh Kumar and M.
Jeganathan, Estimation of Cement Kiln Exhaust on Air Quality of Ariyalur In Terms
of Suspended Particulate Matter-A Case Study, International Journal of Civil
Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), 10 (1), 2019, pp. 498–508.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=10&IType=1
1. INTRODUCTION
Ariyalur is considered as one of the important places in Tamil Nadu. There are numerous lime
stone mines and about 9 cement factories located in and around Ariyalur. Ariyalur is located
250kms south west of Chennai and at about 60kms from Trichy towards northeast.
Ariyalur has witnessed an unusual phenomenon of increasing sea level before 120 million
years ago. The area extending over one lakh hectares comprised, what is the presently called
Jayankondam, Andimadam, Kolakkanatham, Dalmiapuram, Sathanur, Kunnam, Sendurai,
Ariyalur and Keezhapalur villages, inexplicably the sea, withdrew from the area before 80
million years ago. The billions of shells of sea animals such as oysters, corals, mollusks,
calms and brachiopods formed the sedimentary limestone rocks in the area, which are the
basic raw materials for the giant cement plant in the region.
These limestone deposits and fossils embedded in successive layers of rocks were to
paleontologists like the printed pages of nature’s own book of the history of the earth. While
the fleshly parts of the buried marine creatures, rotted away quickly, the hard part such as the
bones and shells has remained for years without suffering much damage, the pores and empty
spaces are partially or totally impregnated with mineral deposits from the seeping sea water
and in course of time, these structures has got hardened to form fossils. Hence the land is
termed “Land of fossils” and as the “Holy place for Geologists”.
Ariyalur covers 2 lakhs hectares of Tamilnadu; the population of Ariyalur is 8 lakhs. In
summer the temperature ranges between 30oC to 38oC. During winter day the temperature
ranges between 22oC to 27oC. Rain fall per year is about 867 mm. (www.ariyalur.com).
Air pollution is thus defined as “the presence of any substance in the atmosphere in such a
concentration that may be or tend to be injurious to human beings, other living creatures,
plants or to the atmosphere itself”. In other words, it is the presence of undesirable
contaminants in the air in the form of gas, smoke, fume, mist and dust, etc., in such quantities
and of such duration as to become injurious to human, plant and animal life, harmful to our
living, and to historical monuments and other structures. Various gases and particulate matters
emitted into the atmosphere by industrial stacks land energy generating units, in
concentrations significantly higher than the natural level or imbalance of constituents of air
are referred as air pollutant.
2. METHODOLOGY
Selection of sampling sites
The sampling site was chosen with the following criteria as guide lines. It should provide a
true representation of the receptor sites. Sampling site should be two to four kilometers
around the cement factory. It should not be behind a tall building or structure and should not
isolate itself from being exposed to the specific localized sources. The sites may be on
concentric circular lines with the area of interest in the center.
To study the extent and effect of pollutants on common people, five residential and
sensitive areas were selected. The selections of stations are such that they covered all the four
directions.
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Estimation of Cement Kiln Exhaust on Air Quality of Ariyalur In Terms of Suspended Particulate
Matter-A Case Study
Sampling sites

Anna Nagar(AN)

Maruthi Nagar(MN)

Manaleri(ML)

Kallenkuruchi(KK)

Chetti thirukkonam.(CT)
Suspended particulate matter collection and determination
The gravimetric method (High volume air sampler APM 460 model) employed for the
quantification of dust fall that is a suitable method for the particles of one micron or larger
size. Dust fall samples were collected at four polluted sites and control site from the emission
sources during 3 times a day for every month during January 2017-December 2017.
Determination of suspended particulate matter: (SPM)
The SPM comprises RPM & NRPM. RPM was calculated using the relation.
Concentration of SPM (g/m3) = concentration of NRPM + concentration of RPM. Thus
the SPM were calculated.
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The natural environment, around Ariyalur cement plant, is regularly contaminated with heavy
deposition of cement kiln dust by emitting through the smokestacks. The entire vegetation and
buildings almost seems to be grayish white in appearance within the rations of 5 km around
cement factory. With the overall observation, it is clear that a different place of Ariyalur
describes the probability of increase of the SPM concentration.
Table 1 Summary of SPM levels in and around Ariyalur during January 2011 (mean values)
S. NO
1
2
3
4
5
AREA
ANNA NAGAR
MARUTHI NAGAR
MANALERI
KALLENKURICHI
CHETTITHIRUKONAM
DAY VALUES (g/m3)
0.24 X 103
0.36 X 103
1.28 X 103
0.56 X 103
0.21 X 103
NIGHT VALUES (g/m3)
0.43 X 103
0.35 X 103
1.04 X 103
0.38 X 103
0.48 X 103
Figure 1 Diagrammatic representation of SPM levels of different sampling stations during January
2017
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J Ashok, S. Senthamil Kumar, P. Satheesh Kumar and M. Jeganathan
During January 2017 the highest RPM level [0.80x103g/m3) has been recorded at ML.
Similarly the NRPM level and the SPM level the highest the same region (0.48x10 3g/m3)
respectively. The values cited were the day values, and the highest values happen to be 0.78,
0.26, and 1.04x103g/m3 respectively. During February 2017 the highest RPM level
[0.90x103g/m3) has been recorded at MN. Similarly the NRPM level and the SPM level the
highest the same region (1.16x103g/m3) respectively. The values cited were the day values,
and the highest values happen to be 0.76, 0.17, and 0.92x103g/m3 respectively.
Table 2 Summary of SPM levels in and around Ariyalur during February 2017 (mean values)
S. NO
1
2
3
4
5
AREA
DAY VALUES (g/m3) NIGHT VALUES (g/m3)
ANNA NAGAR
0.10 X 103
0.23 X 103
3
MARUTHI NAGAR
1.16 X 10
0.55 X 103
MANALERI
0.97 X 103
0.92 X 103
KALLENKURICHI
0.37 X 103
0.48 X 103
CHETTITHIRUKONAM
0.26 X 103
0.24 X 103
Figure 2 Diagrammatic representation of SPM levels of different sampling stations during
February2017
Table 3 Summary of SPM levels in and around Ariyalur during March 2017 (mean values)
S. NO
1
2
3
4
5
AREA
DAY VALUES (g/m3) NIGHT VALUES (g/m3)
ANNA NAGAR
1.53 X 103
1.17 X 103
MARUTHI NAGAR
1.98 X 103
1.70 X 103
MANALERI
1.15 X 103
1.10 X 103
3
KALLENKURICHI
0.49 X 10
0.85 X 103
CHETTITHIRUKONAM
0.38 X 103
0.44 X 103
Figure 3 Diagrammatic representation of SPM levels of different sampling stations during March
2017
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Estimation of Cement Kiln Exhaust on Air Quality of Ariyalur In Terms of Suspended Particulate
Matter-A Case Study
During March 2017 the highest RPM level [1.06x103g/m3) has been recorded at MN.
Similarly the NRPM level and the SPM level the highest the same region (1.98x10 3g/m3)
respectively. The values cited were the day values, and the highest values happen to be 0.92,
0.78, and 1.70x103g/m3 respectively. During April 2017 the highest RPM level
[0.41x103g/m3) has been recorded at KK. Similarly the NRPM level and the SPM level the
highest the same region (0.72x103g/m3) respectively. The values cited were the day values,
and the highest values happen to be 0.36, 0.22, and 0.58x103g/m3 respectively.
Table 4 Summary of SPM levels in and around Ariyalur during April 2017 (mean values)
S. NO
1
2
3
4
5
AREA
DAY VALUES (g/m3) NIGHT VALUES (g/m3)
ANNA NAGAR
0.44 X 103
0.42 X 103
3
MARUTHI NAGAR
0.49 X 10
0.45 X 103
MANALERI
0.18 X 103
0.22 X 103
KALLENKURICHI
0.72 X 103
0.58 X 103
CHETTITHIRUKONAM
0.21 X 103
0.18 X 103
Figure 4 Diagrammatic representation of SPM levels of different sampling stations during April 2017
Table 5 Summary of SPM levels in and around Ariyalur during May 2017 (mean values)
S. NO
1
2
3
4
5
AREA
ANNA NAGAR
MARUTHI NAGAR
MANALERI
KALLENKURICHI
CHETTITHIRUKONAM
DAY VALUES (g/m3)
0.90 X 103
0.59 X 103
0.42 X 103
1.16 X 103
0.28 X 103
NIGHT VALUES (g/m3)
0.72 X 103
0.46 X 103
0.52 X 103
0.85 X 103
0.33 X 103
Figure 5 Diagrammatic representation of SPM levels of different sampling stations during May 2017
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J Ashok, S. Senthamil Kumar, P. Satheesh Kumar and M. Jeganathan
During May 2017 the highest RPM level [0.64x103g/m3) has been recorded at KK.
Similarly the NRPM level and the SPM level the highest the same region (1.16x103g/m3)
respectively. The values cited were the day values, and the highest values happen to be 0.48,
0.42, and 0.85x103g/m3 respectively. During June 2017 the highest RPM level
[0.61x103g/m3) has been recorded at KK. Similarly the NRPM level and the SPM level the
highest the same region (1.04x103g/m3) respectively. The values cited were the day values,
and the highest values happen to be 0.54, 0.38, and 0.92x103g/m3 respectively.
Table 6 Summary of SPM levels in and around Ariyalur during June 2017 (mean values)
S. NO
1
2
3
4
5
AREA
DAY VALUES (g/m3) NIGHT VALUES (g/m3)
ANNA NAGAR
0.36 X 103
0.51 X 103
3
MARUTHI NAGAR
0.59 X 10
0.78 X 103
MANALERI
0.36 X 103
0.31 X 103
KALLENKURICHI
1.04 X 103
0.92 X 103
CHETTITHIRUKONAM
0.20 X 103
0.23 X 103
Figure 6 Diagrammatic representation of SPM levels of different sampling stations during June 2017
Table 7 Summary of SPM levels in and around Ariyalur during July 2011 (mean values)
S. NO
1
2
3
4
5
AREA
DAY VALUES (g/m3) NIGHT VALUES (g/m3)
ANNA NAGAR
0.42 X 103
0.42 X 103
3
MARUTHI NAGAR
0.29 X 10
0.59 X 103
MANALERI
0.60 X 103
0.54 X 103
KALLENKURICHI
1.31 X 103
0.99 X 103
CHETTITHIRUKONAM
0.26 X 103
0.27 X 103
Figure 7 Diagrammatic representation of SPM levels of different sampling stations during July 2017
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Estimation of Cement Kiln Exhaust on Air Quality of Ariyalur In Terms of Suspended Particulate
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During July 2017 the highest RPM level [0.62x103g/m3) has been recorded at KK.
Similarly the NRPM level and the SPM level the highest the same region (1.31x10 3g/m3)
respectively. The values cited were the day values, and the highest values happen to be 0.58,
0.41, and 0.99x103g/m3 respectively. During August 2017 the highest RPM level
[0.33x103g/m3) has been recorded at KK. Similarly the NRPM level and the SPM level the
highest the same region (0.51x103g/m3) respectively. The values cited were the day values,
and the highest values happen to be 0.41, 0.17, and 0.58x103g/m3 respectively.
Table 8 Summary of SPM levels in and around Ariyalur during August 2017 (mean values)
S. NO
1
2
3
4
5
AREA
ANNA NAGAR
MARUTHI NAGAR
MANALERI
KALLENKURICHI
CHETTITHIRUKONAM
DAY VALUES (g/m3)
0.19 X 103
0.24 X 103
0.38 X 103
0.51 X 103
0.16 X 103
NIGHT VALUES (g/m3)
0.22 X 103
0.17 X 103
0.41 X 103
0.58 X 103
0.19 X 103
Figure 8 Diagrammatic representation of SPM levels of different sampling stations during August
2017
Table 9 Summary of SPM levels in and around Ariyalur during September 2011 (mean values)
S. NO
1
2
3
4
5
AREA
DAY VALUES (g/m3) NIGHT VALUES (g/m3)
ANNA NAGAR
0.60 X 103
0.74 X 103
MARUTHI NAGAR
1.23 X 103
1.00X 103
3
MANALERI
0.26 X 10
0.29 X 103
KALLENKURICHI
0.08X 103
0.12 X 103
CHETTITHIRUKONAM
0.12 X 103
0.16 X 103
Figure 9 Diagrammatic representation of SPM levels of different sampling stations during September
2017
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During September 2017 the highest RPM level [0.81x103g/m3) has been recorded at MN.
Similarly the NRPM level and the SPM level the highest the same region (1.23x10 3g/m3)
respectively. The values cited were the day values, and the highest values happen to be 0.62,
0.38, and 1.00x103g/m3 respectively. During October 2017 the highest RPM level
[0.32x103g/m3) has been recorded at MN. Similarly the NRPM level and the SPM level the
highest the same region (0.53x103g/m3) respectively. The values cited were the day values,
and the highest values happen to be 0.28, 0.25, and 0.53x103g/m3 respectively.
Table 10 Summary of SPM levels in and around Ariyalur during October 2017 (mean values)
S. NO
1
2
3
4
5
AREA
ANNA NAGAR
MARUTHI NAGAR
MANALERI
KALLENKURICHI
CHETTITHIRUKONAM
DAY VALUES (g/m3)
0.20 X 103
0.53 X 103
0.47 X 103
0.09 X 103
0.08 X 103
NIGHT VALUES (g/m3)
0.20 X 103
0.53X 103
0.37 X 103
0.11 X 103
0.09 X 103
Figure 10 Diagrammatic representation of SPM levels of different sampling stations during October
2017
Table 11 Summary of SPM levels in and around Ariyalur during November 2017 (mean values)
S. NO
1
2
3
4
5
AREA
ANNA NAGAR
MARUTHI NAGAR
MANALERI
KALLENKURICHI
CHETTITHIRUKONAM
DAY VALUES (g/m3)
0.41 X 103
0.48 X 103
0.62 X 103
0.31 X 103
0.08 X 103
NIGHT VALUES (g/m3)
0.37 X 103
0.49 X 103
0.70 X 103
0.32 X 103
0.10 X 103
Figure 11 Diagrammatic representation of SPM levels of different sampling stations during November
2017
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Estimation of Cement Kiln Exhaust on Air Quality of Ariyalur In Terms of Suspended Particulate
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Table 12 Summary of SPM levels in and around Ariyalur during December 2017 (mean values)
S. NO
1
2
3
4
5
AREA
ANNA NAGAR
MARUTHI NAGAR
MANALERI
KALLENKURICHI
CHETTITHIRUKONAM
DAY VALUES (g/m3)
0.38 X 103
0.36 X 103
0.51 X 103
0.20 X 103
0.15 X 103
NIGHT VALUES (g/m3)
0.37 X 103
0.27 X 103
0.35 X 103
0.16 X 103
0.16 X 103
Figure 12 Diagrammatic representation of SPM levels of different sampling stations during December
2017
During November 2017 the highest RPM level [0.41x103g/m3) has been recorded at ML.
Similarly the NRPM level and the SPM level the highest the same region (0.62x10 3g/m3)
respectively. The values cited were the day values, and the highest values happen to be 0.52,
0.18, and 0.70x103g/m3 respectively. During March 2017 the highest RPM level
[0.35x103g/m3) has been recorded at ML. Similarly the NRPM level and the SPM level the
highest the same region (0.51x103g/m3) respectively. The values cited were the day values,
and the highest values happen to be 0.26, 0.17, and 0.35x103g/m3 respectively.
Suspended particulate matter which includes RPM and NRPM serves as an important tool
to determine the ambient air quality. This study reveals the concentration of RPM, NRPM and
SPM at all the sampling stations to be dangerous to plants, animals and human beings. The
sampling stations fall under the category of industrial, residential and sensitive zones. As the
cement industries happen to be the main establishment of this area it is highly important to
understand about the ambient air quality.
In the residential zones such as Annanagar, Chettithirukonam minimum SPM noticed was
210 g/m3 for the period of January 2017. This value slightly exceeds the standards and the
air quality index is calculated to be heavily polluted during day and severely polluted during
night.
The residential zone such as Annanagar lies at around 4 km from the industry and does
not face any mining activities. Comparatively the SPM from the cement factory has made the
area severely polluted during the period of April, June, July September, November and
December, As the wind direction dominates in the north east with respect to the industry
during the months of sep-December. That may be a reason for the severe pollution of this
region where as the monsoon brings rain to the region during June to July.
But these months have not recorded higher number of rainy days, where as the wind speed
is higher during these days. Not only these factors are associated with pollution, the other
factors such as the plume behavior must also be considered. Due to humidity there may be
inversion during this period there by resulting in increase in the ground level concentration of
SPM. But during 1978 to 1980 the SPM concentration recorded near by Jharia coal field was
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about 1104 g/m3 and 1464g/m3 respectively (Mukherjee et al. 1984). Whereas near
Gurunanak Dev Thermal plant Bathinda (Punjab) in India the SPM was around 840g/m3
during 1999, a railway station. The authors further have discussed about the pollution load in
terms of SPM which has resulted in certain effects on the vegetation near by the plants.
Pandey et al. (1999) has studied the ambient air quality of Lucknow city in India, in terms
of SPM which ranges from 583 g/m3 to 3450g/m3, the authors have mentioned the
vehicular pollution also acts as a source of pollution.
Agarwal and khanam (1997) have monitored the air quality near by Dala cement factory
in Uttarpradesh in India. They have reported that the SPM concentration has exceeded within
2km from the source, and also higher values have been recorded during summer periods that
is about 752g/m3, where the sampling site is 0.5km from the source.
Similar results have been cited by Mohanty, (1999), Joshi and Jain (2000), Jayanthi and
Krishnamoorthy (2006), Gupta and Sunita (1997), Agarwal and Khanam (1997) further
discuss the effect of transportation of cement bags and raw materials as source for SPM. So
we can justify the mere pollution of this region may be influenced by not only from the source
but also the meteorological condition along with the stack height, plume behavior could
contribute to the severity of pollution. ( Rao and Rao, 1989).
4. CONCLUSION
The sampling station namely Manaleri is severely polluted during January, February, and
November and the area seems to be fairly clean during, April and during most of the months
namely June, August, September, October and December it is moderately polluted. And in
this area not much variation is seen during the day and night values.
When we consider the places namely Maruthinagar and Kallenkurichi, the Kallenkuruchi
area is found to be severely polluted with the SPM concentration >125gm3 for almost 9
months of the year. The reason may be Maruthinagar is a pure residential area though it
comes under industrial zone as the distance between the source and this area is less than 2 km.
But for Kallankurichi there are certain other activities which add up to the pollution. The main
reason may be the mines present in this area, added to this reason is the presence of a Temple
which increases the transportation and also the commercial activities.
Comparatively the Chettithirukkonam area is fairly clean during October and November
and polluted during April, August, September and December. Though Chettithirukkonam area
is also severely polluted at times, its distance from the factory is about 18 km there by the
reduction in pollution load is substantiated. But the high amount of SPM seen at
Chettithirukkonam is just around 400 g/m3, and the highest amount of SPM seen in the
highly contaminated Kallenkurichi is about 1160 gm3.
From the study, it is clear that the anthropogenic activities especially industrial, mining
activities and vehicular pollution are responsible for the higher concentration of SPM in
Ariyalur area. It must be controlled by the industries in order to safeguard our health and
future generation there by aiming at sustainable development and sustainable utilization of
natural resource namely limestone deposits.
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Estimation of Cement Kiln Exhaust on Air Quality of Ariyalur In Terms of Suspended Particulate
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