DOHA: The demand for air pollution control equipment is expected to increase next year in the Middle East, to minimise the environment effects from the ongoing projects including construction and power sectors.
An Analysis of Middle East Air Pollution Control Equipment Market says more equipment will be purchased with the increasing number of ongoing projects in the cement, metals, desalination, petrochemicals, and power sectors.
The Middle East air pollution control equipment market is likely to grow at a compound annual rate of 8.44 percent until 2014, says this study done by the Frost and Sullivan research service.
High-level urbanisation is leading to rapid industrialisation, causing escalating concern over its effects on the environment. New regulations, guidelines, and legislations are on the anvil to curb air pollution in the Middle East, says the study.
In this backdrop, Qatar too has commenced many studies to monitor and control air pollution as phenomenal economic and industrial growth that lead to an increase in environmental challenges.
A Qatar Air Quality Modeling System (QAQM) was developed by Qatar Petroleum (QP) and Total Research Centre - Qatar (TRC-Q) to clarify the causes of the high ozone levels in Qatar's lower atmosphere.
A comprehensive emission inventory of ozone precursors has been constructed at the regional and local levels. Various methodologies have been employed covering all activity sectors and scales such as direct knowledge of industrial processes, statistical data combined with emission factors and road traffic emissions models.
The study has collected outputs from the model simulations validated against meteorology and air quality data collected from various monitoring stations in Qatar. This study has also improved the scientific knowledge on processes involved in the ozone cycle in the Gulf region.
TRC-Q is currently building on this successful experience to develop new technologies as an answer to the environmental challenges resulting from the extraordinary growth currently enjoyed by Qatar, according to the researches Dianne Lecoeur, Ali Al Mulla, Claude Sadois, Azhari Ahmed attached to the TOTAL E&P Qatar and Qatar Science and Technology Park(QSTP).
Further to support the environmental monitoring system the Qatar University has launched a project to architect, design, and develop an innovative solution utilising wireless sensor networks to monitor air quality.
This study by Osama Kubar attached to the Qatar University, Wireless Innovations Center and QSTP says as environmental monitoring is an important tool in the overall Environmental Management strategy the real-time, online, air quality monitoring system under consideration is ubiquitous and cost effective.
These studies were also presented at the recent Qatar Foundation Annual research forum.
© The Peninsula 2010
