A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development

Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2001

Air pollution has become the most concern of the authorities in big cities of Viet Nam in the recent years. The emissions from industrial activities play an important role. Boiler emission is the main source in those industries that employ this equipment for steam supply. In the present study, boiler use situation in the No1theast Southland region and Mekong River Delta has been carried out that can provide a general view on this sector. The effect of boiler efficiency on the emission of pollutants has been intensively surveyed on boilers of Viet Thang Textile industry in Ho Chi Minh City. The potential of efficiency improvement by 6% was obtained which will result in about 10% of fuel saving or 436 tons FO/year equivalent to 846 millions VND or 57,000 USD/year for the factory. Air pollution emission reduction is estimated at 1,613 tons of C02; 0.06 ton of CO, 3.7 tons ofNOx, 0.2 ton of N02; 0.6 tons of PM and 24 tons of S02. The environmental impact potential of the emission of pollutants from boilers in the selected industry has been estimated at 16, 776 tonof C02-eq as global warming impact for a time span of 20 years, 281 tons of 802-eq as acidification impact, 12 tons of N03- -eq as nutrification impact, and 0.02 tons of C2H4-eq as smog impact. The estimation for the reduction of environmental impact from the emission of all boilers in study area has been done. Air pollution emission reduction is estimated at 23,703,000 tons of C02; 1,080 tons for CO, 68,800 tons for NOx, 3,600 tons for N02; and 343,000 tons for 802. Environmental impact potential will be reduced by 23,705,000 ton-of C02-eq as global warming impact for a time span of 20 years; 394,000 ton-of S02-eq as acidification impact; 22,000 tons ofN03--eq as nutrification and 43 tons of C2H4-eq as smog impact.