Environmental Assessment of Styrene as a Dangerous Substance Entering the Container Terminal Using the ALOHA and PHAST Softwares (Case Study: Bandar Imam Khomeini)

Background & objectives: Modeling with software is a fast way to predict the extent of material release range and simulate its consequences. Due the arrival of the large number of dangerous goods, including styrene, from the petrochemical industries to the port of Imam Khomeini, it is necessary to evaluate the consequences and potential damages of this material.This study was conducted in 2014 in Imam Khomeini Port Container Terminal with the aim of predicting and estimating the possible human and environmental consequences of the release of this hazardous material during transportation process. Methods: In this study, with the use of PHAST and ALOHA softwares, the effect of toxicity of styrene was studied as a dangerous good entered into the container terminal. The analysis was performed by identifying the range of areas with highest adverse effects. Results: According to the results, the extent of pollution coverage (the forbidden region) was at least in a radius of 67 meters and the best place for placement of support groups was in a radius of 329 meters of dangerous goods area. The study also showed that based on the coverage of the risk range in these modeling, ALOHA software had a high environmental sensitivity, because the amount of LOCs considered in the consequence of the explosion was lower and it considered more danger zones. Finally, management measures were pointed to prevent or reduce the potential consequences of hazardous goods storage sites and warehouses in the study area. Conclusion: The environmental outcomes of dangerous goods containers in Imam Khomeini port are likely to be probable. So that the release consequences of these materials can cause a lot of environmental damage and accidents. Therefore, it can be said that modeling using software in this study played a key role in managing the area of hazardous materials containers.