Air pollution dispersion model

Air quality dispersion model

Air quality models are used to predict ground level concentrations
down point of sources. The object of a model is to relate
mathematically the effects of source emissions on ground level
concentrations, and to establish that permissible levels are, or are not,
being exceeded. Models have been developed to meet these
objectives for a variety of pollutants and time circumstances.
Models may be described according to the chemical reactions
involved. So-called nonreactive models are applied to pollutants such
as CO and SO because of the simple manner in which their chemical
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reactions can be represented. Reactive models address complex

multiple-species chemical mechanism common to atmospheric
photochemistry and apply to pollutants such as NO, NO2, and O . 3

Models can be described as simple or advanced based on the

assumptions used and the degree of sophisticated with which the
important variables are treated. Advanced models have been
developed for such problems as photochemical pollution, dispersion
in complex terrain, long-range transport, and point sources over flat
terrain. The most widely used models for predicting the impact of
relative unreactive gases, such as SO , released from smokestacks are
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based on Gaussian diffusion.

In Gaussian models, the spread of a plume in vertical horizontal
directions is assumed to occur by simple diffusion along the
direction of the mean wind. The maximum ground level
concentration is calculated by means of the following Equation.

Table 1 : Key to stability classes

Wind speed
Day Night
10m
(m/sec) Incoming solar radiation Thinly Overcast
>4/8
Strong Moderate Slight <3/8Cloud
Cloud
<2 A A-B B E F
3-Feb A-B B C D E
5-Mar B B-C C D D
<6 C D D D D
ground level concentration at some
Where C =
distance x downwind (g/m3)
x

Q = average emission rate (g/sec)

u = mean wind speed (m/sec)
H = effective stack height (m)
standard deviation of wind direction in the
=
horizontal (m)
y

standard deviation of wind direction in the

=
vertical (m)
z

y = off-centerline distance (m)

e = natural log equal to 2.71828
The parameters and describe horizontal and vertical dispersion
y z

characteristics of a plume at various distances downwind of a source

as function of different atmospheric stability conditions. Values are
determined from the graphs found n the figure.
The effective stack height H is equal to the physical stack height (h)
plus the height of the plume (plume rises, h) determined from
where the plume bends over. Plume rises must be calculated from
model equations before the effective stack height can be calculated.
For purposes of illustration, let us determine the ground level
concentration (C ) at some downwind distance (x). For the following
x

conditions let us calculate the ground level concentrations at 10 km

directly downwind.
A power plant burning 9 tons of 2.5% sulfur coal/hr emits SO at a 2

rate of 113 g/sec. The effective stack height is 100 m, and the wind
speed is 3 m/sec. It is 1 hour before sunrise, and the sky is clear.
Since the off centerline distance (Y) in this case is equal to O, the
following equation reduces to:

From table 1, the atmospheric stability classes for the condition

described is F. It represent a nighttime condition with <37.5% cloud
cover. The horizontal dispersion coefficient for a downtime
y

distance of 5 km for atmospheric stability class F is approximately

90 m (figure 1); the vertical dispersion coefficient is
z

approximately 20 m (figure 2)
Therefore :

The ground level concentration of SO from this source would be

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approximately 44 g/m under the conditions given.

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Although the use of air quality models is the subject of considerable

controversy, there's a general agreement that there a few alternatives
to the use of models, particulately to make decisions on an action
which is know in advance to pose potential environmental problem.
The debate arises as to which models should be used, and the
interpretation of models results. The underlying question such in
debates is how well, or how accurately, does the model predict
concentrations under the specific circumstances, since model
accuracy may vary from 30% to a factor of 2 or more? If a model is
conservative , i.e., it over-predicts ground level concentrations, a
source may be required to install costly control equipment
unnecessarily. Less conservative models may under-predict
concentrations and thus violations of air quality standards may occur.
The uncertainty associated with input variables, such as wind data,
and source emission data. Such data are usually estimated and not
well documented.
Source: Air Quality 2nd edition, Thad Goddish
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