Technical Challenge:

Dispersion modelling – which is referred as Air Quality Modelling – It is a powerful tool which simulates the air pollution corresponding with industry, mining, intensive agriculture, infrastructure and urban activities.

What is an Air Dispersion Model?

A model is a simplified picture of reality. It doesn’t contain all the features of the real system but contains the features of interest for the management or scientific issues we aim to solve by its use.

An atmospheric dispersion model is a:

• Mathematical simulation of physics and chemistry governing the transport, dispersion and transformation of pollutants in to the atmosphere.
• Means of estimating downwind air pollution concentrations with given information regarding the pollutant emissions and nature of the atmosphere.

Dispersion models can take many forms. The simplest are provided in the form of graphs, tables or formulae on paper.

The process of air pollution modelling operates in 4 stages (data input, dispersion calculations, deriving concentrations, and analysis). The accuracy and uncertainty in each stage must be known and should be evaluated to ensure a reliable assessment of the significance in any potential adverse effects.

Purpose:

Dispersion models are integral to:

• Environmental impact assessment studies for development approval with license
• Investigations of complaints or pollution incidents
• Pollution control, management and reduction studies
• Health-risk assessment studies
• Pollution forecasting and online modelling tools
• Optimization studies

Figure: Overview of Air Dispersion Modeling Procedure

AERMOD/ISC

 CALPUFF

We provide variety of air quality modeling services using EPA, Guideline models namely AERMOD, ISC3, ISCE-Prime, AERSCREEN, SCREEN3 as well as specialized use models like SDM, AFTOX, and CALINE.

Air Dispersion Modeling envisions how pollutants are dispersed in to the atmosphere through various pollution sources taking into account building influences, topography, meteorology, downwind distances and other factors. Air dispersion modeling is a calculated mathematical simulation of how air pollutants disperse in to the ambient atmosphere in assorted ways. The simulation uses mathematical equations and algorithms to characterize the atmospheric processes that distribute the air pollutant emitted by a source over a wide spread area. These models are used to estimate the ground level concentration ( GLC) at selected downwind receptor locations of air pollutants emitted from sources  such as Industrial plants, mines, vehicular traffic or accidental Chemical releases.

Which Dispersion Model to use?

One of the vital elements of an effective dispersion modelling study is to choose an appropriate tool matching the scale of impact and complexity of a particular discharge. While choosing the most appropriate model, the principal issues to consider are:

• The complexity of dispersion (e.g. terrain and meteorology effects)
• The potential scale and significance of potential effects, including the sensitivity of the receiving environment (e.g. human health versus amenity effects)

The choice of an appropriate dispersion model is heavily dependent on the intended application.

iFluids Engineering helps to provide the right solution and necessary recommendation with results for the precise decision for your assessment studies…