Title: Model comparison in simulating the atmospheric dispersion of a pollutant plume in low wind conditions

Authors: Grazia Ghermandi; Sergio Teggi; Sara Fabbi; Alessandro Bigi; Rodolfo Cecchi

Addresses: Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering, via Vignolese 905, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, 41125, Italy ' Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering, via Vignolese 905, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, 41125, Italy ' Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering, via Vignolese 905, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, 41125, Italy ' Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering, via Vignolese 905, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, 41125, Italy ' Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering, via Vignolese 905, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, 41125, Italy

Abstract: This study investigates the performance of different air pollution dispersion models in low wind conditions. The models have been applied to two sites frequently characterised by weak winds: the cities of Modena and Reggio Emilia, in the Po River Valley (Northern Italy). The emission sources are the municipal waste incinerator (Modena) and a turbogas plant (Reggio Emilia). Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) concentration levels are estimated by the gaussian Industrial Source Complex (ISC3) and WinDimula 3.0 models, and the Langrangian model SPRAY. WinDimula 3.0 and SPRAY simulations perform significantly better than ISC3, SPRAY shows the highest reliability close to the source.

Keywords: atmospheric dispersion; dispersion modelling; air quality; air pollution; low wind conditions; Italy; simulation; municipal waste incinerators; turbogas plants.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2012.049653

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2012 Vol.48 No.1/2/3/4, pp.69 - 77

Published online: 19 Nov 2014 *

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