A micro-scale dispersion model for motor vehicle exhaust gas in urban areas—OMG volume-source model

A micro-scale dispersion model is presented for estimating the concentration of pollutants from motor vehicle exhaust gas within an area extending 200 m from the side of the road in an urban area. The initial mixing of pollutants in a street canyon is modeled as a volume source employing an analytical solution to the Fickian diffusion equation.Parameters for the model were determined based on data from experiments performed at five locations in Osaka. In the experiments, SF₆ was released as a tracer gas. The height for wind speed measurements for use as the advection speed of the plume was determined from an analysis of the flux of SF₆. The eddy diffusivities in the vertical and lateral directions were derived from statistics of the turbulent velocity fluctuations of the air. The sensitivity analysis of the model revealed that proper characterization of the thickness of the volume source is essential for proper estimation of the concentration of pollutants.     

Building wake dispersion at an Arctic industrial site: Field tracer observations and plume model evaluations

Ten multi-hour atmospheric dispersion SF₆ tracer experiments were conducted during October and November of 1987 near a large oil gathering facility in the Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, oilfield reservation. The purpose of this study was to investigate dispersion under arctic conditions and in situations where building-generated airflow disturbances dominate downwind distributions of ground level pollutant concentrations. This was accomplished with a network of micrometeorological instruments, portable syringe tracer samplers, continuous tracer analyzers, and infrared visualization of near source plume behavior.Atmospheric stability and wind speed profiles at this arctic site are influenced by the smooth (surface roughness = 0.03 cm), snow covered tundra surface which receives negligible levels of solar isolation in winter. The dispersion of pollutants emitted from sources within the oil gathering facility, however, is dominated by the influence of nearby buildings when high winds generate elevated ground level concentrations. An order of magnitude increase in maximum ground level concentration was observed as wind speeds increased from 5 to 8 m s⁻¹ and another order of magnitude increase was observed as winds increased from 8 to 16 m s⁻¹. Variation in maximum concentrations was also observed with changes in wind direction. Vertical plume diffusion (σ_z) near the buildings was a factor of 2–3 greater than that observed in open terrain and was dependent on both wind speed and the projected building width and location of nearby buildings. Wind tunnel tracer distributions for east winds agree with field observations but also indicate that a significant increase in plume downwash occurs with other wind directions. Concentration distributions were calculated using several versions of the Industrial Source Complex (ISC) model. Model estimates of ground level concentrations were within a factor of three depending on wind direction. The model predictions are extremely sensitive to the ratio of plume height to vertical plume diffusion which is significantly influenced by a complex aerodynamic wake in the field.     

Velocity oscillations and plume dispersion in a residential neighborhood during wintertime nights

Measurements of velocity and tracer plume concentrations during stable atmospheric conditions were obtained in the Boise River Valley as part of the EPA Integrated Air Cancer Project during December, 1986. Wind speed, temperature, and wind direction were measured at two levels on a 30 m tower. Spectral and autocorrelation analyses of the velocity component data clearly indicate the occurrence of wave-like oscillations in the flow and the almost complete lack of turbulent energy. The predominate wave-like motion had an oscillation period of about 1000 s. Halogenated atmospheric tracers were released from as many as four houses during the night-time drainage conditions. Hourly averaged horizontal dispersion coefficients were very large compared to the Pasquill-Gifford curves and the urban McElroy-Pooler dispersion curves. The time-averaged dispersion coefficients formed an upper bound on very short-term dispersion coefficients obtained from mobile traverses of the tracer plume with a continuous SF₆ analyzer. These results agree with the concept of a narrow instantaneous plume with a broad meander driven by the observed 1000 s oscillation. Vertical dispersion rates were slightly smaller than the Pasquill-Gifford class F curve. Results from a single tracer release from a side canyon near the neighborhood showed that drainage flow from the tributary impacted the main residential sampling site at Elm Grove Park and represented a significant fraction of the upstream air flow at Elm Grove Park. For sources with equal emission rates, a source in the tributary adds about 10% to the mean of the concentration caused by a neighborhood source.     

Uncertainties in source emission rate estimates using dispersion models

The source emission rates during the Prairie Grass dispersion experiments were carefully observed and were adjusted by the experimentalists so that they were about twice as high during unstable conditions as during stable conditions. The question was asked whether observed concentrations and meteorological conditions could be used in dispersion models in order to predict source emission rates and verify this factor of two difference. Three types of simple dispersion models were applied to this problem, with the result that for the model based on Monin-Obukhov similarity theory, the uncertainties in predictions of source emission rates for individual runs were at best about ±10–20% when observed crosswind integrated concentrations from the 50m arc were used. Consequently this model could discern the factor of two difference in average source emission rates for the two sets of field trials which consisted of about 20 runs each. However, some models, such as the Gaussian plume model, exhibit uncertainties of about ±70% to a factor of two in predictions for individual runs, and hence could not discern the difference in average source emission rates when concentration observations at downwind distances of 100–800 m are used. It is found that the use of observed cross-wind integrated concentrations produces more accurate conclusions that the use of observed point concentrations, for the uncertainties in predictions of source emission rates are about a factor of two larger when the observed point concentrations are used.     

汽车排放污染物浓度的预测

为了预测汽车排放污染物的浓度,应用简化的高斯烟团模式得到静风条件下的线源扩散预测模式。并结合高斯烟流扩散模式,建立了预测汽车污染物在任意风向下和年平均浓度的预测模式,考虑车道上存在车辆行驶的强烈机械扰动湍流和把繁忙的公路视为线源两个因素,提出了计算初始扩散参数的方法。然后,运用Turner和Pasquill扩散参数,建立了线源扩散参数的确定方法。该模式应用于预测高速公路沿途汽车污染物的浓度表明,计算值与监测值吻合较好,可用于我国公路环境影响的评价。     

GIS aided prediction of CO2 emission dispersion from geothermal electricity production

CO₂ is the dominant constituent of non-condensable gases in the steam phase of most geothermal fluids. This paper attempts to present the results of a study conducted to develop prediction modeling of CO₂ dispersion in the surrounding atmosphere from a planned 50 MWe geothermal power plant prior to its production. Dispersion models are widely used for predicting future concentrations of environmental emissions on a range of geographic scales. The dispersion type for gases and their average removal rate depends on the meteorological conditions such as wind direction, wind speed, precipitation, atmospheric stability, and surface roughness and topography. Geographic Information System (GIS) capabilities were used for quality visualization of the model outputs and presenting an accurate numerical copy of the study area. The results by the prediction model show that the natural transfer of CO₂ will be from the power plant toward east and northeast and CO₂ concentration trends after the power plant utilization will be similar to the background conditions with minor changes. This dispersion test was carried out to validate and field test the GIS aided dispersion modeling approach described in the paper and the procedure may be applicable for other studies assessing the emission dispersion of pollutants from a point source.     

利用FLEXPART模式反演中国区域SF6排放量

六氟化硫(SF_6)是一种长寿命卤代温室气体,被列为《京都议定书》限排物种.随着经济高速发展,中国的SF6排放量受到世界各国的关注.采用传统的"自下而上"清单方法估算SF6排放量时,所需排放因子、活动水平数据的准确性和时效性存在较大局限.因此,本文利用拉格朗日粒子扩散模式FLEXPART,结合2009年北京上甸子区域大气本底站SF6浓度观测资料,尝试建立中国区域SF6排放量的反演方法.结果表明,初步反演的2009年中国区域SF6排放量为1.25×103(0.53×103~1.97×103)t·a-1,与文献结果相当,源排放量的不确定性从1.05×103t·a-1减小到0.72×103t·a-1.与先验源相比,反演源的相关系数从0.37提高到0.43,均方根误差减小了2.64%.     

不同三维模型对铅酸蓄电池污染场地土壤Pb空间分布预测的影响

为准确界定污染场地土壤中污染物三维分布范围和受污染土壤土方量并提供相关技术方法和思路,以某典型铅酸蓄电池污染场地为例,对比研究了不同三维插值模型(三维克里格、反距离加权、最邻近点)在不同水平垂直向异性系数设置,对土壤铅污染评价和污染边界分布的影响.研究结果显示,不同模型预测的精度不同,随着水平垂直比值增大,平均误差和均方根误差有增大趋势;通过对比修复目标表明,反距离加权统计的受污染土方量最大,其次是三维克里格和最邻近点,统计值相差约为13%;从污染评价结果和预测精度来看,三维克里格模型和反距离加权要优于最邻近点,选择适宜的模型和合理的参数设置对准确界定污染边界和降低不确定性具有重要影响.     

An intercomparison of semiempirical diffusion models under low wind speed,stable conditions

The performances of some diffusion models are analysed using concentration data measured at ground level up to 400 m from the emission point, in a series of diffusion tests conducted by U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under inversion conditions with light winds. All tested models are simple semiempirical formulae based on the Gaussian formulation, with different assumptions concerning dispersion parameters; each model utilizes a minimum set of information, i.e. vertical stability category, mean wind speed and standard deviation of the horizontal wind direction over the considered averaging time, σ_θ.Results show that for cases with very low wind speed and large plume spread, explicit consideration of diffusion along the mean wind direction, which is neglected in the standard plume model, significantly improves model results; moreover, when σ_θ is very large (greater than 50–60°), the analysis suggests that standard deviations of the horizontal wind speed may significantly differ from the estimates commonly found in the literature.     

Modification and testing of a gaussian dispersion model for particulate matter in the respirable size range

Modified expression for vertical and horizontal dispersion coefficients σ_y and σ_z are proposed. The determined values of σ_y and σ_z, for a specified time span, are used in a Gaussian profile to predict pollution load. This model, being easy to use, serves as a convenient method to predict dust concentration (in the respirable size range).     

A synoptic analysis of the meteorological conditions affecting dispersion of pollutants emitted from tall stacks in the coastal plain of Israel

The meteorological conditions affecting dispersion of pollutants emitted from tall stacks in the coastal plain of Israel were analysed according to a synoptic approach. The SO₂ highest concentrations (episodes) measured around the largest power plant were first screened in order to characterize the associated synoptic configurations. Almost all the episodes were found to fall into three synoptic categories, all occurring during the warm season. According to the synoptic classification, the main elements influencing dispersion of pollutants were then analysed: the wind and temperature profiles and estimations of the plume rise and its partial penetration into the stable layer aloft. The following conclusions were reached: (a) horizontal wind shear is absent in the appropriate atmospheric layer; (b) for the shallow Persian trough synoptic category, in which the SO₂ episodes are the most frequent (55% of the total number), the CBL is shallow (450 m) and over two-thirds of the plume volume is expected to penetrate into the stable layer; (c) for the deep Persian trough synoptic category, which is the second most frequent among the episodes (22% of the total number), plume rise would be unobstructed in the deep CBL (900 m). A prediction index defined as the ratio of the frequency of each synoptic category among the SO₂ episodes to its annual frequency was developed. The marked differences obtained in the index values were tentatively explained by the different thermal stratification in the coastal CBL for each synoptic category. The synoptic classification was thus shown to be an efficient tool for predicting spells of SO₂ high concentrations.     

Atmospheric sulfur hexafluoride in-situ measurements at the Shangdianzi regional background station in China

We present in-situ measurements of atmospheric sulfur hexafluoride（SF6） conducted by an automated gas chromatograph–electron capture detector system and a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry system at a regional background site, Shangdianzi,in China, from June 2009 to May 2011, using the System for Observation of Greenhouse gases in Europe and Asia and Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment（AGAGE）techniques. The mean background and polluted mixing ratios for SF6 during the study period were 7.22 × 10-12（mol/mol, hereinafter） and 8.66 × 10-12, respectively. The averaged SF6 background mixing ratios at Shangdianzi were consistent with those obtained at other AGAGE stations located at similar latitudes（Trinidad Head and Mace Head）, but larger than AGAGE stations in the Southern Hemisphere（Cape Grim and Cape Matatula）. SF6 background mixing ratios increased rapidly during our study period, with a positive growth rate at 0.30 × 10-12year-1. The peak to peak amplitude of the seasonal cycle for SF6 background conditions was 0.07 × 10-12, while the seasonal fluctuation of polluted conditions was 2.16 × 10-12. During the study period, peak values of SF6 mixing ratios occurred in autumn when local surface horizontal winds originated from W/WSW/SW/SWS/S sectors, while lower levels of SF6 mixing ratios appeared as winds originated from N/NNE/NE/ENE/E sectors.     

A three-dimensional steady-state atmospheric dispersion-deposition model for emissions from a ground-level area source

An analytical solution to the steady-state three-dimensional atmospheric dispersion equation has been developed for the transport of non-buoyant emissions from a continuous ground-level area source. The model incorporates power law profiles for the variation of wind speed and vertical eddy diffusivity with height, represents the lateral eddy diffusivity as a function of wind speed and the crosswind dispersion coefficient, and includes dry deposition as a removal mechanism. The model is well suited for accurate prediction of emission concentration levels in the vicinity of an area source, as well as farther downwind, under neutral or stable atmospheric conditions. The impact of the important model parameters on contaminant dispersion is examined. The results from several simulations, compared with point and line sources of equivalent source strength, indicate that at short downwind distances, predictions of contaminant concentrations emitted from area sources may be unacceptably inaccurate unless the structure of the source is properly taken into account.     

Particle model simulation of diffusion in low wind speed stable conditions

A Lagrangian particle model (LAMDA), previously developed and applied to the simulation of atmospheric dispersion in neutral and convective windy conditions, was modified to deal with stable low wind speed conditions. These last are among the most difficult to be treated. In fact, on the one hand, nearly calm situations, associated to strong stability and air stagnation, make the lower layers of the atmosphere poorly diffusive, and, on the other hand, the large fluctuations in the wind direction (meandering), spread the airborne pollutants over wide angular sectors. An ad hoc algorithm to simulate the effect of meadering on the dispersion is proposed. The model is validated by comparing its simulation results to three tracer experiments held in stable low wind speed conditions by the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (U.S.A.) in 1974. These experiments present plume spread of different width (48, 138 and 360°, respectively, at an arc located 200 m downwind from the source) and are comprehensive of a wide set of conditions, ranging from strong to weak stability and from low wind speed to calm. The results of the comparison are discussed. The ability of the model to simulate the g.l.c. distributions with a good degree of confidence is illustrated.     

线源扩散的模拟计算

在传统的高斯扩散理论基础上,提出了一种计算线源扩散的方法;将公路线源分成若干存在初期扩散的单元,每个单元近似成一个过单元无中心与风向垂直的短子线源,它的扩散按高斯垂直风模式计算,测点的浓度是若干子线源的贡献之和。与ＣＬＩＮＥ２等模式相比,该方法对任意风向有限长线源都适用,而且可进行一条公路上有不同源强路段的计算,模式的计算结果与现场示踪及尾气污染的实测数据吻合较好。     

A meso-scale plume dispersion model. Preliminary evaluation in a heterogeneous area

A plume dispersion model for meso-γ-scale applications is developed. The model is formulated with the aim to study plume spreading in moderately complex terrain. An eddy diffusivity analogue is used in order to facilitate future inclusion of chemical transformations. The full diffusivity tensor, obtained from a second-order closure turbulence model, is used to described the dispersion process. The model is driven with simulated meteorological fields, obtained by means of a second-order turbulence closure model. An initial model evaluation has been undertaken using model predictions for an area featuring horizontally inhomogeneous dispersion conditions. Comparison with measurements, as well as with predictions of several other model types for distances out to 40 km, shows that the model is able to describe realistically plume widths and concentration in areas with strongly varying dispersion conditions. Non-negligible errors in plume position were however found for all models compared.     

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from magnesium die casting

The U.S. magnesium industry uses sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) as a cover gas to prevent the rapid and hazardous oxidation of molten magnesium. While this gas is considered to be safe and effective in this application, it is one of the most potent and persistent greenhouse gases (GHG) found in the atmosphere. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched a collaborative initiative called the SF₆ Emission Reduction Partnership for the Magnesium Industry in 1999 to identify and implement practical technologies for improving the industry's environmental profile. EPA's Partners, joined by the International Magnesium Association (IMA), have voluntarily committed to eliminate the use of SF₆ by 2010. The Partnership and IMA's commitment sent a clear signal to industry suppliers and has precipitated the exploration of alternate cover gases that are just as effective as SF₆ but greatly reduce the process's climate impact. The focus of this study is to assess byproducts, degradation levels, and GHG emission factors for three different fluorinated cover gases (SF₆, AM-cover™, and Novec™ 612) in cold chamber die casting applications. The results of this study are used to describe two approaches that modify current Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Good Practice Guidance for estimating cover gas emissions from the magnesium industry.     

A large-eddy simulation of a line source in a convective atmospheric boundary layer—II. Dynamics of a buoyant line source

We consider a large-eddy simulation of a buoyant line source in a convective boundary layer. The motion of the line source as a function of time is influenced by two contributions: internal buoyancy (plume rise) and ambient turbulence. The advantage of large-eddy modelling with respect to laboratory and atmospheric experiments is that the simulations allow us to distinguish between these two contributions. For the part due to internal buoyancy we formulate an integral model for plume rise. A new feature in this model is the fact that plume looping, which is characteristic for plume dispersion in a convective boundary layer, promotes entrainment and therefore reduces plume rise. The contribution by ambient turbulence to plume motion is modelled in terms of the standard deviation of vertical velocity fluctuations. The results of these models are consistent with our large-eddy simulations.     

汽车尾气的初期扩散与扩散参数

通过风洞模拟实验,分析研究汽车尾流区的流场特性,确定了汽车机械扰动产生的尾气初期扩散范围,提出了一种考虑初期扩散影响的确定近距离扩散参数的简易方法。现场示踪实验和实测资料的验证表明,用该方法确定尾气扩散参数是可靠的。