Air quality modelling
Carrying out studies of atmospheric pollutants dispersion in order to verify, among others, the current situation of air quality in a study area and the degree of compliance with the regulated limit values, is a frequent practice since it provides great information at a much lower cost than a measurement campaign.
Diversity of models and scales
At SUEZ we have been conducting this type of study for more than 2 decades with different models and at different scales.
If standard air quality modeling are needed because are required by public administrations for environmental assessment projects:
- CALPUFF Model: “CALPUFF” is a non-steady state, multilayer, multispecies Lagrangian model. It is a 'puff' model (PUFF) that offers complete hour-by-hour information on the spatial variation of contamination and its stability. It admits all types of sources: point, online, volume, area and variable or constant emission sources, as well as the introduction of background contamination of the area to be modeled. It is a regulatory model of the US-EPA.
- US-EPA AERMOD model: EPA regulatory dispersion model (US Environment Protection Agency). It is a steady-state plume model that incorporates scattering based on the structure and scaling concepts of turbulence in the planetary boundary layer, including the treatment of area, volume and point sources (chimneys) and complex and simple terrains. It incorporates the algorithms of the PRIME model (Plume RIse Model Enhancements) to evaluate the dynamic effects of buildings in the vicinity of the sources.
- LAPMOD SYSTEM: This is a non-stationary, three-dimensional Lagrangian particle model used to simulate the atmospheric dispersion of gases and particles, inert or radioactive, over complex terrain. It is a European model, owned by ENVIROWARE, SRL (https://www.enviroware.com/lapmod).
When photochemical -Eulerian- models (such as CHIMERE or CAMx) are required, our experience makes the difference. Projects such as the air quality strategy for the Community of Galicia, or tropospheric ozone studies for the Navarra Foral Community support our experience.
Diagnostic and Forecasting Services
If your need is to obtain a very high resolution, our experience with Street Canyon models like GRAL or PMSS is the widest. These models have been designed to reproduce 3D concentration fields of passive pollutants at very high resolution (from 3 m), under complex topographic and construction configurations. Application examples include environmental impact assessments of road networks, industrial complexes or street tunnel portals, odor impact assessments, and simulation of air pollution levels in entire cities.
surveillance of this pollutant and the optimization of the zoning.
