Asian Journal of Chemistry; Vol. 29, No.

5 (2017), 1150-1154

ASIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY

https://doi.org/10.14233/ajchem.2017.20477

Air Dispersion Model to Study the Point Source Air

Pollution and its Impact on Ambient Air Quality

A.K. DASH1, S.K. SAHU2, A. PRADHAN1, S.K. DASH1,* and R.N. KOLLI2
1
Department of Environmental Engineering, Institute of Technical Education and Research, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar-
751 030, India
2
Department of Environmental Sciences, Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar, Burla-768 019, India

*Corresponding author: E-mail: suvendudash84@gmail.com

Received: 27 December 2016; Accepted: 18 January 2017; Published online: 10 March 2017; AJC-18317

The industrial source complex model is widely used steady-state Gaussian plume model can be used to assess nonreactive pollutant
concentrations from a wide variety of source types that are associated with an industrial source complex. The model provides different
alternatives for the emissions from different sources including point, area and line sources. It is based on the Gaussian dispersion equations
defining the horizontal and vertical distributions of the pollutants by turbulence. This model is the latest version of the regulatory model
and assesses pollutant concentrations from wide variety of sources associated with an industrial complex. The study as well as modelling
part has been carried out for the period of six months i.e. October’2014 to March’2015 in the study area. From the study it has been
observed that the maximum resultant concentrations due to incremental ground level incremental concentrations were 67.54, 37.50 and
34.2 µg/m3 of particulate matter (PM), SO2 and NO2, respectively.

Keywords: Ambient air, Dispersion model, Point source, Particulate matter, Sulphur dioxide, Oxides of nitrogen.

INTRODUCTION the understanding of the diffusion properties of plumes emitted

from large industrial stacks.
Air pollution modeling is a numerical tool used to describe Adverse impact of elevated levels of particulate matter in
the causal relationship between emissions, meteorology, air on human health is evident in many earlier studies [4,5]
atmospheric concentrations, deposition and other factors. It which show a strong relationship of respiratory and cardio-
plays an important role in science, because of their capability vascular morbidity as well as mortality with finer particles
to assess the relative importance of the relevant processes. Air such as PM10 [6,7] and PM2.5 [8,9]. Gaussian models are based
pollution models are the only method which quantifies the on a set of empirical equations that is mainly applied to coal
deterministic relationship between emissions and concen- burning electricity producing plants and to exhaust from
trations/depositions, including the consequences of past and automobiles in the cities [10,11]. A number of workers have
future scenarios and also the determination of the effectiveness studied on the ambient air monitoring [12-17] and air quality
of abatement strategies. Air pollution models are indispensable modeling [18-20] at different industrial areas.
in regulatory, research and forensic applications. Air pollution
measurements give important, quantitative information about EXPERIMENTAL
ambient concentrations and deposition of air pollutants, but In the present study, the sampling was done at three
they can only describe air quality with respect to specific loca- different stacks, the details are given in Table-1. The air quality
tions and times without giving guidance on the identification parameters like particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide (SO2)
of the causes of the air quality problems. Air pollution and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) were monitored and analyzed
modeling gives a more complete deterministic description of as per the standard method prescribed by Bureau of Indian
the air quality problems including an analysis of factors and Standards shown in the Table-2.
causes (emission sources, meteorological processes and To obtain a representative particulate sample, the sampling
physical and chemical changes) and some guidance on the was carried out isokinetically, through the sampling nozzle at
implementation of mitigation measures [1]. One of the first transverse points. Standard methods were followed during
challenges in the history of air pollution modeling [2,3] was sampling and analysis of different environmental parameters.
Vol. 29, No. 5 (2017) Air Dispersion Model to Study the Point Source Air Pollution 1151

TABLE-1 at the site on hourly basis during the study period consists of
STACK DETAILS WITH LOCATION parameters like wind speed, wind direction, temperature and
Location Stack height (m)
Location rain fall. The maximum and minimum values for these para-
identification meters were also considered during the study period. Wind
Dryer 40 Stack 1 rose diagrams were also plotted to determine the predominant
Stack connected to ESP 90 Stack 2
wind direction.
Stack connected to ESP 108 Stack 3
Mathematical modeling: ISC3 model is a popular steady-
state Gaussian plume model which can be used to assess pollu-
TABLE-2
EXPERIMENTAL METHODS OF DIFFERENT PARAMETERS tant concentrations from a wide variety of sources associated
Experimental
with an industrial complex. ISC3 operates in both long-term
Parameter BIS Reference and short-term modes. In the present study, prediction of
method
Particulate matter Gravimetric IS: 11255 (Part-1) - 1985 impacts on air environment has been carried out by employing
Sulphur dioxide Impinger collection IS: 11255 (Part-2) - 1985 ISC3, 1992 dispersion model based on steady state Gaussian
Oxides of nitrogen Impinger collection IS: 11255 (Part-7) - 2005 Plume dispersion, designed for multiple point sources for short
term for all the three air parameters.
Samples were collected in every 15 days interval i.e. twice in Model input data: The location of point source, stack
a month for a period of total 6 months. height, diameter, exit velocity, exit temperature, base elevation,
Particulate matter: Sample for particulate concentration wind direction and wind speed and emission rates for each
were carried out at the same traverse points where velocity pollutant are used for modeling.
measurements were carried out. Total particulate matter or dust
was determined by sampling a measured volume of stack gas RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
through a pre-weighed thimble followed by gravimetric The results of concentrations of the air parameters like
analysis. particulate matter, SO2 and NOx from the three stacks are
(W − Wi ) × 106 such as, in stack 1, the particulate matter concentration varies
Particulate matter (mg/Nm 3 ) = f
Qm × t between 87.01 to 110.62 mg/Nm3, SO2 between 110.62 to79.18
where; Wf = Weight of exposed thimble (g); Wi = Tare weight mg/Nm3 and NOx between 19.25 to 32.76 mg/Nm3. In stack 2,
of thimble (g); Qm = Actual flow rate (LPM); t = Sampling the particulate matter concentration varies between 21.46 to
period in minutes. 29.65 mg/Nm3, SO2 between 130.42 to 170.01 mg/Nm3 and
Sulphur dioxide: Sulphur dioxide was measured with NOx between 32.52 to 65.43 mg/Nm3. Similarly in stack 3,
the help of stack monitoring kit by extracting the gas sample the particulate matter concentration varies between 19.25 to
from the sampling point in the stack. It was measured by the 29.01 mg/Nm3, SO2 between 116.09 to 146.62 mg/Nm3 and
barium thorin titration method. NOx between 35.18 to 58.46 mg/Nm3. The above results shows
KN(Vt − Vtb )(Vsoln / Va ) that all the three air quality parameters are almost maintained
CSO2 = as per the norms specified by Central Pollution Control Board.
Vm(std)
Meteorological study: The meteorological conditions of
where, K = 32.03 mg SO2/meq for metric units; N = Normality the study area during the study period were measured.
of barium standard titrant (meq/mL); Vt = Volume of barium Considering the average wind speed and wind direction of the
standard titrant used for the sample (mL); Vtb = Volume of study area, the overall wind rose diagram was plotted in Fig. 1.
barium standard titrant used for the blank (mL); Vsoln = Total The summary of wind pattern during the study period is shown
volume of the solution in which the SO2 sample is contained, in the Table-3.
100 mL; Va = Volume of the sample aliquote titrated (mL);
Vm (std) = Dry gas volume measured by the DGM, Corrected to
NN

.8%

6%
N 1.3%

standard conditions.
W2

5.
N

E1

E
W

Nitrogen oxides: NOx was also measured with the help

.2%
3.

NN
5%

of stack monitoring kit. A grab sample was collected in a dilute WN

W3 .8%
.2% E2
sulphuric acid and hydrogen peroxide absorbing solution and EN
the nitrogen oxides, except nitrous oxide, are measured calorimet- W 1.7% C-40.5% E 3.1%
rically using the phenol disulphonic acid (PDS) procedure.
%
CNOx = 2KcAF 2 .3
W
WS
%
%6

.3

where, 2 = 50/25 Aliquot factor; Kc = Spectrophotometer

S 1.9%
2.

SS E
W1

ES
SW

calibration factor; A = Absorbance of the sample; F = Dilution E 14.

1%
2.4
SS

factor.
%

SE

Micro-meteorology: The meteorological data recorded

9.
7%

during the study period is very useful for proper interpretation

of the information as well as for input to air quality impact SCALE 5%

prediction model. On site monitoring was undertaken for SPEED CALM

various meteorological variables in order to record the site 1 5 11 19 >19 Km/hr
specific data. The meteorological parameters were recorded Fig. 1. Wind Rose diagram of the study area
1152 Dash et al. Asian J. Chem.

TABLE-3 baseline particulate matter, SO 2 and NOx concentrations

SUMMARY OF WIND PATTERN DURING THE STUDY PERIOD recorded during the period in the downwind direction to arrive
Predominant Predominant at the likely resultant concentrations.
Period wind direction wind speeds Calm (%)
First Second (kmph)
TABLE-4
October’14 ESE SE 1.0 to 5.0 SHORT TERM MAXIMUM GROUND
40.5
to March’15 [14.1 %] [9.7 %] 5.0 to 11.0 LEVEL INCREMENTAL CONCENTRATIONS
Incremental Distance
Parameters Direction
During the study period, the average wind flow was in concentration (µg/m3) (km)
ESE direction as the predominant wind direction and was Particulate matter 1.54 2.2 WNW
observed for 14.1 % of the total time. The second predominant SO2 20.8 2.2 WNW
wind direction was in SE directions which were observed for NOx 19.9 2.2 WNW
9.7 % of the total time and the calm conditions were observed
to be for 40.5 % of the times. The cumulative concentrations (baseline + incremental)
Short term maximum incremental concentrations: of the plant operations are tabulated below in Table-5.
Impact predictions of point source on air quality were carried Conclusions
out for the particulate matter, SO2 and NOX and the values are
tabulated at the Table-4. The corresponding isopleths for pollu- Gaseous emissions by fuel burning furnace oil (at dryer
tants particulate matter, SO2 and NOx are presented in Figs. and in duration) are vented through tall stack of around 40, 90
2-4, respectively. The maximum incremental ground level and 108 m, respectively, for which pollutants usually do not
concentration from the point sources of the plant for particulate affect to the ground level concentration. Use of low sulphur
matter, SO2 and NOx are superimposed on the maximum fuel and optimum stack height of chimney results into low

-10000 -8000 -6000 -4000 -2000 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000
10000 10000

8000 8000

6000 6000

4000 4000

2000 2000

0 0

-2000 -2000
NN

.8%

6%
N 1.3%
W2

5.
N

E1

E
W

N
.2%
3.

NN
5%

WN
W
3.2 .8%
-4000 -4000
% E2
EN

W 1.7% C-40.5% E 3.1%

%
2.3
-6000 -6000 W
WS
%
6%

1.3
S 1.9%
2.

SS

ES
W

E1
E
W
S

4.1
2.4
SS

%
%

SE

-8000 -8000
9.
7%

SCALE 5%
SPEED CALM
-10000 -10000
-10000.00 -8000.00 -6000.00 -4000.00 -2000.00 0.00 2000.00 4000.00 6000.00 8000.00 10000.00 1 5 11 19 >19 Km/hr

Fig. 2. Short term ground level concentration of particulate matter

TABLE-5
RESULTANT CONCENTRATIONS DUE TO INCREMENTAL GLC’S
Baseline data Maximum predicted Maximum predicted Maximum permissible value as per
Parameter
(µg/m3) incremental values (µg/m3) values (µg/m3) CPCB for residential area (µg/m3)
Particulate matter 66.0 1.54 67.54 100
SO2 16.7 20.8 37.5 80
NOx 14.3 19.9 34.2 80
Vol. 29, No. 5 (2017) Air Dispersion Model to Study the Point Source Air Pollution 1153
-10000.00 -8000.00 -6000.00 -4000.00 -2000.00 0.00 2000.00 4000.00 6000.00 8000.00 10000.00
10000 10000

8000 8000

6000 6000

4000 4000

2000 2000

0 0

-2000 -2000

NN

.8%

6%
N 1.3%
W2

5.
N

E1

E
W

N
.2%
3.

NN
5%
WN
W
3.2 .8%
-4000 -4000
% E2
EN

W 1.7% C-40.5% E 3.1%

.3 %
-6000 -6000 W2
WS

%
6%

1.3
S 1.9%
2.

SS
ES

W
E1

E
W
S
4.1

2.4
SS
%

S
-8000 -8000

E
9.
7%
SCALE 5%
SPEED CALM
-10000 -10000
-10000.00 -8000.00 -6000.00 -4000.00 -2000.00 0.00 2000.00 4000.00 6000.00 8000.00 10000.00 1 5 11 19 >19 Km/hr

Fig. 3. Short term ground level concentration of SO2

-10000 -8000 -6000 -4000 -2000 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000
10000 10000

8000 8000

6000 6000

4000 4000

2000 2000

0 0
NN

6%
N 1.3%

1.8
W2

5.
N

E
W

N
E
.2
3.

NN
5%

-2000 -2000 WN
W
3.2 .8%
% E2
EN

W 1.7% C-40.5% E 3.1%

-4000 -4000
%
2.3
W
WS
%
6%

1.3
S 1.9%
2.

SS

-6000 -6000 ES
W

E1
E2
W
S

4.1
SS

%
.4%

S
E
9.

-8000 -8000
7%

SCALE 5%
SPEED CALM
-10000 -10000
-10000 -8000 -6000 -4000 -2000 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 1 5 11 19 >19 Km/hr

Fig. 4. Short term ground level concentration of NOx

concentration of these gases in ambient air. Besides, the light of 2.2 KM in down wind direction (WNW) for the parameters
behaviour of gases and heavy plantation restrict the gases at particulate matter, SO2 and NOx. From the observations (Tables
ground level nearer the plant. 4 and 5), it is evident that the resultant ambient air qualities
From air dispersion model, the short term maximum due to incremental GLCs are within the standards of National
ground level concentrations has shown increments at a distance Ambient Air Quality (NAAQS)/CPCB.
1154 Dash et al. Asian J. Chem.

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