Air Quality Modelling

Air Quality Modelling for fugitive emissions and performance assessment of interventions through ADMS & Non linear regression anslysis

In capacity of an independent consultant with an Environmental consulting firm in Mumbai(Prasad Modak& Associates), our modelling experts have worked a complex environmental impact of emissions of a 4500 MW ultra-mega power plant (UMPP) (name protected under non-disclosure agreement) in Mundra, Gujarat.

Objective

To quantify & assess the PM10 contribution of a power plant in 10 km radius air-shed

Location

Mundra, Gujarat

Project Description

In response to the local resentment over PM emissions, Asian Development Bank commissioned an environmental impact study of a UMPP located in Mundra, Gujarat. Prasad Modak& Associates (PMA) were deployed as primary consultants & our team member worked on the project as an independent consultant with PMA.

The modelling involved following aspects:

  • Site reconnaissance
  • Detailed statistical analysis of 7-year of meteorological data, manual & automatic monitoring station data for correlations & discrepancies
  • Comparison of advanced Gaussian dispersion model (ADMS, AERRMOD etc.) applicable for the site- Costal
  • Using ADMS for modelling the impact by simulating the emission and dispersion, taking into consideration all morphological complexity of site such as ‘building wake effects’
  • Estimating the area/ fugitive emissions from coal yard, with the help of rigorous literature review
  • Reporting and documentation of report to be presented at Asian Development Bank

Innovative approaches:

  • Circumventing the model limitations of simulating the area source, by approximating it as many point sources and calibrating the configuration to match the area source
  • Developing advanced pollutant source locator application in MATLAB based on non-parametric wind rose algorithm (Henry, R.C. et al)

Regression of Wind Direction and PM10 conc. at automatic AAQ monitoring station

Results of Matlab Simulation for Non-Parametric Regression (Wind Direction vs. PM10 conc.)

An isopleth of ambient NOx due to emission form a power plant stack

Flue gas emission from stack