No abstract

The reliance on solid fuels for heat processing and power generation with low efficiency and inadequately control of gaseous pollutants is strongly related to health impacts and environmental pollution. Atmospheric dispersion modelling is an essential tool to assess the potential impacts of related stationary sources on local air quality. Advanced Gaussian plume models provide an up-to-date assemble of algorithms to estimate contaminant concentrations distributed at a variety of heights and distances. This review presented a comparative evaluation on ADMS and AERMOD performance in different validation scenarios considering SO2 emissions and the NOx chemistry scheme. Terrain, stack height and plume rise influence on emissions, along with modelling uncertainties and limitations were also discussed. Contour plots of maximum daily values and annual averages confirmed a remarkable similarity in patterns within simulations. By this approach, the study extended recent practical information and recommended a complementary instrument for the improvement of the reference model SYMOS´97 implemented in the Czech Republic.