3D Spatial Analysis of Particulate Matter (PM10, PM2.5 and PM1.0) and Gaseous Pollutants (H2S, SO2 and VOC) in Urban Areas Surrounding a Large Heat and Power Plant

Abstract

In many regions of the world, the winter period is a time of poor air quality, due primarily to the increased use of individual and district heating systems. As a consequence, the atmospheric air contains increased concentrations of both particulate matter and gaseous pollutants (as a result of “low” emissions at altitudes of up to 40 m and “high” emissions more than 40 m above ground level). In winter, the increased pollution is very often exacerbated by meteorological conditions, including air temperature, pressure, air speed, wind direction, and thermal inversion. Here, we analyze the concentrations of particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5, and PM1.0) and gaseous pollutants (H2S, SO2, and VOC) in the immediate vicinity of a large solid fuel-fired heat and power plant located in an urban agglomeration. Two locations were selected for analysis. The first was close to an air quality measurement station in the center of a multi-family housing estate. The second was the intersection of two main communication routes. To determine the impact of “low” and “high” emissions on air quality, the selected pollutants were measured at heights of between 2 and 50 m using an unmanned aerial vehicle. The results were compared with permissible standards for the concentration of pollutants. Temperature inversion was found to have a strong influence on the level of pollutants at various heights, with higher concentrations of particulate matter registered at altitudes above 40 m. The source of PM, H2S, and SO2 pollutants was confirmed to be “low emission” from local transport, industrial plant areas, and the housing estate comprising detached houses located in the vicinity of the measuring points. “High emission” was found to be responsible for the high concentrations of VOC at altitudes of more than 40 m above the intersection and in the area of the housing estate.

Analysis of Air Pollution around a CHP Plant: Real Measurements vs. Computer Simulations

“…This form of 3D spatial analysis is an innovative approach, so the results are not comparable with the literature data. Due to the fact that dust pollution has similar field dispersion characteristics [14], PM 10 pollution was selected for the graphic presentation. Figure 4 shows the results of PM 10 dispersion for series A and B in the winter period, together with a longitudinal and vertical cross-section for series B to show changes in the altitude of the pollution.…”

“…Interpolation in ArcGis was carried out using the Empirical Bayesian Kriging 3D method. Both software programs are described in detail in [14,25]. The calculations performed in the OPA03 program are based on the legal acts in force in Poland [26] and the European Union [4].…”

“…For this reason, air quality tests carried out with mobile measurement devices [13] or using numerical programs for calculating/simulating pollutant dispersion in a selected local area are very important. Mobile measuring equipment, such as unmanned aerial vehicles, can be used to transport measuring devices [14,15] or small stationary devices [16]. Numerical programs available include Aero 2010, Emitor, OPA03 [17], AERMOD [18], ENVI-met, and Austal 2000 [19,20].…”

Modelling and Calculation of Raw Material Industry

“…(2) Studies on environmental aspects of activities in key sectors of the modern economy [5][6][7][8][9];…”

Modeling Pollutant Emissions: Influence of Two Heat and Power Plants on Urban Air Quality

“…However, the small number of such stations and the distance between them mean that the data they collect can only be used to evaluate the state of air quality on a global or national scale. It is not possible to assess the impact of individual emitters on the state of local air quality [21,22]. Local analyses are influenced by a number of important factors, such as wind direction and strength, meteorological conditions, topography, and roughness of the terrain [23][24][25].…”