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General plume dispersion model (GPDM) for point source emission

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Gaussian-based dispersion models are widely used to estimate local pollution levels. The accuracy of such models depends on stability classification schemes as well as plume rise equations. A general plume dispersion model (GPDM) for a point source emission, based on Gaussian plume dispersion equation, was developed. The program complex was developed using Java and Visual basic tools. It has the flexibility of using five kinds of stability classification schemes, i.e., Lapse Rate, Pasquill–Gifford (PG), Turner, σ–θ and Richardson number. It also has the option of using two types of plume rise formulations – Briggs and Holland’s. The model, applicable for both rural and urban roughness conditions, uses meteorological and emission data as its input parameters, and calculates concentrations of pollutant at the center of each cell in a predefined grid area with respect to the given source location. Its performance was tested by comparing with 4-h average field data of continuous releases of SO2 from Dadri thermal power plant (Uttar Pradesh, India). Results showed that the Turner scheme used with Holland’s equation gives the best outcome having a degree of agreement (d) of 0.522.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India

    Seema Awasthi

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India

    Mukesh Khare

  3. Central Pollution Control Board, New Delhi, India

    Prashant Gargava

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  1. Seema Awasthi
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  2. Mukesh Khare
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  3. Prashant Gargava
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Correspondence to Seema Awasthi.

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Awasthi, S., Khare, M. & Gargava, P. General plume dispersion model (GPDM) for point source emission. Environ Model Assess 11, 267–276 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10666-006-9041-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10666-006-9041-y

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