Pollutant Dispersion

Atkinson Science uses powerful CFD software to compute the dispersion of pollutants from stacks. The pollutants must disperse sufficiently to pose no risk to health if they come into contact with neighbouring buildings or the ground. CFD software does not rely on empirical data to determine the trajectory and spreading of the pollutants but replicates the flow physics by solving the equations of fluid motion along with a model for turbulence. The flow physics dictates that in a light wind the pollutants will follow a near-vertical trajectory but will disperse slowly, while in a strong wind the pollutants will follow a near-horizontal trajectory but will disperse rapidly. The CFD software replicates this behaviour. In a high wind the pollutants from a stack may be blown towards a near-by building, but the CFD software may well show that the pollutants disperse quickly enough to pose no risk to the occupants of the building.

In our experience, if a stack is designed properly then the pollutants should be diluted at least one hundred times regardless of the wind conditions before they come into contact with a neighbouring building or the ground. Any stack that does not provide this level of dispersion should be replaced or redesigned. Click on the links below to read some of our case studies or contact Atkinson Science if you would like to discuss a problem involving pollutant dispersion. Contact us.