Secondary Inorganic Aerosols

Air quality impact assessment is usually carried out with the application of simplified stationary dispersion models, which omit the chemical transformation process of air pollutants. Omission of this effect in the calculation process increases the uncertainty of the obtained results, and hinders the decision making process, related to air quality management. The paper presents a comparison of atmospheric dispersion modeling related to pollutants emitted from high industrial emitters, performed with and without consideration of various chemical transformation modules pertaining to the formation of inorganic aerosols, available in the CALMET/CALPUFF modeling system. A mechanism of inorganic aerosol formation in a liquid phase, considered in the ISORROPIA/RIVAD+AQUA module was observed to exert strong influence on calculation results referring to concentration levels of some air contaminants. The following was found out: more than a double decrease of the annual average concentration of SO2, and even more significant increase (from 7 to 10 times) of the annual average concentration of PM10 (as a sum of primary and secondary particles) in comparison to other considered chemical transformation modules (MESOPUFF, RIVAD/ARM3, ISORROPIA/RIVAD), and a variant with a chemical transformation module switched off (without taking into account the secondary inorganic aerosol formation).

Assessment of the impact on air quality for combustion sources should be carried out using advanced modelling systems with chemical transformation modules taken into account, especially for the facilities characterized by significant emission of gaseous air pollutants (including SO2). This approach increases the reliability of the obtained evaluation results by modelling the formation of secondary inorganic aerosol (SIA) in the air which can substantially contribute to PM10. This paper assesses in this regard selected chemical transformation modules (MESOPUFF, RIVAD/ARM3, ISORROPIA/RIVAD) available in the CALPUFF model (v. 6.42) and its application in the atmospheric dispersion modelling of air emissions from a coal-fired large combustion plant (LCP) not equipped with a flue gas desulphurization (FGD) system. It has been proven that consideration an additional mechanism of secondary sulfate aerosol formation in aqueous phase in the ISORROPIA/RIVAD module (AQUA option) causes a significant increase in the annual average concentration of PM10 in the air compared to the other considered options, along with the calculation variant which excludes chemical transformation mechanisms. Type of the selected chemical transformation module has no significant effect on the results of modelled NO, NO2 and NOx concentrations in the air. However, it can lead to different SO2 results, especially for annual averaged, and in some points, for the hourly averaged concentrations.

Utilisation of geothermal energy for direct and indirect uses is inexorably gaining momentum in many parts of the world endowed with the resource. Kenya has plentiful geothermal resources estimated to be over 10,000 MW that have not been exploited to full potential. The power demand in Kenya exceeds the supply and has been growing at 8% per annum. Consequently, the country has developed an ambitious strategy, and intends to develop 5,000 MW by the year 2017, which is about 3 times the existing capacity. Out of this, 700 MW is expected to be generated from Olkaria Geothermal Field. Olkaria I & II Geothermal Power Stations are located within a national park, at close proximity to a commercial flower farm and ~5 km South of Lake Naivasha which is a Ramsar site. Hence there is need to consider the cumulative effects of hydrogen sulphide gas emitted from the power plants. This study therefore assesses the potential air quality impacts associated with the proposed development options at O...

Air quality impact assessment is usually carried o ut with the application of simplified stationary dispersion models, which omit the chemical transfor mation process of air pollutants. Omission of this effect in the calculation process increases the uncertainty of th e obtained results, and hinders the decision making process, related to air quality management. The paper presen ts a comparison of atmospheric dispersion modeling related to pollutants emitted from high industrial emitters, p erformed with and without consideration of various chemical transformation modules pertaining to the formation of inorganic aerosols, available in the CALMET/CALP UFF modeling system. A mechanism of inorganic aerosol f ormation in a liquid phase, considered in the ISORROPIA/RIVAD+AQUA module was observed to exert s t ong influence on calculation results referring to concentration levels of some air contaminants. The following was found out: more than a double decreas e of the annual average conce...

Air quality impact assessment is usually carried o ut with the application of simplified stationary dispersion models, which omit the chemical transfor mation process of air pollutants. Omission of this effect in the calculation process increases the uncertainty of th e obtained results, and hinders the decision making process, related to air quality management. The paper presen ts a comparison of atmospheric dispersion modeling related to pollutants emitted from high industrial emitters, p erformed with and without consideration of various chemical transformation modules pertaining to the formation of inorganic aerosols, available in the CALMET/CALP UFF modeling system. A mechanism of inorganic aerosol f ormation in a liquid phase, considered in the ISORROPIA/RIVAD+AQUA module was observed to exert s t ong influence on calculation results referring to concentration levels of some air contaminants. The following was found out: more than a double decreas e of the annual average conce...

Assessment of the impact on air quality for combustion sources should be carried out using advanced modelling systems with chemical transformation modules taken into account, especially for the facilities characterized by significant emission of gaseous air pollutants (including SO

The chemical composition of total suspended particulate (TSP) matter and secondary aerosol formation have been studied during wintertime fog and haze events from urban sites (Allahabad and Hisar) in the Indo-Gangetic Plain. The atmospheric abundances of elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC), water-soluble OC (WSOC) suggest that organic matter is a major component of TSP, followed by concentrations of sulphate and nitrate under varying meteorological conditions. The concentrations of EC, OC, and WSOC show a nearly 30% increase during fog and haze events at Allahabad and a marginal increase at Hisar; whereas inorganic constituents (NH 4 + , NO 3 − and SO 4 2−) are 2-3 times higher than those during clear days at both the locations. The sulphur and nitrogen oxidation ratios (SOR and NOR) also exhibit significant increases suggesting possible enhancement of secondary formation of SO 4 2− and NO 3 − during fog and haze events. The significant correlation between NH 4 +-SO 4 2− (R 2 = 0.66, n = 61) and an NH 4 + /SO 4 2− equivalent ratio ≥ 1 during fog-haze conditions suggest nearcomplete neutralization of sulphuric acid by ammonia. In contrast, NH 4 + /SO 4 2− equivalent ratios are less than 1 during normal days suggesting an NH 3-deficient environment and the possible association of SO 4 2− with mineral dust for neutralization. Secondary inorganic aerosol formation and their hygroscopic growth can have significant impact on atmospheric chemistry, air-quality and visibility impairment during fog-haze events over northern India.

Utilisation of geothermal energy for direct and indirect uses is inexorably gaining momentum in many parts of the world endowed with the resource. Kenya has plentiful geothermal resources estimated to be over 10,000 MW that have not been exploited to full potential. The power demand in Kenya exceeds the supply and has been growing at 8% per annum. Consequently, the country has developed an ambitious strategy, and intends to develop 5,000 MW by the year 2017, which is about 3 times the existing capacity. Out of this, 700 MW is expected to be generated from Olkaria Geothermal Field. Olkaria I & II Geothermal Power Stations are located within a national park, at close proximity to a commercial flower farm and ~5 km South of Lake Naivasha which is a Ramsar site. Hence there is need to consider the cumulative effects of hydrogen sulphide gas emitted from the power plants. This study therefore assesses the potential air quality impacts associated with the proposed development options at O...

The paper presents the verification of a solution to the narrow sound frequency range problem of flat reflective panels. The analytical, numerical and experimental studies concerned flat panels, panels with curved edges and also semicircular elements. There were compared the characteristics of sound reflected from the studied elements in order to verify which panel will provide effective sound reflection and also scattering in the required band of higher frequencies, i.e. above the upper limit frequency. Based on the conducted analyzes, it was found that among some presented solutions to narrow sound frequency range problem, the array composed of panels with curved edges is the most preferred one. Nevertheless, its reflection characteristic does not meet all of the requirements, therefore, it is necessary to search for another solution of canopy which is effective over a wide frequency range.

Solid particles impair the performance of the photovoltaic (PV) modules. This results in power losses which lower the efficiency of the system as well as the increases of temperature which additionally decreases the performance and lifetime. The deposited dust chemical composition, concentration and formation of a dust layer on the PV surface differ significantly in reference to time and location. In this study, an evaluation of dust deposition on the PV front cover glass during the non-heating season in one of the most polluted European cities, Kraków, was performed. The time-dependent particle deposition and its correlation to the air pollution with particulate matter were analysed. Dust deposited on several identical PV modules during variable exposure periods (from 1 day up to 1 week) and the samples of total suspended particles (TSP) on quartz fibre filters using a low volume sampler were collected during the non-heating season in the period of 5 weeks. The concentration of TSP in the study period ranged between 12.5 and 60.05 μg m −3 while the concentration of PM10 observed in the Voivodeship Inspectorate of Environmental Protection traffic station, located 1.2 km from the TSP sampler, ranged from 14 to 47 μg m −3. It was revealed that dust deposition density on a PV surface ranged from 7.5 to 42.1 mg m −2 for exposure periods of 1 day while the measured weekly dust deposition densities ranged from 25.8 to 277.0 mg m −2. The precipitation volume and its intensity as well as humidity significantly influence the deposited dust. The rate of dust accumulation reaches approximately 40 mg m −2 day −1 in the no-precipitation period and it was at least two times higher than fluxes calculated on the basis of PM10 and TSP concentrations which suggest that additional forces such as electrostatic forces significantly influence dust deposition.

The paper presents the verification of a solution to the narrow sound frequency range problem of flat reflective panels. The analytical, numerical and experimental studies concerned flat panels, panels with curved edges and also semicircular elements. There were compared the characteristics of sound reflected from the studied elements in order to verify which panel will provide effective sound reflection and also scattering in the required band of higher frequencies, i.e. above the upper limit frequency. Based on the conducted analyzes, it was found that among some presented solutions to narrow sound frequency range problem, the array composed of panels with curved edges is the most preferred one. Nevertheless, its reflection characteristic does not meet all of the requirements, therefore, it is necessary to search for another solution of canopy which is effective over a wide frequency range.

The accuracy of air pollutants dispersion modelling results depends on the quality of the input data, including the representativeness of the meteorological data. The paper presents the results of the AERMOD model validation using data from Tracy Power Plant experiment (Nevada, USA) with various meteorological data sources, including WRF modelling system outputs. The highest efficiency of the AERMOD model performance was found using site-specific meteorological data and the results from the WRF model. In general, the AERMOD modelling system inadequately represents the concentration levels of tracer gas (SF6) at receptors situated below the emitter height in areas of complex topography.

Assessment of the impact on air quality for combustion sources should be carried out using advanced modelling systems with chemical transformation modules taken into account, especially for the facilities characterized by significant emission of gaseous air pollutants (including SO2). This approach increases the reliability of the obtained evaluation results by modelling the formation of secondary inorganic aerosol (SIA) in the air which can substantially contribute to PM10. This paper assesses in this regard selected chemical transformation modules (MESOPUFF, RIVAD/ARM3, ISORROPIA/RIVAD) available in the CALPUFF model (v. 6.42) and its application in the atmospheric dispersion modelling of air emissions from a coal-fired large combustion plant (LCP) not equipped with a flue gas desulphurization (FGD) system. It has been proven that consideration an additional mechanism of secondary sulfate aerosol formation in aqueous phase in the ISORROPIA/RIVAD module (AQUA option) causes a significant increase in the annual average concentration of PM10 in the air compared to the other considered options, along with the calculation variant which excludes chemical transformation mechanisms. Type of the selected chemical transformation module has no significant effect on the results of modelled NO, NO2 and NOx concentrations in the air. However, it can lead to different SO2 results, especially for annual averaged, and in some points, for the hourly averaged concentrations.
English title: Assessment of the air pol lution inflow dir ect ions using the HYSPLIT model.

Air quality impact assessment is usually carried out with the application of simplified stationary dispersion models, which omit the chemical transformation process of air pollutants. Omission of this effect in the calculation process increases the uncertainty of the obtained results, and hinders the decision making process, related to air quality management. The paper presents a comparison of atmospheric dispersion modeling related to pollutants emitted from high industrial emitters, performed with and without consideration of various chemical transformation modules pertaining to the formation of inorganic aerosols, available in the CALMET/CALPUFF modeling system. A mechanism of inorganic aerosol formation in a liquid phase, considered in the ISORROPIA/RIVAD+AQUA module was observed to exert strong influence on calculation results referring to concentration levels of some air contaminants. The following was found out: more than a double decrease of the annual average concentration of SO2, and even more significant increase (from 7 to 10 times) of the annual average concentration of PM10 (as a sum of primary and secondary particles) in comparison to other considered chemical transformation modules (MESOPUFF, RIVAD/ARM3, ISORROPIA/RIVAD), and a variant with a chemical transformation module switched off (without taking into account the secondary inorganic aerosol formation).