GAUSSIAN PLUME MODELING

Engr. Jes Aquino

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Understand the form of Gaussian equation used
for plume modeling and simplifying assumptions
Understand the types of sources that can be
simulated with the Gaussian equation
Understand the atmospheric stability
classification scheme and use it to determine
diffusion coefficients used in Gaussian modeling
Understand how the wind speed varies with
height and how to adjust it
Understand how to determine plume rise from
point source
GAUSSIAN PLUME EQUATION AND
ASSUMPTIONS

General Form of Gaussian Dispersion Equation:

For Ground level concentration at z=0 :

 Using the Gaussian Plume equation, the ground
level concentration x (in microgram per cubic
meter) at the point (x,y) may be written as:
ASSUMPTIONS
1. The emission rate is constant
2. Dispersion (diffusion) is negligible in the
downwind (x) direction
3. Horizontal meteorological conditions are
homogeneous over the space being modeled. For
each hour modeled:
a. an average wind speed is used
b. wind direction is constant
c. temperature is constant
d. atmospheric stability class is constant
e. mixing height is constant
ASSUMPTIONS
4. No wind sheer in the horizontal or vertical
5. Plume is infinite with no plume history (each
hour being modeled is independent of the previous
hour)
6. The pollutants are non-reactive gases or aerosols
that remain suspended in the air following the
turbulent movement of the atmosphere
7. The plume is reflected at the surface with no
deposition or reaction with the surface
8. The dispersion in the crosswind (y direction) and
vertical (z direction) take the form of Gaussian
distributions about the plume centerline
SOURCES TYPES
EMISSION INVENTORY AND
PHOTOCHEMICAL MODELING
EMISSION AND STACK PARAMETER
Emissions rate continuous maximum hourly
emissions rate. The 24-hour average, season
average or annual average may be different
Stack Parameters assume a straight exit to
atmosphere
Stack velocity at exit point
Stack temperature at exit point
Stack diameter at exit point
Stack location
STABILITY CLASSIFICATION SCHEME
In the Gaussian equation, it is assumed that the
plume spread has a Gaussian distribution in both the
horizontal and vertical planes. The standard
deviation of the plume concentration distribution in
the horizontal (crosswind) is denoted by sigma y and
the corresponding concentration distribution in the
vertical is denoted by sigma z.

These are frequently referred to as dispersion or

diffusion coefficients.
The values for these diffusion coefficients vary
depending on the height above the surface, the
surface roughness, sampling time, wind speed and
distance downwind from the source.
The values for the diffusion coefficients are normally
determined based on the stability of the atmosphere
STABILITY CLASSIFICATION SCHEME
POINT OF MAXIMUM CONCENTRATION
The maximum concentration downwind occurs
along the plume centerline. For points on the
plume centerline, equation 3 reduces to:

Distance (with maximum concentration)

WIND SPEED
In the lower layers of the atmosphere, wind speed normally
increases with height. Most National Weather Service wind
speed measurements are taken at a height of 10 meter
above the surface and are listed as ground level wind
speed.
The windspeed stack height has the greatest effect on the
plume.
Wind speed may be adjusted to stack height with the
following equation:

.
PROBLEM 1
A power plant located in rural Travis county near
Austin burns 10 tons of coal per hour containing
3% sulfur. The effective stack height is 150 m.
Determine the maximum concentration of SO2
for the following conditions in Austin Texas:

Time 8am 1pm 4pm

Surface wind speed(m/s) 2.5 2.0 7.0
Sun angle 20o 65o 50o
Cloud conditions clear clear cloudy