Problem :

SO2 is released from a 90m stack at a rate of 800 g/s. During the release period the
average wind velocity at 10m is 4 m/sec and the atmospheric stability is class B.
The observed plume rise for the stack is 60m. Claculate the ground level
concentration at: (i), 3000 m downwind and 100 m crosswind, and (ii), 3000 m
downwind and 500 m crosswind.
Solution:
Step 1: Determine the values of the dispersion coefficients, y and z, from the
appropriate graphs
for x = 3000 (Appendix A).
y = 417 m
z = 363 m

Step 2:

Determine the effective stack height by adding stack height to plume rise
H

Step 3:

= 90 m + 60m
= 150 m

Determine the windspeed at effective stack height.

u150

z150
=

u10
150 m
u150

(4 m/sec)(

)p

(
z10

)0.15

6.0 m/sec

10 m

Step 4: Compute concentration using Gaussian dispersion model at (i) y=100 m,

and (II) y = 500 m.
(i)
-H2

Q
C =

) exp (
)
2z2
2y2
(-150 ft)2
(-100 ft)2
C =
exp (
) exp (
)
2(363 m)2
2(417 m)2
(6 m/sec)(417 m)(363 m)
uyz
800 g/sec

exp (

-y2

2.5 x 10-4

g
m3

250

m3

(ii)
-H2

Q
C =

-y2

) exp (
)
2z2
2y2
(-150 ft)2
(-500 ft)2
C =
exp (
) exp (
)
(6 m/sec)(417 m)(363 m)
2(363 m)2
2(417 m)2
g
g
-4
C =
1.25 x 10
= 125
m3
m3
uyz
800 g/sec

exp (

Exercise: At what wind speed would the ground level concentration at 100 m be
70 g/m3?
(21.4 m/sec)

Problem :
The traffic on the highway can be considered a line source. The I-75 traffic density
along a certain stretch is 6,000 vehicles per hour with an average speed of 50 mph.
The average hydrocarbon emission rate for each vehicle can be taken as 0.03 g/s.
Assume it is 2:30 p.m. on a bright, sunny day and the wind is blowing
perpendicular to a portion of the highway at 6 m/s. Calculate the total hydrocarbon
concentration at a point 500 m downwind.
Solution:
Step 1: Begin by calculating how many vehicles are crossing through one meter.
6000 vehicles/hour

1 mile
(

50 miles/hour

vehicles
) =

0.075

1600 m

Step 2: Calculate the emission rate, q

q =

0.075 vehicles

0.03 g

) = 2.25 x 10-3

s(vehicles)

s(m)

Step 3: Determine the stability class. For a clear, sunny day with speed of 6 m/s,
the stability class
is C.
Step 4: Assuming the area is rural, z can be calculated from Brigg's formula:
z
=

=
0.08(x)(1+0.0002x)
0.08(500 m)(1+0.0002(500 m))
=
38.13 m

Step 5: Calculate concentration at 500 m.

2q
C

(2)(z)()
2(2.25 x 10-4 g/s(m))

(2)(38.13 m)(6 m/s)

g
g
8 x 10-6
=
8
m3
m3

Exercise: After a sale on radar dectors, the average speed of the vehicles increases
to 90 mph. What is the new hydrocarbon concentration at a point 500 m
downwind?
(4.36 g/m3)