Dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere: a numerical study

In this project we propose a numerical algorithm for solving the atmospheric dispersion problem with point sources and deposition at the ground. The problem is modelled by the3D advection-diffusion equation with delta distribution source terms, as well as variable advection speed and diffusion coefficients. We construct a finite volume scheme using a splitting approach in which the CLAWPACK software package is used as the advection solver and an implicit solver is proposed for the diffusion terms. Next, we apply the algorithm to an actual industrial scenario involving emissions of airborne zinc from a mining smelter using actual wind measurements, and then compare our results to another set of simulations obtained from an algorithm based on a Gaussian plume solver. Finally, we propose a new and efficient framework for solving the inverse source emission problem that utilizes the solution of the adjoint equations.