Elective III-Air Pollution and Control (2012 Course)

Assignment No.1

UNIT- I
ASSIGNMENT NO.:1
Q.1
Ans.

What are the zones of atmosphere? Explain.

There are four major layers of atmosphere which are as follows
(a) Troposphere
(b) Stratosphere
(c) Chemosphere
(d) Ionosphere.
(a) Troposphere
Tropo means change. The various constituents of this layer may be changed in
their quantity and quality. This layer is of greatest interest in air pollution
control as this layer consists of most living things. The height of this layer at
poles is 8 km and at equator is 16 km.
Troposphere consists of various gases. The unpolluted air consists of
following gases
Nitrogen
78.00%
Oxygen 21%
Carbon dioxide
0.09%
Argon 0.3%
Water vapour
0.03%
The troposphere, itself exerts 3/4th of total weight of air column. The air
column consisting of all layers exerts a total weight of 20 tons on one m2 area
on the ground.
The average human being needs 17 kg of fresh air per day for breathing.
Recently due to acid rain the changes into the troposphere are taking place.
The temperature varies from 285oK to 220 oK. This is the zone of weather
formation i.e. clouds, storms, thunders, lightening etc. Suspended particles in
this zone are washed down by the rainfall on the earth. Suspended particles of
size 0.02 micron to 0.01 micron remain in suspension from 5 days to 8 weeks.
(b) Stratosphere
This is divided into two zones
Lower stratosphere
Upper stratosphere
Lower Stratosphere : This exists from 10 km to 25 km radially outwards
above the earth. The temperature of this zone is almost constant at 220o K.
Upper Stratosphere : This exists from 20 km to 25 km. The temperature
in this zone rises above 200o K because of ozone formation. This layer is
also called ozone layer. This layer reduces ultraviolet radiation that
reaches the earth's surface. Ultraviolet radiation at high level can damage
plants and animals. It may cause skin irritation or skin cancer to human
beings. Therefore, ozone layer from the stratosphere has got more
importance.
The above chain reaction absorbs most of the solar radiation. This is the zone
of aeroplane travel, radio and T.V. communications, global transport of air
pollutants emitted by nuclear tests and volcanic eruptions etc. In this zone of
stratosphere, the suspended particles remain in suspension for a period of five
years and in lower stratosphere, for a period of 6 months to one year.

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Assignment No.1

(c) Chemosphere / Mesosphere

This zone extends from 45 to 75 km. Temperature falls from 215 K to 170 K.
In this zone, the atmosphere is rarified. There are no photochemical reactions
in this zone and therefore temperature falls in this zone. This is the zone of
satellite orbit. Pollutants remain in suspension in this zone for a period of
about 5 to 10 years. Once these pollutants are reached from upper zone to
stratosphere, they fall immediately on the earth with rainfall etc.
(d) Ionosphere
This zone extends from 75 km to 130 km. Temperature increases from 170 K
to 300 K. In this zone, atmosphere goes in ionised state. Due to short wave
radiations there is increase in temperature. This is the zone of satellite. This
sphere is polluted by exhaust fumes of rockets.

Q.2
Ans.

Fig.1.1 : Zones of atmosphere

What are the scales of meteorology? Explain.
Following are the scales of meteorology:
A) MACRO SCALE: It involves the planetary patterns of circulation and the
grand-sweep of air currents over hemispheres. These phenomena occur on a
scale of thousand of kilometer and are exemplified by the high and low
pressure area over ocean and continent. This will cover the problems ranging
from the distance of one centimeter to the size of house or slightly larger.
B) MESO SCALE: (Secondary): The influence on the five basic parameters
of the meteorology is mainly due to regional topography like location of
mountains, oceans and large water bodies, forests and of urban and
industrialized areas e.g. Heat islands, mountain or valley winds; land or sea
breezes and some pressure fronts. This phenomenon occurs on a scale of
hundreds of kilometers. This will cover the problems ranging from few
hectares up to the sizes of a city or country.
C) MICRO SCALE: The phenomenon is limited to areas of less than 10 km
and is exemplified by dispersion of plumes from industrial stacks. This
phenomenon is limited to the friction layer (the buildings and industries
offer significant frictional resistance to winds and cause significant thermal
changes in atmosphere that winds may deviate markedly from a standard
pattern. The layer of atmosphere near ground surface where these have effect
is called friction layer). The frictional resistance offered by buildings, trees,
bushes, or rocks causes mechanical turbulence which influences the air
movement. The radiant heat from asphalt streets, buildings, industries and
desert sands causes thermal imbalance that can change the pattern of air
movements. This will cover the problems ranging from nations, international
up to the globe.

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Elective III-Air Pollution and Control (2012 Course)

Q.3
Ans.

Q.4

Assignment No.1

Enlist primary and secondary meteorological factors influencing air

pollution & explain each in brief?
Meteorological factors:
1. Primary parameters
Wind direction and speed
Atmospheric stability
Temperature
Mixing height
2. Secondary parameters
Precipitation
Humidity
Solar radiation
Visibility
Primary parameters:1. wind direction and speed
These are the two important phenomenons in dispersion of air pollutants.
Wind is simply air in motion. The dispersion and diffusion of air pollutants
depends upon wind direction and speed. With high currents, the pollutants are
transported to longer distances.
2. atmospheric stability
In the troposphere the temperature of ambient air usually decreases with
increase in altitude. This rate of temperature change is called as lapse rate. The
tendency of atmosphere to resist vertical motion is called as stability.
These are two types of atmospheric stability: a)Unstable atmosphere b)Stable
atmosphere
3. temperature
The temperature of the atmosphere changes with altitude. It is the main
parameter which defines the stability of the atmosphere.
4.Mixing height
This is the height to which the pollutants will extend in to an atmosphere
through the atmospheric turbulance . this is related to wind direction,speed
and turbulence.
Secondary parameters:1.Precipitation
During the precipitation, the pollutants will be brought down on the ground
and the concentration on ground will get increased.
2. Relative humidity
The amount of water vapour present in atmosphere influences the corrosive
action of air pollutants.
3. Solar Radiation
The photochemical reactions in the atmosphere have better effect on
photochemical smog formation.
4. visibility
As the concentration of air pollutants in an atmosphere increases the visibility
is decreases.
List various equipments used and the unit of measurement for the
meteorological parameters.

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Ans.

Q.5
Ans.

Assignment No.1

a) Wind direction and Velocity:

Wind velocity is measured in m/sec using Anemometer.
Wind direction is measured using Wind vane.
b) Temperature:
Temperature is measured in degrees using a Thermometer.
c) Precipitation: It is measured in mm using a Raingauge.
d) Humidity:
Hygrometers are instruments used for measuring humidity. A simple
form of a hygrometer is specifically known as a "psychrometer" and
consists of two thermometers, one of which includes a dry bulb and the
other of which includes a bulb that is kept wet to measure wet-bulb
temperature.
Absolute humidity is the water content of air at a given temperature
expressed in gram per cubic metre. Relative humidity, expressed as a
percent, measures the current absolute humidity relative to the
maximum (highest point) for that temperature.
What do you understand by stability of the atmosphere? Which are
various stability conditions?
In the troposphere, the temperature of ambient air usually decreases with an
increase in altitude. This rate of temperature change is called as lapse rate.
This rate can be determined for a particular place at a particular time by
sending balloons equipped with thermometer. The recorded temperature
change is called as ambient lapse rate or environmental lapse rate.
The tendency of atmosphere to resist vertical motion is called as stability. This
stability is related to wind speed and lapse rate.
The lapse rate for a rising air parcel can be determined theoretically. For
calculation purposes, the cooling process within the rising air parcel is
assumed to be adiabatic. For a rising air parcel, the temperature change against
altitude gain under adiabatic conditions is termed as adiabatic lapse rate. It is
designated by Greek letter gamma ().

Fig. 1.2 : Atmospheric Stability Conditions

For dry air, expanding adiabatically, the lapse rate is 9.8C/1000 m which is
termed as dry adiabatic lapse rate.
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Assignment No.1

For wet air, expanding adiabatically, the lapse rate is 6C/1000 m, which is
termed as wet adiabatic lapse rate.
Ambient and adiabatic lapse rates are measures of atmospheric stability.
Stability is a function of vertical distribution of atmospheric temperature, and
plotting the ambient lapse rate against the adiabatic lapse rate can give an
indication of stability of atmosphere.
Following are the atmospheric stability conditions
(a) Sub-Adiabatic Lapse Rate : In this case as shown in Fig. 1.2, the
Adiabatic Lapse Rate (ALR) is greater than the Environmental Lapse Rate
(ELR). The atmosphere will (ALR) be stable and no dispersion of
pollutants will take place.
(b) Super-adiabatic : When ELR is more than ALR, the environment is said
to be unstable.
(c) Neutral : ELR = ALR.
(d) Isothermal : No change in temperature with altitude.
(e) Inversion : Increase in temperature with altitude.
Unstable Atmosphere : The atmosphere is said to be unstable as long as the
rising air parcel remains warmer than the surrounding air. If the temperature
of atmosphere falls at a greater rate than adiabatic lapse rate, the lapse rate is
said to be super adiabatic. Diagrammatically, this can be represented as
follows

Fig 1.3: Unstable atmosphere

In the Fig. 1.3, the s shown by dashed line and the actual lapse rate is
shown by solid line.
Consider a particle of polluted air at certain elevation A. Now this particle will
rise from A to B. As the atmospheric pressure at A is greater than B, the air
particle expands and therefore it cools i.e. temperature drops. As this process
is very fast, we consider it as an adiabatic i.e. without any heat transfer. As the
atmospheric lapse rate is greater than adiabatic lapse rate, the temperature of
polluted air particle will be still more than the atmosphere or surrounding air.
This temperature difference gives the effect of buoyancy to the polluted
particle. It will behave as a hot particle and continue to rise until its
temperature and the surrounding temperature becomes equal. The particle will
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Elective III-Air Pollution and Control (2012 Course)

Assignment No.1

reach at higher altitudes from where the possibility of coming on the ground is
less. In air pollution studies, this condition is preferred. The ground level
concentration of the pollutants will be always less whenever this condition
prevails in the surrounding area.
Stable Atmosphere : The atmosphere is said to be stable when the
environmental lapse rate is less than adiabatic lapse rate i.e. . When the
atmospheric temperature falls at a slower rate than adiabatic lapse rate, the
lapse rate is said to be subadiabatic.
Diagrammatically, this can be represented as follows

Fig. 1.4: Stable atmosphere

In the above Fig. 1.4, the is shown by dashed line and the ambient lapse rate
by solid line.
If again we consider a particle of polluted air at elevation A, it will rise up to
elevation B, following adiabatic conditions. But now at elevation B, the
temperature of polluted particle will be less than the temperature of
atmosphere. This condition will not create buoyancy to particle, thus
mechanical turbulence will also be inhibited. The particle will have a tendency
to sink.
Q.6
Ans.

What is Inversion? Explain in brief Radiation and Subsidence Inversion?

The rate at which the temperature changes with elevation is called lapse rate
and is given by dT/dZ = -(n-1)/nR. The lapse rate in a dry adiabatic
atmosphere is called DALR and is equal to -1C/100m and such atmosphere is
called neutral atmosphere. If dT/dZ is negative it is called inversion. Inversion
occurs when n<1 i.e. dT/dZ is positive i.e. when the temperature of
atmosphere increases with elevation instead of decreasing.
Radiation Inversion:
It occurs usually at night when the earth loses heat by radiation and cools the
air in contact with it. If the air is moist and its temperature is very less, fog
will form. The cool air stratum is covered by warmer air and the vertical
movement of plume is stopped until the sun warms the lower air, next
morning. This type of inversion, called Radiation Inversion, is common during
winter because of the longer nights.

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Assignment No.1

Fig. 1.5: Radiation Inversion

Subsidence Inversion:
It occurs due to a high pressure system. When air circulates around a
stationary high, such as a mountain, it descends slowly. At lower elevations
the pressure is more and due to this high pressure zone the descended air gets
compressed and heated forming a blanket of warm air. Thus a zone of warmer
air is trapped between two cooler zones forming Subsidence Inversion. This
warmer layer acts as a lid and prevents the movement of contaminants to the
cooler air above. Hills and valleys are prone to such inversions due to
restricted air movement. Sea breezes also cause such inversions often.

Q.7

Ans.

Fig. 1.6: Subsidence Inversion

Explain how the concentration of pollutants is found out by Gaussian
model. Explain each term of Gaussian formula. State assumptions and
limitations also of Gaussian model.
There are several models available for predicting the concentrations down
wind of a single source, but most of them are numerical method. However,
under a set of simplifying assumptions, the analytical closed form solution can
be obtained.
The formulation for steady-state concentration downwind from a continuous
point source was presented by Sutton and further developed by pasquill and
Gifford. This solution is commonly known as Gaussian plume model.
Applications:
Much experience has been gained since first model formulations
(particularly in the field of estimation of dispersion coefficients, 6y&6z)
Model is easy to understand and use, is efficient with reference to
computer running time and the results agree with the experimental data
quite well.

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Elective III-Air Pollution and Control (2012 Course)

Assignment No.1

Gaussian model equation is given by

X(xyz)= [Q/(2 u6Y6Z )] Exp (-y2/26y2) [Exp (z-H)2/26z2+
Exp-(z+H)2/26z2]
The plume travels with a uniform velocity u downwind from the
source.
X(xyz)=concentration of pollutant at the point (xyz) in space g/m3
Q=source strength i.e. pollutant emission rate, g/sec
H=h+h, h=physical height of stack in m
h=plume rise in m
H=effective stack height in m

Assumptions:
1. The plume has a Gaussian distribution in both horizontal and vertical
planes with 6Y and 6Z as the standard deviations of the concentrations
of the plume in horizontal crosswind and vertical directions
respectively.
2. The mean speed affecting the plume is u, which is the wind speed at
source level i.e. at the point where dispersion starts.
3. Uniform and continuous emission of Q g/sec of pollutant takes place.
4. Diffusion of pollutant in x direction is negligible compared to
diffusion in cross-wind direction. This is true if emission is continuous
and if wind speed is more than 1m/sec.
5. Total reflection of the plume takes place at the earths surface i. e.
there is no deposition or reaction on the pollutants at the surface. Also
the pollutants are inert and passive so that there is no gravity fallout
and there are no atmospheric chemical reactions.
6. Parameters governing the diffusion of the pollutant do not change in
space and time i.e. steady-state conditions prevail.
7. The terrain underlying the plume is flat.
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Elective III-Air Pollution and Control (2012 Course)

Q.8

Assignment No.1

Limitations:
1. It does not consider the existence of various stability layers at different
heights in the atmosphere.
2. It does not consider the change in stability characteristics with time.
3. It does not consider the terrain characteristics such as terrain
roughness, existence of mountains and valleys, distribution of land and
water masses.
4. It does not consider the existence of free convection regions and strong
wind shears like change of wind directions and change of wind speed
with height.
5. It can be applied only for shorter distances (upto 10 km) and of shorter
travel time (order of 2 hours).
Explain the concept of plume rise. What are the factors considered in
calculating plume rise? Write formulae for calculating plume rise?

Ans.

Fig. 1.8: Plume Rise

Because of inertial force and the buoyancy, the plume released from a
stack rises to a certain height and then gets dispersed by the wind. This
height is called plume rise h.
It is a function of exit gas velocity, temperatures of ambient air and stack
gas,emission rate,wind speed,atmospheric stability and shear of wind
speed, du/dz.
Formulae for computation of plume rise
Rupps Formula : h=1.5Vs/ud,
Briggs Formula : h=3.0Vs/ud,
Smiths Formula : h=(Vs/u)1.4 d,
Hollands Equation:
h = VS/ud [1.5 + 2.68 p (Ts-Ta/Ts) .d
Where,
Vs=stack gas velocity, m/sec
u= mean wind speed, m/sec
d=inner diameter of the stack at exit, m.
p= atmospheric pressure, kg/cm2.
Ts = Temperature of Gas, oK
Ta = Temperature of ambient air, oK

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Elective III-Air Pollution and Control (2012 Course)

Q.9
Ans.

Assignment No.1

What are the effects of stack height? Enlist various formulae used to
calculate minimum stack height?
Effects of the stack height:
If the physical height of stack is more the effective stack height also will be
more, and a better dispersion is possible. Smaller stacks lead to higher ground
level concentrations, the maximum concentration usually inversely
proportional to the square of the effective stack height according to the
Bureau of the Indian Standards.
Stack height:
Hmin=30m
Hmin=74Q0.27
Q=particulate emission rate in tons per hour
Hmin=14Q0.3
Q=SO2 emission rate in kg/hr.
The physical height of stack to be provided is maximum of the three Hmin
values obtained.

Q.10
Ans.

Explain plume behaviour with the help of neat sketches.

The plume behavior in a given environment may be different for stacks of
different heights:Looping:
It is associated with turbulent air during warm seasons with clear skies. It
occurs under super-adiabatic conditions (n>1.4) conditions and during day
time with clear or partly cloudy skies and intense solar heating. In this,
irregular loops dissipate in patches and relatively rapidly with distance. It
occurs due to light to moderate wind speeds on a hot summer afternoon when
large scale thermal eddies are present. These eddies carry portions of the
plume to the ground level for short time periods, carrying momentary high
surface concentration of pollutant near stack. Though looping occurs in
unstable atmospheres which are favourable for thorough mixing, higher stacks
may be needed to prevent premature contact with the ground.
Coning:
When the ambient lapse rate is sub-adiabatic the atmosphere is neutral or
slightly unstable. Under such conditions, there is limited vertical mixing and
the probability of air pollution problems in the area increases. The typical
plume in such situation is called coning. The visible plume is cone shaped
roughly 10 degrees with a horizontal axis. It dissipates further down wind than
a looping plume. In this, small scale mechanical turbulence dominates since
the thermal heating effect is much lower than in the case of looping plumes.
Coning occurs when skies are overcast during either the day or night with
moderate to strong winds. This is an especially good condition for estimating
pollutant dispersion by the diffusion models. Dispersion is slower than
looping and the pollutant touches at a large distance.
Fanning:
A Fanning Plume occurs in the presence of large negative lapse
rates(inversion and isothermal lapse rate), so that a strong surface inversion
takes place at a considerable distance above the stack height. The atmosphere

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Assignment No.1

is extremely stable, with very little turbulence and light winds. The typical
occurrence of the plume is at night and in early morning conditions when the
earth is cooled by outgoing radiation. A fanning plume may appear as a
narrow horizontal fan without any vertical spreading for several kilometers
downwind. If the effluent is warm, plume rises slowly and then drifts
horizontally. The dispersion of plume is very slow, and concentration aloft
high at relatively great distance downwind. A small probability of ground
contact exists, though turbulence can result in considerable ground contact.
Lofting:
Lofting prevails in the late afternoon and early evening under clear skies. In
the evening (sun sets) radiation from the surface leads to an inversion layer
near ground level. As the inversion layer deepens, a lofting plume will change
to a fanning plume. Due to the inversion adiabatic lapse rate forms at stack top
which makes the lower layer stable and the upper layer neutral or unstable.
The plume is in the form of loops or cone with well defined bottom and
diffuses to top. In the upper layer, the winds are of moderate and considerable
turbulence and they have very little influence in the layer below. In lofting
probability of ground contact is small unless inversion layer is shallow. It is
considered to be the best condition for dispersion since pollutants are
dispersed in upper air with small probability of ground contact.
Fumigation:
Fumigation plumes occur when a stable layer of air lies a short distance above
the release point of the plume and an unstable air layer lies below the plume. It
occurs during changes from inversion to normal condition and also with sea
breeze in late morning or early afternoon. It stays temporarily for maximum
30 minutes except in case of sea breeze conditions, in which case it stays for
several hours. The morning sun heats the ground, which in turn leads to the
development of a negative temperature gradient from the ground upward.
Once the newly formed unstable layer reaches the height of the stack, large
concentrations of stack gas will be carried downwind to the surface. The
winds are light to moderate aloft and light below, but thermal turbulence is
observed in lower layer only. The ground level concentrations are high
especially when plume has stagnated aloft. Fumigation is formed usually
under clear skies and light winds, and is more prevalent in the summer. It
usually starts when a fanning plume breaks up into a looping plume.
Trapping:
It occurs in stable atmosphere, both above and below stack with an unstable
atmosphere in between the two inversion layers and can diffuse only in the
limited vertical height. It may occur at any time of the day in any season. If
associated with subsidence inversion it may persist for months as in Los
Angeles and if associated with warm frontal inversions it lasts for less than a
day. It is probably one of the worst pollution situations.
Neutral Plume:
It tends to rise directly into the atmosphere until it reaches air of density
similar to that of plume itself. It is often converted to coning if wind velocity
is grater than 10m/sec and when cloud cover blocks the solar radiation by day
and terrestrial radiation by night.

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Elective III-Air Pollution and Control (2012 Course)

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Assignment No.1

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Assignment No.1

Fig. 1.9: Plume behaviour in different environments

Q.11 Explain effects of the following on plume dispersion.
Wind
Topography
Time of the day
Atmospheric stability
Temperature of flue gases
Ans. 1. Wind: As per the wind direction and wind speed the type of plume is
changed. The dispersion of pollutants is also affected due to this.
2. Topography: Geophysical land forms like mountains, valleys, oceans
and other large water bodies and continents over which air masses travel
have a great effect on weather, meteorological conditions and finally on
the dispersion of air pollutants in the atmosphere.
3. Time of the day: The atmospheric stability is changed as time changed.
The type of plume is also varying with a time of day.
4. Atmospheric Stability: As per the type of atmospheric stability condition
the type of plume is changed. If atmosphere is stable then dispersion of
pollutants is less and if unstable then dispersion of pollutants is more.
5. Temperature of flue gases: A plume rise may differ due to temperature
of flue gases.

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Elective III-Air Pollution and Control (2012 Course)

Q.12
Ans.

Assignment No.1

What are the effects of topography on pollutant dispersion? Explain in

detail.
EFFECT OF TOPOGRAPHY ON POLLUTANT DISPERSION :
Geophysical landforms like mountains, valleys, oceans and large water bodies
and continents over which air masses travel have a great effect on weather,
meteorological conditions and finally on the dispersion of the air pollutants in
the atmosphere as follows:
(A) Effect of Water Bodies on Pollutant Dispersion
During day time land gets heated up with solar rays easily due to its
conductance. The temperature over water raises very slowly since
water does not radiate solar energy quickly and also the heat energy
received by water penetrates to greater depth. Thus during day time
warm air over earth rises upwards and this zone is replaced by colder
air over water bodies. This is typically exemplified by the Sea Breeze
Condition. This is example of inversion as temperature increases with
elevation. The effect is maximum during afternoon and summers. The
reverse i.e. offshore breeze may also occur during winter nights but the
intensity is very less.

Fig 1.10: Sea breeze condition

(B) Effect of ridges/Buildings on plume dispersion
Both the above cases may cause dense ground level concentrations.
Solutions: - 1. Increase in stack height by 50% or more may be necessary.
2. Process reduction during unfavorable wind conditions.
3. Permanent stack clearing devices.
The problem is more serve in coastal regions. When hills surrounding a
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Assignment No.1

coastal area from a basin, and intense pollution problem may be created. The
cool air blows inland pushing the air pollutants towards the mountains where
they are trapped because the cool air moving over the polluted air acts like a
lid that prevents dispersion and dilution. In the presence of fog, smog is
formed and this is perennial air pollution problem of Los Angeles. Similarly
taller buildings also interfere with the dispersion of air pollutants. If the height
of chimney is less than about 2.5 times the height of the surrounding
buildings, eddy current set by the wind while blowing pass the building may
engulf the flue gases and bring them quickly to ground levels.

Fig. 1.11: Effect of ridges/Buildings on dispersion

(C) Effect of Valleys on Pollutant Concentration
A valley tends to channel wind flow along the axis. In valleys, during
day time, ground gets heated and warmer air starts ascending both up
the valley and along the slopes. Thus the plume from the stack is
forced to fan out. The problem is severe during nights when the
reverse conditions occurs. During nights, the air flows into the valley
bringing and depositing the pollutants in the valley leading to high
ground level concentrations. When winds are light, the air in the valley
becomes stagnant and the problem is acute, especially during winter
nights.
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Assignment No.1

Fig. 1.12: Effect of valleys on dispersion

(D) Effect of Terrain Roughness on Dispersion
Pollutant dispersion is a function of wind speed which in turn is a
function of friction forces which depend upon the terrain roughness.
Wind speed is zero at earths surface and then rises to a gradient value
at a height of few hundred meters. If terrain roughness is more, as in
case of urbanized and industrialized areas due to high rise buildings
and industries, the wind velocity profile is steeper and reaches deeper
into the atmosphere and as the roughness roughness decreases as in
rural areas, the depth of the affected layer is less. Thus, dispersion of
pollutants is good in rural areas where maximum wind speed is
attained in lesser heights. The wind speed , in general, varies as :
U2/U1= (Z2/Z1)n
Where, n=0.25 unstable atmospheres and n=0.50 for stable
atmospheres.

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Assignment No.1

Fig.1.13: Effect on terrain roughness on dispersion

Q.13
Ans.

Write short note on:

Wind rose diagram & its use in air pollution studies
Wind Rose diagram and its uses in air pollution study:
The most common form of wind rose consists of a circle and data are usually
reported at eight primary and eight secondary directions of the compass by the
lines. the length of each line is proportional to the frequency of wind from that
direction and the frequency of calm condition is entered in the centre. There
are many variations in the construction of wind roses. some indicate the range
of wind speeds from each direction and some relate wind direction with other
meteorological conditions.
TYPE I Wind Rose:
The radial lines indicate the wind direction and each circle represents the
duration of the wind. The observed values of the total percentage of time in a
year during which the wind blows are plotted along the corresponding
directions.
All the plotted points are then joined by straight lines giving the maximum
wind blowing direction. The maximum wind blowing direction is usually
along the direction of the longest line on the wind rose diagram. This type of
wind rose does not account for the effect of cross wind component.

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Assignment No.1

Fig.1.14: Wind rose Diagram (Type I)

TYPE II Wind Rose:
In this type of wind rose, the wind intensity is represented by each circle to
some scale. The values entered in each segment represent the percentage of
time in a year during which the wind, having particular intensity, blows from
the respective direction.

Fig.1.15: Wind rose Diagram (Type II)

Prepared by: Dr. R. K. Lad

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Elective III-Air Pollution and Control (2012 Course)

Q.14

Ans.

Assignment No.1

Explain the following atmospheric conditions:

Superadiabatic
Sub-adiabatic
Neutral
Isothermal
Inversion
Write in one line the effect of those conditions on pollutant dispersion?
1. Super adiabatic: Pollutants dispersed for longer distance.
2. Sub adiabatic: Pollutants will not be dispersed for longer distance.
3. Neutral: Pollutants dispersed directly into the atmosphere.
4. Isothermal: Pollutants not dispersed vertically.
5. Inversion: Horizontal pollutant dispersion is restricted.

Prepared by: Dr. R. K. Lad

Page 19