This page should be read in conjunction with How Plume Plotter Works. It provides more details specific to the Aire Valley version of Plume Plotter.
The modelling is based on the 2018 air quality assessment [1], which is an updated version of the 2017 version [2].
Building measurements are taken from [1]. This image shows the layout of the stack and buildings modelled. North is at the top; colours and numbers indicate the heights of the buildings and the stack:
All of these are taken from [1]:
The following values are used for albedo, Bowen ratio, and roughness length. Roughness length is as specified in [1]:
The emission rates of pollutants are not given in [1], and neither is the normalised flow rate ("volume flux"). This information was obtained separately via the Environment Agency:
| Pollutant | Emission rate per second |
|---|---|
| Oxides of nitrogen | 4.13 g |
| Sulphur dioxide | 495.5 mg |
| Carbon monoxide | N/A |
| Particulates | 275.3 mg |
| VOCs | 275.3 mg |
| Hydrogen chloride | 275.3 mg |
| Hydrogen flouride | 27.53 mg |
| Cadmium and thallium | 1.377 mg |
| Mercury | 1.377 mg |
| Other metals | 13.77 mg |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | 27.53 μg |
| Dioxins and furans | 2.753 ng |
| Ammonia | 137.7 mg |
| PCBs | 137.7 μg |
The background levels of pollutants are taken from [3]. These are:
| Pollutant | Background concentration per m3 |
|---|---|
| Oxides of nitrogen | 29 μg |
| Sulphur dioxide | 2.53 μg |
| Carbon monoxide | 519 μg |
| Particulates | 17 μg |
| VOCs | 670 ng |
| Hydrogen chloride | 290 ng |
| Hydrogen flouride | 2.46 μg |
| Cadmium and thallium | 120 pg |
| Mercury | 2.11 ng |
| Other metals | 68.46 ng |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | 143 pg |
| Dioxins and furans | 49 fg |
| Ammonia | 1.16 μg |
| PCBs | N/A |
Weather data is taken from METAR reports from a local airport: Leeds Bradford.
Upper air data is the latest reported by the Nottingham upper air station.
1. Proposed Clean Energy Facility: Environmental Permit Application - Air Quality Impact Assessment. Ricardo-AEA Ltd. July 2017. Permit application EPR/ZP3537AT.
2. Proposed Clean Energy Facility: Environmental Permit Application - Air Quality Impact Assessment ADDENDUM. Ricardo-AEA Ltd. October 2018. Permit application EPR/ZP3537AT.
3. Proposed Clean Energy Facility, Aire Valley Road Keighley: Air quality, odour, dust and health impact assessment. Ricardo-AEA Ltd. March 2015. Planning application 16/06857/FUL, document "16_06857_FUL-AIR_QUALITY_IMPACT_ASSESSMENT-4609625.pdf".