Numerical Modeling of Pollutant Dispersion in Streets and Terrain with Complex Geometry

Abstract

A numerical model is developed for the dispersion of pollutant substances released into the atmosphere at zones of small dimensions characterized by terrain with complex geometrical configuration. The model is based on the computation of the flow field by solving the governing conservation equations. The turbulence is treated by a RANS approach. Pollutant concentrations are calculated with their convective-diffusive transport equations. The results show that this class of modeling offers real possibilities for the estimation of the atmospheric contamination level in cases where the terrain roughness makes dubious the application of conventional methods.