Mathematical modeling and simulation of a gas emission source using the network simulation method

Abstract

A mathematical model for the simulation of the diffusion of the pollutants released from a point source is presented. All phenomena have been included, such as thermal and wind gradients, turbulence, fumigation, convective and diffusive effects, and atmospheric stabilities. To better understand the dynamics of these occurrences, the Network Simulation Method was used to provide the concentration of pollutants in three spatial coordinates. The model was simulated in open source software and validated with experimental data, satisfying the Hanna criteria. Additionally, this model selects for the appropriate expressions based on the physical phenomena that govern each case and allows for time-dependent data entry. The cases studied show the great coupling that exists between the variables of wind velocity and atmospheric stability for the pollutant diffusion. The model can be used for two important aims, to identify the behavior of the emission of pollutants, and to determine the concentration of a pollutant at various points, through an inverse problem, locating the source of the emission.