Abstract:

Modeling dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere is an important tool for air protection in the environmental engineering. It is used to estimate the impact of emission sources on the air quality in the process of environmental impact assessment (regulatory use), to justify the enforcement of environmental policy, to provide information to the public and for the research purposes. The most common model for simple modeling of pollutants dispersion from point source is Gaussian plume dispersion model. This model is worked with as a part of the course Modeling of Pollutants Dispersion in the Environment, which is lectured at the Technical University in Zvolen, Slovak Republic for the students of Environmental Engineering. Part of the course is a practical exercise, where students are given a set of data for a point source of emissions and a guideline to perform the calculation of the above ground concentration of the pollutant in the given distance from the source. Calculation is based on the Gaussian plume dispersion model with simplified equation. Example calculations are explained in detail during the courses. Students solve this exercise as a home project and are advised to perform the calculation using any tool they find fit for the purpose. This paper describes the practical exercise as a part of the course in detail. The approach of the students to the solution of the practical exercise is analysed based on the data from 6 years of course classes. The results of the evaluation of 6 years of experience show, that the use of computer software by students of Environmental Engineering for complex calculations has a great potential to be improved. However, we believe, that detailed understanding of the calculation gained by individual solution of the practical problem may not be replaced by simple input of the data into the ready-prepared program acting as a “black box”.

Keywords:

Atmospheric dispersion modelling, Gaussian plume dispersion model, practical problems, education experiences.