Air quality assessments can be a key component of a regulatory approval, or may be triggered by a community complaint or a need to investigate improvements in process or emission control systems. Assessments may look at existing facilities or examine the potential emissions from proposed new ventures. We have vast experience in the field of air quality management and assessment.

Air Quality Impact Assessment & Management

We have conducted air quality assessments and impact assessments for clients in a wide range of industries, including paper manufacture, waste to energy, composting, rendering, renewable fuels, mining, landfilling, food manufacturing, printing, aluminium smelting and chemical treatment.

We have extensive experience is assisting clients address regulatory requirements and community impact issues, utilising our expertise in toxic and odorous air pollutants.

Odour Assessment & Management

Odorous emissions can be generated by a variety of industries, and may adversely impact on local amenity if not managed appropriately. We have successfully completed odour assessments for coffee roasting facilities, rendering operations, broiler farms, abattoirs, automotive and other component manufacturing, pulp and paper mills, biodiesel plants, wastewater treatment facilities and food processing facilities. Our assessments have examined complex mixtures of odorous emissions as well as individual odorous chemical species, and have facilitated the design of odour abatement systems.

Air Dispersion Modelling

Air dispersion modelling is a powerful computer modelling tool used to predict the ground level concentration of compounds being discharged from a facility. The results of the modelling can be used to demonstrate compliance with relevant regulatory requirements, assist in developing pollution reduction schemes, or to assess pollution complaints and incidences. We have considerable experience in air dispersion modelling, including model development and results interpretation.

Particulate Assessments

Particulate emissions can pose a risk to human health and present a community amenity issue in the form of visible emissions or fallout. The potential emissions of concern include PM₁₀ (particles with mean aerodynamic diameter less than 10 microns), PM_2.5(particles with mean aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 microns), respirable crystalline silica and nuisance dust.

We have extensive experience in undertaking dust emission assessments, as well providing advice on best practice dust management strategies.

Our Expertise Includes:

AUSPLUME : a two dimensional steady-state Gaussian plume model, and currently the accepted air dispersion model for use in Australia for most industries and topographical situations.
AERMOD: an advanced steady-state Gaussian plume model that can be used for areas with a greater variety of terrains and meteorology than AUSPLUME. Aermod is currently the recommended air dispersion regulatory model for use in the USA, and is expected to soon replace AUSPLUME as the accepted regulatory model in many Australian jurisdictions.
TAPM: a prognostic model developed by the CSIRO for calculating 3D windfelds and dispersion. TAPM is used to calculate the meteorology in areas where there are no representative observation stations available. TAPM can be used for dispersion modelling where plume models are not valid, for example long distance transport (e.g. power stations that have very high stacks), or for areas that have very light winds (e.g. valleys).
Calpuff: a non steady-state puff model for use with more complex topography or meteorology, and for other situations where plume models are not valid (for example long range transport or for areas that are characterised by very light winds).