Dispersion of sulphur dioxide around the thermal power plant at Ahmedabad, India

Air quality due to the release of sulphur dioxide from the thermal power plant within the city limits of Ahmedabad has been computed employing a point, area and line dispersion model. To estimate probable air quality, the meteorological data for 3 consecutive days in the middle of each month of 1983 is used. The concentration of sulphur dioxide is computed at a distance of every 500 m in 16 directions up to the city limit. The air quality in the worst case is estimated in downwind distances under unfavourable meteorological conditions.

The probable zones of high concentrations of sulphur dioxide over residential, commercial and industrial areas of the city are below the ambient air quality standards set by the U.S. EPA in 1971 almost throughout the year. However, in the months of April and October the zone of high concentration (500 μg m⁻³) exceeds the EPA standard. Also, under the most unfavourable meteorological conditions, the estimated high ground-level concentration of sulphur dioxide can reach up to 1000 μg m⁻³ at a distance of 1.25 km from the thermal power plant. This may be attributed to the effect of fumigation.