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Environmental Science - Air Pollution
 
The Air Pollution Group has an established reputation for delivering high quality contract research and consultancy services. The team consists of recognised experts in the fields of atmospheric dispersion, atmospheric physics, meteorology, physical modelling (wind tunnels) and software development.
 
Commercial clients recognise the benefits of working with specialists whose extensive knowledge of the field is derived from involvement with a large variety of contract research programmes.
 
Thus we offer authoritative scientific support that will withstand both peer and regulator scrutiny delivered with the discipline and focus of a commercial organisation.

CFD simulation of NOx concentrations at a road junction
 
We have strategic partnerships with national and international research organisations, in particular with the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) through the provision of sales and consultancy support to the Airviro Air Quality Management System.
 
Under the Radioactive Substances Act, National Air Quality Strategy, PPC and planning regulations we provide the following range of services:
 
  • Technical support for IPPC license applications.
  • Specialist environmental advice to planners and developers.
  • Advice and guidance on the release and impact of radioactive discharges.
  • Use of numerical and physical modelling of monitored and fugitive atmospheric emissions.
  • Determining the environmental impact of landfill site emissions and operations.
  • Design and implementation of specialist environmental monitoring programmes.
  • Expert witness evidence for Public Inquiries and Environmental Litigation cases.

Mobile multi-pollutant monitoring
 

Advanced Gaussian plume modelling
Our continued collaboration with university departments ensures that research programmes can be designed to meet the needs of local community, industry and regulators.
 
Recent examples include an investigation to measure the exposure of local residents to levels of nitrogen dioxide, the validation of predictive weather data against observations for use in atmospheric dispersion models, the evaluation of AERMOD against wind tunnel data and regional scale modelling of ammonia air concentrations and dry deposition.
 
Through our commercial research programmes we have worked with major UK industries and government bodies to deliver bespoke solutions to complex environmental problems. Commercial research projects we have conducted include:
 
  • Assessment of fugitive airborne particulate emissions to determine compliance with discharge authorisations and any requirements for abatement technologies.
  • Evaluated the uncertainty in model predictions to provide confidence limits for regulatory submissions.
  • Wind tunnel and computational modelling to assist with plant design decisions.
  • Modelling dense gas behaviour and in-plume thermodynamics for safety case study.
  • Evaluating models using tracer dispersion experiments to determine best available technology.

Regional scale Eulerian Grid modelling
 

3D Mapping of an industrial site
The Air Pollution Group has clients in the following sectors:
 
  • Nuclear
  • Utilities
  • Waste Management
  • Central Government
  • Local Authorities
  • Defence
  • Chemical
  • Electronics
  • Agriculture
  • Litigation
  • Planning
  • Health and Safety
 
Contact
For more information about Air Pollution services or to discuss how we could provide you with the air pollution assessments you need, please contact air.pollution@westlakes.ac.uk
 
Alternatively, please contact the Environmental Science Administration Office: esadm@westlakes.ac.uk (Tel: 01946 514094).
 
 
Westlakes Research Institute, Westlakes Science and Technology Park, Moor Row, Cumbria, CA24 3JY
Tel: 01946 514000    Fax: 01946 514057    Email: wri@westlakes.ac.uk   Webmaster: webmaster@westlakes.ac.uk