RDE602 Thermal Transport of Air Pollution from Regulated Industries (TAPRI)

This specific piece of work is part of a research project the Environment Agency (EA) is undertaking to assess the impacts of thermal air flows on the movement of air pollutants.

At present, our air quality assessments don't always consider how variations in air temperature near the ground can cause thermal air flows that incorporate pollution and move it around in unexpected ways. This can happen in areas of complex terrain, at the coast or peri-urban settings, potentially causing unexpected impacts on people e.g. in residential areas. Many of the sites we regulate are located in such areas, and recent experience with high-profile thermal air flow situations confirms we need research to be ready for such challenges. Many new industries, including net zero clusters, will be situated in areas potentially affected by thermal air flows, so this research is essential to prepare the EA to meet challenges to our assessment of air pollution.

We envisage that the work will involve 5 key components, starting in August 2024 and ending in February 2025. Four components will be conducted consecutively as follows:

1. Defining characteristics and scoping metrics of thermal flow types
2. Identifying and analysis of data for 'pilot' areas
3. Exploring modelling options for 'pilot' areas
4. Validation and generalisation

The fifth component, concurrent to the other 4, will focus on collating methods, results, outcomes and impacts in a written format.