Using computer modelling to simulate atmospheric movement and potential risk of pollutants from post-combustion carbon capture projects

This study focuses on simulating atmospheric transport and risk of pollutant emissions from a potential post-combustion carbon capture project using computer modelling. Meteorological data for the year 2000 was used and the CSIRO TAPM model was employed to generate input meteorological data to calculate ground level concentrations of target species. CALMET which is a diagnostic meteorological model was used to restructure 3D wind and temperature data for CALPUFF model using prognostic data from TAPM. CALPUFF was then used to simulate atmospheric dispersion and movement of pollutants. The results showed that concentration values in December were the highest values based on 2000 meteorological data. Sensitivity analysis focused on simulating pollutant movement and dispersion in December using different values for relevant power station operating parameters. The study found that these parameters station can have a large impact on modelled concentration values. The introduction of post-combustion technology at a commercial scale will require appropriate regulations and power station design.