Research includes the prediction of pollutant transport at a fundamental level in terms of the probability density functions that best describe the dispersion of atmospheric pollutants. On a more applied scale, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), has been used to predict near-field pollutant dispersion in the wake of arrays of buildings. Also, expertise in the rather neglected field of Gaussian Puff Modelling exists, as it was applied to modelling urban street canyons.
Air quality has always been of great concern in deep coal mines and the School has a long track record in the modelling of ventilation in such mines for both dust mitigation and cooling. However, the mining industry has increasingly moved towards open cast mining which presents a new set of concerns, especially in wind-blown dust. Work is progressing in this area, using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to model the wind-driven flows in these large cavities in the ground.
Additionally, work involving both CFD and experimental work at a much smaller scale has looked at the design and performance of photocatalytic converters. These devices are increasing being used in the destruction of volatile organic compounds.
C/O School of Geography The University of Nottingham University ParkNottingham NG7 2RD
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