Air dispersion modelling is the mathematical simulation of how air pollutants disperse in the ambient atmosphere.

Models are important tools for air quality management. They are used to estimate the downwind concentration of air pollutants emitted from emission sources. Models are typically employed to determine whether existing or new proposed industrial facilities are or will be in compliance with the ambient air quality standards. Models are also useful in a variety of air quality management decisions, such as designing monitoring networks, designing stacks, and evaluating potential mitigation strategies.

The information needed to run dispersion models consists primarily of emissions and meteorological data. The output from dispersion models consists of ground-level concentration values, which are compared to applicable standards to determine potential impacts.

Approved models are standard models that are to be used for air quality studies in Saskatchewan. The following list contains the ministry’s approved models:

AERSCREEN

SCREEN3

AERMOD

Five years of preprocessed meteorological datasets for AERMOD [Download]

Specialized models are the models that are used for specific situations or tasks. The use of a specialized model may be approved by the ministry on a case-by-case basis.

CALPUFF

CALQ3HCR