Predictive Numerical Evaluation of Odour Dispersion, Case Study: Non-Hazardous Waste Landfill

Abstract

Among the existing types of industrial installations that can cause odour nuisance, landfills represent one of the most common sources of odour emissions and complaints. Odours from landfill sites originate principally from the atmospheric release of compounds that are formed during the biological and chemical processes of waste decomposition. Because of this it is essential to find methods to predict the correct location of these types of plants and study its environmental impact before they are installed. This study describes the numerical approach adopted to evaluate the odour dispersion of a non-hazardous waste landfill located in a small town near Udine (Italy). The study consisted in different phases: Study of the winds, orography and landuse; Identification of odour input data (throw dynamic olfactometry); Development and evaluation of results.