CFD simulation of CO2 dispersion from urban thermal power plant: Analysis of turbulent Schmidt number and comparison with Gaussian plume model and measurements

This investigation presents computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of carbon dioxide (CO2) dispersion from a natural gas-fueled thermal power plant in an urban environment. The results are compared with experimental measurements of column-averaged dry-air mole fraction (XCO2) on the site, obtaining a good agreement. Different turbulent Schmidt numbers are compared, and we suggest a value for being used in full-scale simulations. The particular characteristics, e.g. azimuth and elevation angles of the XCO2 measurement, are analyzed and taken into account for the comparison with simulation results. The conclusions from this comparison are useful not only for the XCO2 experimental data analysis, but also for the efficient and successful design of future measurement campaigns. The simulation results are also compared with the Gaussian plume model, and a new parametrization (i.e. vertical dispersion parameter) is suggested for being used in the urban environment. Additionally, CO2 concentration maps for an urban area are presented, and the spatial distribution is analyzed.