Analysis of Ammonia Emissions from Thermal Sludge Treatment Plants

The article presents an analysis of the spatial dispersion of ammonia in the troposphere, emitted from the thermal treatment of sludge from the sewage treatment plant in Łódź. The study aimed to assess the impact of the emitter on the air quality in the nearby single-family housing estate. The results of field measurements of ammonia concentration were compared with computer simulations based on data measured at the emitter. Mobile measuring equipment mounted on a transport platform and an unmanned aerial vehicle was used to conduct field measurements, which were then subjected to analytical processing in ArcGis Pro software. Computer simulation of ammonia dispersion from two 25 m high chimneys was conducted in the OPA03 program. Both field measurements and simulation data showed a negligible impact of the emitter on the ammonia concentration in the air. This is primarily due to the low concentration of emitted ammonia at the chimney outlet and the emitter's location relative to the buildings, considering the dominant wind directions. Field studies have shown that the emission of ammonia in the analyzed area may be to a greater extent caused by the sewage collection station from sewage disposal vehicles and the composting plant, which are located close to the analyzed emitter and the residential area.