Broiler Farm Odour Dispersion Modelling from AERMOD, AUSPLUME and CALPUFF

GHD Pty Ltd

  • Project code: PRJ-009544

  • Project stage: Closed

  • Project start date: Friday, January 31, 2014

  • Project completion date: Wednesday, April 30, 2014

  • National Priority: CME-Priority 1-Improving environmental sustainability outcomes

Summary

EPA Victoria is planning on replacing the air dispersion model AUSPLUME with the current US EPA approved air dispersion model AERMOD from 1 January 2014. Initial performance testing by EPA Victoria has found that use of AERMOD can result in predicted odour levels significantly different from those predicted by AUSPLUME, along with a requirement for the modelling of 5 years of meteorological data, compared to the current 1 year. To investigate the implications of changing the model required for Broiler Code assessments, GHD will compare the predicted odour levels for some typical broiler farm configurations using both the AUSPLUME and AERMOD models. The comparison will be extended to include predictions using the more advanced air dispersion modelling program CALPUFF, which is an approved regulatory model in NSW and accepted in many other Australian jurisdictions.

Program

Chicken Meat

Research Organisation

GHD Pty Ltd

Objective Summary

Comparison of modelling methodologies and predicted outcomes from three odour dispersion modelling packages: AERMOD, AUSPLUME and CALPUFF.
Present results in a format useful from the view point of an intending broiler farm operator of the likely implications for: (i) required separation from sensitive land uses as predicted by the three models, (ii) the time and cost of complying to the Victorian Broiler Code (2009) will be detailed.