In most cases any existing or proposed activity in South Africa that is associated with the release of air pollutants into the atmosphere is required to have an Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) in terms of the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act No. 39 of 2004 (as amended). These are activities that emit pollutants that are known to have a negative impact on human health and the environment.
An Air Quality Impact Assessment Report and Dispersion Modelling are required to be submitted to the relevant authority when wanting to apply for an Environmental Authorisation and/or AEL. Air Quality Impact Assessments and Dispersion Modelling are vital tools that can be used by both the emitter and the regulatory authority to:
- Understand the impact of an activity’s emissions on the receiving environment.
- Evaluate compliance with applicable air quality legislation and reduce risks of non-conformances such as heavy penalties and reputable damage.
- Identify the effect that any planned changes to the process, production equipment, facility design or material throughputs may have in terms of emissions.
- Identify the effect of different stack heights on the dispersion of air pollutants.
- Recognise the effects of building downwash on the dispersion of air pollutants from a nearby stack.
- Determine which specific emission sources contribute the most to overall emissions.
- Better implement mitigation measures and prevent unwanted wasting of valuable resources such as water, electricity, funds and people.
No matter what your needs, Rayten Engineering Solutions has the expertise and resources to:
- Compile Air Quality Impact Assessment Reports (Level 1, 2 and 3) in line with the National regulations.
- Undertake Baseline Air Quality Assessments, including the monitoring, data analysis and verification.
- Conduct Dispersion Modelling using the Nationally accepted and approved models such as AERMOD and CALPUFF.