The model of air pollution generated by fire chemical accident in an urban street canyon

This paper analyzes the impact of wind on air pollution in an urban street canyon caused by an accidental tanker truck chemical fire located. Simulation results show that carbon monoxide concentration decreases, while carbon dioxide concentration increases proportionally with height above ground. Fire pollutant concentrations decrease exponentially with the lateral distance from fire center. There is no contact between air pollutants and the walls of the surrounding buildings in absence of wind. However, when wind velocity reaches 5 m per second, pollutants stream bends towards the buildings on either side of the street and a fraction of air pollutants reaches the street level.

Research highlights
► Large eddy simulation is used to describe dispersion of fire pollutant.
► CO concentration decreases, CO2 concentration increases with height above ground.
► Pollutant concentrations decrease exponentially with the lateral distance from fire.
► Leeward and windward concentrations of pollutants directly depend on wind direction.