Airshed - Project Experience
Odour Projects
Bairds Malting
Emission monitoring and odour assessment from a peat fired malting process in
East Lothian. The operation provoked complaints when the peating process took
place. Emissions were measured including olfactrometry to determine
the effectiveness of the existing scrubbing plant. Process odour was highly
significant and is not treated effectively by the existing wet scrubber. Emissions
were low temperature and wet. The emissions were entrained in the building wake.
The emissions were modelled to assess the likely impact and determine if
complaints were justifiable.
Diageo Whisky Distillery
Advice on requirements for odour assessment at dark grains animal feeds plant on
Speyside.
East of Scotland Water
Detailed odour impact assessment at two proposed waste water treatment plants in
the east of Scotland. Project work included compiling odour emission
inventories, baseline odour surveys and dispersion modelling using ADMS. This
study included reviews of potential odour abatement measures.
Eden Waste
Odour impact assessment for proposed integrated waste management facility in
Airdrie. The assessment included emissions modeling for fugitive releases from
engineered landfill cap, landfill gas engines, flaring, composting and a dirty
MRF processing 100,000 tpa. This assessment formed the basis of evidence
presented at public inquiry.
EWOS
Staged odour assessment at fishmeal plant to help the process operator achieve
compliance with Environmental Protection Act and certificate of authorisation.
The scope of work included compilation of emission inventory, measurement of sources
using olfactometry and chemical speciation, evaluation of effectiveness of
existing bio-tower performance and use of dispersion model to assess relative
contribution from each source.
ERYC
Expert witness for planning enquiry reviewing air quality, noise and odour
amenity impacts from proposed landfill and composting facility on behalf of East
Riding Yorkshire Council.
Fats & Proteins Lancaster
Measurement of odour from animal rendering plant, prediction of dispersion
and assessment for PPC application.
Fife Council
Conducting a review of a proposed Integrated Waste Management Facility
processing 500,000 t.p.a. and representation of the Council at a local public
inquiry. The proposed development included an Materials Recycling Facility (MRF), composting plant, and
construction and demolition waste recycling proposed by Alba. The main reasons
for refusal were on grounds of noise, dust and odour.
Grangemouth
Air quality and Odour impact assessment for combined composting, recycling and
Combined Heat & Power plant using refuse derived fuel (200,000 tonnes/year).
Greenways/Hansons/WRG
Detailed noise and air quality impact assessment from two proposed waste
treatment facilities in the East of Scotland. The impact assessment included a
noise assessment from the MRF buildings, landfill operations and road traffic to
the site. Air quality considered odour from the existing landfills, extension
and from the in-vessel composting of MSW.
Goldfinch
Odour impact assessment from 150,000 poultry farm affecting proposed leisure
facility in East Riding of Yorkshire.
HSP
Odour impact Assessment for paint spraying operation affecting adjacent
housing.
Kaimhill Fishmeal Odour
Consultancy advice to small fishmeal processing operator on environmental
compliance requirements to achieve BAT for odour control.
Linthouse Housing Association
Review of odour assessments conducted by another
consultancy for a proposed waste management facility on the south bank of the
River Clyde. The review found significant methodological flaws in the
assessments and identified the areas which required additional investigation.
Mushroom Farm
Review of likely odour impact from mushroom composting facility.
North British Distillery Company
Measurement of odours from six process emissions and dispersion modelling to
predict the odour footprint around the works. This study examined the benefits
from the existing abatement at the works and proposed changes to the process,
and relative low cost abatement measures as a means of securing compliance with
new IPPC odour standards.
Playfair Land Disposal
Advice on management procedures to minimise odour from the disposal of malting
wastes to agricultural land.
Poultry Farm Odour - (Client confidential)
Odour impact assessment from 100,000 poultry unit affecting high amenity office
development and study of abatement options.
SCA Hygeine
Air quality and odour impact assessments for proposed de-inking plant at Oakenholt North Wales
and Tawd. These assessments examined proposed emission
scenarios including combustion plant, paper machines and odour
from wastewater treatment plant to compare impacts against draft PPC odour
benchmarks.
Scottish Water
Odour impact for three small scale costal works at Largs, Stranraer and
Lochgilphead. These assessments used data from engineering estimates for odour
control units, along with STOP Model estimates for odour emissions from open
tanks. Odour footprints were predicted using dispersion models and site specific
meteorological data. Complex wind tunnel assessment proposed WWTW in Bullwood
Quarry Dunoon.
Scottish Water/Stereau
A major study into odour from the recently upgraded WWTW at Dalmuir, one of the
first big PFI works to come into operation. The planning permission for the site
imposes an odour limit of 2.5 OUE/m3 98%ile at the boundary. The works treats the effluent from North Glasgow (with a population
equivalent of 600,000). This study measured odour potential at various stages of
the process and predicted odour concentrations using a dispersion model to
assess compliance with the planning conditions.
Scottish Water Solutions
Assessment, review and advice for several large single/twin wind turbine layouts
in remote locations.
Tate & Lyle
Preliminary odour impact assessment for 4,000 tonne day sugar refinery at
Greenwich London. This included a review of odour from all process areas and
outlined methods for quantification and assessment. The review highlighted areas
for priority treatment including the waste water treatment plant and the
fermentation plant.
West of Scotland Water
Detailed dispersion modelling study of odour from proposed WWTW treating
effluent with 120,000 population equivalent including significant industrial
wastes. Provision of expert witness to public local enquiry relating to noise
and odour for proposed WWTW at Helensburgh, the first such inquiry in Scotland
to impose objective odour limits.
Ulster Farm By-Products
Odour Impact Assessment for new thermal oxidation plant 2005 as part
of PPC application.
Air Quality Projects
A8 Edinburgh
Conducting major study in the year 2002 along a 5 mile stretch of dual
carriageway to the west of Edinburgh, the route to the airport and Edinburgh’s
growing business parks. (Between the Newbridge and Maybury roundabouts).
Increasing traffic on this route could cause exceedance of air quality limit
values, and restrict proposed commercial development. Working closely with the
City Council, baseline levels of NOx were measured at kerbside, intermediate and
background locations. An advanced dispersion model was used to predict the changes in air
quality impacts likely to occur under a range of traffic growth scenarios. The study
considered the significance of traffic speeds, congestion, and vehicle exhaust
emissions. Good agreement was achieved between the observed and predicted
concentrations. The evidence from the modelling assessment persuaded the City
Council that air quality impacts associated with the proposed development traffic
would be acceptable, in terms of statutory
limits.
Able UK
Expert witness at public enquiry for proposed car storage facility at former
Thorpe Marsh Power Station, presenting evidence on air and noise impacts.
Alcan
Environmental noise and air quality risk assessment for demolition of tanks,
buildings and site remediation works at former Aluminium works at Burntisland
Fife. The assessment included prediction of noise and dust releases
from demolition using computer models. This helped inform the method of working
for down-taking and resulted in additional pre-cleaning before removal. The
project also involved continuous monitoring of noise, dust and wind conditions
using on-line real time measurement instrumentation to monitor the impacts on
the local community.
Badallan Open Cast Coal Mine
Air quality impact
assessment using fugitive dust modelling for a proposed open cast site and coal
transfer station. Emission estimates were based on AP-42. Concentrations of PM10,
TSP and dust deposition were modelled using ADMS-2. The assessment considered
the effects of terrain on dispersion using digital terrain maps. The model was
used to assess the relative importance of each source. The results from the
model demonstrated that impacts would be well within air quality standards and
nuisance guidelines.
Ballymoney Power plc
Major study of air quality and noise from proposed 130Million tonne lignite mine
in Northern Ireland. The study included assessment of impacts from the mine,
operating over a 30 year period along with impacts from the 600MW power station.
Britannia Refined Metals
An air quality impact assessment for Britannia Refined Metals (BRM) as part of
an application for IPPC. BRM operates a high capacity primary lead refinery, the
largest in Europe, refining over 200,000 tonnes of lead and 500 tonnes of silver
per annum. The plant also contains a lead-acid battery recycling facility, one
of only two in the UK. The process involves two different raw material process
streams. The assessment included dispersion modelling from 8 point source for
lead and SO2. The process is within a Local Air Quality Management Area, due to
industrial pollution sources which include BRM and Tilbury Power Station on the north of the estuary. The modelling
assessment included validation, taking account of local ambient monitoring around
the process for both lead and SO2.
Bracknell
A detailed dispersion assessment of NO2 from traffic associated with a major
town centre redevelopment project. The air quality impact assessment included
baseline monitoring using continuous monitors and a diffusion tube study.
Assessment included peak ambient concentration and annual averages to compare
with National Air Quality Objectives. Dispersion modelling study examined
impacts on 200 road links for baseline conditions and five future traffic
scenarios.
Bovis & Westbury Homes
Air quality impact assessment for proposed large-scale housing
development adjacent to M5 in Gloucester.
Caberboard
Study of TSP and formaldehyde around a Chipboard Plant. This study compared pollution
levels with prevailing weather conditions and interpretation of these data using
a variety of statistical techniques and Gaussian dispersion modelling. Review of
current technology available in this industry comparing UK standards to current
German practice.
Caledonian Paper Scotland
Air quality impact assessment for proposed Light Weight Coated paper mill.
Dublin Waste to Energy MSW Incinerator
Project reviewer of air quality and environmental noise impacts from
proposed Dublin County MSW incinerator.
Euromet
Design review of 3 tonne per hour rotary kiln incineration plant, BATNEEC review
and assisting with IPC application. Detailed air quality impact assessment.
Errington Reay
Assessment of HCl emissions frm traditional pottery and consultancy advice
as part of European funded project for small / medium enterprises.
Highways Agency Stage 3 Assessments
Conducting numerous air quality impact assessments for the Highways Agency for
new Highway projects, including the A30 Bodmin bypass which involves air quality
impacts on SSSI, the A14 in East Anglia and the A2 in London.
Highways Agency
Expert Witness on air quality and noise at public inquiry for the A14 upgrading.
I&H Brown Mining
Air quality impact assessment of PM10 emissions from mobile plant, fugitive
emissions from blasting, surface erosion, coal handling and overburden movement
at proposed open cast coal site. Emission estimates were based on AP-42 and
proposed EC exhaust limits for off road vehicles. Concentrations of PM10 were
modelled using ADMS-3. The assessment demonstrated that levels of PM10
would be
acceptable in terms of the National Air Quality Objectives.
Attendance at two Public Inquiries
for I&H Brown as expert witness on air
quality.
Investment Casting Process
Air quality impact assessment for costume jewellery process in Ireland.
Assessment included compiling detailed process inventory for EPA application.
Assessment included dispersion modelling using ADMS with particular emphasis on
lead deposition on surrounding agricultural land.
Lafarge Cement UK
Dust management plan, negotiations with planning authority for conditions and
implementation of monitoring scheme for ROMP at 1.5M tonne/year hard rock
quarry.
Landfill
Dust Impact Assessment from proposed Municipal Solid Waste landfill at Bogside, Irvine.
Loch Lomond
Air quality assessment of proposed new large scale
tourist facility near Glasgow with 2 million projected visitors per year.
Modelling the effects of traffic associated with the development using DMRB Vol.
11 and Caline 4.
London Borough of Greenwich
Road traffic on the A2 passes through the Kender Triangle on its way to and from
Dover with predicted flows of upwards of 50,000 vehicles per day passing through
residential areas. Working with the transport consultants to provide
air quality assessment of various proposed traffic management measures intended
to alleviate congestion.
Liverpool Road Tunnel
Lead environmental consultant for the proposed road tunnel scheme in Liverpool.
This assessment involved detailed modelling of emissions in cuts and around the
tunnel portals. This project for AMEC was a feasibility study for a proposed
toll road using a former railway tunnel. The local authority had identified air
quality impacts as a key issue. Emissions from the open sections of the route
were assessed using conventional methodology. Emissions around the tunnel
portals were complex due to the direction and velocity of the emissions and
local topography. Two of the tunnel portals were located in deep cutting, with
houses near the edge. The study team needed to know if the impacts from the
portal emissions were likely to be significant in health terms as this could
require fundamental redesign of the tunnel ventilation systems or relocation of
tunnel portals. Using complex modelling techniques, it was demonstrated that the
impacts were acceptable and that the project should be able to proceed without
significant adverse impacts or redesign of the scheme.
Manchester Ship Canal
Application for proposed coal terminal at Ellesmere handling 1,500,000 tonnes of
steam coal per year. Application to Manchester Port Health Authority included dispersion modelling
of fugitive emissions and detailed procedures to prevent or minimise air
pollution from the process. Updated assessment and PPC application for process in
2005.
MOD Otterburn
Dispersion modelling of HCl from rocket efflux associated with rocket practice
range. Assessment of impacts on sensitive lichens recommending detailed
measurement of ambient HCl concentrations and lichen study.
Morrison Construction
Expert Witness at land court hearing for Morrison Construction examining dust
and noise impacts from proposed quarry.
North Ayrshire Council
Dispersion modelling of NOx from traffic emissions on the A78 and Part "A"
combustion processes at Caledonia Paper and SmithKline Beecham as part of local
authority Stage 2 review and assessment.
North Lanarkshire Council
Conducting a review of existing air quality data and final stage 2 report for
the Council.
Orkney Islands Council
Assisting OIC achieve full authorisation for animal carcass gasification plant
under EPA 1990; conducted detailed process audit to identify problems at the
plant and developed detailed procedures for process. Additionally provided
training for operators. This study also included background air quality
monitoring, an operability review and revised commissioning programme.
Pollok, Glasgow
Air quality assessment for large-scale commercial retail park in
Glasgow include the M77 and local feeder roads.
Ritchie Galvanising Plant, Brechin
Detailed air quality impact assessment for proposed galvanising plant in
Scotland. Assessment included developing detailed process description,
dispersion modelling for lead emissions using ADMS and IPC application to SEPA.
This study included reviews of potential odour abatement measures.
Rockware Glass
Air quality study for large combination source (140 kg SO2 / hr) using
continuous UV and Chemi-luminescent ambient monitors and modelling emissions
using in-house computerised version of R91.
Sacone Environmental
IPC application for BSE animal carcass gasification plant (6 tonnes/hr)
including submission of application, BPEO, BATNEEC statement, environmental due
diligence review for funding body (major Scottish financial investor), air
quality impact assessment, dispersion modelling using ADMS, liaison with SEPA.
SCA Hygeine
Air quality assessments for proposed de-inking plant at Oakenholt North Wales and Tawd. These assessments examined proposed emission
scenarios including combustion plant, paper machines.
Transbus
Air quality impact assessment for proposed bus manufacturing plant in Falkirk.
Ulster Farm By-Products
Air quality impact assessment for proposed meat and bone
incinerating plant reviewing BPEO and BATNEEC for range of plants with capacity
> 12 tonnes/hr. Dispersion modelling using ADMS assessing impacts in terms of
EPAQS and NAQS Standards. This study has been recently updated for a 6 tonne
facility and to take account of changes in emission limits and air quality
standards.
Environmental Noise
Projects
Baillie Wind Farm
Environmental noise assessment of proposed 25 Turbine Wind farm in area with
scattered peripheral housing in Caithness. Baseline noise levels were surveyed
at 5 locations over a 2 week period along with weather conditions.
The noise assessment considered 3 candidate turbines and several design layouts
and advised the client on the best turbine and optimum layout to achieve
compliance with ETSU Guidance.
Ballymoney Power plc
Major study of noise from proposed 130Million tonne lignite mine
in Northern Ireland. The study included assessment of impacts from the mine,
operating over a 30 year period along with impacts from the 600MW power station.
Bracco Wind Farm
Environmental noise assessment from up to 45 Nordex 80 2.5MW wind turbines at
upland site in central Scotland. The assessment included extended noise baseline
measurements and predictions using computer model for three turbine layouts.
BP Grangemouth
FFT vibration assessment on high pressure hydrocarbon gas fuel pipes to identify
leaks on gate valves.
Bovis & Westbury Homes
Air quality and noise impact assessment for proposed large-scale housing
development adjacent to M5 in Gloucester.
Blue Circle
Environmental noise assessment around 1.5M tonne/year hard rock quarry at Dunbar
Scotland.
Caledonian Paper Scotland
Noise impact assessment for proposed Light Weight Coated paper mill.
Clydeport Hunterston
Environmental noise survey around large deep water terminal at Hunterston
peninsula. Study of plant noise and development of noise abatement plan to
achieve compliance with local authority’s criteria. Abatement measures also
resulted in improved efficiencies and offloading at Terminal.
Cockenzie Power Station
Environmental noise survey assessing noise from coal fired power station,
impacts from high/low pressure steam end, turbine roll circuit breakers, steam
venting, overhead coal conveyors and coal store. Predicting noise levels using
complex computer model and design of perimeter bund to enable development of
site for 500 houses.
Dublin Waste to Energy MSW Incinerator
Project reviewer of environmental noise impacts from
proposed Dublin County MSW incinerator.
ERYC
Expert witness for planning enquiry reviewing noise impacts from proposed landfill and composting facility on behalf of East
Riding Yorkshire Council.
Fife Council
Conducting a review of a proposed Integrated Waste Management Facility
processing 500,000 t.p.a. and representation of the Council at a local public
inquiry. The proposed development included an Materials Recycling Facility (MRF), composting plant, and
construction and demolition waste recycling proposed by Alba. The main reasons
for refusal were on grounds of noise, dust and odour.
Greenways/Hansons/WRG
Detailed noise impact assessment from two proposed waste
treatment facilities in the East of Scotland. The impact assessment included a
noise assessment from the MRF buildings, landfill operations and road traffic to
the site.
Highways Agency
Expert Witness on air quality and noise at public inquiry for the A14 upgrading.
HSP
Detailed environmental noise survey of two sites in Scotland assessing impacts
from computer carcass engineering plant measuring impulse noise from presses and
fan noise. Specification of abatement measures to ensure compliance with Local
Authority environmental
noise criteria.
ICI Ardeer
Noise survey identifying tonal noise from vacuum pump on industrial process affecting housing at 1.5
km distance.
I&H Brown Mining
Detailed noise assessment using sophisticated
noise model for proposed 5M tonne site over 8 phases. Assessment included up to
40 mobile plant operating. Predictions were based on detailed 1/3rd octave
spectra. Propagation characteristics including weather, barrier attenuation and
atmospheric and ground absorption estimates were used. The model predictions
were used to help inform the method of working. The model confirmed that
noise levels would not exceed 45 dB LAeq 1 hour under any wind direction. This approach
confirmed that traditional BS 5228 methodology over estimates noise impacts.
The planning authority accepted these predictions and did not object to development on noise
grounds.
Attendance at two Public Inquiries
for I&H Brown as expert witness on noise and air
quality.
Landfill
Noise Impact Assessment from proposed Municipal Solid Waste landfill at Bogside, Irvine.
Linthouse Housing Association
Review and assessment of noise assessment conducted by another
consultancy for a proposed waste management facility on the south bank of the
River Clyde. The review found significant methodological flaws in the
assessments and identified the areas which required additional investigation.
Loch Lomond
Environmental noise assessment of proposed new large scale
tourist facility near Glasgow with 2 million projected visitors per year.
Modelling the effects of traffic associated with the development using DMRB Vol.
11 and Caline 4.
London Borough of Greenwich
Road traffic on the A2 passes through the Kender Triangle on its way to and from
Dover with predicted flows of upwards of 50,000 vehicles per day passing through
residential areas. Working with the transport consultants to provide noise assessment of various proposed traffic management measures intended
to alleviate congestion.
Malcolm Fraser Architects
Noise assessment and prediction of internal noise from mechanical services
including air conditioning, refrigeration plant, amplified music and kitchen
noise in proposed high quality restaurant in the New Town. Detailed inventory of
proposed sources and mitigation measures to comply with NR25 inside adjacent
housing within 25 m and NR 45 inside restaurant area. Representation at Public
Inquiry.
Miller Homes
Noise assessment and prediction of noise from Newcastle Chronicle affecting
proposed residential development. The study identified cost effective mitigation
measures and sound insulation design to print room facade surface, ventilation
systems, compactors, cooling plant and vehicle movements.
Morrison Construction
Expert Witness at land court hearing for Morrison Construction examining noise impacts from proposed quarry.
North Ayrshire Council
Reviewing environmental noise assessments for proposed wind farms at Arran and
Largs
for local planning authority including in terms of ETSU-R-97 and ISO 9613.
Pizza Hut
Noise impact assessment for proposed small town restaurant next to housing.
Plastics Recycling Factory
Identification of high frequency tonal noise from plastics factory and design of
abatement to eradicate noise.
Pollok, Glasgow
Noise assessment for large-scale commercial retail park in
Glasgow include the M77 and local feeder roads.
Post Office
Advice on proposed housing development adjacent to sorting office to
identify a potential threat to the PO operations arising from a proposed housing
development next to major sorting office. The proposal included building flats
within 10m of the site boundary, opposite the vehicle route through the site and
overlooking the vehicle loading bay. By working with the developer, the PO and
the Council helped to prevent or minimise potential long term threat to the use
of the sorting office.
Ritchie Galvanising Plant, Brechin
Noise Impact Assessment for galvanising plant in Scotland as part of PPC
application.
Railway Noise Public Enquiry
Expert Witness at two planning enquiries for Cunninghame District Council examining suitability of proposed site
for housing materially affected by noise from rail freight.
Renault Trucks
Environmental noise assessment for proposed 12 bay drive through commercial
vehicle workshop at Euro Rail terminal Mossend North Lanarkshire. The site is at
the edge of a residential area with 24 hour operation. The site was designed to
meet WHO day time and night-time noise standards using computer models. The
design solution included silenced ventilation ducts and louvers, high
specification walls and roof, fast closing doors with high acoustic performance
and a 5m barrier to enable unrestricted 24 hour operation despite the proximity
of sensitive receptors.
Scottish Coal
Environmental noise study predicting noise from three proposed opencast sites
including largest proposed site in the UK. Survey of plant and equipment and
modelling of noise at 30 receptor points over 7 phases for 20 year project (Glentaggart,
Dalquhandy and Wilsontown).
Taylor Woodrow
Railway noise assessment in Fife for proposed housing site next to Edinburgh –
Aberdeen mainline. The assessment included site surveys and computer modelling
using DoT approved method. The study identified low cost noise mitigation
measures that enabled most of the site to be developed without restrictions.
Tesco’s Stores
Prediction of noise impacts and mitigation plans for three proposed stores.
Tynagh Power Station
Prediction of noise from 400MW combined cycle gas turbine power station and
design of acoustic elements to meet planning and EPA requirements.
