The doctoral dissertations of the former Helsinki University of Technology (TKK) and Aalto University Schools of Technology (CHEM, ELEC, ENG, SCI) published in electronic format are available in the electronic publications archive of Aalto University - Aaltodoc.
Aalto

Emission Scenario Model for Regional Air Pollution

Niko Karvosenoja

Dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Science in Technology to be presented with due permission of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture for public examination and debate in Auditorium K216 at Helsinki University of Technology (Espoo, Finland) on the 17th of October, 2008, at 12 noon.

Overview in PDF format (ISBN 978-952-11-3185-1)   [4118 KB]
Dissertation is also available in print (ISBN 978-952-11-3184-4)

Abstract

Air pollution emissions are produced in a wide variety of sources. They often result in detrimental impacts on both environments and human populations. To assess the emissions and impacts of air pollution, mathematical models have been developed. This study presents results from the application of an air pollution emission model, the Finnish Regional Emission Scenario (FRES) model, that covers the emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), ammonia (NH3), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) and primary particulate matter (TSP, PM10, PM2.5 and PM1) in high 1 × 1 km2 spatial resolution over the area of Finland. The aims of the study were to identify key emission sources in Finland at present and in the future, to assess the effects of climate policies on air pollution, and to estimate emission reduction potentials and costs. Uncertainties in emission estimates were analyzed. Finally, emission model characteristics for use in different air pollution impact applications were discussed.

The main emission sources in Finland are large industrial and energy production plants for SO2 (64% of 76 Gg a−1 total in the year 2000). Traffic vehicles are the main contributors for NOx (58% of 206 Gg a−1), NMVOCs (54% of 152 Gg a−1) and primary PM2.5 (26% of 31 Gg a−1) emissions. Agriculture is the key source for NH3 (97% of 33 Gg a−1). Other important sources are domestic wood combustion for primary PM2.5 (25%) and NMVOCs (12%), and fugitive dust emissions from traffic and other activities for primary PM10 (30% of 46 Gg a−1).

In the future, the emissions of traffic vehicle exhaust will decrease considerably, by 76% (NMVOCs), 74% (primary PM2.5) and 60% (NOx), from 2000 to 2020, because of tightening emission legislations. Rather smaller decrease is anticipated in the emissions of large combustion plants, depending on future primary energy choices. Sources that are not subject to tight emission standards, e.g. domestic combustion and traffic-induced fugitive dust (i.e. non-exhaust), pose a risk for increasing emissions.

The majority of measures to abate climate change, e.g. energy saving and non-combustion based energy production, lead to co-benefits as reduced air pollution emissions, especially of SO2 (20% to 28% reduction). However, promotion of domestic wood combustion poses a risk for increase in PM2.5 and NMVOCs emissions. Further emission reductions with feasible control costs are possible mainly for PM2.5 in small energy production plants and domestic combustion sources. Highest emission uncertainties were estimated for primary PM emission factors of domestic wood combustion, traffic non-exhaust sources and small energy production plants.

The most important characteristics of emission models are correct location information of flue gas stacks of large plants for the assessment of acidification, and description of small polluters with high spatial resolution when assessing impacts on populations. Especially primary PM2.5 emissions originate to a considerable degree from small low-altitude sources in urban areas, and therefore it is important to be able to assess the impacts that take place near the emission sources. Detailed descriptions of large plants and 1 × 1 km2 spatial resolution for small emission sources applied in the FRES model enable its use in the assessment of various national environmental impacts and their reduction possibilities.

The main contribution of this work was the development of a unique modeling framework to assess emission scenarios of multiple air pollutants in high sectoral and spatial resolution in Finland. The developed FRES model provides support for Finnish air pollution polices and a tool to assess the co-benefits and trade-offs of climate change strategies on air pollution.

This thesis consists of an overview and of the following 6 publications:

  1. Syri S., Karvosenoja N., Lehtilä A., Laurila T., Lindfors V., and Tuovinen J.-P. 2002. Modeling the impacts of the Finnish climate strategy on air pollution. Atmospheric Environment 36 (19): 3059-3069.
  2. Karvosenoja N. and Johansson M. 2003. Primary particulate matter emissions and the Finnish climate strategy. Boreal Environment Research 8 (2): 125-133.
  3. Karvosenoja N. and Johansson M. 2003. Cost curve analysis for SO2 and NOx emission control in Finland. Environmental Science & Policy 6 (4): 329-340.
  4. Karvosenoja N., Klimont Z., Tohka A., and Johansson M. 2007. Cost-effective reduction of fine primary particulate matter emissions in Finland. Environmental Research Letters 2 (4): 044002.
  5. Karvosenoja N., Tainio M., Kupiainen K., Tuomisto J. T., Kukkonen J., and Johansson M. 2008. Evaluation of the emissions and uncertainties of PM2.5 originated from vehicular traffic and domestic wood combustion in Finland. Boreal Environment Research 13 (5): 465-474.
  6. Rypdal K., Rive N., Åström S., Karvosenoja N., Aunan K., Bak J. L., Kupiainen K., and Kukkonen J. 2007. Nordic air quality co-benefits from European post-2012 climate policies. Energy Policy 35 (12): 6309-6322.

Keywords: air pollution, emission, modeling, emission reduction, reduction costs, Finland

This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.

© 2008 Helsinki University of Technology

Last update 2011-05-26