Datasets

Atmospheric Dispersion Datasets

Atmospheric dispersion datasets provide significant value in both the development and the validation & verification of atmospheric dispersion models. Furthermore, such datasets can be applied in sensitivity studies. This page of the website details summaries of, and descriptions how to access, publicly available atmospheric dispersion datasets. Access is either via a direct hyperlink to the dataset, by contacting the owner(s) of the data or by contacting the ADMLC Secretariat via admlc@phe.gov.uk. If you know of further datasets which could usefully be referenced on this page please contact the ADMLC Secretariat. Please note that ADMLC does not take responsibility for the quality of the data referenced here; it is the responsibility of the data user to determine the “quality” and applicability of the data.

Modellers’ Data Archive (MDA)

Fifty one different atmospheric transport and dispersion datasets are included in the Modellers’ Data Archive (MDA) developed by Joseph Chang and Steven Hanna. These datasets can be obtained by contacting Joe (jchang@rand.org) or Steve (stevenrogershanna@gmail.com). An overview of the MDA is detailed in a presentation given by Joe Chang at the GMU Conference in 2016:

Classic Tracer Datasets

The series of conferences titled, “Harmonisation within Atmospheric Dispersion Modelling for Regulatory Purposes”, provides descriptions of, and details of how to access, the following datasets: Kincaid, Project Prairie Grass, Round Hill experiment, Bull Run, Cabauw and Green Glow & Hanford, at:

There exists a Wiki on Atmospheric Dispersion Modeling with the purpose of pooling experiences gained by dispersion modelers during their work and for the benefit of the international community of atmospheric dispersion modelers, primarily researchers, but also model users. Within the website there exists a list of datasets, including the Bubble experiment and the Thompson wind tunnel data:

The Wiki on Atmospheric Dispersion Modeling also details a list of dataset repositories, including CODASC (Concentration data of street canyons), more than 100 datasets catalogued in DAM (Datasets for atmospheric modelling), a compilation of mainly wind tunnel datasets named CEDVAL, the Model Validation Kit comprising of four datasets and eighteen datasets used by the US EPA in the evaluation of AERMOD:

Long Range Tracer Datasets

NOAA produced a data archive titled, DATEM (Data Archive of Tracer Experiments and Meteorology). This data archive enables access to high quality modern meteorological data alongside numerous older long-range tracer experiments, including Acurate, Anatex, Captex, Inel74 and Okc80. Descriptions and the data itself can be found via:

Area Source Datasets

ADMLC funded CERC to undertake a review of the limitations and uncertainties of modelling pollutant dispersion from non-point sources. This review was published in 2016 (see ADMLC-R8 on the Publications page of the website for further details). A number of datasets were considered in the study and can be accessed via the following hyperlinks: FarmF, FarmG and SiteB. Note that a dataset for Whitelees is available from CERC provided permission for their use has been obtained from the independent charity, Sniffer.

Dense Gas Datasets

Jack Rabbit I and Jack Rabbit II Projects predominantly considered releases of chlorine but the former project also considered releases of ammonia. Datasets can be requested by emailing: Jack.Rabbit@st.dhs.gov. A description of the projects can be found on the Utah Valley University project website:

A database detailing dense gas dispersion experiments was developed by way of a projected titled, “REDIPHEM”. For further information regarding the REDIPHEM databases contact Morten Nielsen: nini@dtu.dk. Note that errors in the description of the BA Hamburg experiments were identified (by HSL in 2016) and these errors are described in the LNG MEP documents (see below). The original REDIPHEM project datasets, plus datasets from URAHFREP (Understanding the dispersion of industrial Releases of Anhydrous Hydrogen Flouride and the associated Risks to the Environment and People) project, can be attained via the following hyperlink (in a folder named Porton):

Further data, derived on the basis of wind tunnel experiments considering heavy gas releases on sloping ground, and undertaken by Jürg Müller from the Swiss federal Institute of Technology, can be found via the following hyperlink (along with his thesis):

The Heavy Gas Dispersion Trials project at Thorney Island primarily consisted of field experiments on the dispersion of fixed-volume clouds. These datasets are available from the Datasets drop-down list on the main menu bar. Here are some images of the trials (all images are Crown Copyright):

thih15 thih19

thih22   thih33

Further datasets related to atmospheric dispersion modelling of dense gas are available from the Scientific Model Evaluation of dense gas DISpersion models (SMEDIS) project. The main objective of this work was to develop a methodology for the evaluation of dense-gas atmospheric dispersion models in complex situations. These datasets and associated papers are also available from the Datasets drop-down list on the main menu bar of this website.

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Model Evaluation Protocol (MEP) and Database

The model validation spreadsheet can be accessed on request by emailing: research@nfpa.org. The LNG MEP and database guide can be downloaded directly from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) website:

A summary of a 2016 update to the LNG MEP was given by Simon Gant (HSL) at the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Public Workshop on LNG Regulations in May 2016:

Slides from an Educational Session given by Daniel Gorham (NFPA) and James Stewart (HSL) on the LNG MEP at the NFPA 2017 Annual Conference and Expos are available:

Previous examples of the LNG MEP being applied in practice include:

Outdoor Urban Datasets

DAPPLE, is the Dispersion of Air Pollution and its Penetration into the Local Environment. It is hoped that a description of how to access the DAPPLE dataset will be added in due course. An overview of DAPPLE can be found at:

The Department of Homeland Defense and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency national security programs in the USA funded a tracer experiment study, titled “Joint Urban 2003 Tracer Field Tests” in Oklahoma City during July 2003. The data repository is typically accessed via the hyperlink: https://ju2003-dpg.dpg.army.mil/, however this link is currently offline. A valuable report describing the study can be found at:

MUST, is the Mock Urban Setting Test experiment. It is hoped that a description of how to access the MUST dataset will be added in due course. An overview of the MUST dataset can be found at:

The Environmental Wind Tunnel Laboratory at the University of Hamburg was used to perform a wind tunnel laboratory experiment in neutral atmospheric conditions. The resulting dataset was termed the “Michelstadt” dataset. It is hoped that a description of how to access the Michelstadt dataset will be added in due course. An overview of the Michelstadt dataset can be found at:

Urban Ingress Datasets

Public Health England commissioned the Building Research Establishment Ltd (BRE) to assist in the development of an evidence-base for shelter-in-place advice during chemical incidents. As part of this study, a number of wind tunnel experiments were performed, describing the atmospheric dispersion resulting from buoyant and neutrally-buoyant area sources, and subsequently measuring concentration and wind pressure on the building envelope, in an effort to better understand how outdoor contaminants ingress into the indoor environment. These datasets can be accessed on request via the ADMLC Secretariat (admlc@phe.gov.uk). It is hoped that further details of these datasets will be made available in due course.