Development and Validation of a 2D Finite Element Model for Air Pollution Dispersion (SUITE-2D)

Abstract

This paper presents the development and validation of SUITE-2D (Solving Unsteady Incompressible Transport Equation in Two Dimensions), a two-dimensional finite element model for solving the advection-diffusion transport equation with decay and source terms. The model provides an efficient and accurate approach for simulating pollutant dispersion in environmental systems. The finite element formulation uses the standard Galerkin method, with numerical integration performed using Gaussian quadrature. Time integration schemes such as central, backward, and forward differences are incorporated for flexibility. SUITE-2D is validated against exact analytical solutions of unsteady advection-diffusion problems, yielding low relative errors and demonstrating computational efficiency. This means that the study focuses on rigorous mathematical validation of SUITE-2D using exact analytical solutions. Real-world datasets are not used, as field measurements often contain uncertainties that hinder true validation of numerical solvers. Instead, such solvers, once validated, are used to interpret or verify observed field patterns, highlighting the model's potential for environmental impact assessments and regulatory decision-making. Comparisons with the SUITE-3D model reveal the computational advantages and limitations of two-dimensional modeling for air pollution scenarios.