CALPUFF View – Parameter Limits

The CALPUFF modeling system is very sophisticated and supports a wide range of modeling scenarios. One limitation of the system is that there are finite numbers of objects that can be specified on the model input parameters. For example, CALPUFF can only accept a finite number of sources of each type in a single model run.

Each executable (e.g., CALMET, CALPUFF, CALPOST) has a corresponding parameterization file which defines these limits. Lakes Software’s CALPUFF View formats these files into an easy-to-read table to aid users in finding these limits. To find the tables:

1. From the File menu, select Preferences

2. Under the EPA Models/Limits heading, go to Model Version. Choose between the following options:

1. EPA Approved Version (CALMET/CALPUFF 5.8.5, CALPOST 6.221),


2. Version 6 (CALMET 6.4.0 – CALPUFF 6.42 – CALPOST 6.292),


3. Version 7 (CALMET 6.5.0 – CALPUFF 7.2.1 – CALPOST 7.1.0), or


4. Version 7.3 Beta (CALMET 6.5.0 – CALPUFF 7.3.2 – CALPOST 7.2.0)

3. Next, choose the executable of interest: CALMET, CALPUFF, or CALPOST

4. The Parameters List will be shown in the table. The screenshot below shows some of the parameters for CALPUFF Version 7.2.1.

If you have a project where one of your parameters exceeds the model limit, you may need to develop a workaround. This may include:

• Recompiling the model executables in FORTRAN to accept higher limits


• Building multiple projects and utilizing CALSUM to combine results together

For users who choose to recompile the model themselves, CALPUFF View can also identify user-specified model executables and parameter files. Select the User-Specified radio button and select the Open icon to identify the location of your custom Executable and corresponding Parameters File.