AUSTAL View Version 4.6 Released!

AUSTAL View Version 4.6 was released on February 26, 2007. AUSTAL View is a graphical user-interface for the official German Federal Environmental Agency air dispersion model - AUSTAL2000. This Lagrangian particle model employs 3D wind fields and eliminates many of the limitations common to plume and puff models. For more information about this package, please visit our website at:

https://www.weblakes.com/AUSTAL/AUSTAL.html

The latest release of AUSTAL View incorporates several new features such as a Vertical Layer Calculation Wizard, Monitor Points Evaluation reporting, UTM coordinates options and enhanced tools for display and visualization. For an extensive list of all the changes and new options to AUSTAL View, please see the latest release notes.

For users of the German version of AUSTAL View, please visit the Argusoft website.

Ontario Training Courses

Lakes Environmental has offered several AERMOD training courses in Ontario with a focus on the new Ontario Regulation 419/05. Since January 2007 we have trained over 60 people, including consultants and staff of the Ministry of Environment. If are interested in attending such a course, please contact us at training@weblakes.com or check our Upcoming Courses section to register.

Lakes Environmental Exhibiting at CANECT 07

Lakes Environmental is pleased to exhibit at CANECT 07 in Toronto from April 16-17th. We look forward to demonstrating our wide range of air dispersion modeling, risk assessment and emissions inventory software at booth 2005. If you are interested in free passes to the tradeshow, please contact us at info@weblakes.com.

We’ve set a number of training dates for 2007, with additional courses to be announced soon! Be sure to register for courses 30 days in advance to receive a 10% discount.

AERMOD Courses

*Includes new section regarding MOE Reg. 419/05 (see Outline)

For more information on the above courses, such as registration information, location, and course outlines, please visit our web site: https://www.weblakes.com/courses.html.

Using Source Ranges in AERMOD

When using the US EPA AERMOD model, it is often necessary to give the same properties to several sources. For example, for a facility that has seasonal operations, the same variable emission rate may apply to many sources. Rather than entering the same information repeatedly, it is possible to use source ranges to specify a series of sources to which the same information will be applied.

Using Source Ranges

A source range is identified in the AERMOD input file by two source IDs separated by a dash (for example STACK1-STACK10). While source ranges are easily specified, it is crucial that the sources are named in a manner conducive to the source range, that is, the sources must be identifiable to AERMOD as belonging between the two source IDs specified in the source range.

When reading a source range, AERMOD separates each of the source IDs into three parts:

1) an alphabetical part,
2) a numerical part, and
3) the remainder

Each of these three parts must fall within their respective ranges. Several examples are shown in the table below, note that each component of the source ID has been color coded:

These examples are relatively simple, but it is possible to create much more confusing source names. It is a good practice to keep source names as simple as possible if you intend to use a source range.

Verifying Results

Whenever you use a source range, it is advisable to confirm that the model interpreted the range as you anticipated. This can be done by checking the summary of model inputs, which can be found in the AERMOD output file.

Example

In this simple example, we have three stacks, STCK1, STCK2 and STCK3. The emissions of all three stacks vary seasonally in the same manner, so the variable emissions will be entered using a source range. In the AERMOD input file, the following would be written:

EMISFACT STCK1-STCK3 SEASON 0.1 0.5 0 1

To verify if the model will consider the source range the way you expected, you should run AERMOD in the “Verify Run” mode (CO RUNORNOT NOT). In this mode, AERMOD will simply read and analyze the input file and report any errors or warning messages that are generated. All of the inputs are then summarized in the output file for the user to review.

Once the model has been run, the source range can be verified by looking in the summary of model inputs, in the output file:

* SOURCE EMISSION RATE SCALARS WHICH VARY SEASONALLY *

WINTER SPRING SUMMER FALL
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

SOURCE ID = STCK1 ; SOURCE TYPE = POINT :
.10000E+00 .50000E+00 .00000E+00 .10000E+01

SOURCE ID = STCK2 ; SOURCE TYPE = POINT :
.10000E+00 .50000E+00 .00000E+00 .10000E+01

SOURCE ID = STCK3 ; SOURCE TYPE = POINT :
.10000E+00 .50000E+00 .00000E+00 .10000E+01

The summary clearly shows that all three sources were included in the source range, and had the appropriate emission factors applied.

Once your input file was successfully verified, then you can run the model, this time in “Calculation” mode (CO RUNORNOT RUN).

We are currently accepting submissions for the Monthly Modeling Tip which appears in our newsletters.  If you have a modeling tip that may benefit a variety of people, please send it to us at support@weblakes.com.   Your name and the name of your organization will appear below the tip providing you with greater exposure.

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