Lakes Environmental e-Newsletter
In this issue:
- News & Events
- Upcoming Courses
- Modeling Tip: Modeling Inert Gases with CAL3QHC & CAL3QHCR Models
- Articles
- Upcoming Conferences & Trade Shows
News & Events
SLAB View Version 5 Released!
Lakes Environmental is pleased to announce the release of SLAB View Version 5 on October 3, 2011. SLAB View Version 5 now has improved compatibility with Microsoft® Windows 7 and Vista for 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems. For a detailed listing of updates available in SLAB View Version 5, please check out our latest release notes. If you are currently in maintenance for SLAB View and did not receive an email regarding this update, please contact us at support@webLakes.com. |
If you are a user of SLAB View but are no longer in maintenance please contact LakesSoftware@webLakes.com for special pricing to upgrade to Version 5!
AERMOD & CALPUFF Courses in Hyderabad
Lakes Environmental is pleased to be traveling back to India for a week of AERMOD and CALPUFF training in Hyderabad from December 12 to 16, 2011. This course will be hosted by our distributor, LaGa Systems Pvt. Ltd. We encourage you to register soon in order to reserve your spot. If you are interested in registering for the AERMOD and CALPUFF courses, please contact LaGa Systems at info@lagasys.com. Further details including course venue and registration form can be found on our website. Register today! Space is already filling up quickly! |
2012 Course Schedule Announced!
Lakes Environmental has recently announced their 2012 Global AERMOD and CALPUFF Training Course Schedule. Course dates and locations for the first half of the year have been posted on our online course calendar. Be sure to register early in order to secure your spot and take advantage of our early registration discounts!
Lakes Environmental provides the most comprehensive and cost effective AERMOD and CALPUFF training programs available. The continued success of our training programs is made possible by using proven teaching methods that not only emphasize the importance of model theory and methodologies, but reinforce these concepts through practical real-world hands-on case studies using today’s most advanced air dispersion modeling software.
On-site courses are also available for any company that wishes to provide customized training for their employees. These courses can be tailored to suit the needs and skill level of your employees. For more information on on-site training or to request a quote for corporate training, please contact us at training@weblakes.com.
Upcoming Courses
Date |
Course |
Location |
Registration |
Nov 7-8, 2011 |
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Dec 12-13, 2011 |
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Jan 23-24, 2012 |
Los Angeles, CA |
Registration Coming Soon |
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Feb 6-7, 2012 |
Toronto, ON |
Registration Coming Soon |
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Feb 08-10, 2012 |
Waterloo, ON |
Registration Coming Soon |
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Feb 27-28, 2011 |
Dallas, TX |
Registration Coming Soon |
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Apr 2-3, 2012 |
San Francisco, CA |
Registration Coming Soon |
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May 14-15, 2011 |
Las Vegas, NV |
Registration Coming Soon |
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Jun 4-5, 2011 |
Calgary, AB |
Registration Coming Soon |
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Sep 27-28, 2012 |
Mexico City, Mexico |
Registration Coming Soon |
For more information on the above courses, including registration information, location, and course outlines, please visit our web site: https://www.weblakes.com/courses.html.
Modeling Tip
Modeling Inert Gases with CAL3QHC & CAL3QHCR Models
CAL3QHC and CAL3QHCR are two air dispersion models included in the CALRoads View software package. These models are used to estimate total air pollutant concentrations near highways from both moving and idling vehicles. The original design of the models accounted for carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM), but they lacked support for other inert gases. A feature of the brand-new CALRoads View Version 5 allows users to select other pollutants for analysis.
The focus of CAL3QHC and CAL3QHCR was carbon monoxide. The molecular weight of CO (28 grams/mol) was hard coded inside these models. Molecular weight is important to the models because concentrations of inert gases are reported in parts per million (ppm) as opposed to the more recognized convention of amount per some unit volume (e.g., micrograms per cubic meter [µg/m**3]). In order to calculate the correct volume, the model uses molecular weight to convert the calculated amounts with the below equation:
Where: MW = molecular weight [g/mol] and Concentration is given in µg/m**3
Modelers who attempted to use the CO pollutant ID as a surrogate for other inert gases would end up analyzing modeled concentrations that were based on the incorrect molecular weight for their pollutant of interest thus skewing the ppm value.
To resolve this issue, Lakes Environmental recompiled the executables of CAL3QHC and CAL3QHCR to allow for the specification of molecular weight.
Project setup in CALRoads View for inert gases is simple:
- Open the Job Options window. You can select Data | Job Options from the menu bar or click on the Job/Met icon
- Select either the CAL3QHC or CAL3QHCR button from the Model selection at the top of the window.
- The options to change are all located on the Job Options tab of the Options window. First, change the Pollutant Type to “Inert Gases”
- The Molecular Weight input in the Job Parameters group will switch from a hard coded value to a user input text field. Enter the molecular weight of the gas you are interested in modeling. The example below uses 64 g/mol for sulfur dioxide (SO2).
The concentrations produced by the model will now accurately reflect the chemical properties of the pollutant of interest.
Submit Your Modeling Tip Today!
We are currently accepting submissions for the Monthly Modeling Tip section that appears in our newsletters. If you have a modeling tip that may benefit our readers, 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 an opportunity for increased exposure.
Articles
EPA Establishes New MOVES Grace Period Extension
October 13, 2011 - The EPA has recently taken direct final action to extend the current grace period that is allowed before the Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator model, known as MOVES2010a, must be used for regional emissions conformity analyses.
The present grace period was set to last for two years; now, with the EPA's direct final action, the period has been extended by an entire year.
EU Greenhouse Gas Emissions Estimated to Increase in 2010, but Long-Term Decrease Expected to Continue
October 7, 2011 - The European Union remains well on track to achieve its Kyoto Protocol target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions despite a 2.4 % emissions increase in 2010, according to first estimates by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The 2010 increase follows a 7 % drop in 2009, largely due to the economic recession and growth of renewable energy generation.
The latest analysis of greenhouse gas trends in the EU was published by the EEA today in three reports which together analyse emissions levels since 1990 and look forward to the EU's greenhouse gas emission reduction target for 2020 and beyond. They also cover progress towards Kyoto Protocol targets, early estimates for 2010 emissions levels and an analysis of drivers of emissions since 1990. Overall, EU emissions declined by 15.5 %.
European Environment Agency: Using Models for Air Quality Assessment and Planning: A Guide
September 26, 2011 - Computer models are increasingly used for estimating air quality or forecasting changes in pollution levels. Various different models are currently used across Europe. The new FAIRMODE reference guide aims to make these models comparable, well documented and validated in order to achieve reliable results.
In the past, assessment and reporting of air quality was largely based on monitored measurement data. This is changing - the European Directive on Ambient Air Quality and Cleaner Air for Europe (2008) places more emphasis on the use of models as a complement to monitoring data in order to conduct air quality assessment, forecasting and planning.
There is a pressing need to harmonise the way these models are applied since they have been used in various forms and with differing and often incomparable quality assurance methods across Europe, at both national and local levels.
EPA Issues Final Air Quality Permits to Shell for Arctic Oil and Gas Exploration
SEATTLE – September 19, 2011 - Today, EPA Region 10 issued final air quality permits to Shell for oil and gas exploration drilling in the Alaska Arctic. The permits will allow Shell to operate the Discoverer drillship and a support fleet of icebreakers, oil spill response vessels, and supply ships for up to 120 days each year in the Chukchi Sea and Beaufort Sea Outer Continental Shelf starting in 2012.
Shell’s exploration drilling fleet will emit more than 250 tons of air pollutants a year and therefore, under existing law, must have federal Clean Air Act Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)/Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permits. The permits set strict limits on air pollution from these vessels.
EPA Region 10 issued similar OCS/PSD air permits to Shell in 2010. Those permits were challenged by North Slope communities and environmental groups to the Environmental Appeals Board, which sent the permits back to EPA Region 10 in December 2010. EPA Region 10 revised the permits to address the issues raised by the Board.
Upcoming Conferences & Trade Shows
Date |
Conference |
Location |
Nov 1-3, 2011 |
Global Clean Energy Congress & Exhibition |
Calgary, AB, Canada |
Nov 2-3, 2011 |
Carbon Forum Asia |
Singapore |
Nov 13-17, 2011 |
SETAC North America 32nd Annual Meeting |
Boston, MA, USA |
Nov 29-Dec 2, 2011 |
Pollutec Horizons 2011 |
Paris, France |
Jan 16-19, 2012 |
World Future Energy Summit |
Abu Dhabi, UAE |
Jan 30- Feb 1, 2012 |
EUEC 2012 |
Phoenix, AZ, USA |
Feb 14-16, 2012 |
Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo North America |
Long Beach, CA, USA |
Mar 14-16, 2012 |
GLOBE 2012 |
Vancover, BC, Canada |
Mar 19-23, 2012 |
8th International Conference on Air Quality |
Athens, Greece |
About this Newsletter
This newsletter contains information gleaned from various sources on the web, with complete links to the sources cited. Organizations cited are in no way affiliated with Lakes Environmental Software.
Lakes Environmental Software is a leading environmental IT company that offers a complete line of air dispersion modeling, risk assessment, emissions inventory, and emergency release software as well as training and custom software services. With satisfied users located around the globe, Lakes Environmental Software will continue to revolutionize the environmental software field.
For more information please visit our web site at: www.webLakes.com. You may also contact us by phone at (519) 746-5995 or by fax at (519)746-0793.
All comments and suggestions are welcome. You can e-mail us at: support@webLakes.com.