Lakes Environmental e-Newsletter
In this issue:
- News & Events
- Upcoming Courses
- Modeling Tip: CALPOST’s New NO2/NOX Ratio Option
- Articles
- Upcoming Conferences & Trade Shows
News & Events
CALPUFF View Version 8.2 Released!
On March 16, 2016 Lakes Environmental released CALPUFF View Version 8.2. This release included the following updates:
For a detailed listing of updates available in CALPUFF View Version 8.2, please check out our latest release notes. |
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If you are currently in maintenance for CALPUFF View and did not receive an email regarding this update, please contact us at sales@webLakes.com.
If you are a user of CALPUFF View but are no longer in maintenance please contact sales@webLakes.com for pricing to update your license.
AERMOD View in the Classroom: Equipping Environmental Engineering Students with Job Ready Skills
At the University of Guelph, Professor Bill Van Heyst and PhD Candidate Jeni Spencer instruct third year Environmental Engineering students on the fundamentals of Air Quality. During this course, students learn about the fluid mechanics and thermodynamics of the atmosphere, pollutant concentration dispersion, emission inventories, and modeling of pollutant releases and their ensuing concentrations using the AERMOD air dispersion model.
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As part of their course requirements, students conduct an air quality modeling project on an existing facility using Lakes Environmental’s AERMOD View software. This project introduces students to air quality compliance in Ontario, Canada by using facility specific information on building and source configurations to model point of impingement concentrations and compare them to Ontario standards in an emissions summary and dispersion modeling report. Providing students with the opportunity to work with AERMOD View and apply the information gained from within the classroom has given them an edge over the competition when it comes to pursuing careers post-graduation. |
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John Dony (B.Eng., 2016), a recent graduate from the Environment Engineering program at Guelph, had the following to say about using AERMOD View in his course during his recent job search:
"There was a lot of relevant coursework and practical experience in my Air Quality class that proved valuable for employers. A key project I brought up during my job interviews was the emission and dispersion analysis of a waste-to-energy facility using AERMOD View. 'Hands on' projects like this gave me the confidence to discuss fundamental topics of air quality and dispersion modeling during the interview. Ultimately, the knowledge and skills I learned in class landed me the position and I look forward to applying what I've gained in my future career."
Including AERMOD View as part of the air quality course goes beyond the goal of creating career opportunities for graduates - it is part of the pedagogical shift toward learner-centeredness. Educators have come to an understanding that active, collaborative and inquiry based learning leads to increased engagement and retention. Traditional post-secondary education has been plagued by endless lectures that leave students feeling overwhelmed and walking away knowing less than when they came in the door1
Students who are provided the opportunity to work ‘hands-on’ with the material are allowed to build their own understanding and intellectual framework of the content that will take them further in their life long learning journey. Using tools like AERMOD View, helps create context and brings to life the content being taught in the classroom.
1Wieman, C. 2007. Why not try a scientific approach to science education? Change. September/October 2007. 9-15.
Academic Article Submission: “Tell Us Your Story!”
If you’re using AERMOD View or one of our other software products in your classroom we’d love to hear from you! Contact us today to submit an article and tell us the story of how you’re using our software in your class. Your name and the name of your academic institution will appear below your story providing you with great exposure!
New Course Locations Announced
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Lakes Environmental has just announced additional course locations for 2016! A listing of these new dates and locations can be found below.
Space will fill up fast! Register today to take advantage of our early registration discounts and reserve your spot. Further details are available on our website. |
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Lakes Environmental Closed for Victoria Day Holiday
Lakes Environmental's Waterloo office will be closed on Monday, May 23, 2016 to observe the Victoria Day holiday. If you have any needs during that time, please e-mail us at support@webLakes.com and we will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.
Upcoming Courses
Date |
Course |
Location |
Registration |
May 2-3, 2016 |
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Jun 20, 2016 |
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Sep 26-27, 2016 |
Toronto, ON |
Registration |
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Nov 7-8, 2016 |
São Paulo, Brazil |
Registration |
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Nov 17-18, 2016 |
Orlando, FL |
Registration |
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
CALPOST’s New NO2/NOX Ratio Option
CALPOST, the post-processing model of the CALPUFF modeling system, has long had the option to estimate concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from model-calculated concentrations of total nitrogen oxides (NOX). The user provided a single ratio which was applied to all NOX concentrations. The latest update to the CALPUFF modeling system, Version 7 (released in June 2015) contained an update in CALPOST which allows users to specify ratios which vary with NOX concentration.
In Lakes Environmental’s CALPUFF View, all CALPOST model options are handled via the CALPOST Wizard window. The last tab of this window, NO2/NOx, contains the available ratio options. When the Version 7 modeling system is selected, a new option appears in the list: Specify Short and Long Term NO2/NOx ratios that vary with NOx concentration in PPB.
Choosing this option will enable two separate tables where users can supply varying ratios.
The user must first define the minimum number of hours for using Long Term Ratios (default value of 8000 hours). The Short Term Ratios will then apply to all averaging periods of a shorter term.
NOx Concentrations are defined by increasing magnitude, and the ratio used for a particular NOx concentration is interpolated from the values provided in the table. The ratio for the smallest tabulated NOx concentration (the first) is used for all NOx concentrations less than the smallest user-defined value. In the example above, all NOx concentrations less than 100 PPB (53.2 µg/m3 based on the default conversion factor of 1.88) would have a NO2/NOx ratio of 0.90.
Submit Your Modeling Tips 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
EU Limits on Non-road Machinery Emissions Take Step Forward
April 7, 2016 - Moves to limit air pollution from the likes of chainsaws, lawnmowers, riverboats and cranes in Europe have taken a step forward after new draft requirements were provisionally agreed at EU level yesterday (April 6).
The Netherlands presidency of the European Council reached a provisional agreement with European Parliament representatives on a draft regulation setting new requirements to grant EU type-approval aimed at reducing emissions from non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) engines.
Mexico City Orders All Cars Off the Road One Day a Week to Tackle Air Pollution
March 30, 2016- Authorities in Mexico City have temporarily ordered all cars to remain idle one day a week in response to this notoriously smoggy capital’s worst air-quality crisis in over a decade.
Until now vehicles have been exempt from the Mexican capital’s “no circulation” rules if owners obtain a holographic sticker from a smog-check centre certifying them as lower-emission.
UK Faces New Legal Action Over Air Quality
March 18, 2016 - New legal proceedings have been launched against the British government by environmental law firm ClientEarth over what it says is a failure to tackle air pollution, the firm said on Friday.
ClientEarth has taken action against the government before, which resulted in a Supreme Court judgment last year ordering it to submit new air quality plans to the European Commission.
But ClientEarth says those plans do not go far enough to tackle nitrogen dioxide emissions and has lodged papers at the High Court to seek an order to quash them and order new ones.
The Government of Canada Releases the First National Comprehensive Evaluation of Mercury in the Canadian Environment
March 8, 2016 - Today, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, released Canada’s first comprehensive, national synthesis and evaluation of scientific mercury research, the Canadian Mercury Science Assessment.
Mercury is a metal released into the ecosystem through both natural events, such as forest fires and volcanic eruptions, and through human activities, such as coal burning and metal smelting. Mercury exposure poses a particular risk to those who rely heavily on the consumption of predatory fish and traditional wildlife food items and vulnerable groups like developing fetuses, infants, and children.
Upcoming Conferences & Trade Shows
Date |
Conference |
Location |
Apr 25-27, 2016 |
CANECT 2016 |
Toronto, ON, Canada |
May 17-18, 2016 |
Emissions 2016 |
Troy, MI, USA |
May 24-26, 2016 |
21st International Transport and Air Pollution Conference (TAP 2016) |
Lyon, France |
May 25-27, 2016 |
Carbon Expo 2016 |
Cologne, Germany |
Jun 06-10, 2016 |
Asia Clean Energy Forum |
Manila, Philippines |
Jun 20-23, 2016 |
A&WMA 109th Annual Conference & Exhibition |
New Orleans, LA, USA |
Aug 18-19, 2016 |
6th International Conference on Environmental Pollution and Remediation (ICEPR 2016) |
Budapest, Hungary |
Aug 22-24, 2016 |
ICCE 2016: 5th International Conference & Exhibition on Clean Energy |
Montréal, Québec, Canada |
Aug 29 - Sep 2, 2016 |
IUAPPA 2016 |
Busan, South Korea |
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.