Who conducts
air quality modeling? This is also known as dispersion modelling and simulations in some regions.
Modelers calculate what happens to pollution once it enters the surrounding atmosphere. Where it goes, how diluted it becomes in the process, and under what conditions it becomes a problem.
What is the point? To help ensure the facility is in compliance with the relevant air quality standards and objectives, which are designed to protect the environment.
These simulations use parameterized emission characteristics and the qualities of flow obstructions combined with background pollutant levels, local meteorological and topographic data.
The calculations result in predicted concentrations, which we compare with the standards to determine whether or not regulatory compliance has theoretically been achieved.
How to conduct a typical project. What are the fundamentals of stack gas dispersion? What we do in this business amounts to:
If this is a process that your plant may have to go through, please let me know about your situation. Find out how to handle it. These air quality modeling projects are rarely trivial.
Have specialized needs? Call Barry Lough at 403-547-7557 (office).
For a detailed,
Myers Briggs assisted, description of my personal preferences, see this page.
BARRY J. LOUGH,
EP - DISPERSION METEOROLOGIST
EDUCATION Undergraduate Science Diploma in Meteorology, University of Alberta, 1994
B.Sc., with specialization in Physics, University of Alberta, 1989
SUMMARY Barry has over 20 years experience in meteorology and
dispersion modelling for permitting of upstream and mid-stream energy projects and industrial complexes. He has worked as an atmospheric scientist, specializing in air quality modeling and operational meteorology. Additionally, Barry has experience with public liaison, mitigation and solutions for clients operating in environmentally sensitive regions.
Barry has considerable experience compiling emissions inventories, interpreting atmospheric influences, designing air monitoring programs and performing air quality modelling assessments. He has also developed programs and analytical techniques for evaluating the importance of air quality issues. Barry has contributed to problem solving in industry and government, specializing in air quality modelling, data validation and operational meteorology.
In past projects, Barry has been responsible for preparing air quality compliance information for industry license applications. Projects include compilation of complex emissions inventories and air dispersion modelling data, providing recommendations for modifications to plant design to meet air quality guidelines, assessing culpability in issues resolution and determining statistical calculation methodologies. Recent projects include:
Plant Design and Emission Sources Database, Licence Applications: Joffre Alberta Industrial Complex. This complex contains a chemical plant, a cogeneration facility, an Oligomers plant and a nitrogen fertilizer plant.
The projects required determining locations, emission parameters and building wake effects on several dozen streams operating simultaneously at these plants and using approved dispersion models to assess their effects on the surrounding terrain. Several consultations with operational personnel at all three sites were needed to arrive at final numerical data and provide accurate and complete air quality modeling. Design information, modelling results and interpretations were then reported to each client for inclusion in their respective license applications.
Obtained and examined empirical ozone data, studied the physical principles and monitoring conditions, determined which values were realistic and kept them in a final data set to be used for further research and policy making.
Modelled and presented data for oil and gas facilities. Studied wide scale impacts of very large sources of carbon based emissions, NOX (oxides of Nitrogen) and particulate matter (PM). Extensive air quality modeling areas often contained other similar industries.
Designed simulations for modelling the dispersion of a wide variety of contaminants for natural gas derivative chemicals producers. Then air quality modeling for the dispersion of NOX using Ozone limiting techniques, carbon monoxide, ethylene and its effects on agriculture, benzene, butadiene, methyl pentane, PM and other substances including volatile organic compounds from two very large multi-facilities, close enough to each other to require a collective inventory of emissions. Made many small refinements to plant design, sometimes due to air quality modeling output and implications, resulting in incremental improvements to simulation within model scenario.
Created extensive modelling system for large natural gas pipeline projects. Worked with NOX and PM, often in the vicinity of other industrial or urban development, thus cumulative effects were inventoried and assimilated.
Parameterized emissions from “tepee” burners, and other source types and mitigations such as bag filters from an Oriented Strand Board (OSB) manufacturing facility.
Conducted fog predictions using customized air quality modeling program developed within one consulting company. This situation is frequently encountered in the vicinity of power plants and co-gen facilities which generate significant amounts of water vapour. Plants were located in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Fog is known for creating potentially hazardous driving conditions on nearby expressways, and a special air quality modeling program for predicting intensity and frequency of events was used for these projects.
Analyzed and interpreted air quality modeling output. Performed systematic calculations on the output data using processing software written for SAS applications. An example would be a custom program to make Ozone-limiting calculations for converting NO₀ concentrations to NO2 prior to the introduction of the ISC-OLM algorithms.
Plotted model output into a graphical form easily interpreted by scientists within group, using SAS applications or SURFER. Prepared contours of equal maximum concentration, known as isopleths and placed them onto maps of background area with matching scale and correct orientation, so that observers could easily determine the potential effects of source(s) on nearby areas of concern, such as residential developments.
Determined area to be selected for air quality modeling and data mapping, then created base map of the area using AutoCAD software. Map included extensive details to indicate terrain contours and other features. Cross hatching of varying densities made a visually appealing depiction of relief, making it easy to obtain a sense of the terrain shape after a short inspection.
When an air quality modeling output problem arose, such as the client's proposed situation resulting in unacceptable ambient concentrations, modifications were suggested to the design of the plant. Changes were made sometimes in an iterative fashion to arrive at an optimum solution, achieving satisfactory results at a minimum cost to the client. An example of this would be adding a quantity of extra fuel gas to a flare stack output flow, resulting in higher buoyancy flux, greater dispersion and lower concentrations before reaching the ground. Other solutions could include altering source and building placement, increasing stack heights, or adding an incinerator or filters to reduce the amount of harmful emissions in the flow as in the first place.
Prepared reports, made support calculations for testimonials at public hearings, kept in constant touch with chief consultant and quickly generated new model runs on demand, relaying the results to be used in justifying the client's proposed situation during its “day in court”.
Developed and documented efficient procedures for processing output and displaying graphics for the air quality modeling division of the consulting company's efforts towards achieving ISO9001 certification.
At Environment Canada, Meteorological Services of Canada. Formerly known as Atmospheric Environment Services.
Explained the occurrence of meteorological phenomena, using knowledge of atmospheric physical and dynamic systems while recognizing the strengths and limitations of model output. Created short-term predictions, keeping the clients' purposes in mind. Encoded forecasted into user-specified formats and publicly presented weather and climate information using computer and hand-drawn graphics.
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