AERMOD pollution dispersion model: Difference between revisions

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#REDIRECT[[AERMOD air pollution dispersion model]]
 
The '''AERMOD''' [[atmospheric dispersion modeling]] system is an integrated system that includes three modules:<ref name=EPA-454>[http://www.epa.gov/scram001/7thconf/aermod/aermod_mfd.pdf AERMOD:Description of Model Formulation]</ref><ref name=EP>Prater, E.T. and Midgley, C., ''A new air dispersion modeling system is helping create more accurate industrial source models'', Environmental Protection, Vol. 17, No. 3, Stevens Publishing</ref><ref>[http://www.cleanairinfo.com/regionalstatelocalmodelingworkshop/documents/Brode_AERMOD_TechnicalForum.pdf#search=%22Brode%20AERMOD%20technical%20forum%20%22www.cleanairinfo.com%22%22 Brode, R.W., ''AERMOD Technical Forum'', EPA R/S/L Modelers Workshop], San Diego, California, April 16, 2006</ref>
 
*A steady-state dispersion model designed for short-range (up to 50 kilometers) dispersion of [[air pollution|air pollutant]] [[emissions]] from [[Air pollution dispersion terminology|stationary industrial sources]].
* A [[meteorology|meteorological]] data [[preprocessor]] ('''AERMET''') that accepts surface meteorological data, upper air [[Rawinsonde|soundings]], and optionally, data from on-site instrument towers. It then calculates [[Earth's atmosphere|atmospheric]] parameters needed by the dispersion model, such as atmospheric [[Air pollution dispersion terminology|turbulence characteristics]], [[Air pollution dispersion terminology|mixing heights]], [[friction velocity]], [[Air pollution dispersion terminology|Monin-Obukov length]] and [[surface heat flux]].
* A [[terrain]] preprocessor ('''AERMAP''') whose main purpose is to provide a physical relationship between terrain features and the behavior of air pollution plumes. It generates location and height data for each receptor location.  It also provides information that allows the dispersion model to simulate the effects of air flowing over hills or splitting to flow around hills.
 
AERMOD also includes '''PRIME''' (Plume Rise Model Enhancements)<ref>[http://www.epa.gov/scram001/7thconf/iscprime/tekpapr1.pdf Development and Evaluation of the PRIME Plume Rise and Building Downwash Model]</ref> which is an algorithm  for modeling the effects of [[Air pollution dispersion terminology|downwash]] created by the pollution plume flowing over nearby buildings.
 
==History of the development of AERMOD==
 
AERMOD was developed by the AERMIC ([[American Meteorological Society|AMS]]/[[EPA]] Regulatory Model Improvement Committee), a collaborative working group of scientists from the AMS and the EPA.<ref name=EPA-454/> The AERMIC was initially formed in 1991.
 
The AERMIC developed AERMOD in seven steps:
 
*Initial model formulation
*Developmental evaluation
*Internal [[peer review]] and [[software testing|beta testing]]
*Revised model formulation
*Performance evaluation and sensitivity testing
*External peer review
*Submission to the EPA for consideration as a regulatory model.
 
On April 21st of 2000, the EPA proposed that AERMOD be adopted as the EPA's preferred regulatory model for both simple and complex terrain.<ref>[http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2000_register&docid=00-4235-filed Federal Register: April 21, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 78)] Proposed Rule</ref> On November 9th of 2005, AERMOD was adopted by the EPA and promulgated as their preferred regulatory model, effective as of December 9th of 2005.
<ref>[http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/05-21627.htm Federal Register: November 9, 2006 (Volume 70, Number 216)] Final Rule</ref> The entire developmental and adoption process took 14 years (from 1991 to 2005).
 
==Features and capabilities of AERMOD==
 
Some of the primary features and capabilities of AERMOD are:<ref name=EP/><ref>[http://www.epa.gov/scram001/7thconf/aermod/aermod_mep.pdf AERMOD:Latest Features and Evaluation Results] (EPA-454/R-03-003)</ref><ref>[http://mcvehil-monnett.com/nwsltr4q2000.pdf McVehil-Monnet Associates ''Air Quality Newsletter'']</ref>
 
*Source types: Multiple [[Air pollution dispersion terminology|point, area and volume sources]]
*Source releases: Surface, near surface and elevated [[Air pollution dispersion terminology|emission sources]]
*Source locations: Urban or rural locations. Urban effects are scaled by population.
*Plume types: Continuous, [[Air pollution dispersion terminology|buoyant plumes]]
*Plume deposition: [[Air pollution dispersion terminology|Dry or wet deposition]] of [[Particulate matter|particulates]] and/or [[gas]]es
*[[Atmospheric dispersion modeling|Plume dispersion]] treatment: [[Air pollution dispersion terminology|Gaussian model]] treatment in horizontal and in vertical for stable atmospheres. Non-Gaussian treatment in vertical for unstable atmospheres
*Terrain types: Simple or complex terrain
*Building effects: Handled by PRIME downwash algorithms 
*Meteorology data height levels: Accepts meteorology data from multiple heights
*Meteorological data profiles: Vertical profiles of wind, turbulence and temperature are created
 
==References==
<references/>
 
== Further reading==
 
For those who would like to learn more about this topic, it is suggested that either one of the following books be read:
 
*{{cite book | author=Turner, D.B. | title=[[Workbook of Atmospheric Dispersion Estimates]]| edition=2nd Edition| publisher=CRC Press | year=1994 | id=ISBN 1-56670-023-X }} [http://www.crcpress.com/shopping_cart/products/product_detail.asp?sku=L1023&parent_id=&pc= www.crcpress.com]
 
*{{cite book|author=Beychok, Milton R.|title=[[Fundamentals of Stack Gas Dispersion]]|edition=4th Edition|publisher=author-published|year=2005|id=ISBN 0-9644588-0-2}} [http://www.air-dispersion.com www.air-dispersion.com]
 
*{{cite book | author=Schnelle, Jr., Karl B. and Dey, Partha R. | title=Atmospheric Dispersion Modeling Compliance Guide| publisher=McGraw-Hill | year=2000 | id=ISBN 0-07-058059-6 }}

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