CALPUFF Modeling System Research Articles

Bioaerosol dispersion and environmental risk simulation: Method and a case study for a biopharmaceutical plant of Gansu province, China

Pathogenic bacteria pose a great threat to global public health from environmental and public health perspectives, especially regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. As a result, the increased risk of pathogenic bioaerosol exposure imposes a considerable health burden and raises specific concerns about the layout and location of vaccine manufacturers. This study proposed a grid computing method based on the CALPUFF modelling system and population-based environmental risks to reduce bioaerosol-related potential risks. We previously used the CALPUFF model to quantify the diffusion level, the spatial distribution of emissions, and potential environmental risks of bioaerosol leakage in Gansu province's Zhongmu Lanzhou biopharmaceutical plant from July 24, 2019, to August 20, 2019. By combining it with publicly available test data, the credibility was confirmed. Based on our previous research, the CALPUFF model application combined with the environmental population-based environmental risks in two scenarios: the layout and site selection, was explored by using the leakage accident of Zhongmu Lanzhou biopharmaceutical plant of Gansu province as a case study. Our results showed that the site selection method of scenario 2 coupled with the buffer area was more reasonable than scenario 1, and the final layout site selection point of scenario 2 was grid 157 as the optimal layout point. The simulation results demonstrated agreement with the actual survey. Our findings could assist global bioaerosol manufacturers in developing appropriate layout and site selection strategies to reduce bioaerosol-related potential environmental risks.

Grid computing method for atmospheric environmental capacity coupled with ventilation coefficient using CALPUFF simulation and GIS spatial analysis technology

ABSTRACT Atmospheric environmental issues have evolved from point source pollution to regional pollution, leading to controlling specific air pollutant emissions. A-value method has been found suitable for estimating large-scale atmospheric environmental capacity rather than small-scale, resulting in the inaccuracy of developing air pollution control strategy. This study proposed a grid computing method based on the CALPUFF modelling system and GIS spatial analysis tool. The meteorological data from the MM5 model were used to simulate the spatial distribution of air pollutants. The meteorological flow field data was used to simulate the ventilation coefficient. The A value was revised with the simulated to achieve accurate results of atmospheric environment capacity. The credibility was verified by applying this method to Fengtai District, Beijing, China. The research area was divided into small partitions via the ArcGIS spatial analysis tool. The simulation results agreed well with the observation data from actual monitoring stations, even for the PM10 concentration with the most significant error (MRE: 7.05%−13.28%, RMSE: 11.62–17.89, R 2: 0.84–0.90). The GIS spatial analysis tools were applied to match the underlying surface types and overcome the restrictions of administrative boundary management. The study proposed four schemes to achieve differentiated air pollutant emission reduction and develop suitable control strategies. Furthermore, this method can be applied on different scales of natural geographic boundaries and realize the precise spatial management of atmospheric environmental capacity.

Quantify the Effect of Chemical Transformation on Ground-level Concentrations of Contaminants in Ghana Using the CALPUFF Modelling System

Quantify the Effect of Chemical Transformation on Ground-level Concentrations of Contaminants in Ghana Using the CALPUFF Modelling System

Effects of Building Energy Efficiency Measures on Air Quality at the Neighborhood Level in Athens, Greece

The high concentration of pollutant sources, complex topography, and regional meteorology are all factors that may contribute to air episodes in dense urban areas. Energy use in buildings is a significant source of pollution in the Greater Athens Area (GAA), Greece, where over 90% of the existing building stock has been classified below energy class B. The present study focuses on the potential effects that a realistic level of building energy efficiency upgrades will have on the air quality over the GAA. Results are expected to be relevant to similar urban areas. Furthermore, the study of primary pollutants’ dispersion is applied at a 1.2 × 1.2 km spatial resolution, providing significant local (neighborhood) level information. Numerical simulations were performed using EPA’s CALPUFF modeling system with wind field input from an independent numerical weather prediction using NCAR’s Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. In order to calculate emission rates from major roads, highways, shipping ports, residential heating installations, and major industrial facilities, data were taken from National and European statistics, demographics, and local topography. After validation, the modeling system was used to examine three building energy efficiency upgrade scenarios, implemented on 20% of the buildings. Ground level concentrations of SO2, NOx, CO, and PM10 were calculated and reductions of up to 9% were found for GAA maximum values but up to 18% for local values that were also close to or above the European safety thresholds.

Effects of Improved Energy Performance of Buildings on Air Quality over the Greater Athens Area

Air pollution episodes are common in the Greater Athens Area (GAA) because of its pollutant source concentration, complex topography, and regional meteorology. For the GAA, over 90% of the existing building stock is classified below energy class B, so the effects of upgrades on energy savings are obvious and have been widely discussed. The present study focuses on the potential effects that a realistic level of implementation of the EPBD will have on the air quality over the GAA. Three renovation scenarios were examined with an implementation rate of 20%. Numerical simulation of primary pollutants’ dispersion over the GAA was performed using the CALPUFF modelling system. Ground level concentrations of SO2, NOx, CO and PM10 were calculated, taking into account pollutant releases from major roads and highways, passenger ports and cargo transport, residential heating installations and major industrial installations. The required source data was taken from National and European statistics, demographics and local topography while the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model was implemented for the required high resolution meteorological field data. The modelling system was first successfully validated by comparison with available measurements of pollutant concentrations and then applied to case studies of EPBD implementation. Reductions up to ∼6% were found in the ground level concentrations of major pollutants.

Modeling Air Dispersion of Pollutants Emitted from the Daura Oil Refinery, Baghdad- Iraq using the CALPUFF Modeling System

The CALPUFF atmospheric transport model was used to estimate ambient air concentrations of SO2, CO, NO2, and PM2.5, in a 256 km2 region surrounding the Daura oil refinery in Baghdad, Iraq during a six month period in the summer for 2013 and the winter of 2014. The CALPUFF modeling system includes a meteorological processor (CALMET), a Lagrangian puff atmospheric transport model (CALPUFF), and a post processor (CALPOST). Source term and meteorological data, including surface and upper air observations, were pre-processed and formatted for CALMET and CALPUFF using FORTRAN programs. Monthly emission rates and stack parameters for twelve stack sources were included in the model. Winds out of the northwest predominated, followed by winds out of the north and the west. The urban regions with the highest pollutant concentrations in the study domain were the Daura Express Highway located south and southeast of the facility, and the refinery employee residences located west of the facility. These areas were closest to the Daura oil refinery. Predicted pollutant concentrations showed that SO2 and CO were higher than NO2 and PM2.5, for the study period because emission rates of SO2 and CO were greater than NO2 and PM2.5. Monthly dispersion patterns were similar among the pollutants and exhibit plumes in the predominant wind direction. Winter generally had the highest predicted pollutant concentrations compared to the summer months.

Intra-urban variability of the intake fraction from multiple emission sources.

BackgroundAmbient air pollution and associated adverse health effects are among most acute environmental problems in many cities worldwide. The intake fraction (iF) approach can be applied for evaluating the health benefits of reducing emissions, especially when rapid decisions are needed. Intake fraction is a metric that represents emission-to-intake relationship and characterizes abatement of exposure potential attributed to specific emission sources.AimIn this study, the spatial variability of iF in Warsaw agglomeration, Poland, is discussed.MethodsThe iF analysis is based on the earlier air quality modeling results, that include the main pollutants characterizing an urban atmospheric environment (SO2, NOx, PM10, PM2.5, CO, C6H6, B(a)P, heavy metals). The annual mean concentrations were computed by the CALPUFF modeling system (spatial resolution 0.5 × 0.5 km2) on the basis of the emission and meteorological data from year 2012. The emission field comprised 24 high (power generation) and 3880 low (industry) point sources, 7285 mobile (transport) sources, and 6962 area (housing) sources.ResultsThe aggregated iFs values are computed for each emission class and the related polluting compounds. Intra-urban variability maps of iFs are attributed to an emission sources by emission category and pollutant.ConclusionsIntake fraction is shown as a decision support tool for implementing the cost-effective emission policy and reducing the health risk of air pollution.

Incorporation of Numerical Plume Rise Algorithms in the Lagrangian Particle Model LAPMOD and Validation against the Indianapolis and Kincaid Datasets

This paper describes the methodology used to incorporate two numerical plume rise algorithms, one by Janicke and Janicke and another by Webster and Thomson, into the Lagrangian particle model LAPMOD. LAPMOD is fully interfaced with the diagnostic meteorological model CALMET, which is part of the widely used CALPUFF modeling system. LAPMOD can also use the meteorological input files produced with the AERMET meteorological processor of the US-EPA recommended model AERMOD. This paper outlines the theory behind the two plume rise algorithms and the details of their implementation in LAPMOD. The paper also provides the results of the evaluation of LAPMOD and its included plume rise algorithms against the well-known Indianapolis and Kincaid SF6 and SO2 field studies and tracer experiments. The performance of LAPMOD is successfully evaluated with the Model Evaluation Kit and compared with that of other air quality models.

Application of an integrated Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF)/CALPUFF modeling tool for source apportionment of atmospheric pollutants for air quality management: A case study in the urban area of Benxi, China

ABSTRACTIn this study, the authors endeavored to develop an effective framework for improving local urban air quality on meso-micro scales in cities in China that are experiencing rapid urbanization. Within this framework, the integrated Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF)/CALPUFF modeling system was applied to simulate the concentration distributions of typical pollutants (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <10 μm [PM10], sulfur dioxide [SO2], and nitrogen oxides [NOx]) in the urban area of Benxi. Statistical analyses were performed to verify the credibility of this simulation, including the meteorological fields and concentration fields. The sources were then categorized using two different classification methods (the district-based and type-based methods), and the contributions to the pollutant concentrations from each source category were computed to provide a basis for appropriate control measures. The statistical indexes showed that CALMET had sufficient ability to predict the meteorological conditions, such as the wind fields and temperatures, which provided meteorological data for the subsequent CALPUFF run. The simulated concentrations from CALPUFF showed considerable agreement with the observed values but were generally underestimated. The spatial-temporal concentration pattern revealed that the maximum concentrations tended to appear in the urban centers and during the winter. In terms of their contributions to pollutant concentrations, the districts of Xihu, Pingshan, and Mingshan all affected the urban air quality to different degrees. According to the type-based classification, which categorized the pollution sources as belonging to the Bengang Group, large point sources, small point sources, and area sources, the source apportionment showed that the Bengang Group, the large point sources, and the area sources had considerable impacts on urban air quality. Finally, combined with the industrial characteristics, detailed control measures were proposed with which local policy makers could improve the urban air quality in Benxi. In summary, the results of this study showed that this framework has credibility for effectively improving urban air quality, based on the source apportionment of atmospheric pollutants.Implications: The authors endeavored to build up an effective framework based on the integrated WRF/CALPUFF to improve the air quality in many cities on meso-micro scales in China. Via this framework, the integrated modeling tool is accurately used to study the characteristics of meteorological fields, concentration fields, and source apportionments of pollutants in target area. The impacts of classified sources on air quality together with the industrial characteristics can provide more effective control measures for improving air quality.Through the case study, the technical framework developed in this study, particularly the source apportionment, could provide important data and technical support for policy makers to assess air pollution on the scale of a city in China or even the world.

Modelling the trends of vehicle-emitted pollutants in Salalah, Sultanate of Oman, over a 10-year period

From 2004 to 2014, a significant increase in the number of vehicles in Salalah, Oman, has been observed and is related to the fact that the city has become a more popular tourist destination. Due to this rise in the number of vehicles, traffic jams have become a serious problem in Salalah. Therefore, this study aims to assess carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and carbon dioxide (CO2) from 2004 to 2014 for the Salalah region using the CALPUFF modelling system. Although the number of vehicles gradually increased in the area, the pollutant concentration levels fluctuated. CALPUFF results illustrated that CO levels were within the allowable concentrations assigned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards, but NOx and CO2 concentrations were higher than the criterion limits set by the EPA and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change’s emission standards. Since Salalah is a coastal city, wind blowing toward the land from the sea significantly affects the dispersion of pollutants. Additionally, most of the maximum concentrations of the three pollutants were located near the centers of the streets. Replacing roundabouts with flyovers might significantly reduce traffic jams and vehicle-emitted pollutants in Salalah.

Modelling the dispersion of benzene emissions from a proposed ethanol producing facility in Farewell-Oshawa of Toronto, Canada

The production and use of biofuels such as ethanol have been the target of intensive research. One source of ethanol is corn, which is abundant in many countries. In producing ethanol from corn, an assessment of the environmental impact of the process is needed. This study intends to provide insight into benzene emitted from a proposed biofuel plant, its dispersion behavior, and the effects it may have on the immediate environment. Three-season (January, April, and June) dispersion results of benzene emissions from the proposed ethanol-producing facility are evaluated by using the CALPUFF modelling system. Within the framework of the CALPro software, ambient benzene concentrations are modelled over a 24-hour period of exposure by considering the impact of pollutant transformation and removal, and meteorological factors such as wind direction and speed, and temperature. Simulations are performed for the plant area located in Farewell, Oshawa, Ontario, based on the emission and meteorological dataset for the year 2013. The modeling domain covers the area of 30 × 30 km2 with the grid spacing of 150 m. The number of grid lines is taken as 200 for each axis, and the dispersion of benzene emissions is simulated in nine vertical layers of the domain of study. Based on simulated one-hour and 24-hour average benzene concentrations, pollution dispersion results show that the maximum concentrations are recorded as 4.585 and 0.403 µg/m3 at 17h00 LST on hourly basis and on 24-hour basis, respectively, for the winter season. For the spring season, the highest concentrations are measured as 1.345 and 0.136 µg/m3 at 21h00 LST for one-hour and 24-hour periods, respectively. For the summer season, the peak benzene concentrations are found to be 1.085 and 0.277 µg/m3 at 01h00 LST. The results indicate that none of the months exceeds the half-hour limit of 7 µg/m3 set by Ontario Regulation 419/05, but they surpass the Ontario Regulation 419 Schedule 3 limit of 0.01 µg/m3 for a 24-hour dispersion period. This information may prove invaluable to further research on the impacts of the ethanol-production process on the environment.

Formulation of the Lagrangian particle model LAPMOD and its evaluation against Kincaid SF6 and SO2 datasets

This paper presents the Lagrangian particle model LAPMOD for modeling time-variable emissions in atmosphere of inert and radioactive gases and aerosols. LAPMOD is fully interfaced with the meteorological model CALMET (Scire et al., 1999a), part of the US-EPA recommended CALPUFF modeling system (EPA, 2017), and can also use the meteorological input files produced with the AERMET meteorological processor of US-EPA recommended model AERMOD (EPA, 2004).The paper outlines the theory on which LAPMOD is based and provides the results of the evaluation of LAPMOD against the Kincaid SF6 and SO2 classical field studies and tracer experiments. The performance of LAPMOD is successfully evaluated with the Model Evaluation Kit (Olesen, 2005) and compared with that of other air quality models.

A study to investigate the key sources of odors in Al-Multaqa Village, Sultanate of Oman

ABSTRACTAl-Multaqa Village, located in the province of Al-Amerat, Sultanate of Oman, has experienced a serious situation with odors. Residents of the village have complained about strong odors at night and in early morning for the past two years. Four potentially odor-emitting facilities are located near the village: the SITA & Al-Bashaer Environment (Suez Environment) landfill and leachate pond, Haya's biosolids composting plant, and Be'ah's medical waste treatment facility. This study concentrates on investigating and clarifying which of these facilities is the key contributor to the odor issue in the Al-Multaqa region. The CALPUFF Modeling System was used to model and simulate the dispersion of odors throughout the year. The odor emissions from Be'ah's medical waste treatment plant were below the complaint threshold; therefore, the facility was found not to be a major source of odor. For the three remaining facilities, CALPUFF simulation results revealed that they were major contributors to the odor issue at Al-Multaqa as all three facilities violated the complaint threshold of 5 odor units (OU). Of the four facilities, the landfill was responsible for the greatest contribution. The leachate pond and the composting plant contributed almost equally under peak conditions on most of the modeling days set in this study. It was determined that measures must be taken in order to solve the odor issue and prevent future incidents in the region.

Modeling the dispersion of NOx and SO2 emissions from a proposed biogas producing facility

&lt;div&gt; &lt;p&gt;This study aims to model the dispersion of two pollutants: nitrogen oxides (NO&lt;sub&gt;x&lt;/sub&gt;) and sulfur dioxide (SO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;) from an onsite biogas fueled generator by using CALPUFF modeling system. CALPUFF is a non-steady state puff simulating software that takes into account, meteorological data, terrain data and land use data, to effectively simulate dispersion from a given source. These data are taken from the different governmental and accredited organizations and used in conjunction with CALPUFF. Results showed a wider dispersion of both pollutants in January as supposed to June. This was due to rapid changes of wind&amp;rsquo;s speed and directionin the month of January. It was also discovered that the emission results were well below the point of impregnation (POI) limits set by the Ministry of Environment for its 24 hour, 1 hour and 30 minute averaging time periods of exposure. The findings of this study reveal that the proposed facility&amp;rsquo;s operation is in compliance with the Ontario regulations and that it should be able to operate in accordance with them, in the winter and summer seasons.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

Impact of the ambient air quality due to the dispersion of non-methane organic compounds from Barka Landfill

This study used the CALPUFF modeling system to study the impact of an area’s geophysical and meteorological conditions on the dispersion of non-methane organic compounds (NMOCs) into the atmosphere from the 17-year-old Barka Landfill. Barka Landfill is located in Barka, Batinah, in the north of the Sultanate of Oman. It receives waste from nearby regions such as Nakhal, Seeb, and Wadi Al-Maawel, affecting the town of Barka with landfill gas (LFG) pollution. The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of the air dispersion of one group of NMOC gases on Barka and the region around it. The top five values of the concentrations with different average time periods, namely 1, 3 and 23 h, were compared with the allowable emission rate defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The results demonstrated that the present integrated modeling system (consisting of a 3D diagnostic CALMET model and Lagrangian puff dispersion CALPUFF model) could be utilized as a useful tool for evaluating the top five peak values of the NMOC emissions of the different time periods.

Modeling of formaldehyde and nitrogen oxides from a proposed renewable energy biogas facility in Canada

The aim of this study was to use the CALPUFF modeling system, an effective and reliable atmospheric modeling tool, to predict the concentrations of formaldehyde (HCHO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) released, due to the combustion of biogas in the combined heat and power (CHP) engines, from the Kawartha renewable energy generation facility at its proposed location in Ontario, Canada. In this study, HCHO and NOx were selected as the indicator and point source pollutants since they were the most significant products of biogas combustion emitted during the facility's normal operations (production of electricity and heat). The Lambert Conformal Conic projection coordinate system was implemented for the operation of the CALPUFF model. The proposed modeling scheme was coupled with both surface meteorological data (from 00:00 to 23:00) on an hourly basis and 12-h interval-based upper air meteorological data (from 00:00 to 12:00) to simulate the emission of these pollutants for the four seasonal Eastern Time meteorological conditions of winter (January 11–13, 2013), spring (April 14–16, 2013), summer (July 10–12, 2013), and autumn (November 16–18, 2013). The results from the CALPUFF dispersion model clearly demonstrated that the maximum 1-h average concentrations of both HCHO and NOx, emitted from the combustion of biogas (composed of 60% CH4 and 40% CO2) in five CHP engines (operation load = 100%, maximum electricity generation capacity = 9.8 MW), were found to be within the limits defined by Ontario Regulation 419/05.

Determination of optimal spatial databases for the area of Poland to the calculation of air pollutant dispersion using the CALMET / CALPUFF model.

In Poland, as well as in the whole world, advanced pollution dispersion models are playing an increasingly important role, as they take into account the diversity of terrain relief and land use in calculations in the adopted computational grid. One of them is the CALPUFF modeling system, which is a multi-layered air pollution dispersion model simulating the impact of time-varying meteorological parameters on the transport of pollutants. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), in their guidelines on air quality modeling, prefer using this model to assess the transport of pollutants over long distances [1]. This model is supported by a group of geophysical preprocessors preparing terrain information and meteorological preprocessors, as well as a meteorological processor CALMET [2, 3]. CALMET / CALPUFF software is being systematically developed and improved, as evidenced by the approval of the upgrade from version 5.8 to version 5.8.4 by the EPA on the 4

Impact of geophysical and meteorological conditions on the dispersion of NO2 in Canada

This study uses the CALPUFF modeling system to examine the impact of a region’s geophysical and meteorological conditions on the dispersion of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emitted from a new oil refinery proposed by the Newfoundland and Labrador Refining Corporation. The proposed construction site of the refinery in Placentia Bay in Newfoundland is compared to the three Canadian locations of Edmonton, Yarmouth, and Whitehorse due to the differences in their geophysical and meteorological conditions. NO2 was selected as the modeled contaminant for this study due to the many severe ecosystem, health, and societal risks associated with its exposure to humans, animals, and the environment. Differences on the impact of each studied region’s geophysical and meteorological conditions led the proposed construction site in Newfoundland to be the only advisable construction site for this refinery out of the four regions examined. Although Yarmouth is also a coastal region, its geophysical and meteorological conditions cause NO2 to disperse into the land, while in Newfoundland, NO2 is dispersed over water. The maximum NO2 concentrations simulated for Edmonton and Whitehorse are considerably high and exceed the NO2 limit for at least one of the two standards proposed by the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Environment and Conservation and the National Ambient Air Quality Standard. Results show that a region’s geophysical and meteorological conditions have large impacts on the dispersion of pollutants and require careful consideration when selecting a refinery site.

Emissions characterization and regulatory compliance at an industrial complex: An integrated MM5/CALPUFF approach

This paper couples the meteorological Mesoscale Model (MM5) with the non-steady state CALPUFF modelling system in a short range dispersion context to assess regulatory compliance with air quality standards in a coastal urban area with complex terrain. For this purpose, an inventory of CO, NOx, and PM10 emissions from an industrial complex, highway and quarrying activity was developed using emission factors reported by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the European Environment Agency (EEA). Multiple emission scenarios were then simulated to test the representativeness of the obtained emission factors using statistical analysis of predictions against year-round field measurements. At the validated emission rates, CALPUFF simulations showed an acceptable ability to predict the upper end of observed concentrations and reproduced field measurements at several locations. Statistical analysis revealed that sources are likely to be emitting at conservative estimates (worst-case efficiency of control equipment and fuel quality), with total CO, NOx and PM10 emissions reaching 913 g s−1 (19% by highway and 81% by industries), 1266 g s−1 (63% by highway and 37% by industries) and 2970 g s−1 (93% by industries and 7% by quarries), respectively.

Impacts on Ambient Air Quality Due to Flaring Activities in One of Oman's Oilfields

ABSTRACT This work was conducted to assess the impacts on workplace and ambient air quality due to release of sulfur dioxide (SO2) into the atmosphere at Al-Noor production station, located in southern desert of Sultanate of Oman. The SO2 is released because of oxidation of H2S to SO2 on flaring of H2S rich off gas at the Al-Noor. In the first phase of the study, CALPUFF modeling system was used to predict the ground level concentrations of SO2 emissions from the flare stacks. The evaluation of the modeling system was carried out by comparing the predicted results with that of the measured. In the second stage of the study, the estimated results were compared with the air quality standards/guidelines set by Omani regulatory authorities as well as by World Health Organization (WHO). It was concluded on the basis of current study that the sensitive individuals in the workplace of the Al-Noor could experience adverse health effects due to short-term exposure of SO2.