Regulatory Modeling technical papers
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Wind Tunnel Modeling Solutions for the New SO2 and NO2 NAAQS
R.L. Petersen, Air & Waste Management Association, Paper #1047, 2011
Abstract: In 2010, EPA announced new 1-hour SO2 and NO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The new NAAQS values are more stringent than in the past. As a result, AERMOD modeling may show that a permit applicant cannot comply with the new NAAQS values. The paper addresses the use of wind tunnel modeling to determine GEP stack height when building or terrain downwash are causing high concentrations. The paper also discusses EPA-approved wind tunnel testing methods that can provide an alternative to BPIP inputs that offer more accurate, frequently lower, concentration estimates.
Exhaust Contamination of Hidden vs. Visible Air Intakes
Petersen, R.L., J.J. Carter, and J.W. LeCompte.
Abstract: A wind tunnel dispersion modeling study was conducted to investigate exhaust contamination of hidden versus visible air intakes. Overall, the study has shown what designers suspected: placing air intakes on building sidewalls is beneficial when stacks are on the roof. Significant concentration reductions were found when air intakes are placed right below the building roof edge on the building sidewall. The farther down the building sidewall the air intake is placed, the larger the reduction. However, the largest relative reduction between a visible and hidden intake is achieved by just moving the intake a few feet from the edge of the building roof to a point just around the corner on the building sidewall.
Use of Equivalent Building Dimensions (EBD) to Characterize Upwind Terrain Wake Effects for AERMOD
R.L. Petersen, J.D. Reifschneider, R.J. Paine, and K. Schmidt, Air & Waste Management Association, Paper #425, 2007
Abstract: The paper describes the application of wind tunnel modeling to demonstrate that upwind terrain wake effects can significantly increase ground level concentrations. The use of Equivalent Building Dimensions (EBD) in place of BPIP to produce the relevant AERMOD inputs is shown to provide more accurate results. The study modeled the Reliant Energy Cheswick Generating Station near Pittsburgh.
R.L. Petersen, J.D. Reifschneider, D. Shea, D. Cramer, and L. Labrie, Air & Waste Management Association, Paper #276, 2007
Abstract: This paper describes a wind tunnel modeling study conducted for the Mirant Potomac River Generating Station, located in Alexandria, Virginia. The study was commissioned because a high-rise was constructed within a few hundred meters of the station and a screening-level model indicated the potential for plume impacts. The wind tunnel study used site-specific building dimension inputs (Equivalent Building Dimensions, or EBD) to account for complex building interactions in a form that AERMOD could handle.
Validation of the CHARM® Software Module Including Near-Field Dispersion With Varying Roughness
M.W. Eltgroth, R.L. Petersen and J. Sanders, A&WMA 98th Convention, Minneapolis, MN, June 21-25, 2005
Abstract: As personal computers get faster and more powerful, air dispersion models can increase in complexity. This paper briefly discusses modifications made to the CHARM® software package for air dispersion from a Lagrangian puff model to an Eulerian grid model and presents comparisons of the modified model with new wind tunnel and existing field data.
ISC-PRIME Versus Wind-Tunnel Observations for Multi-tiered, Sloped, Porous Structures
J.J. Carter and R.L. Petersen, Air & Waste Management Association's Guideline on Air Quality Models Conference, Newport, RI, 2001
Abstract: This paper evaluates the validity of ISC-PRIME for modeling multi-tiered, sloped, and porous structures. A comparison of BPIP-determined building dimensions and wind-tunnel-based Equivalent Building Dimensions (EBD) was made. The results indicate that ISC_PRIME tends to over-predict maximum concentrations for these types of structures when BPIP-generated building dimensions are used. ISC_PRIME with EBD inputs performed exceptionally well when compared to the wind tunnel database and provided lower concentration estimates than ISC_PRIME/BPIP.
Comparison of ISC3 and Prime Model Predictions Against Wind Tunnel Observations
R.L. Petersen, B.C. Cochran, and J.J. Carter, Air & Waste Management Association, Paper # 00-1113, 2000
Abstract: This study was carried out to evaluate the relative improvement in concentration predictions for the PRIME model versus the ISC3 model for various simple building configurations. The statistical evaluation showed that ISC3 tends to over-predict and PRIME tends to under-predict when compared to the wind tunnel observed concentrations. Although the PRIME model is vastly superior to the ISC3 model from a theoretical standpoint, the results of this study show that further improvements can be made.
Equivalent Building Dimensions for ISC2 Modeling Applications
R.L. Petersen, B.C. Cochran, D.E. Keen, R.N. Walton; Air & Waste Management Association, 1995
Abstract: While the treatment of downwash in the ISC2 model, which is based on wind tunnel studies conducted by Huber and Snyder, may be appropriate for very simple configurations, it may not be appropriate for the more complex site configurations typically found at industrial facilities where the structure is located a distance from the stack or is tiered, porous, non-rectangular, or otherwise varies from the basic configuration assumed in the ISC2 downwash algorithm.
Effect of A Nearby Hill on Good Engineering Practice Stack Height
R.L. Petersen, D.K. Parce, J. West, and R. Londergan, Air & Waste Management Association, Paper #93-796, 1993
Abstract: This paper describes the study conducted to determine the effects of a nearby hill on the good engineering practice (GEP) stack height for Metropolitan Edison Company’s Titus Generating Station near Reading, PA. The testing showed that a 175m stack is GEP based on the nearby Highs Hill.
Applications of Wind Tunnel Modeling for Assessing Odor Impacts
R.L. Petersen; Proceedings of the 2008 WEF & AWMA Odor Specialty Conference, Phoenix, AZ, April 6-9, 2008
Abstract: Wind tunnel modeling is a very useful tool to assess and mitigate odors from industrial, laboratory, sewage treatment, hospital, and landfill pollutant sources. This paper discusses the validity of wind tunnel modeling, how these studies are conducted, and also presents three applications to assess and mitigate odor impacts.
