Evaluation of the Theoretical Problems with Building Downwash Using A New Method to Determine Equivalent Building Dimensions
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The document discusses the evaluation of equivalent building dimensions (EBD) derived from wind tunnel and AERMOD methods for air quality modeling. It presents a comparison of both approaches, concluding that wind tunnel-derived EBDs are preferred over those from AERMOD due to discrepancies in predictions. The study highlights the importance of accurate building dimensions in assessing building downwash effects on air quality.
Evaluation of the Theoretical Problems with Building Downwash Using A New Method to Determine Equivalent Building Dimensions
- 1. www.cppwind.comwww.cppwind.com Evaluating AERMOD and Wind Tunnel Derived Equivalent Building Dimensions Guideline on Air Quality Models: The New Path A&WMA’s 6th Specialty Conference - Chapel Hill, NC Abstract #25 April 13, 2016 Sergio A. Guerra, Ph.D. – CPP Inc. Ron Petersen, Ph.D., CCM – CPP Inc.
- 2. www.cppwind.comwww.cppwind.com Outline • Background • Classic EBD Method – Wind Tunnel-Derived EBD • Experimental Method – AERMOD-Derived EBD • Evaluation of WT and AERMOD Derived EBD • Conclusions
- 4. www.cppwind.comwww.cppwind.com Building Profile Input Program (BPIP) Figure created in BREEZE ® Downwash Analyst BREEZE is a registered Trademark of Trinity Consultants, Inc.
- 5. www.cppwind.comwww.cppwind.com PRIME AERMOD’s Building Downwash Algorithm • Used EPA wind tunnel data base and past literature • Developed analytical equations for cavity height, reattachment, streamline angle, wind speed and turbulence • Developed for specific building dimensions • When buildings outside of these dimensions, theory falls apart
- 6. www.cppwind.comwww.cppwind.com BPIP Diagnostic Tool http://bit.do/cppwind-BPIPDiagnostic Likely Overprediction Factor for each Flow Vector Source 1
- 7. www.cppwind.comwww.cppwind.com ComplianceCompliance CPP’s EBDCPP’s EBD BPIP Diagnostic ToolBuilding Geometry Meteorological Data Terrain Data AERMET AERMAP Operating Parameters AERMOD OtherInputs Building Inputs BPIP Diagnostic Tool
- 8. www.cppwind.comwww.cppwind.com • Equivalent Building Dimensions (EBDs) are the dimensions (height, width, length and location) that are input into AERMOD in place of BPIP dimensions to more accurately predict building wake effects • Guidance originally developed when ISC was the preferred model – – EPA, 1994. Wind Tunnel Modeling Demonstration to Determine Equivalent Building Dimensions for the Cape Industries Facility, Wilmington, North Carolina. Joseph A. Tikvart Memorandum, dated July 25, 1994. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC • Determined using wind tunnel modeling What is EBD?
- 10. www.cppwind.comwww.cppwind.com Measure Ground-level Concentrations Data taken until good fit and max obtained Automated Max GL Concentration Mapper
- 11. www.cppwind.comwww.cppwind.com Measure Ground-level Concentrations With Site Structures Present Tracer from stack Max ground-level concentrations measured versus x
- 12. www.cppwind.comwww.cppwind.com Measure Ground-level Concentrations w/ Various EBD in Place of Site Structures Tracer from stack Max ground-level concentrations measured versus x
- 14. www.cppwind.comwww.cppwind.com Summary of Approved Projects • Studies conducted and approved using original guidance for ISC applications – Amoco Whiting Refinery, Region 5, 1990 – Public Service Electric & Gas, Region 2, 1993 – Cape Industries, Region 4, 1993 – Cambridge Electric Plant, Region 1, 1993 – District Energy, Region 5, 1993 – Hoechst Celanese Celco Plant, Region 3, 1994 – Pleasants Power, Region 3, 2002 • Studies conducted using original guidance for AERMOD/PRIME applications – Hawaiian Electric (Approved), Region 9, 1998 – Mirant Power Station (Approved), Region 3, 2006 – Cheswick Power Plant (Approved), Region 3, 2006 – Radback Energy (Protocol Approved), Region IX, 2010 • After 2011 EPA Clearinghouse Memo – Chevron 1 (Study Approved), Region 4, 2012 – Chevron 2 (Study Approved), Region 4, 2013 – Confidential Project (In process), Region 4, 2015 – Confidential Project, Region 10, 2016
- 16. www.cppwind.comwww.cppwind.com AERMOD-Derived EBD • Step 1: Wind Tunnel Study to Establish Maximum Ground-Level Profile Mapping with the No Site Structures Present Case
- 17. www.cppwind.comwww.cppwind.com AERMOD-Derived EBD • Step 2: Adjust AERMOD Inputs for the No Site Structures Present Case
- 18. www.cppwind.comwww.cppwind.com AERMOD-Derived EBD • Step 3: Wind Tunnel Study to Establish Max. Ground-Level Profile Mapping with Site Structures Present
- 19. www.cppwind.comwww.cppwind.com AERMOD-Derived EBD • Step 4: AERMOD-Derived EBD
- 20. www.cppwind.comwww.cppwind.com Comparison between Wind Tunnel and AERMOD-Derived EBDs
- 21. www.cppwind.comwww.cppwind.com Comparison of WT-derived and AERMOD-derived EBD profiles
- 22. www.cppwind.comwww.cppwind.com Conclusion • Adjustments to key parameters in the *.sfc and *.pfl meteorological files can be used to get better agreement between WT and AERMOD MGL concentrations for the no site structures present case • After these adjustments the AERMOD-EBD do not match the Wind Tunnel-EBD
- 23. www.cppwind.comwww.cppwind.com Conclusion • Discrepancy suggests that AERMOD is not suitable to evaluate EBDs derived from WT observations • Wind Tunnel-derived EBD are still the preferred method to replace BPIP-generated ones
- 24. www.cppwind.comwww.cppwind.com Ron Petersen, PhD, CCM Sergio A. Guerra, PhD rpetersen@cppwind.com sguerra@cppwind.com Mobile: +1 970 690 1344 Mobile: + 612 584 9595 CPP, Inc. 2400 Midpoint Drive, Suite 190 Fort Collins, CO 80525 + 970 221 3371 www.cppwind.com @CPPWindExperts Thanks!