Lakes Environmental e-Newsletter
News & Events
IRAP-h View™ Version 4.0 Released!
Lakes Environmental Software is proud to announce the immediate availability of IRAP-h View 4, the latest release of our human health risk assessment software. IRAP-h View 4 is the result of a combined effort by our entire team.
This latest release introduces many new tools to an already comprehensive feature set. Here are just a few of the tools now available as part of our IRAP-h View software:
- Export to Google Earth™ – export several project layers such as sources, receptors, and output contour results to Google Earth.
- New Project Wizard - takes you step-by-step through initial project setup options for creating a new IRAP-h View project.
- Import/Export Waterbodies and Watersheds - Waterbodies can be imported and exported from a text file.
- Produce Soil Mixing Zone Depth – A second soil mixing zone depth may now be specified under risk receptor site parameters.
Please take some time to review our Release Notes for IRAP-h View Version 4 for a complete list of these new features.
If you are currently in maintenance for IRAP-h View and did not receive an email regarding the update, please contact us at support@weblakes.com.
If you are a user of IRAP-h View but are no longer in maintenance please contact sales@weblakes.com to find out how you can get up and running on this latest release!
SLAB View™ Version 4.0 Released!
Lakes Environmental is pleased to announce the release of SLAB View Version 4.0 on September 11, 2009.
With this latest version of SLAB View comes several new features including:
- Export to Google Earth™ – export several project layers such as sources, puffs and plume footprints to Google Earth.
- New Project Wizard – takes you step-by-step through initial project setup options for creating a new SLAB View project.
- Microsoft® Windows VISTA® and 64-Bit OS Compatible
- Cross Section Tool - allows you to graphically define a line segment within your modeling domain for which you would like to view available data.
For a complete list of the changes and new features available in SLAB View Version 4, please see our latest Release Notes.
If you are currently in maintenance for SLAB View and did not receive an email regarding this update, please contact us at support@weblakes.com.
If you are a user of SLAB View but are no longer in maintenance, contact us at sales@weblakes.com. We have special pricing available for a limited time to update your current license to version 4!
Product Spotlight - CAM Web™
Compliance Assurance Monitoring Model
CAM Web (Compliance Assurance Monitoring Model) is a real-time web-based program which demonstrates the correlation between pollutant emissions from industrial processes and their impact concentrations. CAM Web performs continuous air dispersion modeling runs to project the 
most probable outcomes for a collection of user-defined operating scenarios. This projection uses forecast meteorology data and data from monitoring stations as input to the dispersion model to calculate the expected concentrations of a pollutant based on source parameters and emission properties.
CAM Web allows you to perform culpability analysis, assist in demonstrating regulatory compliance, and manages emergency scenarios. All of these functions can be performed using our dynamic, user-friendly interface which provides a wide range of information to the operator. Real-time predictions for pollutant impacts can be conveniently viewed in graphical or tabular form. Alerts are displayed if the forecast predicts conditions which could lead to an exceedance of regulatory standards.
CAM Web’s Main Features:
- Air dispersion modeling using the CALPUFF model
- Ability to generate new air dispersion forecasts every 5 minutes
- Detailed reports on expected conditions including alerts when specific conditions are expected
- Ability to maintain unlimited model scenarios and startup conditions
- Powerful plotting and graphics for viewing projected impacts, meteorology, and more
- Custom built-in reporting functions
CAM Web is a highly customizable software package that can be adapted to the specific needs of your organization. This system uses your site’s emissions sources, monitors, emission information, and other site details. Our graphical interface can be tailored to include displays that suit whatever requirements you might have for control room operators, engineers, modeling specialists, or other users.
For more information or to schedule a web demonstration for you and your colleagues please contact sales@weblakes.com.
We look forward to hearing from you!
A&WMA Conference -
Guideline on Air Quality Models: Next Generation of Models
Next week, Raleigh, North Carolina will host modelers, regulators, and consultants attending the A&WMA’s Conference: Guideline on Air Quality Models: Next Generation of Models.
This conference will allow attendees to take part in a technical forum to discuss proposed changes to the US EPA’s Guide on Air Quality Models.
Lakes Environmental is a proud sponsor of this exciting event and will have an exhibit table with information regarding our many software packages and services available. We invite you to drop by to see what’s new!
Register today by visiting the event website.
Successful AUSTAL Course Held in Cologne, Germany
On September 21-22, 2009, our German partner, ArguSoft, held another highly successful AUSTAL View workshop for 55 attendees from various countries.
The sessions were chaired by ArguSoft’s Wolfram Bahmann and included such topics as:
- Discussions on new guideline VDI 3783/13
- Prognostic wind field models in regards to AUSTAL2000
- New functionalities of AUSTAL View
- Parallel processing for AUSTAL2000 model
- TALDAP methodology – surveying and recommending met data for impact statements
AERMOD & CALPUFF Courses in Brazil
Lakes Environmental is delighted to be returning to Brazil in November for a week of AERMOD and CALPUFF training in São Paulo. This course will be hosted by our Brazilian distributor, SECA. Presentation of this course will be in Portuguese and course materials will be in English.
The AERMOD course is sold out but there are still a few spaces left for the CALPUFF course!
Register today in order to reserve your spot.
Lakes Environmental at Pollutec Horizons!
In December, Lakes Environmental will travel to Paris, France to take part as exhibitors at the Pollutec Horizons Conference & Exhibition. Our President, Dr. Jesse Thé and Director of Software Quality, Mrs. Cristiane Thé, along with our German partner, Mr. Wolfram Bahmann, will be located in the Canadian Section of the International Pavilion in aisle L/L, stand 052-062 to answer any questions you may have regarding our exciting range of software solutions and services.
Drop by our booth for software demonstrations and your chance to win a free copy of AERMOD View™! We look forward to seeing you there!
Lakes Environmental Is On The Move!
Lakes Environmental is happy to announce that we are moving to a new location. As of November 1, 2009 we will be located at a new facility in order to serve your needs even better.
For your convenience the address for our new office is listed below. Please ensure that you update your records to reflect this change. Our phone and fax numbers will remain the same.
Lakes Environmental Software
60 Bathurst Drive, Unit 6
Waterloo, Ontario, N2V 2A9 CANADA
Phone: +1.519.746.5995 | Fax: +1.519.746.0793
Please note that starting at noon on October 29th, we will have limited access to company phones, fax and e-mail. We will be up and running from our new location on Monday November 2nd.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this time of transition. We look forward to hearing from you at our new facility!
Upcoming Courses
Date |
Course |
Location |
Registration |
Nov 09-10, 2009 |
FULL |
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Nov 11-13, 2009 |
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Nov 16-17, 2009 |
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Mar 15-16, 2010 |
Registration Coming Soon! |
For more information on the above courses, including registration information, location, and course outlines, please visit our web site: https://www.weblakes.com/courses.html.
Modeling Tip
Percentiles in CALPUFF
In some scenarios it is useful, or required, to display concentrations in terms of percentiles, rather than displaying nth highest (ranked) values. CALPUFF does not support this option directly, but the same results can be achieved using the Ranked Values option in CALPOST.
What is a Percentile?
A percentile is a concentration below which a certain percentage of all of the calculated concentrations fall. For example, the 98th percentile is the concentration below which 98% of the concentrations fall. Percentile values are calculated independently at each receptor, in the same way that ranked values are.
Relating Ranked Values to Percentiles
It is possible to determine a percentile value using ranked values, as long as we know how many concentration values were calculated. For example, if we ran CALPUFF for 100 hours with a one hour average, the second highest value would correspond to the 98th percentile, as 98% of the concentrations are below the second highest value. There is no standard equation to determine the rank corresponding to a percentile, but one example is:
R = N – Round[(P/100) * N - ½]
where
R = Rank
N = number of concentrations
P = percentile value
Round = a function that rounds to the nearest integer
Note: Depending on the number of values that you have, a percentile may fall between two ranked values – you can either use an equation such as the one above, or you can interpolate between the two ranked values closest to the percentile.
Ranked Values in CALPOST
Ranked values are specified in the CALPOST input file using the parameter ITOP. Once you have determined which ranked values you need, simply specify them in CALPOST and run to see your results.
The default CALPOST executable only allows ranked values up to a rank of 10 to be created. If you require ranks beyond 10, you must recompile CALPOST with the parameter MXRNK adjusted accordingly.
Submit Your Modeling Tip Today!
We are currently accepting submissions for the Monthly Modeling Tip that appears in our newsletters. If you have a modeling tip that may benefit a variety of people, please send it to us at support@weblakes.com. Your name and the name of your organization will appear below the tip providing you with greater exposure.
Articles
Green Britain Needs a Swift Change in Carbon Emissions Policy
GLOBE-Net (Oct. 12, 2009) — The first annual report to Parliament by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), published today, concludes that a step change is required in the pace of UK emissions reduction to meet carbon budgets, and that in some areas, new policy approaches will be required to deliver the Government’s Low Carbon Transition Plan.
The Climate Change Act requires the Committee to report each year on emissions reductions relative to the UK’s carbon budgets. Complete sets of emissions data are not yet available for the initial year (2008) of the first budget. In this first monitoring report, the Committee has therefore focused on analysing progress in the years running up to the first budget period, understanding the impact of the recession on emissions, and identifying leading indicators (e.g. investments or policies which need to be in place) which the Committee will track to ensure early warning of future possible under-achievement versus budget.
Read Article
No Deal on Crucial Issues as Climate Talks End
BANGKOK (Oct. 9, 2009) - The United States was heavily criticized Friday at the U.N. climate talks in Bangkok for failing to offer emission cuts or financing for developing countries — both considered crucial to reaching a global warming pact this year.
The Bangkok talks ended just as it was announced that President Barack Obama had won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, for among other things strengthening the U.S. role in combating climate change. U.N. climate chief Yvo de Boer said he hoped the award would spur progress when the U.S. delegation arrives in Copenhagen in December for crucial climate negotiations.
Read Article
Canada and Alberta to Invest in Major Carbon Capture Project
EDMONTON (Oct. 8, 2009) - The Governments of Canada and Alberta are investing more than $850 million in clean energy technologies that will dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the heart of Alberta’s Tar Sands.
Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt and Alberta Energy Minister Mel Knight, announced the signing of a letter of intent with Shell Canada on behalf of the Athabasca Oil Sands project which will support the development of a large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) project at the Shell Quest project in Alberta.
Read Article
We Energies Says Carbon-Capture Project Works
PLEASANT PRAIRIE (Oct. 8, 2009) – An $8 million pilot project in Wisconsin successfully showed that carbon dioxide can be captured and kept from being released from the smokestacks of coal-fired power plants, We Energies and two partners said Thursday.
The project was the first real-life demonstration of technology that uses chilled ammonia to act as a magnet to capture the greenhouse gas and purify it for possible shipment into underground geological formations instead of into the air.
The Wisconsin project, at the Pleasant Prairie Power Plant, was able to grab at least 90% of the greenhouse gas, officials said, and the French company Alstom that developed the technology is optimistic its next test will capture even more carbon dioxide.
Read Article
EPA Finalizes the Nation’s First Greenhouse Gas Reporting System/Monitoring to Begin in 2010
WASHINGTON (Sept. 22, 2009) – On January 1, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will, for the first time, require large emitters of heat-trapping emissions to begin collecting greenhouse gas (GHG) data under a new reporting system. This new program will cover approximately 85 percent of the nation’s GHG emissions and apply to roughly 10,000 facilities.
“This is a major step forward in our effort to address the greenhouse gases polluting our skies,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “For the first time, we begin collecting data from the largest facilities in this country, ones that account for approximately 85 percent of the total U.S. emissions. The American public, and industry itself, will finally gain critically important knowledge and with this information we can determine how best to reduce those emissions.”
Read Article
Upcoming Conferences & Trade Shows
Date |
Conference |
Location |
Oct 26-27, 2009 |
Carbon Forum Asia 2009 |
Singapore |
Oct 26-29, 2009 |
Air Quality VII Conference |
Arlington, Virginia, USA |
Oct 28-30, 2009 |
A&WMA's Conference - Guideline on Air Quality Models: Next Generation of Models* |
Raleigh, North Carolina, USA |
Nov 16-19, 2009 |
11th International Symposium on Environmental Issues and Waste Management in Energy and Mineral Production (SWEMP 2009) |
Banff, Alberta, Canada |
Nov 19-23, 2009 |
SETAC 30th Annual Meeting |
New Orleans, Lousiana, USA |
Dec 1-4, 2009 |
Pollutec Horizons* |
Paris, France |
Jan. 18-31, 2010 |
World Future Energy Summit |
Abu Dhabi, UAE |
Feb. 1-3, 2010 |
13th Energy & Environment Conference (EUEC) |
Phoenix, Arizona, USA |
* Lakes Environmental is attending both A&WMA's Conference & Pollutec Horizons
About this Newsletter
This newsletter contains information gleaned from various sources on the web, with complete links to the sources cited. Organizations cited are in no way affiliated with Lakes Environmental Software.
Lakes Environmental Software is a leading environmental IT company that offers a complete line of air dispersion modeling, risk assessment, emissions inventory, and emergency release software as well as training and custom software services. With satisfied users located around the globe, Lakes Environmental Software will continue to revolutionize the environmental software field.
For more information please visit our web site at: www.weblakes.com. You may also contact us by phone at (519) 746-5995 or by fax at (519) 746-0793.
All comments and suggestions are welcome. You can e-mail us at: support@weblakes.com.
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