Patent Application
20070050179
This invention relates generally to mathematical modeling, and particularly to a web-based tool for modeling dispersion of emissions in air.
Regulatory bodies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), regulate emission sources of a variety of contaminants. In particular, in 40 C.F.R. 51 the EPA provides a “Guideline on Air Quality Models” (the “Guideline”) that establishes standardized models for regulated emission sources to use when modeling dispersion of emissions, such as for purposes of applying for and receiving permits to operate. The EPA periodically updates the preferred air dispersion models described in the Guideline. Recently the EPA established the AMS/EPA Regulatory Model (AERMOD) to replace the Industrial Source Complex (ISC) model as the preferred air dispersion model in the Guide.
To date, tools/models available commercially that incorporate ISC and AERMOD standards are cumbersome in that, for example, the models require re-entry of large amounts of data each time a run of the model is carried out; the models are expensive in that they are generally run locally at a user's computer, and charges for the model are assessed for each user running the model. Additionally, large amounts of data are often processed in a modeling run and processing speed and capacity may be limited by the processing capacity of a user's personal computer.
Thus, a need persists for dispersion modeling tools that lower costs, increase processing capacity, and store data that can be re-used in future modeling runs.
Provided are dispersion modeling methods carried out by presenting a user interface to a user where the interface is maintained by a host remote to the user; receiving user data inputs including emissions data at a storage module remote to the user via the user interface; executing dispersion modeling based at least in part on the emissions data via a transaction module coupled to the host; storing user data inputs and dispersion modeling outputs so that the inputs and outputs are available for retrieval and use in subsequent dispersion modeling runs.
Also provided are dispersion modeling systems including a user interface through which users may interact with a host including creating and maintaining a user account, inputting user data, and requesting dispersion modeling; a host that maintains user data and that is coupled to a transaction module; a storage module coupled to a transaction module, the storage module stores user data including emissions data and output modeling data related to multiple modeling runs; a transaction module that processes user data including modeling dispersion data.
In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . ”. Also, the term “couple” or “couples” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct electrical or communicative connection. Thus, if a first component couples to a second component, that connection may be through a direct connection, or through an indirect connection via other devices and connections. It is further noted that all functions described herein may be performed in either hardware or software, or a combination thereof, unless indicated otherwise.
In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention,
Methods in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention may also be described in reference to the system 100 of
In some embodiments the host is a vendor that offers dispersion modeling services via the internet. The dispersion modeling system may include a web site as a user interface, through which users can register and create accounts with the host. Additionally, the host maintains a storage module that stores user data and a transaction module that carries out dispersion modeling based at least in part on emissions data provided by a user. Thus, a plurality of users may create accounts with the host and carry out dispersion modeling remotely via the web-based modeling system utilizing the storage module and transaction module capacity of the host.
In addition to allowing registration and access to the dispersion modeling system, the user interface allows users to submit jobs, view the status of jobs, upload input files, and download output files reflecting the results of dispersion modeling runs.
The storage module stores user data inputs including user identifying information and data relevant to dispersion modeling. Additionally, the storage module stores dispersion modeling outputs such that a catalog of modeling data may be accumulated for reference/reuse by the user. Such catalogued historical data may later be searched and retrieved from the database as desired. Additionally, output analysis tools may be available to assist the user in analyzing output data.
The transaction module carries out dispersion modeling for a user based on a model maintained by the host and data input by the user. Non-limiting examples of input parameters and data supplied by the user in order to carry out dispersion modeling include facility and building information, release parameter information, emission rates (even for multiple pollutants), control parameters, land use data, terrain data, and meteorological data. Depending on the availability of processing capacity, the transaction module may also queue dispersion modeling jobs. In some embodiments, the transaction module includes a bank of servers, such as Fortran servers, available depending upon the number and size, even for multi-pollutant runs, of the dispersion modeling jobs requested at any one time. Additional optimization options may include parallel processing.
In various embodiments, a plurality of independent users with emissions concerns may create accounts with the host by registering and providing user specific information via a web site hosted by the host, including a storage module and transaction module. Each user may have its own account with the host.
User account information is stored in a storage module provided by the host. Additionally, each user may input data to its account that is relevant to dispersion modeling. Such data, such as emissions data, is also stored in the storage module, associated with the user's account, and maintained and updated by the user as desired.
The host maintains the transaction module, which upon the request of a user via the web site may carry out dispersion modeling based on the user's data inputs. In various embodiments, the transaction module carries out dispersion modeling according to the Federal “Guidelines on Air Quality Models” as described in 40 C.F.R. 51. Examples of such dispersion modeling are the AMS/EPA Regulatory Model (AERMOD) and Industrial Source Complex (ISC) model.
Typically users create an account and input data relevant for dispersion modeling according to the AERMOD or ISC models in order to comply with requirements to receive permits. Thus, in order to periodically renew a permit or receive a permit under new emission conditions, additional modeling runs may be required. The storage module of the dispersion modeling system stores dispersion modeling output data such that a user does not have to input the same data over and over each time an additional dispersion modeling run is needed. Rather, relevant historical data that is stored and remains constant may be reused, in addition to new data that may be relevant to reflect a change in conditions at the emission source.
The user interface 202 allows users to submit dispersion modeling jobs; view the status of dispersion modeling jobs; upload emission and condition data input files; download dispersion modeling data output files; and register/create an account within the host's dispersion modeling system. The shared database 204 stores user information, as well as dispersion modeling inputs and outputs.
The Windows service 210 in the Fortran server 208 queues dispersion modeling jobs and manages the Fortran executable 214 that runs modeling jobs.
The Windows service 210 periodically polls the database 204 for jobs that are ready for execution. When the system is ready to execute the next dispersion modeling job, the windows service 210 reads the input file from the database 204 and writes the input file to the file system 212. The Windows service 210 further summons the Fortran model from the Fortran executable 214 element, which reads the input from the file system 212, runs the dispersion modeling job, and writes the dispersion modeling output to the file system 212. Finally, the Windows service 210 polls the file system 212 for the output from the executable 214, writes the output to the database 204, updates the status of the job, and sends an e-mail notification to the user 201 that the job submitted is complete. During the course of the time while the job is in the queue and then processed, the user 201 may query the job status via the web-based application 202 to the database 204, which displays the status of the job, including an output file if the job is complete, via the web-based application 202.
Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made which will achieve some of the advantages of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, it will be obvious to those reasonably skilled in the art that, although the description was primarily directed to a particular hardware system and operating system, other hardware and operating systems could be used in the same manner as that described. Other aspects, such as the specific instructions utilized to achieve a particular function, as well as other modifications to the inventive concept are intended to be covered by the appended claims.
This non-provisional application claims priority based upon prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/710,885 filed Aug. 24, 2005 in the name of Steven Mark Probst, entitled “Remote Air Modeling,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60710885 | Aug 2005 | US |
