Using Databases with Dispersion Modeling
How to build and use a database to compile model input files and process and analyze model results
A dispersion modeling project requires many types of input data, e.g. source data, emissions data, meteorological data, etc.With all these data, you generate input files and output files. The typical dispersion modeling project involves many dozens of files. How do you keep track of what data is in which file? If a change is made, do you end up searching for which files are impacted by the change and edit each one manually?
In this webinar series, we will walk you through and demonstrate a better approach to track and maintain the data related to your dispersion modeling project. Rather than storing all your project information in dozens of separate text files, you can more easily store all the project data in one relational database. With a database, you can generate input files, process output files, and compile your air quality analysis report easier and quicker than the current practice of scanning through dozens, even hundreds of text files.
Your Instructor
In my 20 year career with the TCEQ, my priority was to give guidance on dispersion modeling, so customers could provide an air quality analysis that the agency could approve. With decreasing agency resources and increasing regulatory demands, review timeframes were becoming extremely important for the agency and its customers. To expedite the review process while increasing the quality, I designed and developed tools to standardize and automate the review of air quality modeling analyses. The result was a more comprehensive and efficient process for agency staff and expeditious reviews for the regulated community.
From what I learned as a regulator, I wanted to provide the same level of automation for those compiling air quality analyses to submit to the TCEQ. Since I designed the system, I know the specifications and content necessary to take advantage of TCEQ’s system to quickly review and approve your analysis.