RAM: Gaussian Plume Multiple Source Air Quality Algorithm

DESCRIPTION

The RAM program implements a gaussian plume multiple source air quality model that simulates the short term (1-24 hours) ground level concentrations of a pollutant at an urban scale on flat terrain. Its main features are the possibility of taking into account elevated area sources and of computing pollutant concentrations in no wind conditions. Chemical reactions are simply evaluated as a first order decay with a user defined time constant. The model uses the hypothesis of the narrow plume, so that only the sources within a 22.5° sector influence a given receptor site.

Keywords

description: air quality, gaussian plume, elevated sources
objectives: simulation
application: point sources, area sources, urban environment, short term, flat terrain

SOFTWARE AVAILABILITY

      
         The model is part of UNAMAP and is available on diskette from:      
           Computer Products      
           National Technical Information Service      
           U. S. Department of Commerce      
           Springfield, Virginia 22161      
           Phone (703) 487-4650      
         

AUTHORS

      
           Joseph A. Catalano      
           Aerocomp, Inc.      
           3303 Harbor Boulevard      
           Costa Mesa, CA 92626      
           D. Bruce Turner and Joan H. Novak      
           EPA MD/ASRL      
           RTP, NC 27711      
         

REFERENCES

• M.M. Benarie, "Urban air pollution modelling" Dr David Moore Editore, 1980;
• G.A.Briggs, "Plume rise predictions", Lectures on Air Pollutions and Environmental Impact Analyses, American Meteorological Aociety, Boston, MA, pp.59-111, 1975;
• G.A.Briggs,"Plume rise and buoyancy effects", Atmospheric Science and Power Productions (edited by D.Randerson), Ch.8 DOE/TIC-27601, Technical Information Center, Department Of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN, 1984;
• G.A.Briggs, DIFFUSION ESTIMATION FOR SMALL EMISSIONS USAEC report ATDL-106. U.S. Atomic Energy Commision, Oak Ridge, TN, 1974;
• EPA Publication No. EPA 600/4- 76-030b. U:S Enviromental protection Agency, research trianglre Park, NC., 1980;
• EPA-450/2-78-027R, 1986. GUIDELINE ON AIR QUALITY MODELS U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1986;
• F.A.Gifford, "Turbolent diffusion typing schemes - A review", Nuclear safety, 17:68-86, 1976
• Y.Ku,S.R.Rao,K.S.Rao, "A comparison study of three urban air pollution models", A.E. Vol.23, 1989;
• GD.B.Turner, J.H.Novak; "User's guide for RAM", Vols I e II, U:S: Enviromental Protection Agency Reports EPA-600/8- 78-016 a and b, Research Triangle Park, NC, 1978.

VALIDATION STUDIES

• H.Ellis, P.Lou, G.Dalzell,"Comparison Study of Measured and Predicted Concentrations with the RAM Model at Two Power Plants Along Lake Erie", Second Joint Conference on Applications of Air Pollution Meteorology, New Orleans, 1980;
• Y.Ku,S.R.Rao,K.S.Rao, "A comparison study of three urban air pollution models", A.E. Vol.23, 1989.

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