James Gruhl - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by James Gruhl

Journal of the Air Pollution Control Association, Mar 1, 1983

A simple screening model is presented for estimating maximum ground level concentrations of air p... more A simple screening model is presented for estimating maximum ground level concentrations of air pollutants from single elevated buoyant sources of emissions. The model, which incorporates plausible error margins, is based on the Gaussian dispersion formula. Maximum longer-term (3, 8, 24 h) concentrations are estimated using a joint probability analysis of the persistence of meteorological worst case events.

This report describes an evaluation of the Particle Episodic Model (PEM), an urban scale dispersi... more This report describes an evaluation of the Particle Episodic Model (PEM), an urban scale dispersion model which incorporates deposition, gravitational settling and linear transformation processes into the predecessor model, the Texas Episodic Model (TEM-8). A sensitivity analysis of the model was performed, which included the effects of deposition, gravitational settling and receptor grid size. Recommendations are made to improve the performance and flexibility of the model. PEM was applied to a source inventory of the Philadelphia area to provide a preliminary estimate of source apportionment. PEM modeling employed both hypothetical and actual meteorology. Results indicate that area source emissions dominate TSP, SO2 and sulfate concentrations at urban receptors. A large fraction of the inhalable particles may arrive from distant sources. This report also contains an overview of receptor models (RMs) used for the source apportionment of aerosols. Some diagnostic procedures for RMs are evaluated using a synthetic data set. Described are RM trade-offs and protocols and possible hybrid dispersion/receptor models. Issues regarding the inter-comparison of source apportionments from receptor and dispersion models are highlighted with reference to the 1982 Philadelphia study.

Atmospheric environment, 1983

great number of variables in acid rain modeling makes it difficult to pinpoint those parameters t... more great number of variables in acid rain modeling makes it difficult to pinpoint those parameters to which the model output (rain acidity) is most sensitive. The approach taken here separates the kinetic and dynamic parts, and analyzes the sensitivity of the kinetic module alone. Further simplifications and linearimtions are introduced, however, the essential steps of the t~sformation processes are believed to be preserved. The major conclusions are: (a) rain acidity is most sensitive to both the oxidation rates of SO2 to SOi-and NO, to NO; ; (b) dry deposition of the emitted gases, but not the formed anions, is important in determining the wet-deposited fraction; (c) wet deposition is much faster than oxidation, and acidic matter is removed very rapidly from the air, but it is the oxidation rate that determines the total amount of acidity in rain and (d) for similar initial concentrations of SO2 and NO,, nitrate ions may be the predominant species in wet deposition due to the faster oxidation and slower dry deposition of NO, compared to SO,.

Omega, 1982

There has been a rapidly expanding use of complex models as aids to policy making. However, it ha... more There has been a rapidly expanding use of complex models as aids to policy making. However, it has become increasingly clear that there is little understanding of the capabilities of these models, and thus their credibility and their usefulness have been greatly diminished. To help correct this situation efforts have been conducted to improve some models' usefulness through intensive independent evaluations. The state-of-the-art of the conduct of such evaluations is presented in this article by way of a review of some of the existing literature. In addition, first presented here are three case studies of in-depth model evaluations, particularly concentrating on the lessons learned with regard to the uncovering of assessment issues. A final section contains the lessons that have been learned with regard to predicting the usefulness of specific model assessments, so that the value of future assessments can be maximized through the intelligent selection of candidate models and assessment strategies.

This report provides preliminary results from a study of air pollution health effects in children... more This report provides preliminary results from a study of air pollution health effects in children. The study was conducted in Western Pennsylvania where are located four large coal-fired power plants. Fourteen schools were selected to provide an even coverage of the area.

The Changing World Energy Economy,8th IAEE North American Conference,1986, 1986

This simulator should be viewed as a framework for assembling and manipulating information about ... more This simulator should be viewed as a framework for assembling and manipulating information about the economics, emissions, ambient concentrations, and potential health impacts of different types and configurations of electric power generating facilities. The framework is probabilistic, and thus results in several measures of the range of various consequences, in other words, a graphic display of the quality of 12 _ __ _ _____ __ • _ Table 9 Categories of Environmental Information That Have Been Included in Site-Specific Energy Models RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS 1) Renewable Energy (as % of primary energy) 2) Land Use (acres/yr) A. On-Site Requirements B. Waste Disposal and Other C. Pondage Requirements 3) Manpower Requirement (non-operating, man-yrs) 4) Water Consumption (gallons/yr) 5) Materials Requirements (tons/yr/material) 6) By-Products (disposal costs or sales, $/yr) ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES 1) Emission Standards (% of each standard) 2) Emissions (normal and upset) A. Air Pollutants (tons/yr, BTU/yr for specific pollutants) B. Water Pollutants (tons/yr, BTU/yr specific pollutants) C. Waste Solids (tons/yr for specific wastes) D. Radioactive Pollutants (curies/yr) E. Noise (decibels/full load at plant boundary) 3) Upset Conditions (hrs/yr) 4) Ambient Standards (% of each standard) 5) Occupational Health A. Mortalities Onsite (per year) B. Morbidities Onsite (per year) C. Days Lost Onsite (per year) D. Mortalities Offsite (per year) E. Morbidities Offsite (per year) F. Days Lost Offsite (per year) 6) Public Health (Routine) A. Mortalities (per year) Cancer (total) Cardiovascular Bronchopulmonary CNS B. Mutations (total) C. Morbidities (per year) Respiratory Asthma Pneumonia Chronic Respiratory Children's Thyroid Cardiovascular D. Days Lost (per year) 7) Public Health (Offsite) A. Mortalities (per year) Cancer (total) B. Mutations (total)

High concentrations of sulfuric and nitric acid in raTn fn the northeastern USA are caused by the... more High concentrations of sulfuric and nitric acid in raTn fn the northeastern USA are caused by the large scale combustion of fossil fuels within this region. Average precipitation acidity is pH 4.2, but spatial and temporal fluctuations of *1 pH unit have been observed. Amelioration of rain acidity requires significant reduction of precursor emissions-the oxides of sulfur and nitrogen. Such reduction of emissions from existing sources will be difficult and expensive. A pending legislativp proposal to reduce eastern U.S. emissions of SO 2 by 10 Mty-' below the 1980 level of 22.5 Mty-1 would reduce the acid sulfate deposition rate in the Adirondack mountains, an environmentally sensitive area, from 30 to 21.4 kg ha-ly-l. Based upon source/receptor modeling, an equal reduction of Adirondack sulfate deposition rate could be achieved by a 7 Mty-SO 2 emission reduction if the reduction is allocated according to source proximity to the sensitive area. The cost of reducing 10 Mty-1 SO 2 emissions is estimated at 5to5 to 5to8 billion per year. Considerably lower costs could be realized in an emission control scheme that is the more stringent the nearer the sources are to the environmentally sensitive areas, and if novel approaches are implemented, such as seasonal or episodic emission reduction, NOx vs. SO 2 emission control, emission redistribution, and least emission electricity dispatch. Substantial emission reductions will probably be achieved in the more distant future by employing new combustion technology, such as lime injected multistage combustion, fluidized bed combustion, coal gasifier combined cycle, magnetohydrodynamics, andpossibly others.

This report lists and discusses the types of information that are necessary for making decisions ... more This report lists and discusses the types of information that are necessary for making decisions about the allocation of R&D funds among various electric power related energy technologies. The discussion is divided into two parts: (1) the task of choosing among different technologies and (2) the task of guiding toward the most important specific projects within an individual technology. To choose among alternative energy technologies requires assumptive information, assessment information, probabilistic information, and techniques for quantifying the overall desirability of each alternative. Guidance toward the most important projects requires information about levels and uncertainties of certain performance measures and their importance relative to external thresholds or relative to the performance of competing technologies. Some simple examples are presented to illustrate the discussion. A bibliography of more than 200 important references in this field was compiled and is appended to this report. iii

This report describes work performed as a subcontract to Argonne National Laboratory's project "E... more This report describes work performed as a subcontract to Argonne National Laboratory's project "Environmental Control Technology for Generation of Power from Coal." The intention of thatArgonne Program is to provide an independently developed assessment of alternative environmental control technologies for coal-fired electric power generation and to develop an independently evaluated set of recommendations for future environmental control technology research, development, and demonstration programs for these processes. This report describes a probabilistic, systems analytic methodology appropriate for use in comparing the alternative control technologies. In addition to the discussions about this probabilistic framework, there are examples.of the use of the framework for comparative purposes. Information is presented on the methods and sources for making these comparisons on health effects bases, as well as the relevant economic, technological, availability, resource use, emissions, and ambient-level information. In addition, there are bibliographies of key references in the related areas.

This report review of the state-level Advanced Utility Simulation Model (AUSM) consists of six se... more This report review of the state-level Advanced Utility Simulation Model (AUSM) consists of six self-contained modules integrated into a single comuter program. The review examines each of the six modules to identify issues requiring further modeling research and analysis, and to provide potential users with information on using the model and on interpretation of model results. The Executive Overview provides

Mass., as a summary account of the work performed on prediction of air pollution standards and st... more Mass., as a summary account of the work performed on prediction of air pollution standards and strategies for meeting those standards. This research was sponsored by Northeast Utilities Service Corporation, under the principal direction of Denning Powell and with the assistance of William Renfro, and was sponsored by New England Electric System, under the initial direction of Bradley Schrader, and later Jack Walsh.

The Energy Laboratory was established by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a Special L... more The Energy Laboratory was established by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a Special Laboratory of the Institute for research on the complex societal and technological problems of the supply, demand and consumption of energy. Its full-time staff assists in focusing the diverse research at the Institute to permit undertaking of long term interdisciplinary projects of considerable magnitude. For any specific program, the relative roles of the Energy Laboratory, other special laboratories, academic departments and laboratories depend upon the technologies and issues involved. Because close coupling with the normal l academic teaching and research activities of the Institute is an important feature of the Energy Laboratory, its principal activities are conducted on the Institute's Cambridge Campus.

Journal of the Air Pollution Control Association, 1983

Journal of the Air Pollution Control Association, Mar 1, 1983

Atmospheric environment, 1983

Omega, 1982

The Changing World Energy Economy,8th IAEE North American Conference,1986, 1986

Journal of the Air Pollution Control Association, 1983