Courses

Enhance your learning by taking a course at ACE!

All courses will be conducted on Monday, June 5 from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Continuing Education credit opportunities are available. Register for courses on the ACE 2023 Registration page.

Course Instructor Bios

Course Descriptions

AIR-299: AERMOD Air Dispersion Modeling
Instructor: Michael Hammer, CCM, Senior Meteorologist
Level: Beginner

The course provides attendees with a full understanding of the AERMOD modeling system by balancing theory with hands-on-real world case studies. At the end of this course, participants should be able to understand the basics of regulatory air dispersion modeling for permit applications and risk assessments.

No prerequisites are required. Attendees will be required to bring their own laptop.

AIR- 262: Puff Dispersion Modeling Course with CALPUFF and SCICHEM
Instructor: Jesse Thé, Ph.D., P.Eng., President/CEO, Lakes Environmental Software
Level: Intermediate

The recent changes to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Guideline on Air Quality Models (40 CFR Part 51 Appendix W) did not list a specific model as preferred for long-range pollutant transport applications. This opens an avenue for modelers to choose from a variety of models. Two models which perform well in both near and far-field applications are CALPUFF and SCIPUFF, puff models which simulate full three-dimensional gridded fields. This course will provide an overview of these modeling systems and their capabilities, including many recent developments.

This course builds upon essential ADM concepts demonstrating the potential for accurate results at small and large scales or in regions of immense complexity. At the end of the course the attendee will be able to use the appropriate model necessary for a variety of regulatory applications, efficiently using the model at-hand. Case studies will be used throughout the course giving "real world" applicability to atmospheric dispersion theory.

No prerequisites are required. Attendees will be required to bring their own laptop.

AIR-250: Why Doesn’t My Pollution Control Meet My Needs? — Basic Theory and Design of PM, NO_x, and SO₂ Emission Controls
Instructor: Thomas W. Easterly, P.E.
Level: Beginner and Intermediate

Regulated entities often need to use emission controls to meet regulatory limits required to protect our air quality. This course will detail the theory of operation and significant design and operational parameters that impact the ability of the controls to meet the emission limits for the following types of controls:

Electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) for particulate matter (TSP, PM10, PM2.5)
Fabric filters (baghouses) for particulate matter (TSP, PM10, PM2.5)
Selective catalytic reduction units (SCRs) for oxides of nitrogen (NOx)
Wet flue gas desulfurization units (scrubbers or FGDs) for oxides of sulfur (SOx)

Each of these control types are successfully used; however, there are also instances of exceedances of emission limits when they are not operated within their design parameters. This course will focus on the most important parameters impacting the emission reductions that can be achieved by each of these controls. The goal is to be able to answer the question: “Why isn’t my emission control working the way I expect it to?”

EMGM-230: Environmental Risk Communication
Instructor: Susan Zummo Forney, Founder, EHS Communication Partners, Inc.
Level: Beginner and Intermediate

If you manage environmental issues, it's not a matter of if, but when you will be faced with risk communication challenges. "Environmental Risk Communication" lays the groundwork for building good relationships and engaging in constructive dialog with stakeholders and the general public. Participants will learn the key strategies for preparing a principled plan of action, how to avoid common missteps, and how to deal with outrage. The course delivers candid advice, plenty of real-world examples and hands-on exercises based on more than three decades of experience in environmental risk communication.