Air quality decision support system for portable sources

Abstract

Air quality permits are issued for both stationary and portable sources of emissions. The Prototype Air Quality Decision Support System (AQDSS) discussed in this paper has limited its scope to portable sources to simplify the development process. Examples of portable sources are: Asphalt & Cement Concrete Batch Plants, and Crushing & Screening Plants. Portable Sources of Air Pollution are Subject to Various State and Federal Permitting Requirements Dependant Upon: the quantity and nature of emissions, the date of manufacture of equipment, the proposed location(s) and dates of operation, the hours of operation, as well as other factors that the decision support system (DSS) must address. An AQDSS for portable sources should accept air quality permit application data, and model the data to generate a recommendation. AQDSS permit recommendations are: Issue an Air Quality Permit (for a Portable Source), Issue with Permit Restrictions (Emission Limits, Hours of Operation Limits, Production Limits, ....), Application Incomplete - Request Additional Information, Do Not Issue Permit, Does Not Require Permit, Requires Operating Permit. An objective of this project, secondary to satisfying the requirements of a Master of Science Degree, was to construct a prototype AQDSS that attempts to satisfy the needs (requirements) of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Air Resources Management Bureau. With that perspective in mind, the AQDSS was intended to facilitate the issuance of air quality permits for portable sources, with the goal of improving DEQ response time and reducing engineer review time. The AQDSS should also, when fully completed, provide an opportunity for an air quality permit applicant to complete and submit an application online. A working prototype can also provide a useful template to expand the DSS to other types of source categories, as well as facilitate communication between the DEQ and the regulated community.