AERMOD Air Dispersion Modelling Training Course

Course overview

Environmental permit applications, compliance demonstrations and source-expansion decisions often depend on whether predicted concentrations are credible, traceable and defensible. AERMOD users must convert emissions data, stack parameters, terrain, buildings and multi-year meteorology into a model that reflects the facility rather than a set of default assumptions. Errors in receptor placement, meteorological processing, downwash treatment or output interpretation can lead to avoidable redesign, regulator challenge, delayed approvals or poorly targeted controls.

This five-day course develops practical capability in the AERMOD modelling system, including AERMET meteorological processing, AERMAP terrain and receptor processing, source and receptor specification, building downwash assessment with BPIPPRM, and post-processing of concentration results. Participants learn how to set model options, prepare and quality-check input files, select averaging periods and receptors, assess model messages, run sensitivity checks, and interpret predicted impacts against applicable air-quality criteria. The course also addresses the assumptions, limitations and documentation expectations that distinguish a reproducible regulatory model from an exploratory screening run.

Instructor-led demonstrations are followed by guided modelling labs using a realistic industrial facility case. Participants progressively build, run and review an AERMOD assessment, troubleshoot deliberately introduced input and processing issues, and discuss technical decisions with peers. Each participant leaves with an annotated model input set, run outputs, a receptor-impact interpretation, a QA checklist and a structured technical memorandum outline that can be adapted for workplace modelling assignments.

The course is designed for environmental professionals who already work with emissions, permitting, air-quality data or dispersion assessments and need to produce, review or commission AERMOD studies with greater technical confidence.

Course objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Construct AERMOD input files for point, volume, area and flare source representations
• Process surface and upper-air meteorological data in AERMET and verify key output parameters
• Generate terrain elevations, hill-height scales and receptor files using AERMAP
• Apply BPIPPRM building-downwash analysis and transfer structure data into an AERMOD model
• Design Cartesian, polar and discrete receptor grids for compliance and fenceline assessment
• Run baseline and sensitivity scenarios and diagnose AERMOD warnings, errors and atypical results
• Interpret concentration tables, receptor maxima and averaging-period outputs against air-quality criteria
• Produce a traceable AERMOD modelling QA checklist and technical report structure

Benefits of attending

Target competencies

Who should attend

• Air Quality Consultants — who prepare and defend dispersion assessments for permits and clients
• Environmental Engineers — who evaluate emissions impacts from industrial plants and modification projects
• HSE Managers — who commission modelling studies and need to challenge assumptions and conclusions
• Environmental Permitting Specialists — who assemble air-permit applications and regulatory evidence
• Process Engineers — who supply source, stack and operating data that determine model quality
• Regulatory Reviewers — who assess whether submitted AERMOD studies are technically reproducible

Requirements and prerequisites

Participants should be comfortable with basic air-emissions terminology, including emission rate, stack height, exit velocity, temperature, averaging period and ambient concentration. Prior exposure to environmental permitting, industrial source data or air-quality monitoring is strongly recommended. Participants should be able to work confidently with Windows folders, text or spreadsheet data, and simple unit conversions. Experience running AERMOD is not required; the course builds the workflow from input preparation through interpretation. Advanced atmospheric science, programming, GIS expertise and prior use of specialised dispersion-modelling software are not required, although experienced modellers will benefit from the diagnostic and sensitivity modules.

Training methodology

The course combines focused instructor explanations with step-by-step AERMOD Suite demonstrations and supervised desktop labs. Participants work from emissions inventories, stack specifications, building dimensions, terrain data and meteorological files to assemble a complete facility model. Short case discussions examine regulator-facing choices such as receptor coverage, downwash applicability and conservative scenario definition. Daily review sessions use model messages and output tables to diagnose errors. On day five, participants complete an application-planning workshop that maps the workflow, data owners, review gates and reporting evidence needed for a live workplace study.

Course outline

Day 1: AERMOD framework and source characterisation

• AERMOD regulatory purpose, model components and workflow sequence
• Gaussian plume concepts, boundary-layer dispersion and model limitations
• Emission inventory conversion, unit checks and operating-scenario definition
• Point-source parameters: stack geometry, flow, temperature and exit velocity
• Area, volume, line and flare source representations in AERMOD
• AERMOD control pathways, input-file syntax and run-directory structure
• Base-case setup and review of listing, error and warning files

Workshop: Participants convert a facility emissions inventory into a checked AERMOD base-case input file covering multiple source types.

Day 2: Meteorology, terrain and receptor design

• Surface and upper-air meteorological data requirements and representativeness
• AERMET stages, surface characteristics and output file generation
• Surface roughness, albedo and Bowen ratio selection
• AERMAP terrain processing and hill-height scale concepts
• Cartesian, polar and discrete receptor network design
• Fenceline, sensitive-location and maximum-impact receptor placement
• Coordinate systems, elevations and receptor-file quality checks

Workshop: Participants process supplied meteorological and terrain datasets, then create a compliance-focused receptor network for the case facility.

Day 3: Buildings, downwash and model configuration

• Building downwash mechanisms and good engineering practice concepts
• BPIPPRM building and tier input preparation
• Structure dimensions, orientation and source-building association
• Importing BPIPPRM output into AERMOD source pathways
• Urban and rural dispersion option selection
• Averaging periods, pollutant-specific options and background concentration treatment
• Model-control options for deposition, chemistry and output selection

Workshop: Participants run BPIPPRM for a multi-building layout and revise the model to quantify the effect of downwash on predicted impacts.

Day 4: Running, diagnosing and interpreting scenarios

• Batch execution, file naming and reproducible run management
• Reading AERMOD summary files, maximum tables and receptor outputs
• Distinguishing fatal errors, warnings and informational messages
• Identification of controlling sources, receptors and meteorological conditions
• Scenario testing for stack changes, production rates and emission controls
• Sensitivity analysis for source parameters and modelling assumptions
• Comparison of predicted concentrations with applicable assessment criteria

Workshop: Participants troubleshoot a flawed model, run baseline and control scenarios, and prepare an impact-comparison table with documented findings.

Day 5: Quality assurance and defensible reporting

• Model conceptualisation and data-lineage documentation
• Input-file peer review and independent calculation checks
• EPA Guideline on Air Quality Models alignment and local regulatory considerations
• Model applicability, uncertainty and limitations statements
• Technical report structure for permit applications and compliance assessments
• Maps, concentration tables and clear communication of results
• Workplace implementation planning, review gates and records retention

Workshop: Participants complete a capstone technical memorandum outline, QA checklist and implementation plan for an AERMOD assessment based on the course case.

Tools & standards covered

AERMOD, AERMET, AERMAP, BPIPPRM

A typical training day

Live online deliveries follow the same structure in the East Africa Time zone, with shorter screen blocks and longer breaks.

What the fee includes

How you can take this course

Certification

Participants who complete the full five days receive the Skillset Development Certificate of Completion, stating the course title, course code, dates and delivery format — suitable for professional-development records and employer reimbursement.

Frequently asked questions