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environmental engineers and scientists are experienced with the full
spectrum of air quality management challenges. Please click on the links
below to learn more about the following:
Permitting
Dispersion Modeling
Risk Assessments
Facility Compliance Audits
Emissions Inventories
Regulatory Analysis
Control Strategies
Engineering and Design
Source Emission Testing and Fugitive Emission Testing
Ambient Air Measurements
Indoor Air Quality/Sick Building Syndrome
Permitting
Our environmental engineers and scientists have
over 30 years of experience assisting clients in the development of
air quality permitting strategies to best serve their needs. Through
preparation of complete and innovative permit applications, we have
ensured that our clients obtain the most flexible and workable permits
for their facilities. By negotiating with regulatory agencies,
we have been able to put together air emission management programs that
allow continuous compliance with applicable permit requirements.
With the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, permitting is vital due to the Title V Permit process. Facilities have a unique opportunity to "write their
own permit". Our
extensive knowledge of the Title V Permit Regulations enables our clients
to achieve maximum operational flexibility and competitive advantage
through the preparation of a Title V Permit Application that outlines
all of the facility's requirements and thereby "writes a permit"
that is most advantageous.
Our staff also has extensive experience in other complex air permitting
areas including, but not limited to:
• LAER reviews
• New Source Reviews
• PSD reviews MACT/BACT/RACT determinations
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Dispersion Modeling
Computer dispersion modeling is an important aspect of any complete
air emissions management program. It is used to evaluate the impacts
of air toxics and determine compliance with federal and state ambient
air standards. It is also used in conducting risk assessments to evaluate
the impacts of emissions (either continuous or accidental releases)
on surrounding areas.
Dispersion modeling is a useful tool when evaluating modifications
to individual processes and their impacts on ambient air quality.
These
analyses are helpful in determining such process changes as alternate
raw materials, variations in operating temperatures or pressures, or changes
in stack physical characteristics such as height, diameter, or physical
location. Dispersion modeling allows for inexpensive evaluations of
process changes without the need for actual testing.
Our engineers have a complete understanding of dispersion modeling techniques.
They are familiar with the impacts on air dispersion caused by building
downwash, fugitive sources, multiple sources, and complex site conditions
such as irregular topography. Using the latest in computer hardware
and software, we can provide dispersion modeling services to completely
evaluate emission sources in full compliance with EPA and state modeling
guidelines. Return to list
Risk Assessments
Risk assessments are key elements to a complete evaluation of air emissions'
impacts. A risk assessment can provide a full understanding of the potential
health hazards or environmental impact of a particular process or pollutant,
thereby allowing an informed decision concerning the need for controls
or process changes. Risk assessment and risk management techniques allow
for systematic process control as necessary. We offer years of experience in performing risk assessments to evaluate
control strategies and justify decisions concerning acceptable levels
of risk. Return to list
Facility
Compliance Audits
Ensuring compliance with environmental regulations can be difficult
for even the most environmentally conscious facility. As more complex
and voluminous regulations are promulgated, this task becomes even more
difficult. We can assist with this effort through
a complete Facility Compliance Audit. Our staff is thoroughly versed
in all aspects of environmental regulations (both state and federal)
and constantly monitors regulatory changes. This "fresh eyes"
review of your facility can assist you in detecting compliance weaknesses
before they are observed by regulatory compliance officers. Through
such audits, we have been able to help our clients avoid future compliance
violations that could have resulted in penalties and adverse public
relations. Return
to list
Emissions Inventories
Emissions inventories are key components of any complete air quality
management program. To ensure compliance with applicable regulatory
requirements, a facility must have a complete understanding of its emissions.
Emissions inventories provide that understanding. Such inventories are
regulatory requirements in many states and are used to set permit fees.
We have conducted hundreds of emissions inventories
for various types of facilities, including complete base wide inventories
for large Department of Defense facilities. Return
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Regulatory Analysis
A thorough understanding of environmental regulations and their impact
is imperative for expanding at
an existing site or building a new facility. Our
engineers can perform a regulatory analysis of your proposed expansion
plans to determine applicable regulations. They can provide
advice on permitting requirements, permit timing, and whether or not
the proposed expansion meets applicable requirements. Return
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Control Strategies
Should there be regulatory compliance issues requiring the reduction
of air emissions for specific pollutants, our
team of experts can develop control strategies to best meet the needs
of the specific application. Control strategies usually involve the
installation of emission control devices such as baghouses, incinerators,
scrubbers, etc. We have experience with all of the currently available
control techniques and can evaluate and determine the applicable and
most cost effective solutions. Return to list
Engineering and Design
Upon selection of an appropriate control strategy, we can provide the necessary design assistance to prepare construction
and installation drawings for the selected process. We have
all of the necessary engineering disciplines for such a project, including
chemical, environmental, civil, structural, electrical, and mechanical
engineers, as well as other technical staff. These team members have
years of experience in the design of all types of control systems. We
can complete the project by providing construction management, resident
inspection, startup services, and system testing. Return
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Source Emission Testing and Fugitive Emission
Testing
Often, source testing of existing emissions is necessary to refine
inventory data to more accurately reflect the emission rates from a
facility. EPA emissions factors are frequently used to estimate the quantity
of a pollutant being emitted from a source. Sometimes, these factors
do not adequately characterize the emissions from a facility, resulting
in an overestimation of emission rates. Additionally, emission factors
are not available for all types of sources and pollutants, particularly
hazardous or toxic pollutants. Fugitive emissions are often poorly quantified
and their impact cannot be properly evaluated.
We have completed thousands of source tests and
fugitive emissions tests for all types and sizes of facilities. Our
scientists and engineers have worked closely with EPA and state regulatory
agencies in developing testing strategies and procedures for unique
and complex situations that have allowed for complete characterization
of the emissions from the facility. We have developed many test
methods for pollutants without EPA approved test methods. This is especially
true of many air toxics. Our knowledge of state and federal regulations
allows us to develop cost effective and reliable testing programs.
Our teams are equipped to conduct testing for:
• Acid Gases (HCl, HF, etc.)
• Air Toxics
• Metals
• Opacity
• Particulates/TSP
• PM10
• SO2, NOx, CO, and CO2
• Volatile Organic Compounds (Total VOC’s or Speciated
Individual VOC’s)
Analytical techniques used include:
• Atomic Absorption (AA)
• Gas Chromatography
• Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS)
• Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP)
• Ion Chromatography
• Wet Chemistry
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Ambient Air Measurements
Ambient air measurements are often necessary to demonstrate compliance
with regulatory or permit limits. They are also used to validate the
results of emissions inventories, fugitive surveys, or dispersion modeling.
Likewise, ambient air measurements are used to evaluate the ambient
impact of releases of toxic compounds. Public concern over odors can
often be addressed through ambient air measurements to validate and
quantify concentrations of pollutants.
Our staff has worked closely with EPA and state agencies in developing
ambient air measurement programs to provide for continuous monitoring
of many constituents, including organic compounds. We have installed
permanent ambient air monitoring systems complete with meteorological
stations equipped for remote access via computer. Return
to list
Indoor Air Quality/Sick Building Syndrome
Indoor air quality has become the focus of recent concern with the introduction
of energy efficient buildings and various building materials containing
potentially toxic chemicals. Proper building ventilation is often overlooked and can
create air quality problems. Our scientists and engineers are experienced
in performing these investigations and designing solutions to eliminate indoor air quality problems.
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