P&K AST (TA Luft 2021 / AUSTAL)

Program description

Index

1. Introduction

1.1 Overview
1.2 Installation
1.3 Project / Files
1.4 Integrated help and manual

2. Input Data

2.1 Parameter
2.2 Weather data
2.2.1 Precipitation
2.3 Sources
2.4 Terrain
2.5 Monitor Points (Evaluation Points)
2.6 Substances
2.7 Situations
2.8 Timelines
2.9 Extra-Objects
2.10 Using externally generated meteorological fields
2.11 Using another Wind Field Generator
2.12 Pre and Post processor
2.13 Calculation Working Directory

3. Prognosis / Results

3.1 Area Map
3.2 Report
3.3 Calculation
3.4 Graphic
3.5 Evaluation areas

4. Tools

4.1 Export
4.2 Bar Charts
4.3 3D-Charts of results
4.4 Batches

5. Operations

5.1 Within the forms
5.2 Within the tables
5.3 Within the graphics

6. Problem solving and compatibility
7. Glossary

Appendix

AUSTAL-Documentation (PDF-Format; GERMAN)

See Document List

• Getting Started
   
• Obstacles / Buildings
• Trees

1. Introduction

1.1 Overview

We offer a PC program, P&K AST, to carry out dispersion calculations for dust and air pollutants according to the procedure stated in the TA Luft 2021 (in force autumn 2021) by usage of the particle model lined out in VDI 3945 part 3 (Environmental meteorology - Atmospheric dispersion models - Particle model) and further guidelines stated in the TA Luft.

Various types of sources (point, line, area and volume) with time-dependent variations as well as cooling towers and terrain heights can be considered.

The program can handle the required time lines or dispersion category statistics.

The program considers all substances for which control values are defined in the TA Luft.

Deposition and sedimentation of dust can be considered.

Calculation for a raster of points or for dedicated evaluation points.

The program is a Windows program with intuitive operation featuring selection lists and graphics. Graphics and Reports can be printed to standard Windows printers or inserted into other programs via the clipboard. Also graphics can be zoomed or moved.

Objects as sources, monitor points and calculation grids can be placed and edited in a graphical environment on a canvas. A map can be defined as background images.

The program can generate various graphics from the input data or results. From the prognosticated characteristics different presentations e.g. color coded shapes, placed numbers, isolines or three-dimensional illustrations can be generated and transferred to printers or other programs.

The program produces reports in HTML format which can be used for the documentation, or imported to most word processing programs.

The program has an export tool for an easy data exchange with other programs (e.g. "Surfer", "AutoCad", spreadsheets or text processing programs). With that tool, data can be combined flexibly and stored in different formats.

The program is present in German and English.

Option Multi-Core: Calculation will run with almost 4-fold (Quad Core) or 8-fold (8-Core) the speed. Multi-Core: Computer with multiple Processors or Cores. Not HyperThread!

The meteorological boundary layer profiles needed by the particle model are determined in accordance with guideline VDI 3783 part 8.

P&K AST uses the computation program AusTal.exe, TALDia.exe and other files. These files, along with many examples, are available at www.janicke.de. These programs are subject to the GNU (General Public License). For convenience these programs are also contained in our Download. P&K AST can work also with other computational programs, they just need to have the same interfaces as the programs mentioned above.

The computation programs can be copied into the P&K AST's program directory (folder) or into a separate directory. In the latter case one will be prompted for the location before the first calculation is started.

1.2 Installation

Just start the installation program and follow instructions.

If desired, change the language in the menu Options.

In case the program is to be installed into a folder of a previous program version, that one has to be uninstalled before the update, because the installation program does not always overwrite the previous program. The folder should not be emptied manually to keep preferences and serial number intact.

In case of problems send an email to us.

The program can be started by executing pk_ast.exe or by clicking one of the Shortcuts pointing to this. For simplification a link to a user defined program group has been created during the installation.

P&K AST-MPI

1. For our MULTI-CORE programs we use MS-MPI, which should be installed beforehand. The Microsoft product can be found at Microsoft MPI (not the SDK). The Computer should be rebooted after this installation.
   In case of problems, this installation can be tested with a doubleclick on test-MSMPI.bat in the program folder.
2. Installation is straight forward. Run the installer and make sure it installs in the proper program directory (for AustalView: C:\Program Files (x86)\Lakes\AUSTAL_View\Models).
   In case of problems, this feature can be tested with a doubleclick on pk_mpi_test.exe in the program folder. For this the file austal.settings is required to exist in the program folder. This file comes with AustalView etc.
   The P&K MPI3 settings can also be accessed with a doubleclick on pk_mpi.exe.
3. Make sure smpd.exe, mpiexec.exe, austal*MPI*.exe and taldiaMPI.exe can access the network and are not blocked by any firewall or other software.
4. Make sure that above programs can access enough resources. If you run AUSTAL four times (on 4 cores), you need to have four times the RAM one process would use.

1.3 Projects / Files

All relevant parameters and results of a Project are saved into a file with the extention .TLP or loaded from this via the File menu. After program start, the Project defaults to NONAME.

Functions for all necessary file handlings are available in the file menu:

(Austal file can also be loaded, see File Types in the Open dialog)

These project data files are complex binary files. Simple text files can be imported into or exported from the tables. See. Export / Import

Temporary files needed by AusTal.exe are created in a folder with the name astnn (nn = consecutive number) under the system temporary folder (e.g. c:\windows emp). AusTal.exe works in this folder and leaves its results there. The temporary folder (created by P&K AST) is left in place for now for debug purposes.

File-Types

The last working directory can be obtained from the log file under Options / System-Log.

For an easy startup, one or more sample files are supplied with the program in the program folder. The program is designed to initially show the folders Sample(s) and/or Beispiel(e). This feature does not work on all windows versions, in such a case one has to navigate to the program folder (e.g. c:\Program Files\P&K\....).

1.4 Integrated help and manual

In P&K AST, a context-sensitive help is integrated. It can be pulled up at any location in the form by pressing the function key "F1". In the help screen, if necessary, highlighted cross references (links) are interspersed, which, by clicking on them, provide more detailed information.

For further details information, the AUSTAL-Documentation is available under the menu Help / AUSTAL.pdf (This document is in German).

2. Input Data

All data input forms necessary for the calculation are under the menu Edit and described in the following chapters. The forms under Edit should be filled in from the top to the bottom. Depending on the kind of project, not all forms need to be filled in. The data can be entered in any order, but in some cases forms have to be opened multiple times, because entry fields availability might change.

Objects can also be defined / placed in Graphical Tools for drawing objects. This form can be found under the menu View.

2.1 Parameter

The form Edit / Parameter is for the definition of global project parameters. this should be the starting point for a new project. Especially the coordinate origin is important as many coordinates rely on this.

Further information can be found in the description of the forms, which can be viewed via their links.

2.2 Weather data

For carrying out a dispersion calculation, weather data in form of a timeline, or dispersion category statistic are required. The weather data can be loaded as AKT-, AKTERM, AKS-file or as ZEITREIHE.DMNA under Edit / Weather Data Import.

AKS-Files contain dispersion category statistics, with which no daily-related ambient air concentrations are possible. Hourly ambient air concentrations are calculated as percentiles.

AKT-, AKTERM and AKS-Files can be obtained from weather services (e.g. Deutscher Wetterdienst), or derived from other weather data according to the guideline VDI 3782 part 1 Appendix 1.

To edit timelines and time-dependent quantities of the sources or for pre-loads, the form Edit /Timeline is available.

AKS-Format / Dispersion Category Statistic

Files of this type must have the extention .AKS. The Dispersion Category Statistics are needed in the TA Luft Format. This format contains in a ASCII file six dispersion categories (I thru V) with nine velocity classes each (1 thru 9) and 36 wind direction classes (sector 1 to 36).

The matrix can be preceded with describing header lines. Normally this format includes five header lines.

The statistic is based on an Anemometer Height, which cannot be obtained from such a file.

The wind direction is divided in 36 sectors of 10°, starting with the sector 6° to 15° in the wind rose (north wind a little to the east) progressing clockwise.

AKT Format

Files of this type must have the extention .AKT. The individual fields in each record are defined as follows:

Further information can be found in the description of the forms, which can be viewed via their links.

AKTERM Format

Files of this format must have the extention .AKTERM. The file structure is as follows:

The file consists of a head section and a data section. The header section starts with five comment lines, which are preceded by an * followed by a formatted line containing the anemometer heights for different roughness lengths. This line starts with

+ Anemometerhoehen (0.1m):

and is followed by 9 integer Anemometer heights in Units of 0,1 m (each of which have 4 digits without leading zeros, separated with a space) for the roughness length 0,01 m to 2 m as stated in the appendix 3 of the TA Luft 2021.

The data section contains records with 16 entries, which are separated by one space. The definition of these entries are:

Sample:

* AKTERM-Zeitreihe, Deutscher Wetterdienst, Offenbach (KB1A)
* Zeitraum 01/1995 bis 12/1995
* anonymisierte Daten, Stand: 11.04.2002
+ Anemometerhoehen (0.1 m): 32 41 57 74 98 144 200 244 283
AK 10999 1995 01 01 00 00 1 1 210 56 1 3 1 -999 9
AK 10999 1995 01 01 01 00 1 1 220 64 1 3 1 -999 9
AK 10999 1995 01 01 02 00 1 1 260 68 1 3 1 -999 9
AK 10999 1995 01 01 03 00 1 1 270 65 1 3 1 -999 9
AK 10999 1995 01 01 04 00 1 1 250 64 1 3 1 -999 9
AK 10999 1995 01 01 05 00 1 1 250 64 1 3 1 -999 9

...

QDD Definition

0 Wind Direction in Dekagrad
1 Wind Direction in Grad, Original in Dekagrad
2 Wind Direction in Grad, Original in Grad

9 Wind Direction missing

QFF Definition

0 Wind Speed in Knots
1 Wind Speed in 0,1 m/s, Original in 0,1 m/s
2 Wind Speed in 0,1 m/s, Original in Knots (0,514 m/s)
3 Wind Speed in 0,1 m/s, Original in m/s

9 Wind Speed missing

The entry KM has the value 7, if the dispersion category can not be determined and the value 9 if it is missing.

The quality bytes are stored in the field Flags in above order.

Precipitation

Extension and customization according to; AUSTAL2000N.pdf Version 2.6.9 page 28 paragraph: Precipitation.

The quality bytes are handled in the order in the field Flags as shown above.

2.2.1 Precipitation.

By stipulating precipitation, the contribution from wet deposition is taken into account for substances whose leaching rate is not equal to zero.

Precipitation can be specified as in AUSTAL2000N in an extended AKTerm or directly in the file zeitreihe.dmna. Alternatively, the precipitation rate can be specified explicitly in a separate file precipitation.dmna. Switch on precipitation in Parameter, then you will be asked for a precipitation file after importing the weather data, if this data is not available in the weather data.

A consideration of precipitation in connection with a dispersion category statistics is not possible according to the draft of the new TA Luft (2021).

2.3 Sources

In the form Edit / Sources data of the sources can be entered for the dispersion calculation. Some quantities can be defined as time or situation-dependent, which then can be entered in Edit / Edit Timelineor Edit / Situations. The emission rate of the substances can be entered in Edit / Substances.

Emission sources are those locations, where pollutants transit from the plant into the atmosphere. The conditions at that locations at the time of emissions has to be taken into account.

The emission parameters of the source (Mass Flux, Exhaust Gas Temperature, Exhaust Volume Rate) are to be taken into account as hourly averages. In case of time-dependent emission parameter, e.g. charge operations, these parameters have to be entered as timeline. If these data are not available or not usable, the worst case conditions at the intended operation is to be taken into account.

These objects can also be placed in Graphical Tools for drawing objects under View / Drawing Tools.

Further information can be found in the description of the forms, which can be viewed via their links.

2.4 Terrain

Terrain profile can be taken into account. The computation grid must be completely situated within the terrain description. For the definition or to edit terrain data, following forms are available:

• Define Terrain Raster (To generate a terrain raster or to retrieve information about one).
• Terrain Heights (For Import and Export and editing of non-regular rasters.)
• Edit Terrain Height Raster (To edit the heights and to size a regular raster);
  Properties (To adjust for clarity)
• Terrain Heights (3-dimensional illustration of the terrain.)
• Import (Import of terrain data files)

Terrain describing data files can be imported under Import. These files can contain a series of XYZ-triplets, can be in the DMNA-Format, DGM-Format, or can be formatted as follows:

• The first six lines contain general information with following parameters and their values:

  	ncols	Number of columns in the raster
  	nrows	Number of rows in the raster
  	xllcorner	Gauß-Krüger-Coordinate right value of lower left corner
  	yllcorner	Gauß-Krüger-Coordinate left value of lower left corner
  	cellsize	Mesh width in Meter
  	NODATA_value	Value representing missing value

• The header is followed by the height values in a two-dimensional grid, which is as exactly orientated as a raster on a map. The first values of the first row is therefore the height of the grid cell with the right value xllcorner+0.5*cellsize and the height value yllcorner+(nrows-0.5)*cellsize.

ncols 261
nrows 241
xllcorner 4597475.0000
yllcorner 5396475.0000
cellsize 50.0000
NODATA_value -9999
542.9 532.4 517.1 503.5 497.3 497.7 501.7
549.5 539.3 526.0 511.8 499.0 491.0 490.1
544.0 536.0 527.3 518.2 507.3 495.9 487.6
532.3 525.2 518.1 512.9 507.5 499.0 488.3

523.5 515.8 509.0 505.0 502.1 497.4 489.4

For XYZ-files comma separated values are expected. For TXT-files blank separeted values are expected with comma or point as decimal delimitter.

Further information can be found in the description of the forms, which can be viewed via their links.

2.5 Monitor-Points (Evaluation Points)

In the form Edit / Monitor-Points the same can be defined. At these points, additional information can be generated and a pre-load can be taken into account here. These objects can also be placed in Graphical Tools for drawing objects under View / Drawing Tools.

Further information can be found in the description of the forms, which can be viewed via their links.

2.6 Substances

In this form (Edit / Substances) the Substance and their emission rate can be set. The emission rate can be set as time or situation-dependent and their data then can be entered in Edit / Edit Timelineor Edit / Situations. Remember, only Substances defined in the TA Luft can be selected.

The transformation times of the guideline VDI 3782 part 1 (issue October 1992) have to be considered for the transformation of NO to NO₂.

Further information can be found in the description of the forms, which can be viewed via their links.

2.7 Situations

Time dependent emissions should be set in a timeline calculation, which is not possible when using an AKS. When using an AKS, situation-dependent parameters, whose values depend on the wind velocity and the stability class, can be entered here. The same parameters can be made situation-dependent, which may also be time-dependent, thus vq, sq, qq and the source strengths of individual materials.

Situations can be edited under Edit /Situations, if an AKS has been imported and parameter have been declared as situation-dependent.

Also see: How to declare components as situation-dependent

2.8 Timelines

Under Edit /Timeline weather data or the pre-pollution can be edited, if a timeline has been imported. If parameters have been declared as time-dependent, their values can be entered here as well.

Also see: How to declare components as time-dependent and 2.2 Weather data

2.9 Extra-Objects

In the form Edit / Extra Objects a variety of objects can be defined, which will then be shown in the area map and the characteristics illustrations. These objects have no effect in the calculation, they are not taken into account. These objects can also be placed in Graphical Tools for drawing objects under View / Drawing Tools.

Further information can be found in the description of the forms, which can be viewed via their links.

2.10 Using externally generated meteorological fields

Externally generated meteorological fields can be considered. They must comply to the description stated in AUSTAL.pdf and they must be imported into the current project using the menu Edit/Wind Fields/Import.

Wind Fields contained in an AUSTAL-Project (Folder LIB) are not automatically imported. They would be used in a new calculation automatically.

If Wind Fields are imported, these are written to the calculation working directory and no other Wind Field Generator will be executed by P&K AST!

2.11 Using another Wind Field Generator

An alternative Wind Feld Generator (another name then TALDia.exe) will be invoked, if buildings or trees are defined and activated. The program can be select in the form Air Flow Parameter, or at the first calculation, the user will be prompted to select that file. The complete name will be saved in the file P&K.ini as WindFieldGenerator=NAME. The file will be execute with two parameters, the first is the working directory and the second is the directory, in which AUSTAL.exe is to be found. In case NAME ends in the extention .BAT, AUSTAL.exe will not be executed automatically by P&K AST, but must be invoked from within Name and instead of supplying run timer parameters, the environment variables WorkDir,WorkDrive, ProgDir, ProgDrive, ToolDir, ToolDrive, WindModel and ProjectName will be defined.

In case the Program generates a log file, which ends in the extention .log, this file will be loaded into the project and can be viewed from within the P&K AST.

This feature is available with the option DMW only.

If Wind Fields are imported, these are written to the calculation working directory and no other Wind Field Generator will be executed by P&K AST!

Also see: Obstacles / Buildings, Trees and Air Flow -Parameter.

2.12 Pre and Post processor

An additional Pre and Post processor can be used. They have to be defined with the keys PreProcessor=filename and PostProcessor=filename in the file p&k.ini, which can be found in the program folder. The pre processor will be invoked before the calculations, but after all data have been made available in the working directory. The post processor will be invoked after all error free claculations. The processes are invoked with the following environment variables set.

Following batch file would copy all files from the working directory to a directory with the project name next to the project file..

%WorkDrv%
cd "%WorkDir%"

xcopy /I /S /Y * "%ProjectName%"

2.13 Calculation Working Directory

Normally the calculation will be committed in a separat folder in the temporary folder. The actual folder of a calculation can be found in the system-log. New in Version 2.2.11.236 one can set the variable to e.g. ProjectWorkDir=c: emp in the file P&K.ini. This will cause the calculation folder to be created as e.g. c: emp\%ProjectName%.NO.. NO will be the max Number + 1 found for this project.

3. Prognosis / Results

3.1 Area map

The location of objects can be visualized in the form Prognosis/ Area Map.

Further information can be found in the description of the forms, which can be viewed via their links.

3.2 Report

Results in form of tables and lists can be viewed under Prognosis / Report. The report is generated in HTML format. The layout of the Report can be modified in setup form. The reports can be saved for use in other programs. Some tables are not shown by default.

Further information can be found in the description of the forms, which can be viewed via their links.

3.3 Calculate

Via this menu item, the prognoses can be committed. The calculation is carried out by AUSTAL.exe, which will open a DOS window and display some status information. The PC should be left alone during calculation.

In case P&K AST does not find AUSTAL.exe in its program folder and the location of this is not known, P&K AST will prompt for the location.

This funtion is disabled in P&K AST remote

3.4 Graphic

The characteristics in the result tables can be illustrated under the menu Prognosis / Graphic. In addition to the inputs and calculated results, the objects of the area map are shown. The characteristics can be shown as colored shapes, isolines and numbers.

Further information can be found in the description of the forms, which can be viewed via their links.

Also see the following chapter for this.

3.5 Evaluation areas

The results of a prognosis can be projected on evaluation areas. This might be required to comply e.g . to the Odor control guideline (Geruchs-Immissions-Richtlinie (GIRL)), but is not limited to Odor. The results are projected per geometric mean values. Incomplete areas will be deleted. The definition can be changed after a prognosis.

4. Tools

The tools are available in this menu. The individual tools are explained in the following chapters.

4.1 Export

With this program, result tables of the P&K 3782 program can be exported to be used by other programs. As examples programs like "Surfer", "AutoCad", spreadsheet programs and text processing programs are mentioned.

see P&K Export and Table Import and Export

4.2 Bar Charts

A variety of different bar and line charts can be generated from the input data and the result tables in the form Bar and Line Diagrams.

4.3 3D-Charts of results

In the form 3D illustrations three-dimensional illustrations of the different components in the tables concentration, statistical uncertainty etc. can be generated.

Also see: Terrain Heights

5 Operation

5.1 Operation within the forms

In the forms, the entries are made in form fields. With the keys Cursor up, Cursor down, Tab and Shift Tab or with the mouse the cursor can be moved over the fields. Cursor left and cursor right move the cursor character by character within a field.

Real numbers can be entered with a period or comma or as 1e-6 for 10^-6. The error tone can be ignored on input, it is only triggered as a warning because 1e or 1e is not a valid number.

Posibly (if marked in the form) a selection list of discrete input values can be opened.

F1 provides context-sensitive help for a form field or the entire form and the integrated manual is accessible.

Click OK or CANCEL to leave the current form.

Also see: Calculator

5.2 Operation within the tables

The order and the width of all columns can be changed by clicking into a column header or between column headers and dragging as desired. This is practical if values are in a particular order, because Tab has to be pressed just once in order to reach the next column.

If the data in the columns are too wide to be displayed, then the symbols (in brackets) will be hidden in the column titles (e.g. Temperature (T₀) ). Widening of the column will show that particular symbol.

The buttons "+" and "-" are used to insert or delete data sets. With the button "Dup" the current data set can be duplicated. The new row will become the last row in the table. This is useful if a data set is to be generated with minor difference to the current one. To insert a row, select the lower gray row before pressing the "+" button.

Individual fields, in which a selection is possible, are marked yellow. To activate the selection click once in a cell in order to select this; click a second time in order to activate the selection (no doubleclick).

With the cursor or Tab key, the focus can be moved between individual fields.

The illustrated section can be scrolled one row up or down by moving the cursor across the upper or lower edge of the table form.

Some tables can be sorted. With a right mouse button click into the considerable column, a Pull-Down Menu will be opened, and Sort Ascending or Sort Descending can be selected.

In some tables, a Row-Editor can be invoked. The Row-Editor shows one dataset only and can have more or less features then the grid dialog.

Sometimes single Columns can be imported via the Popup Menu. From the selected file, the values are taken and written to the position, from which the dialog was invoked. One value will be read per line from an ASCII file (includes CSV format) .

Sometimes single Columns can be imported via the Popup Menu. From the selected file, the values are taken and written to the position, from which the dialog was invoked. One value will be read per line from an ASCII file (includes CSV format) .

Some tables feature a search function. See Find in table

See: Calculator and Alter Column Values.

Filter

This feature allows to filter out a column with its value. Only rows with this value in the filtered column and not this column will be shown. The filter can be set to most of the columns (except when they are declared unique). All available column names are shown in the selector next to "Filter:". Once a column is selected, a corresponding value out of this column can be selected in the selector to the right of the equal sign. Filtering is accomplished on a text basis rather than on a value basis (e.g. 1.0 doesn't equal 1).

Using the filter feature will reorder the rows. Only columns, which are not defined as unique, can be selected. Some table can be sorted (Right Mouse Button Click into the column of regard.)

A filter might be active during import / export to exclude or include rows of data.

Table Import and Export

In most tables, data can be imported or exported with the buttons in the tool bar. The sequence of the columns and which columns are used, depends on the current column order and the current filter setting. With a button in the tool bar, a form can be opened which gives information about the current settings.

Single Columns can be imported via the Popup Menu. From the selected file, the values are taken and written to the position, from which the dialog was invoked. One value will be read per line from an ASCII file (includes CSV format) .

The formats can be selected in the appropriate dialogs under the type of file. The filter function is switched off for other formats than CSV, TXT and *!

Preview

The tables can be viewed appealingly as an HTML-file by using the preview function. see Report function.

5.3 Within the graphics

Most of the graphics can be zoomed; therefore a rectangle has to be opened with the mouse from the upper left corner to the lower right corner. To reset the zoom, a rectangle from the lower right corner to the upper left corner has to be opened with the mouse. Also the graphic can be moved; therefore the graphic is to be dragged with the right mouse button pressed.

Some dialogs can also be opened by clicking onto the axis, the legend, the title or double clicking the drawing area.

The button has to be down for all functions, which are activated by clicking into the drawing area.

Graphical illustrations on the screen can be printed with File/Print or the button .

The Export of Images can be done with . Images can also be copied to the clipboard with .

Setup (Layout, Export and Format)

A form in which more graphic parameters can be set. Functions for export and graphics formats are also in this form.

Alterations made in here will not be saved automatically. In some illustrations it might be possible to save and load configuration changes under the file menu, but it might cause strange effects, because the configuration might not fit to the current illustration. Series, which are not needed in the current illustration and which are not automatically destroyed can be made inactive. Data are managed in so called Series. The configuration can be saved with or without data. The data are normally replaced with the current ones, despite this, sometimes it might still be important to save the data along with the configuration.

Modifications and settings in other forms or of the calculated data can overwrite made changes in Setup!

It is recommended to set the graphic type to the configuration to be loaded.

MAX

With the button MAX the scale settings are maximized.

ISO

The graphic can be illustrated isometrically by using the button ISO. This has to be repeated after changing the size of the graphic.

6.0 Known problems and Compatibility

P&K AST supports all functions of AUSTAL Version 1.1.11 and which are in accordance with TA Luft. Newer versions can be used, as long as no new features are used.

Further information is available in the online database.

7.0 Glossary