Manufacturing Sector
Air Assessment for New Bulk Export Terminal in Vancouver, BC
Dr. Rakesh Singh played a key role in conducting an Air Quality Assessment and Permit Application for a new bulk export terminal in Vancouver, BC. His responsibilities involved creating detailed estimates of air quality and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to activities within the Vancouver Port. Utilizing the CALPUFF/CALMET dispersion modeling system, he conducted refined simulations to assess pollutant dispersion across the terminal’s impact area. Where modeling results indicated that air quality objectives might be exceeded, Dr. Singh provided tailored recommendations for operational modifications to mitigate emissions and align with regional air quality standards.
Air Quality Assessment Studies
As a senior technical advisor, Dr. Rakesh Singh contributed significantly to multi-year air quality assessment studies for Health Canada at several locations across Canada, focusing on industries like petrochemical, cement manufacturing, base smelting, fertilizer, and carbon black production. These studies required a comprehensive approach involving the development of emissions inventories and detailed dispersion modeling using CALMET and CALPUFF. Dr. Singh’s work included extracting data from CALPUFF outputs for use in human health risk assessments, modeling concentrations of key air contaminants and toxics, and comparing these results with National Air Pollutant Surveillance (NAPS) data, regional airsheds, and industry-operated monitoring. His analysis also incorporated other local industrial and non-industrial emission sources, ensuring a thorough understanding of air quality impacts and supporting Health Canada’s efforts to assess human health risks near industrial sites.
Air Quality Assessment for a Power Plant Facility
As the project manager and technical lead for the air quality assessment related to the proposed expansion of a power plant facility in Bruce County, Ontario, Dr. Rakesh Singh conducted a comprehensive evaluation using the AERMOD dispersion model to analyze projected air emissions and ensure compliance with provincial and federal air quality standards. Beyond this, he also led specialized fogging and icing modelling, utilizing the CALPUFF model to assess the potential impacts of the expansion on localized weather phenomena such as fog formation and icing under specific meteorological conditions.
Dr. Singh’s work provided critical insights into how the facility's expansion might affect both air quality and localized microclimatic conditions. His recommendations informed measures to mitigate any adverse effects, supporting the project’s alignment with environmental and operational safety guidelines. This multi-faceted assessment underscored his expertise in addressing both emissions and their broader environmental impacts.
Air Quality Assessment for a Nickel Smelting Facility
As the project manager and technical lead for an emissions and air quality modeling project at a nickel smelting facility in Ontario, Dr. Rakesh Singh led an extensive comparison of CALPUFF and AERMOD models, assessing model performance by comparing measured data for total suspended particulates (TSP) and nickel (Ni) from two on-site monitoring stations. The study involved developing a high-resolution meteorological dataset and using hourly emissions data to evaluate both current and future air quality scenarios.
Additionally, Dr. Singh was instrumental in creating an emissions inventory and conducting air quality modeling to support the facility's application for alternative air quality standards. His work provided insights into the facility’s potential emissions under various scenarios, ensuring compliance with environmental standards and supporting the development of air quality management strategies for nickel smelting operations in Ontario.
Alternative Standards in Ontario
Dr. Rakesh Singh has led multiple projects to support facilities in Ontario, specifically in Hamilton and Sudbury, in their applications for alternative air quality standards under Ontario Regulation 419/05. His role included overseeing technical air quality assessments, creating tailored emissions inventories, and evaluating the feasibility of meeting or adjusting existing standards to better reflect each facility's unique operational needs. Dr. Singh worked closely with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, engaging in negotiations to ensure that proposed alternative standards met regulatory requirements while allowing flexibility for the facilities. Many of these studies leveraged the Community Air Monitoring Model (CAMM), allowing for precise monitoring and insights to support effective, compliant air quality management solutions.
Assessment of Micro-meteorological Effects of Molten Slag
Dr. Rakesh Singh served as the Project Manager and Senior Technical Advisor for a comprehensive emissions and micrometeorological assessment at a nickel refinery in Brazil, focusing on the molten slag disposal processes. This project entailed developing specific emission factors for the slag's impact on air quality and assessing the localized micro-meteorological effects—such as heat and airflow disturbances—caused by the hot slag. Additionally, Dr. Singh conducted a preliminary analysis of potential long-term climate impacts resulting from molten slag disposal, helping to ensure that environmental effects were thoroughly understood and mitigated where necessary.
Air Quality Assessment for An Electric Power Company
Dr. Rakesh Singh conducted a comprehensive air quality assessment for an Italian electric power company’s project in Slovakia, focusing on emissions generated by mobile sources and emergency generators within the Hygienic Protection Zone. This assessment was an integral part of the Environmental Assessment (EA) process, examining the potential impact of emissions on local air quality. The project required detailed modeling and analysis to evaluate how these emissions would interact with surrounding areas, ensuring compliance with Slovakian environmental regulations and aligning with EU air quality standards for health protection.
Accidental Release Modelling
Dr. Rakesh Singh was involved in performing accidental release modeling for a petroleum refinery facility in the U.S. Using the AERMOD dispersion model, he assessed the potential air quality impacts of unplanned emissions that might occur due to equipment malfunctions or operational incidents. This modeling work involved simulating various release scenarios, estimating pollutant concentrations, and evaluating the possible downwind impacts on surrounding communities. The results supported the facility’s risk management and emergency response planning, ensuring alignment with U.S. environmental and safety standards.