Improving Emissions Estimates with Computational Intelligence, DatabaseExpansion, and Comprehensive Validation

摘要

The report discusses an EPA investigation of techniques to improve methods forestimating volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from area sources. Using the automobile refinishing industry for a detailed area source case study, an emission estimation method is being developed that uses advanced computational techniques and updated, comprehensive, emissions-related information. New computational techniques contributing to the estimation method are fuzzy logic, neural networks, and genetic algorithms. This method development requires a thorough characterization of the area sources, an anlaysis of current emission estimation methods, the development of execution of a nationwide industry activity survey, and a compilation and analysis of the survey results and other explanatory variables. Results will be captured in a personal-computer-based emissions estimation system called VOCEES (VOC Emissions Estimation System). VOCEES has been developed as a dual-use tool that prepares VOC emissions inventories and analyzes the impact of many factors on emissions. This methodology can be easily extended to other area sources.