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Evaluation of air pollution modelling tools as environmental engineering courseware
J A Souto González1, P M Bello Bugallo, J J Casares Long
1Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain. jasouto@usc.es
Summary
This study presents three software tools for modeling air pollution dispersion, utilizing different programming languages and environments. These tools aim to enhance student understanding of complex atmospheric pollutant dispersion phenomena.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Computational Chemistry
- Atmospheric Science
Background:
- Mathematical models are crucial for understanding pollutant dispersion phenomena.
- Non-linear behavior and 3D contexts in air pollution make analysis challenging.
- Educational tools are needed to improve comprehension of complex dispersion processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present three distinct software tools for simulating air pollution dispersion.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of these tools in enhancing student learning.
- To assess the impact of different programming environments on the educational process.
Main Methods:
- Development of three software tools using Fortran 77, VisualBasic, and Java.
- Implementation of tools across MS-DOS, MS-Windows, and web environments.
- Testing of software tools with undergraduate and postgraduate engineering students.
Main Results:
- Software tools demonstrated potential in improving theoretical and practical knowledge of air pollution dispersion.
- Different programming environments influenced the learning process regarding content, usability, and result visualization.
- The study highlights the benefits of varied computational approaches in environmental education.
Conclusions:
- The developed software tools effectively aid in understanding air pollution dispersion.
- The choice of programming language and environment impacts educational outcomes.
- These tools offer valuable pedagogical resources for environmental and chemical engineering education.