RWDI, Guelph, Ontario

Address: 650 Woodlawn Rd W
Guelph, ON N1K 1B8
CA

Mailling Address: 650 Woodlawn Rd W
Guelph, ON N1K 1B8
CA

Phone: (519) 823-1311

Fax: (519) 823-1316

RWDI

'RWDI's focus is on using its resources to identify problems
and to develop innovative and practical solutions in concert
with its clients and other team members' (Bill Rowan, President)

Today's RWDI is much more than a testing laboratory. The firm
has developed into a unique source of consulting expertise
offering an array of specialized tools and , most important, a
team of people with unparalleled experience - all dedicated
exclusively to studying and resolving problem associated with
air pollutants, wind, snow, noise, the sun and industrial
process flows.

Our input is sought by clients at all stages of the planning and
design process, but we strongly emphasize the cost-effectiveness
of employing our consulting resources as early as possible in
the project. By having us review potential impacts early,
decisions can be made which will help to avoid subsequent design
problems leading to unnecessary costs and time delays.

We're a much different firm now than when we opened our doors
in 1972, and RWDI's clients are reaping the benefits.

We are enthusiastic about what we do and would be pleased to
discuss how we can help you.

RWDI's Resources

RWDI's greatest resource is its people. Our versatile staff
includes mechanical, civil, process, structural, environmental
and aeronautical engineers, plus meteorologists, environmental,
chemical, and microclimate specialists, model builders, and
technical and administrative support staff.

RWDI's unique laboratory offers clients a range of special
facilities including wind tunnels, a water flume, computer
modelling and extensive instrumentation for monitoring and
measuring air quality, noise, vibration and fluid flows.

RWDI's project management system provides quality control and
ensures responsiveness to clients' needs.

What RWDI Can Do For You

RWDI offers its clients many services to assess and solve
problems :
* Consultations / Design reviews
* Environmental impacts (wind, snow, and sun, air pollutants,
odour, dust and noise)
* Risk assessments
* Computer modelling / Analysis
* Wind tunnel testing
* Outdoor / Indoor air quality and meteorological monitoring
* Fume hood performance testing
* Computational fluid dynamics modelling
* Certificates of approval / permitting
* Environmental audits /Emissions inventories
* Expert testimony
* Research and development
* Noise and vibration control
* Acoustics /noise / vibration modelling and monitoring
* Air pollution control
* On-site flow measurement
* Design and provision of specialized damping systems

- two boundary layer wind tunnels
- water flume;
- numerical modelling including Computational Fluid Dynamics;
- Team of engineers includes seven staff with Ph.D. degrees,
meteorlogists, dust control specialists, air quality, noise
microclimate, and structural wind engineering specialists;
- Facility and staff clearance to NATO secret level.
- 3 engineers who speak and write Mandarin Chinese;
- Direct marketing program in Pacific Rim

The Issues
Air Quality
Stationary and mobile exhaust dispersion
Ventilation
Accidental spills and releases
Dust
Odour

Wind Loading
Glazing
Cladding
Structural systems

Wind-Induced Vibrations
Building motions
Bridge aerodynamics
Aeroelastic vibrations

Pedestrian Comfort
Wind impacts
Sun and shadow effects
Thermal comfort (temperature, relative humidity, wind
speed, sun and shadow, clothing levels and activity

Snow
Snow accumulation
Roof snow loads
Blowing snow
Sliding snow and ice
Snow infiltration

Acoustics, Noise and Vibrations
Buildings
Transportation
Industry
Environmental impact

Industrial Process Flows
Flow uniformity / Pressure
Heat transfer
Furnace combustion efficiency
Mixing processes / Chemical reactions
Particle movement and build-up

Clients Involve RWDI at Various Stages

Where does RWDI, our diverse capabilities and experience can be
used at any stage of a project from the initial assessment
through the various design phases. As well, RWDI can provide
help in solving existing problems.

Typical Project Studied By RWDI

-Airport / Hangars
-Bridges
-Conventions Centres / Resorts / Hotels
-Fume Hoods
-Government / Corporate Office Buildings
-Highrise Developments
-Hospitals
-Housing / Residential Developments
-Industrial Equipments and Processes
-Industrial Facilities
-Laboratories
-Military Bases
-Parks / Public Space
-Parking / Maintenance Garages
-Pits/ Quarries/ Mines
-Power Plants
-Recreation/ Sports Facilities
-Roads/ Highways
-Schools/ Universities
-Ships/ Offshore Platforms
-Transportation Facilities
-Tunnels
-Urban Developments
-Waste Management Facilities

Company Details

Year Established: 1972

Total Sales ($CDN): $10,000,000 - $25,000,000

Number of Employees: 350

Products

Severe Weather/Wind Prediction Systems

Environmental Products And Services

Air Quality Assessment And Solution Design.
We provide consulting engineering services ranging from: predicting pollutant emission rates; assessing atmospheric and mechanical dispersion; evaluating the significance of the pollutant impacts by comparing predicted concentrations with applicable air quality criteria, standards and guidelines; recommending mitigation measures when required; and determining the most effective air pollution control technologies. Atmospheric dispersion is numerically assessed using U.S. EPA computer models such as ISC3 or physical modelling in RWDI's boundary layer wind tunnel testing facilities. Applicable ambient air quality criteria are available in RWDI's extensive in-house library or by contacting regulatory agencies. Mitigation measures are proposed when required. Suitability of control technology solutions are comparatively evaluated. In proposing mitigation measures RWDI's wealth of in-house experience in solving air quality problems is applied. RWDI's staff of engineers and scientists have conducted in excess of 800 air quality studies worldwide. Solutions are determined through the evaluation of pollutant emission rates, assessment of atmospheric dispersion, applicable air quality criteria, standards and guidelines and evaluation of measures required to comply with air quality objectives. If solutions are required, measures include improving dispersion by improving the exhaust system and/or stack design or identifying effective control technologies. RWDI also provides training to plant staff in the area of air pollution production and control.

Custom-designed Samplers For Ambient Monitoring Of Volatile Organic Compounds.
RWDI designs and operates networks of samplers around a landfill or other site for several months. These samplers include programmable data logger systems and meteorological sensors that constantly measure the ambient dispersion conditions and initiate samples under select events. For example, low wind speeds, time of the day, specific wind angles and poor atmospheric stability conditions can be included. The user is also prompted when a sample is taken by means of a flashing light, and in the event of a deviation in wind conditions outside of the desired parameters, the user is prompted to recycle the exposed sample. The ambient survey results may indicate that levels of the volatile organic compounds are much less than the predicted values provided by a conventional emissions model. The ambient results can be used to calibrate the models, and by doing so, indicate that landfill gas collection is not required. When required, this modelling approach will determine the degree of collection system needed. This can result in substantial cost savings to the client.

Dust Impact Assessment And Solution Design.
RWDI offers particulate emission inventories, numerical dispersion modelling, physical dispersion modelling, field monitoring, and source testing to assess fugitive dust impacts and develop solutions to problems with airborne dust. Various numerical dispersion models are available, depending on the application. Where topography or buildings produce complex wind flow patterns, testing of a scale model in RWDI's boundary layer wind tunnels is useful. For field monitoring, RWDI uses high- volume samplers to record total suspended particulate matter, PM-10, and PM-2.5. Real-time suspended dust monitoring and dustfall monitoring are also available. This service is useful to the aggregate industry, wood products facilities, power plants, steel plants, municipal landfills, coal mining, and other raw material handling industries. It is used to deal with dust problems at existing facilities, and to aid in designing new facilities. Dust assessments provide necessary input to the environmental approval process for a new facility. Dust control solutions may include windbreaks, wind fences, chemical dust suppressants, dust collectors, water spray systems, optimization of material handling systems, redesign of stockpiles and operations.

Operations Review, Boiler Flow Measurements, And Computational Fluid Dynamics Modelling.
RWDI provides a range of specialized services to industrial clients. Hands-on experience and expertise in boiler design, fluid flow, combustion and air pollution enables RWDI to provide integrated solutions to recovery boiler owners. A review of boiler operations is typically the first step. RWDI's product specialists can assess if operating set points (i.e. air splits) are optimal for the specific black liquor being fired. As well, a review of equipment settings can be valuable in ensuring that they are being used to the maximum benefit. As well as improving combustion, the recommendations can minimize fuming, reducing particulate emission and improving boiler cleanliness. The proper adjustment of the air system is key to successful operation. Using technology equipment exclusively licensed from Paprican, RWDI can perform a detailed survey of flow conditions in the furnace and make recommended changes. In this way combustion limitations can be overcome. A key additional benefit is the reduction of mechanical carry over. Another valuable tool offered by RWDI is Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling. This technique allows for the simulation of flow, temperature and combustion throughout a recovery boiler. In order to provide the highest quality service to owners, RWDI has established an alliance with Process Simulation Ltd. (PSL) who utilize the computer code developed at the University of British Columbia. Areas that can be studied include capacity increases, all system changes, and high solids conversion. All of RWDI's boiler services are directed by Malcolm MacKenzie. He has 16 years of boiler design and trouble-shooting expertise.

Numerical And Physical Scale Modelling Of Pollutant Emissions.
As part of the Environmental Assessment and/or ventilation design processes, it is necessary to evaluate and characterize air quality impacts due to pollutant emissions from mobile sources. Mobile sources are inclusive of, but not restricted to, motorcycles, automobiles, trucks, buses, locomotives, aircraft, and ships. RWDI provides consulting engineering services ranging from: predicting pollutant emission rates; assessing atmospheric and mechanical dispersion; evaluating the significance of the pollutant impacts by comparing predicted concentrations with applicable air quality criteria, standards and guidelines; and recommending mitigation measures when required. Numerical and physical scale modelling of pollutant emissions which incorporate United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) approved methodologies are used to predict potential pollutant impact concentrations. If solutions are required, mitigation measures include alternative route selection, mechanical ventilation (tunnels, terminals and stations), alternative fuels, intersection light cycle analysis, and ambient monitoring. Pollutant emission rates are obtained by RWDI staff from both engine manufactures and regulatory agencies. Atmospheric dispersion is numerically assessed using U.S. Air quality dispersion models such as ISC3, CAL3QHCR, AERMOD, CALPUFF, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), or physical modelling in RWDI's boundary layer wind tunnel testing facilities. Applicable ambient air quality criteria are available in RWDI's extensive in-house library or by contacting regulatory agencies. Mitigation measures are proposed when required using RWDI's wealth of in-house experience in solving air quality problems. RWDI's staff of engineers and scientists has conducted over 1000 air quality studies worldwide. RWDI also offers advanced regional airshed modelling services. Meteorological, emission inventory and photochemical modelling of regional and urban smog is performed using advanced computer models such as MM5, MC2, SMOKE, EMS-95, CMAQ, SAQM, etc.

Sophisticated Environmental Noise And Vibration Monitoring Instrumentation And Computational Noise Prediction Models.
RWDI provides environmental noise and vibration assessments for industry, road, rail and aircraft activity for new construction, existing facilities and expansions to existing facilities. Assessments involve on-site field monitoring to assess the existing noise environment, and/or computational modelling for noise prediction. Monitoring is used to calibrate the computational models which are then used to predict future conditions, impacts if any, and serves as the basis for RWDI's design of control measures.

Feasibility Assessment For Siting Of Waste-to-energy Incineration Facilities (weifs)
The Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department (EPD) is proposing to build Waste-to-Energy Incineration Facilities (WEIFs) capable of burning up to 6,000 tonnes of municipal waste per day and generating 140 MW of electricity. The WEIFs are to be located at one or two of four potential sites in Hong Kong. RWDI was retained by the EPD to perform air quality (near-field and regional), visibility, noise, fugitive dust, odour and greenhouse gas assessments for all four proposed sites. Results from these assessments were compiled into Site Assessment Reports for each WEIF site. A detailed Environmental Impact Assessment Report was prepared in 1999 for the selected site(s). RWDI performed near-field dispersion modelling (physical and numerical) to assess air quality impacts of criteria pollutants (CO, NO2, TSP, PM10 and SO2) within 5 km of each site. These model simulations were specially designed to assess emission impacts in Hong Kong's complex terrain and to evaluate various stack height design options. Having completed this near-field modelling, regional modelling was performed to evaluate the impacts attributable to WEIF operations in the Hong Kong airshed.

Emissions Inventory Methodology.
RWDI was retained by the Taiwan EPA to develop emissions inventory methods; collect and compile the required inventory data; generate inventory results; and evaluate the impacts of various transportation strategies and vehicle control technologies on projected future emissions. The ongoing development of analysis methods and the generation of emissions data will eventually become part of a comprehensive air quality improvement strategy for transportation in Taiwan. RWDI developed a three-volume standardized methodology for compiling inventories of annual emissions from on-road vehicles specific to Taiwan, including guidance for gathering the data for estimating emission factors and vehicle activity. Emissions included CO, NOX, HC, PM , Pb, SO2, CO2, CH4 and N2O. A case-study inventory was compiled for the City of Taipei, which focused on greenhouse gas emissions of CO2, CH4 and N2O. The vehicle emission factor model MOBILE-Taiwan2 was used to provide Taipei-specific emission factors and vehicle fleet distribution data. Vehicle activity data was generated using the Taipei Department of Rapid Transit Systems's (DORTS) travel demand forecasting model, TRTS III. Future emissions projected from base year levels were evaluated for various vehicle control technology options and transportation strategies, such as cordon road pricing, increased vehicle occupancies, and constrained vehicle ownership, to predict potential reductions in future emissions levels. Studies to assess combined transportation options such as lower bound inner/outer cordon tolls with electronic pricing were also undertaken.

Advanced Aerosol And Ambient Measurement Techniques.
Air quality problems are larger, less isolated, and more complex than ever before. To assist industry and regulatory agencies in addressing these issues, air quality models have evolved into sophisticated management tools, capable of simulating complex photochemical reactions and atmospheric transport. The Models-3 Framework is the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (US EPA's) next generation air quality modelling system, and is designed with these considerations in mind. The overall purpose of this project is to demonstrate that the Models-3 Framework can be used to simulate the complex photochemical and pollutant transport processes for a selected Canadian airshed; perform ambient field monitoring of particulates and other pollutants to validate the results obtained from the Models-3 Framework; and evaluate and improve the secondary aerosol modules within the Models-3 Framework. The Hamilton airshed was selected as the initial test location due to its frequent ozone and smog related problems. It is also an area of intense industrial and vehicular activity, and is influenced by transboundary pollutant transport, complex terrain and lake effects.

Services

Consulting Engineer - Buildings-heating/Ventilation

Consulting Engineer - Buildings-hospitals

Consulting Engineer - Transportation-bridges

Consulting Engineer - Transportation-tunnels

Consulting Engineer - Transportation-airports

Consulting Engineer - Buildings-acoustics

Consulting Engineer - Buildings-structural

Consulting Engineer - Environment-other

Consulting Engineer - Environment-impact Studies

Consulting Engineer - Environment-pollution Control

Consulting Engineer - Other (specify)

Consulting Engineer - Transportation-transportation Studies

Environmental Consultant - Risk Assessment

Environmental Consultant - Microclimate: Wind

Environmental Consultant - Energy Conservation And Recovery

Environmental Consultant - Resource Conservation And Protection-other

Environmental Consultant - Sanitary Landfills

Environmental Consultant - Energy From Waste Plants

Environmental Consultant - Incinerators

Environmental Consultant - Sewage Treatment Plants

Environmental Consultant - Consulting

Environmental Consultant - Environmental Audits

Environmental Consultant - Environmental Impact Assessments

Environmental Consultant - Field Sampling And Monitoring

Environmental Consultant - Research

Environmental Consultant - Site Assessment

Environmental Consultant - Air Quality-air Dispersion Modelling

Environmental Consultant - Air Quality-indoor Air

Environmental Consultant - Noise And Vibration

Wind Loading Studies

Snow And Ice Accumulation Studies

Pedestrian Comfort Studies

Noise Impact Studies

Solar Glare Assessments

Air Quality Studies And Monitoring

Internal Ventilation Studies

R&d - Photochemical Modeling Processes

Studies Related To Investigations Of Accident Spil

Studies Related To Stationary & Mobile Exhaust

Rowan Williams Davies & Irwin Inc.

RWDI

Company Details

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