Getting started with FOCUS_PRZM

written for FOCUS_PRZM_2.4.1, but also applicable to previous versions Back

How PRZM works

A general description of the FOCUS PRZM shell and the necessary user guidance can be found in the FOCUS PRZM user manual provided with the installation files. The structure of the PRZM shell and the communication between the different program modules may be visualized in following graphics:

FOCUS PRZM Groundwater Tool is separated into three individual modules :

The FOCUS Input Generator is used to generate the required PRZM input files based on the predefined FOCUS scenarios and the User Input. WINPRZM 3.20 is the actual truly Windows based simulation program. It may be also used individually without the FOCUS PRZM shell. The Grapher is used to generate the output tables and graphics as required from FOCUS. Each simulated FOCUS PRZM scenario is completely characterized by the Master Project File. The Master Project File may be used for an easy exchange of compound specific simulation scenarios.

System Requirements

Installing FOCUS_PRZM (for latest version 2.4.1)

"FOCUS PRZM Groundwater Tool version 2.4.1 (Mar. 2002)" is an updated version of the FOCUS PRZM gw tool distributed through the FOCUS webpage. Modifications were made only in the code of the PRZM shell. The FOCUS PRZM meteorological files and the PRZM model itself remained unchanged. This upgrade pack installs: In order to keep the necessary file size for future updates small the PRZM installation has been split into separate parts (shell vs. weather files). The installation should be done in three steps:De-installation of existing FOCUS PRZM versions: Documentation
Actual versions of the PRZM User Manual and the PRZM Parameterisation Document are automatically installed under the default path C:\FGRAT\MANUALS\ as DOC and PDF files. The PRZM Install Readme (this document) and a copy of the FOCUS PRZM webpage description (for the latest version please look into the web) are included in the zip file "FOCUS PRZM Install.ZIP" and my be manually extracted. 

Uninstall
The FOCUS PRZM Shell may be uninstalled using the standard WINDOWS remove tools. By WIN95 these tools are provided in the "Control Panel" under "Add/Remove Programs". 

Getting the PRZM Shell started
After a successful installation the shell can be started by double clicking on "FGRAT.EXE" under C:\FGRAT\ or by starting the shortcut "FPGWT" (Focus Przm Ground Water Tool) which is automatically created during the installation. The starting screen should appear including a picture of well monitoring equipment in a field. All the functions of the FOCUS PRZM Shell can be selected simply by clicking on the specific menu points. Further details are given in the actual "FOCUS PRZM User Manual".

Before starting the new shell each user is advised to read carefully the actual "FOCUS PRZM User Manual". Relevant changes have been implemented compared older version of the PRZM shell. This may effect the required operation and parameter selection. Additional information about PRZM itself can be found in the two documents "FOCUS PRZM Parameterisation" and "FOCUS PRZM webpage".

List of implemented bug fixes and other code modifications (compared to FOCUS_PRZM_2.3.1)
Code modifications were made only in the PRZM shell but were not necessary for WinPRZM itself:


List of reported bugs (status 02/04/2002)

Technical Support

Excerpt of existing model documentation related to FOCUS Groundwater