SimFlow From €666.67/mo · Free plan 9.3 Visit MPTRAC
slcs-jsc.github.io
What it is
MPTRAC is a Lagrangian particle dispersion model for studying atmospheric transport in the free troposphere and stratosphere. It calculates forward and backward air-parcel trajectories from meteorological wind fields, with stochastic diffusion, subgrid wind variation and mixing between parcels. Optional process parameterizations cover convection, sedimentation, decay, gas-phase and aqueous-phase chemistry, and wet and dry deposition. Listed research applications include long-range pollutant transport, volcanic ash dispersion, tracer experiments and atmospheric chemistry.
The browser-based Web Runner can configure, run and visualize simulations, then download results without local installation. It is limited to 10,000 air parcels, 30 days and 10 minutes of model runtime. The model needs meteorological input, normally netCDF files on a regular pressure, longitude and latitude grid. MPTRAC supports hybrid MPI, OpenMP and OpenACC parallelization, and offers visualization interfaces for Gnuplot and ParaView. It is GPL-3.0 software for Linux, self-hosted and web use; listed pricing includes free.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- MPTRAC is a Lagrangian particle dispersion model for analyzing atmospheric transport in the free troposphere and stratosphere.Read 7 Oct 2026 · slcs-jsc.github.io
- Free plan
- YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · slcs-jsc.github.io
- Integrations
- The documentation describes visualization interfaces for Gnuplot and ParaView and output formats that support integration with the CLaMS model.Read 7 Oct 2026 · slcs-jsc.github.io
- Support
- The project directs questions, support, and collaboration inquiries to Dr. Lars Hoffmann at the Jülich Supercomputing Centre.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- License
- The repository states that MPTRAC is distributed under the GNU General Public License v3.0.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Headquarters
- Jülich Supercomputing Centre, Forschungszentrum Jülich, GermanyRead 19 Oct 2026 · slcs-jsc.github.io
- 3D visuals
- YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · slcs-jsc.github.io
- Assessment tools
- NoRead 23 Sep 2026 · slcs-jsc.github.io
- Authoring tools
- NoRead 23 Sep 2026 · slcs-jsc.github.io
- Data export
- YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · slcs-jsc.github.io
- Delivery mode
- hybridRead 23 Sep 2026 · slcs-jsc.github.io
- Development binary limit
- Precompiled development binaries are for Linux x86_64, are commit snapshots rather than versioned releases, and are retained for 30 days.Read 7 Oct 2026 · slcs-jsc.github.io
- Input requirements
- The model requires meteorological input data, normally supplied as netCDF files on a regular pressure, longitude, and latitude grid.Read 7 Oct 2026 · slcs-jsc.github.io
- Lesson library
- NoRead 23 Sep 2026 · slcs-jsc.github.io
- Offline access
- YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · slcs-jsc.github.io
- Output formats
- Supported model outputs include particle, gridded, mass budget, ensemble, profile, sample, station, and VTK data, with ASCII, binary, or netCDF options where documented.Read 7 Oct 2026 · slcs-jsc.github.io
- Parallel computing
- MPTRAC supports hybrid MPI, OpenMP, and OpenACC parallelization for clusters and GPU-enabled systems; OpenMP is always enabled.Read 7 Oct 2026 · slcs-jsc.github.io
- Process modules
- Optional parameterizations cover convection, sedimentation, exponential decay, gas-phase and aqueous-phase chemistry, and wet and dry deposition.Read 7 Oct 2026 · slcs-jsc.github.io
- Research uses
- The project lists long-range pollutant transport, volcanic ash dispersion, tracer experiments, and atmospheric chemistry as typical applications.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Security and trust
- The opened project pages describe the GPL license and provide a SHA-256 checksum for development binary artifacts; they do not state a security certification or compliance standard.Read 7 Oct 2026 · slcs-jsc.github.io
- Trajectory physics
- It computes forward or backward air parcel trajectories using meteorological wind fields and includes stochastic diffusion, subgrid wind variability, and inter-parcel mixing.Read 7 Oct 2026 · slcs-jsc.github.io
- Web Runner
- The browser-based Web Runner can set up, run, visualize, and download trajectory simulation results without local installation.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mptrac.jsc.fz-juelich.de
- Web Runner datasets
- The Web Runner offers ECMWF AIFS and IFS and NCEP GFS forecasts, plus ERA5, ERA-Interim, JRA-3Q, JRA-55, MERRA-2, and NCEP reanalyses.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mptrac.jsc.fz-juelich.de
- Web Runner limits
- The Web Runner limits simulations to 10,000 air parcels, 30 days, and 10 minutes of model runtime.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mptrac.jsc.fz-juelich.de
Plans and prices
Open-source MPTRAC Price not published GNU General Public License v3.0 · Linux installation from source or binaries · Browser-based Web Runner available Read 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
MPTRAC Free GPL-3.0 software · Web Runner: maximum 10,000 air parcels, 30-day simulation duration, 10-minute model runtime Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Runs forward or backward trajectory simulations.
- Optional modules represent chemistry and deposition processes.
- Web Runner requires no local installation.
- Supports parallelization for clusters and GPU-enabled systems.
- Exports several documented data formats.
Limits
- Web Runner caps runs at 10,000 air parcels.
- Web Runner limits simulation duration to 30 days.
- Web Runner allows 10 minutes of model runtime.
- Model requires meteorological input data.
Who it suits
MPTRAC suits atmospheric researchers studying transport, dispersion or chemistry who can provide meteorological input data. Its Web Runner also serves users who want to run and download limited simulations through a browser without local installation.
Verdict
MPTRAC specifies its trajectory methods, optional process modules, input needs and output formats. The browser runner has clear run limits, while fuller use requires meteorological data and a Linux or self-hosted setup.
Where Specifiction places it
- Physics Simulation Software#7 of 898.7
