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Laboratory studies of heterogeneous kinetics in the atmosphere

Conference ·
OSTI ID:215127
; ;  [1]
  1. Aerodyne Research, Inc., Billerica, MA (United States); and others

Heterogeneous interactions of gases with condensed phases is now recognized to play a critical role in atmospheric processes ranging from stratospheric ozone depletion to radiative balance of global warming. We describe the development of experimental techniques for measuring the uptake of trace gases into liquids. By passing droplets ({approximately}200 {mu}m in diameter) through a low pressure gas reactor or bubbles ({approximately}5 mm in diameter) through a liquid column, we determine uptake rates on time scales of millisecond to seconds, determining uptake (or {open_quote}sticking{close_quote}) coefficients between 10{sup -7} and 1. Time dependent uptake rates can determine the relative contributions of mass accommodation probability, gas and liquid diffusion, gas solubility, and aqueous reactivity to overall gas/liquid mass transport rates in the laboratory and the atmosphere. Laboratory examples to be discussed include ClONO{sub 2} and N{sub 2}O{sub 5} hydrolysis and CH{sub 2}O + HNO{sub 3} reaction, in water and sulfuric acid solution typical of atmospheric clouds and aerosols.

OSTI ID:
215127
Report Number(s):
CONF-950801--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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