Quantification of uncertainity in reactivity adjustment factors from reformulated gasolines and methanol fuels

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Environmental Science and Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es950244x· OSTI ID:223618

Yang, Y J ^[1]; Milford, J B ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Connecticut, Storrs, CT (United States)
2. Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States)

Speciated data for motor vehicle exhaust emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been combined with estimates of uncertainty in the calculated photochemical reactivities of the VOCs to evaluate the resulting uncertainty in the overall reactivity of the exhaust. Mean reactivity adjustment factor (RAF) values for exhaust emissions from reformulated gasolines relative to conventional gasoline ranged from 0.85 to 0.93, with uncertainties of about 10% at the 1{rho} level. The mean RAF value for M85 (85% methanol, 15% gasoline) in variable/flexible-fueled vehicles relative to emissions from gasoline in conventional vehicles was 0. 42, with an uncertainty of 17%. For the gasoline-based fuels, the variability of the exhaust composition data was a major contributor to the uncertainty in the RAFs. For M85, rate constant uncertainties in the reactivities of the VOCs in the exhaust contributed almost two-thirds of the total uncertainty in the RAF values. 43 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 223618
• Journal Information: Environmental Science and Technology, Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 30; ISSN 0013-936X; ISSN ESTHAG
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
40 CHEMISTRY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACTIVATION ENERGY
AIR POLLUTION
AIR QUALITY
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
DATA COVARIANCES
EXHAUST GASES
GASOLINE
MONTE CARLO METHOD
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
VOLATILE MATTER