Photochemical modeling of methanol-use scenarios in philadelphia. Final report

Technical Report · Sat Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6513160

Whitten, G Z; Yonkow, N; Myers, T C

A photochemical modeling study was conducted to estimate the impact on smog production resulting from the substitution of methanol fuel for gasoline and diesel fuel in Philadelphia in the year 2000. Three photochemical models were used: a comprehensive grid model adapted from the Urban Airshed Model (UAM), a four-cell trajectory model (a Lagrangian version of the UAM), and a single-cell box model. Emission rates, initial conditions, and boundary values were forecast to the year 2000. Model sensitivity tests indicate that methanol substitution above 20 percent of the overall Volatile Organic Compound inventory may significantly inhibit smog formation, but the reduction also depends strongly on other factors such as formaldehyde emissions, methanol carryover from upwind sources or previous days, and NOx levels. Whereas formaldehyde emissions tend to accelerate ozone formation, methanol carryover and NOx emissions tend to decrease ozone formation.

• Research Organization: Systems Applications, Inc., San Rafael, CA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6513160
• Report Number(s): PB-87-164372/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330700* -- Advanced Propulsion Systems-- Emission Control
500200 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT
ALCOHOLS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
FEDERAL REGION III
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INHIBITION
METHANOL
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OZONE
PENNSYLVANIA
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
POLLUTION ABATEMENT
SMOG
USA