A numerical simulation of atmospheric photochemical processes including interactions with aerosol particles
We propose a comprehensive model of atmospheric photochemical processes that can be used to investigate the interactions between gas species and aerosol particles. We considered both gas and particle phase reactions, transport of material between these phases, convection, turbulent diffusion, particle growth, coagulation, nucleation, and sources. The aerosol particle phase is not forced to follow the gas phase in equilibrium; transport to the particles is described by diffusion to the particle surface. The resulting model treats 33 gas phase species and 39 particles phase species; 16 of these are transported between the phases. The particle size distribution is approximated by 9 sections between 0.01 and 10 {mu}m diameter. Strong interactions between the gas and particles are seen. Higher relative humidity results in more particle volume and surface area, allowing the interphase transport to become competitive with the reaction terms. In particular, at high relative humidities the increased scavenging of HO{sub 2} radicals by particles reduces the O{sub 3} maximum concentration. This effect is seen only on days when the maximum relative humidity exceeds 90%. This conclusion has implications for the applicability of models developed for the Los Angeles Basin, where the maximum relative humidity rarely exceeds 75%, to more humid climates like Houston.
- Research Organization:
- Houston Univ., TX (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6537588
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
HYDROXYL RADICALS
PRECIPITATION SCAVENGING
OZONE
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
AIR POLLUTION
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
PARTICLE SIZE
PHASE STUDIES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
POLLUTION
RADICALS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
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540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
010900 - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Environmental Aspects