Atmospheric optical effect of aerosols in large fires
The relative concentration of submicron and supermicron size particles and high turbulence in large fire plumes can radically change the aerosol size evolution in the fire plume. These size changes affect the potential for visibility reduction and long range transport. We have developed a coupled hydrodynamic plume aerosol coagulation model including condensation in the first hour of the aerosol evolution in the fire. We have extended aerosol plume evolution calculations beyond the first hour of the plume to several days transport times. This was done with a 10 level model with parameterized vertical and horizontal diffusion, sedimentation and coagulation. The optical effects of the evolving concentration and size distributions were modeled assuming Mie scattering and absorption. We have also tested the hydrodynamic part of the modeling with wind convergence measurements in a large jet fuel pool fire. These studies have pointed to the potential importance of supermicron scavenging of submicron aerosol by turbulent processes in the active fire plume.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 6795799
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-95060; CONF-8704105-1; ON: DE87008845
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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