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Chemical reactions in power plant plumes

Conference · · Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Environ. Chem., Prepr.; (United States)
OSTI ID:7116172
 [1]; ; ; ;
  1. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC
During Project MISTT studies in 1975, concurrent measurements of NO, NO/sub 2/, and ozone were made in plumes around St. Louis. It is clear that conversion of NO to NO/sub 2/ is dominated by the reaction with ozone in the background air that mixes into the plume. Later in the plume where substantial NO has been converted to NO/sub 2/, there is a sharp increase in the rate of conversion of SO/sub 2/ to sulfate aerosol. This 2 stage conversion process of SO/sub 2/ has also been observed in smog chamber studies, thus it would seem that NO inhibits sulfate conversion. Studies of SO/sub 2/ in purified air result in rates of 0.2 to 5 percent/hour. There is a statistical correlation between increased temperature and relative humidity, and increased conversion rates; therefore a homogeneous reaction mechanism might be favored, but heterogeneous reactions are also possible and are probably the most important nighttime processes. It is important to know the reaction mechanism in designing a control strategy for sulfate. Graphs and profiles included.
OSTI ID:
7116172
Conference Information:
Journal Name: Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Environ. Chem., Prepr.; (United States) Journal Volume: 16:1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English