Chemical characterization of air pollutants in the ambient environment and stack emissions using PIXE and other techniques

Thesis/Dissertation · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:7286939

Sun, Benjing

Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) and other techniques have been used for chemical characterization of air pollutants in the ambient environment and in coal-fired power plant stack emissions. A microwave digestion procedure was developed to extract filter samples collected in the plumes from destruction of propellants and explosives by Open-Burning and Open-Detonation (OBOD). Air pollutants introduced by open-burning of propellants were revealed. From the study of atmospheric data collected during the winter of 1989-1990 in Utah Valley, an understanding was gained about factors affecting concentrations of pollutants in Utah Valley and contributions of various sources to the major gaseous and fine particulate species. A new sampling system, PIXE and GFAAS were used, and new techniques were developed for determining concentrations of gas-phase endemic tracers and elements emitted from coal-fired power plants in projects PP L and MOHAVE. The PIXE results were compared with EPA's XRF data and particle-size corrections for PIXE data were also discussed.

• Research Organization: Brigham Young Univ., Provo, UT (United States)
• OSTI ID: 7286939
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AIR
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
EXHAUST GASES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
PIXE ANALYSIS
POWER PLANTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WASTES
X-RAY EMISSION ANALYSIS