Chain-aggregate aerosols in smoke from the Kuwait oil fires

Journal Article · Sun Sep 20 04:00:00 EDT 1992 · Journal of Geophysical Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/92JD01372· OSTI ID:81153

Weiss, R E ^[1]; Kapustin, V N ^[2]; Hobbs, P V ^[3]

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1. Radiance Research, Inc., Seattle, WA (United States)
2. Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Moscow (Russian Federation)
3. Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA (United States)

Electrooptical scattering was used to detect aggregated particle chains in the smoke from the Kuwait oil fires. Nonsphericity was detected by the change in light scattering brought about by induced alignment of particles when subjected to a pulsed, bipolar electric field. Measured parameters included the steady state enhancement of light scattering for complete orientation of the particles, and the rotational diffusion constant, calculated from the time required for the particles to relax to a random orientation after the electric field was removed. Chain aggregates of soot formed within seconds of combustion for those fires producing black smoke. These aggregates agglomerated to some extent in the smoke near the fires, but then remained relatively unchanged for several hours of travel downwind. Very little nonsphericity was detected for particles in the plume of white smoke, which consisted primarily of salt brine products emitted along with the oil. 10 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 81153
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research Journal Issue: D13 Vol. 97; ISSN JGREA2; ISSN 0148-0227
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROSOLS
AGGLOMERATION
CHAINS
FIRES
KUWAIT
OIL WELLS
SOOT