Source emission characterization of residential wood-burning stoves and fireplaces: fine particle methyl chloride ratios for use in chemical mass balance modeling

Abstract

The results of an experiment to determine the ratio of fine aerosol to methyl chloride in residential wood burning are presented. Accurate measurements of this ratio are necessary for receptor models that use methyl chloride as a unique tracer of woodsmoke and for chemical mass balance (CMB) models that include methyl chloride in the wood-burning source composition matrix. It is demonstrated how the values of the fine particle to methyl chloride ratios for various types of wood and burn conditions may be used in a stratified sampling scheme to determine a composite value of the ratio, which is found to be about 0.68 +/- 0.13 (..mu..g/m/sup 3/)/parts per trillion (volume) in Portland, OR. The ratio is used in a CMB calculation to estimate the wood-burning contribution to fine particulate concentrations in a residential neighborhood. Ratios of several hydrocarbon gases to CO/sub 2/ in residential wood burning are also presented for use in models that may attempt source reconcilation of hydrocarbon species. 20 references, 1 figure, 6 tables.