HCHO Emission Research Articles

Seasonal Investigation of MAX-DOAS and In Situ Measurements of Aerosols and Trace Gases over Suburban Site of Megacity Shanghai, China

Shanghai has gained much attention in terms of air quality research owing to its importance to economic capital and its huge population. This study utilizes ground-based remote sensing instrument observations, namely by Multiple AXis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS), and in situ measurements from the national air quality monitoring platform for various atmospheric trace gases including Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Sulfur dioxide (SO2), Ozone (O3), Formaldehyde (HCHO), and Particulate Matter (PM; PM10: diameter ≤ 10 µm, and PM2.5: diameter ≤ 2.5 µm) over Shanghai from June 2020 to May 2021. The results depict definite diurnal patterns and strong seasonality in HCHO, NO2, and SO2 concentrations with maximum concentrations during winter for NO2 and SO2 and in summer for HCHO. The impact of meteorology and biogenic emissions on pollutant concentrations was also studied. HCHO emissions are positively correlated with temperature, relative humidity, and the enhanced vegetation index (EVI), while both NO2 and SO2 depicted a negative correlation to all these parameters. The results from diurnal to seasonal cycles consistently suggest the mainly anthropogenic origin of NO2 and SO2, while the secondary formation from the photo-oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and substantial contribution of biogenic emissions for HCHO. Further, the sensitivity of O3 formation to its precursor species (NOx and VOCs) was also determined by employing HCHO and NO2 as tracers. The sensitivity analysis depicted that O3 formation in Shanghai is predominantly VOC-limited except for summer, where a significant percentage of O3 formation lies in the transition regime. It is worth mentioning that seasonal variation of O3 is also categorized by maxima in summer. The interdependence of criteria pollutants (O3, SO2, NO2, and PM) was studied by employing the Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and the results suggested complex interdependence among the pollutant species in different seasons. Lastly, potential source contribution function (PSCF) analysis was performed to have an understanding of the contribution of different source areas towards atmospheric pollution. PSCF analysis indicated a strong contribution of local sources on Shanghai’s air quality compared to regional sources. This study will help policymakers and stakeholders understand the complex interactions among the atmospheric pollutants and provide a baseline for designing effective control strategies to combat air pollution in Shanghai.

A Comparative Study of TVOC and HCHO Emissions From Various Multilayer Built-in Furniture Components Based on ISO 16000-9:2006 Emission Test Chamber Methods

Multilayer materials of built-in furniture components emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the indoor environment. Although many green building rating systems have set criteria for indoor environments, typical buildings in Thailand have not implemented these requirements, especially for local furniture. This study aimed to identify the magnitude of VOC emissions and the relationships between these VOC emissions and inner structures, finishing techniques used for built-in components, and the cost of interior built-in furniture built by local contractors. A total of 33 specimens of built-in components normally found in Thailand were prepared and wrapped in plastic before being transported to the test facility. The total volatile organic compound (TVOC) and formaldehyde (HCHO) emission rates were measured using emission test chambers, as per the ISO 16000-9 standard, with a size of 0.21 m³, at a temperature of 23 °C, a relative humidity of 45%, an air exchange rate of 0.5 ACH, and a loading factor of 0.42 m²m-³. The measurements were conducted 3 days and 28 days after the specimens were unwrapped. It was found that specimens finished with coating techniques had the highest TVOC and HCHO emission rates, while those with single-layer materials that used covering techniques had the lowest TVOC and HCHO emission rates. The covering techniques were found to be cheaper but less durable than coating techniques. All specimens exhibited high emission concentrations in the chambers (i.e., more than the standard limit) even after 28 days. This should help raise awareness of the importance of selecting built-in furniture based on finishing techniques that make use of low-VOC materials, which are available on the market and provide better indoor air quality.

Numerical simulation and experimental investigation on pollutant emissions characteristics of PODE/methanol dual-fuel combustion

The current study focuses on the effects of methanol ratio, injection timing and intake temperature on emission performance of a common-rail engine with polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (PODE)/methanol dual-fuel combustion mode. Then, the numerical model of dual-fuel combustion is established using CFD software CONVERGE coupled with PODE/methanol chemical kinetic mechanism, and the distribution and evolution characteristics of important radicals, methanol and temperature fields inside cylinder are calculated and analyzed. The results show that the NOx and soot emissions of dual-fuel mode decrease by 12.4% and 26.0% compared with pure PODE at 50% load, but CO and HC emissions increase. With the methanol ratio increasing, the NO and N2O emissions decrease, while the methanol, NO2, HCHO, C2H4, CH4 and C2H6 emissions increase, and the peak HO2 mass of dual-fuel increases by 156.2% compared with pure PODE. With the advance of injection timing and the increase of intake temperature, the generation rate of H and OH radicals in dual-fuel combustion raise, the emissions of NO and NO2 increase, while the emissions of methanol, HCHO, C2H4, CH4 and C2H6 decrease. Therefore, compared with traditional diesel engine, more attention should be paid to the unregulated emissions of NO2, methanol and HCHO for PODE/methanol dual-fuel engine.

Effects of pilot injection strategy on in-cylinder combustion and emission characteristics of PODE/methanol blends

Polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (PODE) and methanol are both promising alternative fuels with high oxygen content, and the combustion and emission characteristics of PODE/methanol blends were investigated in a common-rail engine. The premixed charge compression ignition (PCCI) combustion was realized by appropriate match of main injection and pilot injection strategies. The effects of methanol ratio (0– 20%) on fuel economy and emissions formation were studied in conventional compression ignition (CI) and PCCI modes. The combustion and emission characteristics were improved by adjusting the pilot injection timing (−40 ~ −24 °CA ATDC) and pilot injection ratio (0– 20%). The results show that the increase of methanol ratio prolongs the ignition duration, increases the premixed combustion ratio and reduces NOx emissions. PCCI combustion increases the brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and improves the trade-off relationship between NOx and soot. The delay of pilot injection timing increases the BTE, decreases HC, CO and HCHO emissions, but increases NOx and soot emissions. The appropriate pilot injection ratio can significantly increase the BTE, and has little effect on the emission characteristics. Under the optimized pilot injection strategy and appropriate methanol ratio conditions, the maximum BTE of the blends can reach 46.58% and maintain low emission level.

Wintertime Formaldehyde: Airborne Observations and Source Apportionment Over the Eastern United States

AbstractFormaldehyde (HCHO) is generated from direct urban emission sources and secondary production from the photochemical reactions of urban smog. HCHO is linked to tropospheric ozone formation, and contributes to the photochemical reactions of other components of urban smog. In this study, pollution plume intercepts during the Wintertime INvestigation of Transport, Emissions, and Reactivity (WINTER) campaign were used to investigate and characterize the formation of HCHO in relation to several anthropogenic tracers. Analysis of aircraft intercepts combined with detailed chemical box modeling downwind of several cities suggests that the most important contribution to observed HCHO was primary emission. A box model analysis of a single plume suggested that secondary sources contribute to 21 ± 10% of the observed HCHO. Ratios of HCHO/CO observed in the northeast US, from Ohio to New York, ranging from 0.2% to 0.6%, are consistent with direct emissions combined with at most modest photochemical production. Analysis of the nocturnal boundary layer and residual layer from repeated vertical profiling over urban influenced areas indicate a direct HCHO emission flux of 1.3 × 1014 molecules cm−2 h−1. In a case study in Atlanta, GA, nighttime HCHO exhibited a ratio to CO (0.6%–1.8%) and was anti‐correlated with O3. Observations were consistent with mixing between direct HCHO emissions in urban air masses with those influenced by more rapid HCHO photochemical production. The HCHO/CO emissions ratios determined from the measured data are 2.3–15 times greater than the NEI 2017 emissions database. The largest observed HCHO/CO was 1.7%–1.8%, located near co‐generating power stations.

A decade of satellite observations reveal significant increase in atmospheric formaldehyde from shipping in Indian Ocean

Atmospheric formaldehyde (HCHO) is a potential pollutant and very harmful to public health at higher doses. There are different sources for HCHO in the atmosphere, in which fuel combustion and biomass burning are predominant. The oxidation of hydroxyl radicals (OH) and methane are the chemical production pathways of HCHO in the troposphere. Here, we show a different source of HCHO emission to the atmosphere; the maritime shipping. The analyses using satellite measurements for the period 2005–2014 reveal large amounts of HCHO release along the ship routes in Indian Ocean, about 7–8 x1015 molec./cm2. This is nearly twice (150–200%) the ambient or background HCHO levels (about 4 × 1015 molec./cm2), when there is no ship emissions in the north Indian Ocean. The trend in HCHO concentrations over the Indian Ocean sea routes is about 0.008 × 1015 molec./cm2/year. The amount and the increasing trends of HCHO over the maritime routes in the north Indian Ocean are also comparable to those of the busiest sea-lanes in the world Oceans, such as the Panama Canal, Mediterranean Sea and Strait of Malacca. Our analyses, henceforth, suggest use of a better fuel for shipping to reduce the maritime pollution, as the polluted air can often be transported to the coastal regions and islands, which is a concern for public health in those regions.

Spatio-temporal distribution and source partitioning of formaldehyde over Ethiopia and Kenya

Abstract Understanding the local sources of atmospheric formaldehyde (HCHO) is a key step in accurately determining the inversion of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs). This study aims to clarify the main sources and emission patterns of local total HCHO column densities over Ethiopia and Kenya. Between 2005 and 2015, the total monthly HCHO varied from 3.7 × 1015 molecules/cm2 to 7.7 × 1015 molecules/cm2. Monthly HCHO showed a strong seasonal pattern with annual peaks on March, July (small peak) and October, which well matched with the rainy seasons in Ethiopia and Kenya. Natural sources contributed 36% to the total HCHO in the study area. Grassland and savannas showed high column densities in the long rainy season starting from March, with the monthly average emission value of 5.6 × 1015 molecules/cm2. Multiple regression result showed that vegetation contributed 3.5 × 1013 molecules/cm2 to monthly HCHO, with grassland and forest in eastern Kenya and the boundary of Ethiopia and Kenya were the main contributors in these regions. Biomass burning and methane contributed to HCHO emission in the western and northern Ethiopia with a magnitude of 1.4 × 1014 molecules/cm2 and 6.2 × 1016 molecules/cm2 per month, respectively. Economic activities showed negative response to HCHO columns, except over the two small-scale regions of Addis Ababa City and Nairobi City. This study quantified the HCHO from various sources and suggested that natural sources produce more HCHO than anthropogenic sources over Ethiopia and Kenya.

Indoor air formaldehyde (HCHO) pollution of urban coach cabins

Urban coach cabin is an important indoor environment for long journey, formaldehyde (HCHO) is a carcinogenic gas and damages indoor air quality of cabins. In order to control the HCHO pollution, the air samples inside cabins were analysed with a thermally desorbed gas chromatograph, and the HCHO diffusion was simulated with a methodology of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Results show that through the experimental monitoring, the HCHO pollution level range from 33.6 to 142.3 μg/m3, decrease quickly with time, and the attenuation trendline is univariate cubic equation. Through the CFD simulation, the indoor temperature and HCHO level of cabin front and rear ends are higher than ones of other areas for the insufficient air supply and the unreasonable arrangement of air exhaust outlet. Moreover, through the CFD simulation, the HCHO level decreases with height growth of breathing zone and increasing air supply speed, and fresh air lead to diffusion of HCHO pollution from cabin seat area to the surrounding area. Through the CFD simulation, the HCHO pollution under the wind speeds of 3~5 m/s is higher than the HCHO limit level from indoor air standard of China vehicles, which shows that the HCHO emission of cabin seat has an important impact on airborne HCHO pollution inside vehicle cabins.

Formaldehyde monitoring in office buildings located in tropical climates of India

Indoor air pollution is a result of complex phenomenon that occurs due to constantly changing interaction of various indoor and outdoor environmental factors. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are the major pollutants in air conditioned indoors, perhaps having a large subset of hazardous compounds. In this study, formaldehyde (HCHO) was monitored at 30 minute interval using portable photoelectric absorptiometric sensors along with comfort parameters like air temperature, relative humidity and air flow rate at six newly constructed or renovated office buildings located in composite, temperate and warm-humid climatic zones (in various parts of India). Results show that formaldehyde emissions exceeded the limits suggested by LEED guidelines (27 ppb) in all the buildings except in the ones where low emitting green interiors were used. Furniture and interior decorative work were found to be the primary sources of formaldehyde emission than other parameters. A logarithmic relationship (R2=0.65) was established between HCHO and respective age of the building/refurbished time. The analysis also presents that in a scenario of green interiors (low HCHO concentration) and the humidity levels above 60%, the trend of HCHO concentration with indoor moisture exhibits certain time delays in reaching equilibrium due to slow conditioning of HCHO molecules and indoor moisture. The study provides a rational analysis on HCHO emissions in Indian office buildings, which is important to understand possible sources and their effects on HCHO concentration in office indoors. The study data helps to implement required measures to control indoor humidity levels or necessary HCHO mitigation strategies during design and operation process of the air-conditioned office buildings.

Changes in characteristics of wood fiber insulation board according to density

As the demand increases for low energy green buildings, such as passive housing, the development of new insulation systems based on natural materials is underway. In this study, 20-mm-thick wood fiber insulation board (WIB) samples of different densities were prepared using melamine-formaldehyde-urea (MFU) resin adhesives. The resin contents were fixed at 35% and the target densities were 0.10 g/cm3, 0.15 g/cm3, 0.20 g/cm3, and 0.25 g/cm3. The thermal conductivities of the WIBs gradually increased as the density increased. The formaldehyde (HCHO) emissions of all the WIBs indicated that they were of “Super E0” (SE0) grade, but the quantity of the HCHO emissions slightly increased as the density increased. The thickness swelling of all the WIBs was stable at less than 3%, and the bending strength linearly increased as the WIB density increased. A notable decrease in the water absorption rate was observed between the lower and higher density WIB samples. Based on the results of the cone calorimeter tests, the carbonization depth ratio and the weight loss rate remarkably decreased as the density increased. Therefore, the optimum WIB density was in the range of 0.15 g/cm3 to 0.20 g/cm3 to provide adequate insulation performance as well as human and structural safety.

Evolution of the vertical structure of air pollutants during winter heavy pollution episodes: The role of regional transport and potential sources

Knowledge of vertical distribution of air pollutants is important for understanding the mechanisms underlying haze pollution. In this paper, we characterize the vertical structure of air pollutants based on ground-based Multi-Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) measurements in the wintertime in Hefei, East China. Both NO2 and aerosol show exponentially decreasing profile with high concentrations concentrated close to the surface, suggesting the major emissions are at ground level. SO2 profiles extend to slightly higher altitudes than NO2, which might be due to the SO2 emissions from elevated point sources (e.g., power plants). Elevated HCHO was observed in the middle layer during noon time, probably indicating that the larger effect of the photochemical formation of atmospheric HCHO rather than direct HCHO emissions. Potential source contribution function (PSCF) and concentration-weighted trajectory (CWT) models were used to evaluate the potential sources of Hefei's air pollution in the lower, middle and upper boundary layer. The results revealed that the major regional source of NO2 and aerosol were located in the northern and eastern part of Anhui and the transport mainly occured in the lower layer. Transported SO2 from the northwestern regions in the middle layer made great contribution to SO2 in Hefei. HCHO was mostly produced locally while the transport of HCHO from potential source areas was negligible. To further explore the potential source contributions affecting haze pollution, PSCF and CWT analysis for heavy haze episodes suggested that the potential source areas for aerosol were almost located in the northern region, the northwestern region, and the YRD region. Our findings provide a more comprehensive understanding for regional transport through the study on potential sources at different altitudes, which are useful for designing collaborative air pollution control strategies on a regional scale.

Adverse results of the economic crisis: A study on the emergence of enhanced formaldehyde (HCHO) levels seen from satellites over Greek urban sites

In order to study the years of the outbreak of the financial crisis in Greece, we use a continuous eight-year record (2008–2015) of formaldehyde, HCHO, columns retrieved from the GOME-2/MetOp-A and GOME-2/MetOp-B satellite instruments over two urban Greek regions, Thessaloniki and Athens. A statistical linear regression analysis that was applied to the GOME-2/MetOp-A HCHO time series over both cities revealed positive annual changes. On seasonal basis, the wintertime HCHO change per annum was found to be 7.43 ± 2.26% and 6.13 ± 2.12% over Thessaloniki and Athens, respectively. A corresponding seasonal time series analysis was also applied to tropospheric nitrogen dioxide, NO2, levels. The tropospheric NO2 winter change per annum is shown to be negative, at −3.0 ± 0.13% and −3.94 ± 0.14% over Thessaloniki and Athens, respectively. The satellite HCHO and NO2 observations levels are comparable to collocated ground-based MAX-DOAS measurements. Furthermore, the Comprehensive Air Quality Model with extensions chemical transport model, CAMx CTM, as well as the driving emission inventory in CAMx are used for further investigation of the seasonality of the HCHO concentrations and emissions. The CTM model analysis of the annual HCHO cycle and the winter season anti-correlation between HCHO total columns and surface temperature, mostly over Thessaloniki (R = –0.3), point to the fact that the winter HCHO enhancements, likely connected with enhanced anthropogenic activities, are not being captured by the model. The results of this study indicate a possible enhanced anthropogenic activity during the winter season that was strengthened through the investigation on the origins of the wintertime increase in HCHO columns since the beginning of the economic crisis in the country.

To meet demand of Euro V emission legislation urea free for HD diesel engine with DMCC

Based on European Steady-state Cycle (ESC) test procedure, an engine test was carried out to meet the demand of Euro V legislation with diesel methanol compound combustion (DMCC) technology on a common-rail, turbocharged, inter-cooling heavy-duty and high pressure exhaust gas recirculation (HP EGR) diesel engine with meeting the requirements of Euro IV legislation. The engine was just modified with DMCC technology and combined with after-treatment device diesel oxidation catalyst coupled with particulate oxidation catalyst (DPOC). The test results show that it can fully meet the demand of Euro V legislation without the help of selected catalyst reduction (SCR). Additionally, the comparative analysis of the dynamic and economic performances between the DMCC Euro V engine and the baseline Euro IV engine was presented in this study. The regulated emissions (included HC, CO, NOX, PM (particulate matter)) and unregulated emissions (included formaldehyde (HCHO) and unburned methanol (CH3OH)) before and after DPOC from DMCC Euro V engine were also investigated. The dynamic performance of DMCC Euro V engine is basically consistent with the baseline Euro IV engine, while there is a slight deterioration in economic performance at certain operation conditions in terms of calorific value. Compared with the baseline engine before DPOC, the DMCC engine causes an increase in HC, CO, HCHO and CH3OH emissions, but the NOX and PM emissions are much better. The DPOC efficiency in the conversion rate of HC, CO, HCHO and CH3OH is over 98% under the whole ESC test procedure, and for PM, the conversion efficiency is only around 21%. However, DPOC has no obvious influence on the conversion of NOX emissions.

Detection of formaldehyde emissions from an industrial zone in the Yangtze River Delta region of China using a proton transfer reaction ion-drift chemical ionization mass spectrometer

Abstract. A proton transfer reaction ion-drift chemical ionization mass spectrometer (PTR-ID-CIMS) equipped with a hydronium (H3+O) ion source was developed and deployed near an industrial zone in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region of China in spring 2015 to investigate industry-related emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Air pollutants including formaldehyde (HCHO), aromatics, and other trace gases (O3 and CO) were simultaneously measured. Humidity effects on the sensitivity of the PTR-ID-CIMS for HCHO detection were investigated and quantified. The performances of the PTR-ID-CIMS were also validated by intercomparing with offline HCHO measurement technique using 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone (DNPH) cartridges and the results showed fairly good agreement (slope = 0.81, R2 = 0.80). The PTR-ID-CIMS detection limit of HCHO (10 s, three-duty-cycle averages) was determined to be 0.9–2.4 (RH = 1–81.5 %) parts per billion by volume (ppbv) based on 3 times the standard deviations of the background signals. During the field study, observed HCHO concentrations ranged between 1.8 and 12.8 ppbv with a campaign average of 4.1 ± 1.6 ppbv, which was comparable with previous HCHO observations in other similar locations of China. However, HCHO diurnal profiles showed few features of secondary formation. In addition, time series of both HCHO and aromatic VOCs indicated strong influence from local emissions. Using a multiple linear regression fit model, on average the observed HCHO can be attributed to secondary formation (13.8 %), background level (27.0 %), and industry-related emissions, i.e., combustion sources (43.2 %) and chemical productions (16.0 %). Moreover, within the plumes the industry-related emissions can account for up to 69.2 % of the observed HCHO. This work has provided direct evidence of strong primary emissions of HCHO from industry-related activities. These primary HCHO sources can potentially have a strong impact on local and regional air pollution formation in this area of China. Given the fact that the YRD is the largest economic zone in China and is dense with petrochemical industries, primary industrial HCHO emissions should be strictly monitored and regulated.

Formaldehyde production from isoprene oxidation across NOx regimes.

The chemical link between isoprene and formaldehyde (HCHO) is a strong, non-linear function of NOx (= NO + NO2). This relationship is a linchpin for top-down isoprene emission inventory verification from orbital HCHO column observations. It is also a benchmark for overall photochemical mechanism performance with regard to VOC oxidation. Using a comprehensive suite of airborne in situ observations over the Southeast U.S., we quantify HCHO production across the urban-rural spectrum. Analysis of isoprene and its major first-generation oxidation products allows us to define both a "prompt" yield of HCHO (molecules of HCHO produced per molecule of freshly-emitted isoprene) and the background HCHO mixing ratio (from oxidation of longer-lived hydrocarbons). Over the range of observed NOx values (roughly 0.1 - 2 ppbv), the prompt yield increases by a factor of 3 (from 0.3 to 0.9 ppbv ppbv-1), while background HCHO increases by a factor of 2 (from 1.6 to 3.3 ppbv). We apply the same method to evaluate the performance of both a global chemical transport model (AM3) and a measurement-constrained 0-D steady state box model. Both models reproduce the NOx dependence of the prompt HCHO yield, illustrating that models with updated isoprene oxidation mechanisms can adequately capture the link between HCHO and recent isoprene emissions. On the other hand, both models under-estimate background HCHO mixing ratios, suggesting missing HCHO precursors, inadequate representation of later-generation isoprene degradation and/or under-estimated hydroxyl radical concentrations. Detailed process rates from the box model simulation demonstrate a 3-fold increase in HCHO production across the range of observed NOx values, driven by a 100% increase in OH and a 40% increase in branching of organic peroxy radical reactions to produce HCHO.

Biogenic volatile compound emissions from a temperate forest, China: model simulation

Emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) were measured using a relaxed eddy accumulation (REA) technique on an above-canopy tower in a temperate forest (Changbai Mountain, Jilin province, China) during the 2010 and 2011 summer seasons. Solar global radiation and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) were also measured. Based on PAR energy dynamic balance, an empirical BVOC emission and PAR transfer model was developed that includes the processes of BVOC emissions and PAR transfer above the canopy level, including PAR absorption and consumption, and scattering by gases, liquids, and particles (GLPs). Simulated emissions of isoprene and monoterpenes were in agreement with observations. The averages of the relative estimator biases for the flux were 39.3 % for isoprene, and 27.1 % for monoterpenes in the 2010 and 2011 growing seasons, with NMSE (normalized mean square error) values of 0.133 and 0.101, respectively. The observed and simulated mean diurnal variations of isoprene and monoterpenes in the 2010 and 2011 growing seasons were evaluated for the validation of the empirical model. Under observed atmospheric conditions, the sensitivity analysis showed that emissions of isoprene and monoterpenes were more sensitive to changes in PAR than to water vapor content or to the magnitude of the scattering factor. The emissions of isoprene and monoterpenes in the 2010 and 2011 growing seasons (from June to September) were estimated using this empirical model along with hourly observational data, with mean hourly emissions of 1.71 and 1.55 mg m−2 h−1 for isoprene, and 0.48 and 0.47 mg m−2 h−1 for monoterpenes in 2010 and 2011, respectively. As formaldehyde (HCHO) is considered as the main oxidation product of isoprene and monoterpenes, it is necessary to investigate the link between HCHO and BVOC emissions. GOME-2 HCHO vertical column densities (VCDs) can be used to estimate BVOC emission fluxes in the Changbai Mountain temperate forest.

Regulated and unregulated emissions from a DISI methanol engine under homogenous combustion and light load

Abstract Experiments were conducted on a four-cylinder direct-injection spark-ignition (DISI) methanol engine under homogenous combustion mode and light load. The measurement methods in which combine with gas chromatography and liquid chromatography were used to separate and measure formaldehyde (HCHO) and unburned methanol unregulated emissions. The effects of methanol injection timing, ignition timing, excess air ratio and intake air temperature on HC, CO, and NO X regulated emissions, HCHO and unburned methanol unregulated emissions, and brake thermal efficiency were investigated experimentally. The study results show that advancing methanol injection timing, HC and CO emissions decrease, and NO X emission increases. Retarding ignition timing, HC and NO X emissions decrease, the effect of ignition timing on CO emission is small. The HC, CO, and NO X emissions of rich mixture are higher than those of lean mixture. For a lean mixture, HC emission rises. The HC and CO emissions decrease as intake air temperature increases. Intake air temperature of 55 °C is suitable for making an ideal mixture for a DISI methanol engine under homogenous combustion mode. The variations in emitted HCHO and unburned methanol show an opposite tendencies with the variations in the methanol injection timing, ignition timing, excess air ratio, intake air temperature and engine speed. Retarding methanol injection timing, advancing ignition timing, using lean mixture and reducing intake air temperature can decrease HCHO emission; and vice versa, unburned methanol emission decrease.

Vehicle emissions of radical precursors and related species observed in the 2009 SHARP campaign

The 2009 Study of Houston Atmospheric Radical Precursors (SHARP) field campaign had several components that yielded information on the primary vehicular emissions of formaldehyde (HCHO) and nitrous acid (HONO), in addition to many other species. Analysis of HONO measurements at the Moody Tower site in Houston, TX, yielded emission ratios of HONO to the vehicle exhaust tracer species NOx and CO of 14 pptv/ppbv and 2.3 pptv/ppbv, somewhat smaller than recently published results from the Galleria site, although evidence is presented that the Moody Tower values should be upper limits to the true ratios of directly emitted HONO, and are consistent with ratios used in current standard emissions models. Several other Moody Tower emission ratios are presented, in particular a value for HCHO/CO of 2.4 pptv/ppbv. Considering only estimates of random errors, this would be significantly lower than a previous value, though the small sample size and possible systematic differences should be taken into account. Emission factors for CO, NOx, and HCHO, as well as various volatile organic compounds (VOCs), were derived from mobile laboratory measurements both in the Washburn Tunnel and in on-road exhaust plume observations. These two sets of results and others reported in the literature all agree well, and are substantially larger than the CO, NOx, and HCHO emission factors derived from the emission ratios reported from the Galleria site.Implications: Emission factors for the species measured in the various components of the 2009 SHARP campaign in Houston, TX, including HCHO, HONO, CO, CO2, nitrogen oxides, and VOCs, are needed to support regional air quality monitoring. Components of the SHARP campaign measured these species in several different ways, each with their own potential for systematic errors and differences in vehicle fleets sampled. Comparisons between data sets suggest that differences in sampling place and time may result in quite different emission factors, while also showing that different vehicle mixes can yield surprisingly similar emission factors.

Spatio-Temporal Analyses of Formaldehyde over Pakistan by Using SCIAMACHY and GOME-2 Observations

This study primarily focuses on monitoring of tropospheric formaldehyde (HCHO) column densities over Pakistan during the time period of year 2003 to 2012. Observations from two satellite instruments SCIAMACHY (Scanning imaging absorption spectrometer for atmospheric chartography, on-board ENVISAT-1) and GOME-2 (Global ozone monitoring experiment, on-board Metop-A) were used. Spatial and temporal distributions of HCHO column densities over Pakistan are analysed. Spatial maps were generated in order to see the distribution of HCHO and to identify major hotspots across the country. Seasonal cycle of HCHO over all provinces of Pakistan showed the summer maximum attributed to increase in biogenic emissions and biomass burning activities. Further emphasis was made on source identification of HCHO emissions. It revealed that agriculture fires and extensive use of compressed natural gas (CNG) as fuel also contribute to tropospheric HCHO in Pakistan. World fire atlas data from along track scanning radiometer (ATSR) was used to identify effect of agriculture waste burning on HCHO concentration in Pakistan. Significant correlation was observed between agricultural fires and increased HCHO column densities.

Validation of OMI HCHO data and its analysis over Asia

OMI HCHO is validated over the continental US (CONUS), and used to analyze regional sources in Northeast Asia (NA) and Southeast Asia (SA). OMI HCHO Version 2.0 data show unrealistic trends, which prompted the production of a corrected OMI HCHO data set. EOF and SVD are utilized to compare the spatial and temporal variability between OMI HCHO against GOME and SCIAMACHY, and against GEOS-Chem. CONUS HCHO chemistry is well studied; its concentrations are greatest in the southeastern US with annual cycle maximums corresponding to the summer vegetation. The corrected OMI HCHO agrees with this understanding as well as with the other sensors measurements and has no unrealistic trends. In NA the annual cycle is super-posed by extremely large concentrations in polluted mega-cities. The other sensors generally agree with NA’s OMI HCHO regional distribution, but megacity signal is not seen in GEOS-Chem. Our study supports the findings proposed by others that the emission inventory used in GEOS-Chem significantly underestimates anthropogenic influence on HCHO emission over megacities. The persistent mega-city signal is also present in SA. In SA the spatial and temporal patterns of OMI HCHO show a maximum in the dry season. The patterns are in remarkably good agreement with fire counts, which illustrates that the variability of HCHO over SA is strongly influenced by biomass burning. The corrected OMI HCHO data has realistic trends, conforms to well-known sources over CONUS, and has shown a stationary large concentration over polluted Asian mega-cities, and a widespread biomass burning in SA.