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Selected Research Projects |
| DRI Faculty: | Vic Etyemezian (PI) |
| Title: | Field Study of ENCAPCO Treatment Product at Smoky Site, NTS, Nevada |
| Sponsor(s): | Encapco Technologies, LLC |
| Objectives-Results: | Using the DRI-developed Portable In-Situ Wind Erosion Laboratory (PI-SWERL), this project aims to assess the short and long-term efficacy of the ENCAPCO soil surface treatment product. In many areas of the western US and other desert regions of the World, high winds can result in large amounts of suspended dust that can cause elevated levels of particulate matter (PM10) and affect human health. While dust itself can be potentially harmful, any additional contaminants associated with the dust can increase the adverse impact on human health. This Navy-sponsored study is focused on the efficacy of the ENCAPCO product at the Nevada Test Site, where some areas remain contaminated with radionuclides from earlier over-ground nuclear tests. Stabilization of soils with respect to dust emissions would result in the immobilization of any associated radionuclides with respect to emission and transport through the atmosphere. |
| DRI Faculty: | Eric Fujita (PI), Pat Arnott (Co-PI), Barbara Zielinska |
| Title: | Assessing Exposure to Air Toxics |
| Sponsor(s): | Health Effects Institute |
| Objectives-Results: | The study focuses on in-cabin exposure of commuters and residents living near major roadways in California’s South Coast Air Basin. DRI conducted the summer phase of the measurement program during September 2004 and fall-winter phase during November and December 2004. Measurements included acetaldehyde, acrolein, benzene, 1,3-butadiene, ethylbenzene, formaldehyde, n-hexane, MTBE, naphthalene, styrene, toluene, and xylene and speciated particulate and semi-volatile organic aerosols. Continuous measurements of PM, black carbon, CO, CO2, NOx, VOC and particle size distributions were made in a mobile sampling van to characterize spatial gradients in air pollutant concentrations. The exposure measurements will be compared to the annual and seasonal average concentrations derived from the Multiple Air Toxics Exposure Study-III (MATES-III), which is being conducted by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) from February 2004 to March 2005. |
| DRI Faculty: | Eric Fujita (Co-PI), Pat Arnott, Barbara Zielinska, Judith Chow, Hans Moosmüller, John Sagebiel, Dave Campbell |
| Title: | Gasoline/Diesel PM Split Study: Chemical Analysis, Ambient Sampling, and Apportionment Phase |
| Sponsor(s): | DOE - National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Office of Heavy Vehicle Technologies |
| Collaborator(s): | West Virginia University, U. Wisconsin, EPA Clean Air Vehicle Technology Center, Calif. Dept. of Consumer Affairs/Bureau of Automotive Repair |
| Objectives-Results: | The purpose of this study is to apportion the contributions of tailpipe emissions from gasoline-powered and diesel-powered motor vehicles to ambient concentrations of PM2.5 in the South Coast Air Basin (SoCAB) and to examine the range of uncertainties that may be associated with the methods and procedures for sample collection, chemical analysis, and source apportionment. Two research groups, DRI and University of Wisconsin Madison (UWM), are working cooperatively on sample collection and quality assurance aspects of the study, but are working independently, on chemical analysis and data analysis. DRI will use sample collection and analysis methods and CMB procedures that are consistent with those employed in the Northern Front Range Air Quality Study, and the UWM group will adhere to methods and procedures used in the Los Angeles Study using dynamometer tests being conducted by other organizations. DRI will monitor PM mass and elemental carbon. DRI and UWM will also collect daily 24-hour ambient PM samples at two locations in the SoCAB and at various locations and roadway loops with varying proportional contributions of gasoline and diesel vehicles. |
| DRI Faculty: | Eric Fujita (PI), Barbara Zielinska, W. Pat Arnott, John Sagebiel, C. Fred Rogers |
| Title: | Characterization of Particulate Emissions: Size Characterization and Chemical Speciation |
| Sponsor(s): | Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program, (SERDP), Project CP-1106 |
| Collaborator(s): | University of Utah, U.C. Riverside, California Institute of Technology |
| Objectives-Results: | The two main objectives of this project are to: 1) support the development of advanced methods for monitoring airborne emissions at DoD facilities; and (2) characterize the exhaust aerosol produced by aircraft ground support equipment and aircraft engines at DoD facilities including Hill Air Force Base, Ogden, UT. Size-fractionated and chemically speciated samples have been collected from a representative selection of aircraft ground support equipment. These samples have been characterized with respect to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations and phase distributions of PAH have been determined. Light-absorbing carbon concentrations have been determined in real time, with technology transfer to the prime contractor. The DRI measurements have supported evaluation of the Photoelectric Aerosol Sensor, a real-time device being considered by the prime contractor for the sponsor's application. |
| DRI Faculty: | Alan Gertler (PI), Jack Gillies |
| Title: | Particulate Matter (PM2.5 - PM10) Apportionment for On-Road Mobile Sources |
| Sponsor(s): | National Cooperative Highway Research Program |
| Collaborator(s): | Arcadis Miller |
| Objectives-Results: | This project is being conducted to determine emission factors for tailpipe, brake wear, tire wear and re-entrained road dust emissions from motor vehicles operating under real-world conditions. Measurements were performed at roadside locations in Reno, Nevada, and Durham/Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina. Measurements included continuous and integrated particulate matter concentrations (PM2.5, and PM10), their particle size distributions, wind speed, wind direction and vehicle speed. Particle size distribution indicated that tailpipe particles are fine particles. It also indicated the significance of large trucks in resuspending road dust and carrying it into high heights. Source attribution results showed that collected PM2.5 were mainly tailpipe and secondary particles, and that road dust contributed substantially to the collected PM10. |
| DRI Faculty: | John A. Gillies (PI), Pat Arnott, Vicken Etyemezian, Hampden Kuhns, Eric McDonald, Hans Moosmüller |
| Title: | Characterizing and Quantifying Local and Regional Particulate Matter Emissions from Department of Defense Installations |
| Sponsor(s): | SERDP |
| Collaborator(s): | NASA-Goddard SFC, NOAA, University of Guelph, University of Utah, University of Arizona |
| Objectives-Results: | The objectives of this SERDP-funded project are to: 1) identify source contributions from a DoD installation to observed ambient levels of PM using chemical mass balance receptor modeling, 2) develop an emission factor database for military vehicles for a variety of surface types, 3) determine the relationship between near source emissions and their potential for long range transport, 4) define military vehicle disturbance effects on soil and surface properties and quantify the effects on dust emission potential, 5) determine the off-post visibility degrading potential of the emitted PM, and 6) develop source flux terms for a GIS-based emissions model. |
| DRI Faculty: | John A. Gillies (PI) |
| Title: | Dust Emissions from Drylands: Implication for Desertification |
| Sponsor(s): | International Arid Lands Consortium |
| Collaborator(s): | Dr. Louis Berkofsky, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev |
| Objectives-Results: | This research grant is to develop the numerical dust emission model of Berkofsky and McEwan (1994) through improvement of its emission algorithm. These improvements will follow from recent advances in the theory of dust emissions and from empirical observations of the emission process. The collection of detailed empirical measurements is also part of the research. This data set will be used to guide model development as well as test its performance. |
| DRI Faculty: | John Watson (PI), Judy Chow, Barbara Zielinska, Dale Crow |
| Title: | Development of Fine Particle Emission Factors and Speciation Profiles for Oil and Gas-Fired Combustion Sources |
| Sponsor(s): | US DOE, American Petroleum Institute, Gas Technology Institute, New York State Energy Research & Development, California Energy Commission |
| Collaborator(s): | General Electric Energy and Environmental Research Corporation |
| Objectives-Results: | PM2.5 emission factors and chemical speciation profiles for combustion sources are needed to develop PM2.5 ambient air quality standard attainment strategies. In California, siting of power plants is constrained by lack of PM10 offsets and emissions estimates, which may be biased high due to measurement artifacts using traditional methods. The project involves: development of an advanced dilution tunnel-based measurement system and methodology to accurately characterize the size distribution, chemical composition, and emission rates of primary particles and reactive gases that lead to particle formation by atmospheric chemical reactions. Pilot-scale and field tests will be conducted to establish dilution tunnel design criteria and develop measurement protocols. Once developed and tested, these measurement methods will be applied to boilers, gas turbines, process heaters and other source types to collect the data needed for designing successful ambient PM2.5 management strategies. |