Texas Environmental Research Consortium
Environmental Improvement Through Research
 
Project H006A.2002
Quantification of Fugitive Reactive Alkene Emissions from Petrochemical Plants with Perfluorocarbon Tracers

Project Period:11/01/2002 - 02/28/2004
Total Budget:$74,162
Sub-Contractors:Brookhaven National Laboratory - Russell N. Dietz ($74,162)

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Recent experimental studies have indicated the importance of fugitive emissions of reactive alkenes, such as ethylene, propylene and 1,3-butadiene on the atmospheric chemistry in the Houston area of Texas. This project investigates the differences between reported and estimated emissions of reactive alkenes. The perfluorocarbon tracer (PFT) technology is used to quantify NOx and hydrocarbon emissions from a petrochemical facility. A known amount of PFTs is released at a known flux within the facility, and its concentration measured downwind with aircraft sampling. The PFT, alkene and NOx concentrations are then measured upwind and downwind of the plant using a research aircraft. The alkene emission rate can then be calculated from the downwind alkene and PFT concentrations and the known emission rate of the PFT.

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