Highly controlled, reproducible measurements of aerosol emissions from combustion of a common African biofuel source
Particulate emissions from biomass burning can both alter the atmosphere's radiative balance and cause significant harm to human health. However, due to the large effect on emissions caused by even small alterations to the way in which a fuel burns, it is difficult to study particulate produ...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2018-01-01
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| Series: | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| Online Access: | https://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/18/385/2018/acp-18-385-2018.pdf |
| Summary: | Particulate emissions from biomass burning can both alter the atmosphere's radiative
balance and cause significant harm to human health. However, due to the large
effect on emissions caused by even small alterations to the way in which
a fuel burns, it is difficult to study particulate production of biomass
combustion mechanistically and in a repeatable manner. In order to address
this gap, in this study, small wood samples sourced from Côte D'Ivoire in
West Africa were burned in a highly controlled laboratory environment. The
shape and mass of samples, available airflow and surrounding thermal
environment were carefully regulated. Organic aerosol and refractory black
carbon emissions were measured in real time using an Aerosol Mass
Spectrometer and a Single Particle Soot Photometer, respectively. This
methodology produced remarkably repeatable results, allowing aerosol
emissions to be mapped directly onto different phases of combustion.
Emissions from pyrolysis were visible as a distinct phase before flaming was
established. After flaming combustion was initiated, a black-carbon-dominant
flame was observed during which very little organic aerosol was produced,
followed by a period that was dominated by organic-carbon-producing
smouldering combustion, despite the presence of residual flaming. During
pyrolysis and smouldering, the two phases producing organic aerosol, distinct
mass spectral signatures that correspond to previously reported variations in
biofuel emissions measured in the atmosphere are found. Organic aerosol
emission factors averaged over an entire combustion event were found to be
representative of the time spent in the pyrolysis and smouldering phases,
rather than reflecting a coupling between emissions and the mass loss of the
sample. Further exploration of aerosol yields from similarly carefully
controlled fires and a careful comparison with data from macroscopic fires
and real-world emissions will help to deliver greater constraints on the
variability of particulate emissions in atmospheric systems. |
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| ISSN: | 1680-7316 1680-7324 |