Sponsor
Portland State University. Department of Chemistry
First Advisor
Robert J. O'Brien
Term of Graduation
Fall 1993
Date of Publication
12-9-1993
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.) in Chemistry
Department
Chemistry
Language
English
Subjects
Hydrocarbons -- Analysis, Volatile organic compounds -- Measurement
DOI
10.15760/etd.6472
Physical Description
1 online resource (2, iii, 63 pages)
Abstract
This treatise studied two correlated important issues in atmospheric chemistry: real-time monitoring of ambient air and removal mechanisms of atmospheric hydrocarbons. An analytical system was designed for the purpose of identification and measurement of sub-ppb level hydrocarbons of different reactivities in air samples. This analytical system was then applied to a series of smog-chamber studies which simulated the removal of reactive hydrocarbons from the atmosphere by reaction with hydroxyl radicals. Six representative atmospheric hydrocarbons (hexane, octane, toluene, m-xylene, a-xylene and mesitylene) were selected for these experiments. The experimental data indicated that the decay of atmospheric hydrocarbons under laboratory conditions is entirely due to reaction with hydroxyl radicals. The conclusion drawn from a time-resolved plume study that aromatic molecules decay much faster than could be accounted for solely by reaction with hydroxyl radicals was not verified; this indicates a difference between laboratory study and the study in the real atmosphere, and some physical factors besides chemical mechanism might take a more significant role in removing aromatics faster from the atmosphere.
Rights
In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/26598
Recommended Citation
Han, Dawei, "Atmospheric Hydrocarbon Analysis" (1993). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 4588.
https://doi.org/10.15760/etd.6472
Comments
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