Characterizing particulate emissions from wood burning appliances including secondary organic aerosol formation potential. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Keller, Alejandro; Burtscher, Heinz
• Is Part Of: Journal of aerosol science. Volume 114(2017)
• Page Start: 21
• Page End: 30
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Biomass burning -- Total carbon -- Secondary aerosols -- Emission monitoring; Aerosols -- Periodicals; Aerosols -- Periodicals; Aérosols -- Périodiques; 541.34515
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaerosci.2017.08.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8502

Abstract

Abstract: Biomass burning is a major contributor to environmental particulate matter pollution and should therefore be contemplated by emission control legislation. However, policy decisions for improving air quality by imposing emission limits are only as good as the selected metric. We discuss an approach that incorporates recent scientific results and is compatible with type-approval testing and field measurements. We include potential secondary organic aerosol (SOA) by aging emissions in an oxidation flow reactor. Quantification is done by particle-bound total carbon analysis. Total carbon is the fraction relevant to combustion quality and a better marker for toxicity than total particulate matter, which also includes salts and ashes. The data is complemented by on-line size distribution measurements. We exemplify our approach by showing measurements performed on a variety of appliances. Our measurements suggest that non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) species with very low volatility are responsible for most of the SOA. Condensing and precipitating this fraction significantly reduces SOA potential but has no noticeable impact on total NMHC. Thus, key precursors of SOA may be a much smaller subset than previously thought. Targeting this fraction could be a straightforward SOA mitigation strategy. These results could not have been derived using the current standard emission control metrics. Abstract : Graphical abstract: Abstract : Highlights: Simple and straightforward approach for characterizing wood burning emissions. Better linked to combustion quality and toxicity than the current gravimetric standard. Compatible with test bench and field measurements. Approach relies on total carbon analysis. Potential secondary aerosol included using an oxidation flow reactor.