Grantee Research Project Results
2010 Progress Report: Improving Emission Inventories Using Direct Flux Measurements and Modeling
EPA Grant Number: R834556Title: Improving Emission Inventories Using Direct Flux Measurements and Modeling
Investigators: Collins, Don , Schade, Gunnar W. , Ying, Qi
Current Investigators: Schade, Gunnar W. , Collins, Don , Ying, Qi
Institution: Texas A & M University
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2014
Project Period Covered by this Report: January 20, 2010 through January 19,2011
Project Amount: $499,992
RFA: Novel Approaches to Improving Air Pollution Emissions Information (2009) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air Quality and Air Toxics , Air
Objective:
- Measure VOC and criteria air pollutant fluxes from the Yellow Cab tower on a semi-continuous basis.
- Extend the current measurements by a novel particulate matter (PM) number density flux technique based on REA.
- Carry out flux footprint modeling and subsequent overlays with various GIS data sets to determine flux contributions from the surrounding urban areas.
- Create bottom-up emission fluxes from onsite roadways using detailed traffic surveys and MOBILE6 and MOVES modeling. Compare predicted to measured fluxes.
- Use comparisons to identify inventory shortfalls and create modified inventories used in alternative scenarios of air quality modeling on larger scales.
Progress Summary:
After initial problems with critical instrumentation at the tower site, an extended setup was established in fall 2010 and measurements are underway since the beginning of November 2010. Carbon dioxide eddy covariance and selected criteria pollutant gradients are measured again since November 2010, particulate fluxes since February 2011 following an instrument and setup testing phase. First detailed traffic counts were taken in early March 2011.
Initial data analysis shows expected fluxes for criteria pollutants: Variability between the evaluated winter months was low, but clear differences exist between work days and weekend days. The particle flux data are in early stages of evaluation. Simultaneously, previous flux data are undergoing multivariate modeling showing the significant contribution of evaporation fluxes at this site. In addition, emission inventory modeling comparisons between MOBILE6 and MOVES suggest that the new model will predict lower VOC and CO emissions, but larger NOx emissions, particularly at low vehicle speeds.
Future Activities:
Continue measurements and modeling. Use traffic counts to develop detailed emission data for local conditions; compare to regional conditions and overlay with measured flux data using footprint modeling. Evaluate footprint model using tracer release experiment.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 10 publications for this projectRelevant Websites:
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.