Deposition emissions

One of the most common manifestations of a deposition problem is reduced heat transfer in the radiant zone of a furnace. Decreased heat transfer due to a reduction in surface absorptivity is a result of the combination of radiative properties of the deposit (emiss-ivity/absorptivity) and thermal resistance (conductivity) of a deposit. Thermal resistance (thermal conductivity and deposit overall thickness) is usually more significant because of its effect on absorbing surface temperature. 

Since SO2 and NO2 are criteria pollutants, their emissions are regulated. In addition, for the purposes of abating acid deposition in the United States, the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments require that nationwide SO2 and NO emissions be reduced by approximately 10 million and 2 million t/yr, respectively, by the year 2000. Reasons for these reductions are based on concerns which include acidification of lakes and streams, acidification of poorly buffered soils, and acid damage to materials. An additional major concern is that acid deposition is contributing to the die-back of forests at high elevations in the eastern United States and in Europe. 

Selection of pollution control methods is generally based on the need to control ambient air quaUty in order to achieve compliance with standards for critetia pollutants, or, in the case of nonregulated contaminants, to protect human health and vegetation. There are three elements to a pollution problem a source, a receptor affected by the pollutants, and the transport of pollutants from source to receptor. Modification or elimination of any one of these elements can change the nature of a pollution problem. For instance, tall stacks which disperse effluent modify the transport of pollutants and can thus reduce nearby SO2 deposition from sulfur-containing fossil fuel combustion. Although better dispersion aloft can solve a local problem, if done from numerous sources it can unfortunately cause a regional one, such as the acid rain now evident in the northeastern United States and Canada (see Atmospheric models). References 3—15 discuss atmospheric dilution as a control measure. The better approach, however, is to control emissions at the source. 

Optical Properties. The index of refraction and extinction coefficient of vacuum-deposited aluminum films have been reported (8,9) as have the total reflectance at various wavelengths and emissivity at various temperatures (10). Emissivity increases significantly as the thickness of the oxide film on aluminum increases and can be 70—80% for oxide films of 100 nm. 

Radiation Dosimetry. Radioactive materials cause damage to tissue by the deposition of energy via their radioactive emissions. Thus, when they are internally deposited, all emissions are important. When external, only those emissions that are capable of penetrating the outer layer of skin pose an exposure threat. The biological effects of radiation exposure and dose are generally credited to the formation of free radicals in tissue as a result of the ionization produced (17). 

Another area where improved air quaUty has impacted on sulfur use is ia agriculture. As sulfur dioxide emissions have decreased, sulfur content of soils has also decreased. Sulfur, recognized as the fourth most important plant nutrient, is necessary for the most efficient use of other nutrients and optimum plant growth. Because many soils are becoming sulfur-deficient, a demand for sulfur-containing fertilizers has been created. Farmers must therefore apply a nutrient that previously was freely available through atmospheric deposition and low grade fertilizers. 

Lagrangian trajectory models can be viewed as foUowing a column of air as it is advected in the air basin at the local wind velocity. Simultaneously, the model describes the vertical diffusion of poUutants, deposition, and emissions into the air parcel as shown in Eigure 4. The underlying equation being solved is a simplification of equation 5 ... 

Trajectory models require spatiaUy and temporaUy resolved wind fields, mixing-height fields, deposition parameters, and data on the spatial distribution of emissions. Lagrangian trajectory models assume that vertical wind shear and horizontal diffusion are negligible. Other limitations of trajectory and Eulerian models have been discussed (30). 

Euleria.n Models. Of the Eulerian models, the box model is the easiest to conceptualize. The atmosphere over the modeling region is envisioned as a well-mixed box, and the evolution of pollutants in the box is calculated following conservation-of-mass principles including emissions, deposition, chemical reactions, and atmospheric mixing. 

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