Spatial variation of particle number concentration in school microscale environment

There is significant toxicological evidence of the effects of ultrafine particles (<100nm) on human health (WHO 2005). Studies show that the number concentration of particles has been associated with adverse human health effects (Englert 2004). This work is part of a major study called ‘Ultrafine Particles form Traffic Emissions and Children’s Health’ (UPTECH), which seeks to determine the effect of the exposure to traffic related ultrafine particles on children’s health in schools (http://www.ilaqh.qut.edu.au/Misc/UPT ECH%20Home.htm). Quantification of spatial variation of particle number concentration (PNC) in a microscale environment and identification of the main affecting parameters and their contribution levels are the main aims of this analysis

Concentration fluctuations of large Stokes number particles in a one-dimensional random velocity field

We analyze the behavior of an ensemble of inertial particles in a one-dimensional smooth Gaussian velocity field, in the limit of large inertia, but considering a finite correlation time for the random field. We derive in this limit a perturbative scheme for the calculation of the concentration correlation and of the particle relative velocity distribution, providing analytical expressions for the concentration fluctuation amplitude, its correlation length, and the modification in the particle pair relative velocity variance. The amplitude of the concentration fluctuations is characterized by slow decay at large inertia and a much larger correlation length than that of the random field. The fluctuation structure in velocity space is very different from predictions from short-time correlated random velocity fields, with only few particle pairs crossing at sufficiently small relative velocity to produce correlations. Concentration fluctuations are associated with depletion of the relative velocity variance of colliding particles.Comment: 8 pages, 1 figure, revtex

Similarity of the concentration field of gas-phase turbulent jets

This work is an experimental investigation of the turbulent concentration field formed when the nozzle gas from a round, momentum-driven, free turbulent jet mixes with gas entrained from a quiescent reservoir. The measurements, which were made with a non-intrusive laser-Rayleigh scattering diagnostic at Reynolds numbers of 5000, 16000, and 40000, cover the axial range from 20 to 90 jet exit diameters and resolve the full range of temporal and spatial concentration scales. Reynolds-number-independent and Reynolds-number-dependent similarities are investigated. The mean and r.m.s. values of the concentration are found to be consistent with jet similarity laws. Concentration fluctuation power spectra are found to be self-similar along rays emanating from the virtual origin of the jet. The probability density function for the concentration is also found to be self-similar along rays. Near the centreline of the jet, the scaled probability density function of jet fluid concentration is found to be nearly independent of the Reynolds number

Concentration risk and the optimal number of central counterparties for a single asset

We model the central counterparty (CCP) clearing of a single asset traded over-the-counter by two groups of banks in two currencies. We compare a variety of different clearing set-ups involving one or two CCPs according to their ability to withstand a combined market and banking crisis. Using stress testing, the model shows that the question of the optimal clearing set-up for a specifi c asset is complex and depends on many parameters such as the level of funding available to the CCP(s), the degree of integration between the different groups of participants and the particular risk profiles of these different groups. On the whole, however, a single CCP solution appears less resilient than a two-CCP arrangement when the magnitude of the crisis is large and only more resilient when the magnitude of the crisis is small in relation to the clearing fund of the CCP(s). Another interesting outcome is that the two-CCP set-ups perform better than the single CCP set-up for low levels of participation.

Estimating seasonal variations in cloud droplet number concentration over the boreal forest from satellite observations

Seasonal variations in cloud droplet number concentration (NCD) in low-level stratiform clouds over the boreal forest are estimated from MODIS observations of cloud optical and microphysical properties, using a sub-adiabatic cloud model to interpret vertical profiles of cloud properties. An uncertainty analysis of the cloud model is included to reveal the main sensitivities of the cloud model. We compared the seasonal cycle in NCD, obtained using 9 yr of satellite data, to surface concentrations of potential cloud activating aerosols, measured at the SMEAR II station at Hyytiälä in Finland. The results show that NCD and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations have no clear correlation at seasonal time scale. The fraction of aerosols that actually activate as cloud droplet decreases sharply with increasing aerosol concentrations. Furthermore, information on the stability of the atmosphere shows that low NCD is linked to stable atmospheric conditions. Combining these findings leads to the conclusion that cloud droplet activation for the studied clouds over the boreal forest is limited by convection. Our results suggest that it is important to take the strength of convection into account when studying the influence of aerosols from the boreal forest on cloud formation, although they do not rule out the possibility that aerosols from the boreal forest affect other types of clouds with a closer coupling to the surfac