Peroxy radical detection by chemical amplification (PERCA)

Important reactions of atmospheric free radicals are the chain oxidation of NO and CO. Thus: H2O + NO yields OH + NO2; OH + CO yields H + CO2; H + O2 + M yields HO2 + M. In most models, the need to know the free radical concentration could also be described as the need to know the rate of the above oxidation chain in the atmosphere. It is the total rate of this chain (also carried by RO2 and RO) which was measured using the PERCA. The PERCA is thus essentially a RO sub X meter. The PERCA works by adding excess CO (10%) and NO (5ppm) to a stream of air and measuring the NO2 produced after 3s of reaction time. Since other processes produce NO2, the chain reaction is modulated by switching the CO for N2. The chain length is limited by the reaction OH + NO yields HONO and is modeled to be somewhat over 1000. Measured chain lengths agree with the modeled numbers

Chemiluminescent measurement of atmospheric acid

The design and construction of a gas phase acid sensitive analyzer are reported. These studies showed that the chemical system was a practical analytical method. A complete instrument was developed and prepared for field testing. A Titan 3-C rocket was scheduled for launching on February 11, 1974. Through preparations made by NASA Langley the instrument was set up to monitor the acid concentration in the rocket exhaust. Due to adverse wind conditions no acid was detected. This entire trip is described in detail

Automobile Pollution Is a Disease

Brief article printed on a grocery bag in Benicia, CA

EPA Overestimates the Benefit of Biennial Inspection and Maintenance

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) computer model of mobile source emissions is used to estimate the benefits of future emissions control programs. Four input assumptions are discussed, each of which tends to overestimate the benefits of biennial testing programs. The assumptions are: each model year drives the same number of miles; high/superemitters, absent initially, increase linearly with mileage; inspection and maintenance (I/M) readings are invariant, and I/M repairs last forever. States opting for these programs should be aware that the predicted benefits may not materialize