Motor Vehicle Fleet Emissions by OP-FTIR

Authors

Kimberly S. Bradley, University of Denver
Kevin B. Brooks
Laura K. Hubbard
Peter J. Popp, University of Denver
Donald H. Stedman, University of Denver

Publication Date

2000

Document Type

Article

Organizational Units

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Keywords

Atmospheric chemistry, Emissions, Pollutants

Abstract

Using open-path Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (OP-FTIR) we have measured the variations in ambient concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) caused by emissions from motor vehicles at a high traffic site in the Denver metropolitan area. Comparison of the OP-FTIR data to average emissions results obtained from on-road exhaust analysis using individual vehicle remote sensing revealed reasonable agreement, with a CO emission ratio (CO/CO₂) of 0.050 +/- 0.004 (100 +/- 8 gCO/kg fuel) from OP-FTIR and 0.059 (118 g CO/kg fuel) from the on-road measurements. We also report a N₂O emission ratio of (1.87 +/- 0.13) x 10^-4 (0.59 +/- 0.04 g N₂O/kg fuel) from OP-FTIR and outline the potential of OP-FTIR for on-road measurements of several important exhaust components.

Recommended Citation

Bradley, K. S.; Brooks, D. B.; Hubbard, L. K.; Popp, P. J.; Stedman, D. H., Motor Vehicle fleet Emissions by OP-FTIR, Environ. Sci. Technol. 2000, 34, 897-899.