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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 181 records · Page 10
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Theory of Plasma-Cascade Instability

In this paper we present the theory of a novel micro-bunching instability occurring in charged particle beams propagating along a straight trajectory: a Plasma-Cascade Instability (PCI). This instability was confirmed by 3D numerical simulations and observed experimentally. It can by driven by variation of beam’s density and/or particle’s mobility. The PCI can strongly amplify noise in the beam and drastically reduce its quality. Conversely, such instability can drive novel high-power sources of radiation or can be used as a broadband amplifier.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2017

HI-SCALE Nanoparticle Composition and Precursors Field Campaign Report

From 21 August to 27 September, 2016, during the second Intensive Operational Period (IOP) of the Holistic Interactions of Shallow Clouds, Aerosols, and Land-Ecoystems (HI-SCALE) field campaign, a suite of instruments were placed in the Guest Instrument Facility (GIF) at the Central Facility of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility’s Southern Great Plains (SGP) site in Lamont, Oklahoma. The goal of these measurements was to fully characterize the formation and evolution of atmospheric aerosol particles through measurements of gas-phase precursor and ambient nanoparticle composition. Specifically, we sought to: 1. investigate the role of acid-base chemistry in new-particle growth through measurements of ammonia and amines as well as organic and inorganic acids in both atmospheric nanoparticles and the gas phase; 2. investigate the contribution of other surface-area or volume-controlled processes to nanoparticle formation and growth, such as the uptake of extremely low volatility organic compounds (ELVOCs); 3. evaluate the performance of a new instrument being developed with funding from the DOE Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program for measuring gas-phase amines and related compounds; and 4. together with colleagues measuring on the ground and onboard the ARM Gulfstream-1 (G-1) aircraft during HI-SCALE, create a comprehensive data set related to new particle formation and growth that can be used in modeling efforts by the research team as well as DOE collaborators.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

Non-equilibrium dynamics of glass-forming liquid mixtures

The non-equilibrium self-consistent generalized Langevin equation theory of irreversible processes in glass-forming liquids [P. Ramírez-González and M. Medina-Noyola, Phys. Rev. E 82, 061503 (2010)] is extended here to multi-component systems. The resulting theory describes the statistical properties of the instantaneous local particle concentration profiles n{sub α}(r, t) of species α in terms of the coupled time-evolution equations for the mean value n{sup ¯}{sub α}(r,t) and for the covariance σ{sub αβ}(r,r{sup ′};t)≡δn{sub α}(r,t)δn{sub β}(r{sup ′},t){sup ¯} of the fluctuations δn{sub α}(r,t)=n{sub α}(r,t)−n{sup ¯}{sub α}(r,t). As in the monocomponent case, these two coarse-grained equations involve a local mobility function b{sub α}(r, t) for each species, written in terms of the memory function of the two-time correlation function C{sub αβ}(r,r{sup ′};t,t{sup ′})≡δn{sub α}(r,t)δn{sub β}(r{sup ′},t{sup ′}){sup ¯}. If the system is constrained to remain spatially uniform and subjected to a non-equilibrium preparation protocol described by a given temperature and composition change program T(t) and n{sup ¯}{sub α}(t), these equations predict the irreversible structural relaxation of the partial static structure factors S{sub αβ}(k; t) and of the (collective and self) intermediate scattering functions F{sub αβ}(k, τ; t) and F{sub αβ}{sup S}(k,τ;t). We illustrate the applicability of the resulting theory with two examples involving simple model mixtures subjected to an instantaneous temperature quench: an electroneutral binary mixture of equally sized and oppositely charged hard-spheres, and a binary mixture of soft-spheres of moderate size-asymmetry.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Recombination of H atoms on the dust in fusion plasmas

We survey a model for theoretical study of the interaction of hydrogen and dust surface and apply our results for dusty plasmas to fusion devices. In this model, considering the mobility of ad-atoms from one physisorbed, or chemisorbed site, to other one by thermal diffusion, we describe the formation of H{sub 2} on grain surfaces. Finally, we calculate the formation rate on the high temperature dust surfaces for a range of temperature and density in typical conditions of divertor of tokamak.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

ENERGETIC PARTICLE PRESSURE AT INTERPLANETARY SHOCKS: STEREO-A OBSERVATIONS

We study periods of elevated energetic particle intensities observed by STEREO-A when the partial pressure exerted by energetic (≥83 keV) protons (P{sub EP}) is larger than the pressure exerted by the interplanetary magnetic field (P{sub B}). In the majority of cases, these periods are associated with the passage of interplanetary shocks. Periods when P{sub EP} exceeds P{sub B} by more than one order of magnitude are observed in the upstream region of fast interplanetary shocks where depressed magnetic field regions coincide with increases of energetic particle intensities. When solar wind parameters are available, P{sub EP} also exceeds the pressure exerted by the solar wind thermal population (P{sub TH}). Prolonged periods (>12 hr) with both P{sub EP} > P{sub B} and P{sub EP} > P{sub TH} may also occur when energetic particles accelerated by an approaching shock encounter a region well upstream of the shock characterized by low magnetic field magnitude and tenuous solar wind density. Quasi-exponential increases of the sum P{sub SUM} = P{sub B} + P{sub TH} + P{sub EP} are observed in the immediate upstream region of the shocks regardless of individual changes in P{sub EP}, P{sub B}, and P{sub TH}, indicating a coupling between P{sub EP} and the pressure of the background medium characterized by P{sub B} and P{sub TH}. The quasi-exponential increase of P{sub SUM} implies a radial gradient ∂P{sub SUM}/∂r > 0 that is quasi-stationary in the shock frame and results in an outward force applied to the plasma upstream of the shock. This force can be maintained by the mobile energetic particles streaming upstream of the shocks that, in the most intense events, drive electric currents able to generate diamagnetic cavities and depressed solar wind density regions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Mobility of indium on the ZnO(0001) surface

The mobility of indium on the Zn-polar (0001) surface of single crystal ZnO wafers was investigated using real-time x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A sudden transition in the wettability of the ZnO(0001) surface was observed at ∼520 °C, with indium migrating from the (0001{sup ¯}) underside of the wafer, around the non-polar (11{sup ¯}00) and (112{sup ¯}0) sidewalls, to form a uniform self-organized (∼20 Å) adlayer. The In adlayer was oxidized, in agreement with the first principles calculations of Northrup and Neugebauer that In{sub 2}O{sub 3} precipitation can only be avoided under a combination of In-rich and Zn-rich conditions. These findings suggest that unintentional In adlayers may form during the epitaxial growth of ZnO on indium-bonded substrates.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Defining WAC for interim storage dedicated to tritium decay - 15164

Considering the high mobility of tritium through the package in which it is contained, the new 50-year storage concepts proposed by the CEA currently provide a solution adapted to the management of waste with high tritium concentrations, associated with adapted disposal sites. The 50-year intermediate storage corresponds to 4 tritium radioactive periods i.e. a tritium reduction by a factor 16. The waste acceptance criteria (WAC) for this interim storage concept will take into account the safety of the facility, the reference scheme for the management of tritiated waste in France, and the criteria applicable at Andra disposal centers. This will lead to define a set of waste specifications that describe the generic criteria such as acceptable waste forms, general principles and specific issues, e.g. conditioning, radioactive content, tritium content, waste tracking system, and quality control. This paper details how the work by the CEA has led to a storage facility project that not only takes into account the specificity of tritium, but also the producers' needs and Andra's disposal requirements. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2015

Technetium incorporation in glass for the Hanford Tank Waste treatment and immobilization plant - 15066

A priority of the United States Department of Energy (U.S. DOE) is to dispose of nuclear wastes accumulated in 177 underground tanks at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in eastern Washington State. These nuclear wastes date from the Manhattan Project of World War II and from plutonium production during the Cold War. The DOE plans to separate high-level radioactive wastes from low activity wastes and to treat each of the waste streams by vitrification (immobilization of the nuclides in glass) for disposal. The immobilized low-activity waste will be disposed of here at Hanford and the immobilized high-level waste at the national geologic repository. Included in the inventory of highly radioactive wastes is large volumes of {sup 99}Tc (∼9 x 10 E2 TBq or ∼2.5 x 10{sup 4} Ci or ∼1500 kg). A problem facing safe disposal of Tc-bearing wastes is the processing of waste feed into in a chemically durable waste form. Technetium incorporates poorly into silicate glass in traditional glass melting. It readily evaporates during melting of glass feeds and out of the molten glass, leading to a spectrum of high-to-low retention (ca. 20 to 80%) in the cooled glass product. DOE-ORP currently has a program at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Rutgers University and in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Washington State University that seeks to understand aspects of Tc retention by means of studying Tc partitioning, molten salt formation, volatilization pathways, and cold cap chemistry. Another problem involves the stability of Tc in glass in both the national geologic repository and on-site disposal after it has been immobilized. The major environmental concern with {sup 99}Tc is its high mobility in addition to a long half-life (2.1 x 10{sup 5} yrs). The pertechnetate ion (TcO{sup 4-}) is highly soluble in water and does not adsorb well onto the surface of minerals and so migrates nearly at the same velocity as groundwater. Long-term corrosion of glass waste forms is an area of current interest to the DOE, but attention to the release of Tc from glass has been little explored. It is expected that the release of Tc from glass should be highly dependent on the local glass structure as well as the chemistry of the surrounding environment, including groundwater pH. Though the speciation of Tc in glass has been previously studied, and the Tc species present in waste glass have been previously reported, environmental Tc release mechanisms are poorly understood. The recent advances in Tc chemistry that have given rise to an understanding of incorporation in the glass giving rise to significantly higher single-pass retention during vitrification are presented. Additionally, possible changes to the baseline flowsheet that allow for relatively minor volumes of Tc reporting to secondary waste treatment will be discussed. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2021

CACTI ARM Mobile Facility (AMF) Measurements of Ice Nucleating Particles

The dataset comprises measures, using Colorado State University's Ice Spectrometer (IS, an immersion freezing device with a range from 0°C down to -26 to -29°C) of atmosperic ice nucleating particle (INP) concentrations taken on ARM's Mobile Facility (AMF-1) Aerosol Observing System, near Villa Yacanto in central Argentina, during the Cloud, Aerosol, and Complex Terrain Interactions (CACTI) Experiment. A filter sampler was mounted on the AOS trailer (2 m below the AOS inlet). Single-use filter units open to the atmosphere fitted with pre-cleaned and pre-sterilized, 47-mm dia. Nuclepore polycarbonate filters were used. Filters were typically drawn for an 8-hour period, totaling 6000 liters sampled on average. After collection, filters were stored at -20°C until processed. Initial processing to obtain spectra of INP number concentration active via the immersion freezing mechanism versus temperature was conducted using CSU's IS instrument (McCluskey et al., 2018). For measurment of INPs, collected aerosol particles were re-suspended in 7-8 mL of 0.1 µm-filtered deionized (DI) water. Aliquots of each suspension, and serial dilutions, were dispensed into trays which were fit into aluminum blocks in the IS. Samples are cooled at 0.33°C min-1 and the freezing temperatures of wells recorded automatically. Cumulative INP concentrations were determined by first calculating the INPs per mL of suspension based on Vali (1971) and then converting to concentration per standard liter of air using the proportion of the total liquid sample dispensed and the air sample volumes. An aliquot of suspension fro selected samples were also heat treated (95°C for 20 min) to denature and deactivate biological INPs, and another aliquot digested in 10% H2O2 at 95°C under UV-B to remove all organic carbon INPs. McCluskey, C. S., J. Ovadnevaite, M. Rinaldi, J. Atkinson, F. Belosi, D. Ceburnis, S. Marullo, T. C. J. Hill, U. Lohmann, Z. A. Kanji, C. O’Dowd, S. M. Kreidenweis, P. J. DeMott, 2018: Marine and Terrestrial Organic Ice Nucleating Particles in Pristine Marine to Continentally-Influenced Northeast Atlantic Air Masses, Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 123, 6196–6212, https://doi.org/10.1029/2017JD028033. Vali, G., 1971: Quantitative evaluation of experimental results on the heterogeneous freezing nucleation of supercooled liquids. J. Atmos. Sci., 28, 402–409.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Mobility size and mass of nascent soot particles in a benchmark premixed ethylene flame

The burner stabilized stagnation flame technique coupled with micro-orifice probe sampling and mobility sizing has evolved into a useful tool for examining the evolution of the particle size distribution of nascent soot in laminar premixed flames. Several key aspects of this technique are examined through a multi-university collaborative study that involves both experimental measurement and computational modeling. Key issues examined include (a) data reproducibility and facility effects using four burners of different sizes and makers over three different facilities, (b) the mobility diameter and particle mass relationship, and (c) the degree to which the finite orifice flow rate affects the validity of the boundary condition in a pseudo one dimensional stagnation flow flame formulation. The results indicate that different burners across facilities yield nearly identical results after special attention is paid to a range of experimental details, including a proper selection of the sample dilution ratio and quantification of the experimental flame boundary conditions. The mobility size and mass relationship probed by tandem mass and mobility measurement shows that nascent soot with mobility diameter as small as 15 nm can deviate drastically from the spherical shape. Various non-spherical morphology models using a mass density value of 1.5 g/cm 3 can reconcile this discrepancy in nascent soot mass. Lastly, two-dimensional axisymmetric simulations of the experimental flame with and without the sample orifice flow reveal several problems of the pseudo one-dimensional stagnation flow flame approximation. The effect of the orifice flow on the flame and soot sampled, although small, is not negligible. Particular suggestions are provided as to how to treat the non-ideality of the experimental setup in experiment and model comparisons.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Supported Silver Nanoparticle and Near-Interface Solution Dynamics in a Deep Eutectic Solvent

Type III deep eutectic solvents (DES) have attracted significant interest as both environmentally friendly and functional solvents that are, in some ways, advantageous to traditional aqueous systems. While these solvents continue to produce remarkable thin films and nanoparticle assemblies, their interactions with metallic surfaces are complex and difficult to manipulate. In this study, the near-surface region (2–600 nm) of a carbon surface is investigated immediately following silver nanoparticle nucleation and growth. This is accomplished, in situ, using a novel grazing transmission small-angle X-ray scattering approach with simultaneous voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. With this physical and electrochemical approach, the time evolution of three distinct surface interaction phenomena is observed: aggregation and coalescence of Ag nanoparticles, multilayer perturbations induced by nonaggregated Ag nanoparticles, and a stepwise transport of dissolved Ag species from the carbon surface. The multilayer perturbations contain charge-separated regions of positively charged choline-ethylene and negatively charged Ag and Cl species. Both aggregation-coalescence and the stepwise decrease in Ag precursor near the surface are observed to be very slow (~2 h) processes, as both ion and particle transport are significantly impeded in a DES as compared to aqueous electrolytes. Finally, altogether, this study shows how the unique chemistry of the DES changes near the surface and in the presence of nanoparticles that adsorb the constituent species.

Assembly↗
NASA NTRS1991

Variable features in the Valles Marineris region of Mars

Transient phenomena on Mars have long been recognized in Mariner and Viking images as well as in decades of Earth based telescopic observations. These events are of interest because of the information they present on currently active meteorological and geological processes. Changes in surface albedo patterns and atmospheric conditions can also affect the analysis and interpretation of data based on spectral or morphological properties of geologic units on the surface. The mechanism responsible for albedo pattern change is currently under investigation. Generation and subsequent transportation and deposition of dark sands has been interpreted in the Valles. However, the removal of a bright dust layer is more consistent with the rapid time period of the change (about two months) and with preliminary multispectral mapping results which suggest that the dark streak south of Eos and Coprates Chasmata is spectrally distinguishable from the dark saltating materials found elsewhere in the canyon system. If a layer of bright dust was removed to affect the albedo change, questions concerning how such micron-sized particles are mobilized by the winds during a normally quiescent season (Southern Hemisphere Autumn) should be addressed.

Geissler, Paul E.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Airborne Sunphotometer Measurements of Aerosol Optical Depth and Water Vapor in ACE-Asia and Their Comparisons to Correlative Measurements

In the Spring 2001 phase of the Asian Pacific Regional Aerosol Characterization Experiment (ACE-Asia), the 6-channel NASA Ames Airborne Tracking Sunphotometer (AATS-6) operated on 15 of the 19 research flights of the NCAR C-130, while its 14-channel counterpart (AATS-14) flew successfully on all 19 research flights of the CIRPAS Twin Otter. ACE-Asia studied aerosol outflow from the Asian continent to the Pacific basin. It was designed to integrate suborbital and satellite measurements and models to reduce the uncertainty in calculations of the climate forcing due to aerosols. AATS-6 and AATS-14 measured solar beam transmission at six and 14 wavelengths (380-1021 and 354-1558 nm, respectively), yielding aerosol optical depth (AOD) spectra and columnar water vapor (CWV). Vertical differentiation in profiles yielded aerosol extinction spectra and water vapor concentration. In this paper, we plan to present examples of the following, preliminary findings that are based in part on our airborne sunphotometer measurements: (1) The wavelength dependence of sunphotometer-derived AOD and extinction indicates that supermicron dust was often a major component of the aerosol, frequently extending to high altitudes. The percentage of full-column AOD (525 nm) that Jay above 3 km was typically 34+/-13%. In contrast, the analogous percentage of columnar water vapor was only 10+/-4%; (2) Initial comparison studies between AOD data obtained by AATS-6 and AATS-14 during coordinated low-level flight legs show agreement well within the instruments' error bars; (3) Aerosol extinction has been derived from airborne in situ measurements of scattering (nephelometers) and absorption (particle soot/ absorption photometer, PSAP) or calculated from particle size distribution measurements (mobility analyzers and aerodynamic particle sizers). Comparison with corresponding extinction values derived from the Ames airborne sunphotometer measurements shows good agreement for the vertical distribution of aerosol layers. However, the level of agreement in absolute magnitude of the derived aerosol extinction/optical depth varied among the aerosol layers sampled; (4) Initial comparisons of sunphotometer and satellite-derived AOD using SeaWiFS, MISR and AVHRR show promising results. We also plan to include comparisons with MODIS and TOMS: (5) Initial comparisons of sunphotometer-derived AOD and aerosol extinction profiles with lidars in Tokyo and on a ship show reasonable agreement.

Schmid, B.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Rapid measurement of RH-dependent aerosol hygroscopic growth using a humidity-controlled fast integrated mobility spectrometer (HFIMS)

Abstract. The ability of aerosol particles to uptake water (hygroscopic growth) is an important determinant of aerosol optical properties and radiative effects. Aerosol hygroscopic growth is traditionally measured by humidified tandem differential mobility analyzers (HTDMA), in which size-selected dry particles are exposed to elevated relative humidity (RH), and the size distribution of humidified particles is subsequently measured using a scanning mobility particle sizer. As a scanning mobility particle sizer can measure only one particle size at a time, HTDMA measurements are time consuming, and ambient measurements are often limited to a single RH level. Pinterich et al. (2017b) showed that fast measurements of aerosol hygroscopic growth are possible using a humidity-controlled fast integrated mobility spectrometer (HFIMS). In HFIMS, the size distribution of humidified particles is rapidly captured by a water-based fast integrated mobility spectrometer (WFIMS), leading to a factor of ∼10 increase in measurement time resolution. In this study we present a prototype HFIMS that extends fast hygroscopic growth measurements to a wide range of atmospherically relevant RH values, allowing for more comprehensive characterizations of aerosol hygroscopic growth. A dual-channel humidifier consisting of two humidity conditioners in parallel is employed such that aerosol RH can be quickly stepped among different RH levels by sampling from alternating conditioners. The measurement sequence is also optimized to minimize the transition time between different particle sizes. The HFIMS is capable of measuring aerosol hygroscopic growth of six particle diameters under five RH levels ranging from 20 % to 85 % (30 separate measurements) every 25 min. The performance of this HFIMS is characterized and validated using laboratory-generated ammonium sulfate aerosol standards. Measurements of ambient aerosols are shown to demonstrate the capability of HFIMS to capture the rapid evolution of aerosol hygroscopic growth and its dependence on both size and RH.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

TRACER Carbonaceous Aerosols Thrust – University of California, Davis Field Campaign Report

The broader U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility’s TRacking Aerosol Convection interactions ExpeRiment (TRACER) campaign aims to increase our understanding of convective cloud life cycles and aerosol-convection interactions. Our TRACER Carbonaceous Aerosols Thrust-University of California, Davis (TRACER-CAT-UCDavis) study complemented these broader aims by characterizing and quantifying the optical properties and composition of carbonaceous aerosols during part of the TRACER intensive sampling period (July 1- July 31, 2022) at the first ARM Mobile Facility (AMF1) main site (M1) in La Porte, Texas. Our measurements complemented the suite of instrumentation already provided by the AMF1, expanding the capabilities through deployment of unique, state-of-the-science instrumentation. The instrumentation included: (i) two cavity-attenuated phase shift spectroscopy single-scatter albedo (CAPS-SSA) instruments operating at 530 nm and 630 nm, and that were modified to characterize particle light absorption, extinction, and scattering at elevated humidities; (ii) the UC Davis dual-wavelength cavity ringdown-photoacoustic spectrometer (CRD-PAS), which characterizes dry particle extinction and absorption at 405 nm and 532 nm; (iii) a soot particle aerosol mass spectrometer (SP-AMS) that operated in “laser only” mode that characterized the size-dependent compositions of black carbon (BC)-containing particles; (v) a thermal denuder, to remove coatings on particles; and (vi) a scanning electrical mobility sizer (SEMS), to characterize particle mobility diameters from 10-1300 nm. Our measurements occurred alongside complementary observations made by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) during the TRACER-CAT-LANL study, including a humidified CAPS-SSA instrument operating at 450 nm. Our primary scientific interest is in understanding the relationship between particle composition and light absorption, with a particular focus on the influence of water uptake. While it is known that coatings on BC can enhance absorption, the extent to which this occurs in the atmosphere and the specific role that water plays as a coating remain unclear. The TRACER-CAT-UCDavis measurements were made with near-complete coverage for the CRD-PAS, SP-AMS, and SEMS throughout the intensive period. The UC Davis humidified CAPS-SSA instruments had significant challenges with operation owing to the demanding conditions (large temperature fluctuations, high humidity), exacerbated by supply chain issues that delayed resolution of these challenges. However, the humidified CAPS-SSA instrument operated by LANL operated throughout the intensive period with near-complete coverage. The dry light extinction measurements from the CRD-PAS measurements and the LANL CAPS-SSA exhibited a good correlation, although the CAPS-SSA systematically measured greater extinction values than expected. While all instruments, with the exception of an aerodynamic particle sizer (APS), measured behind a common particulate matter (PM)2.5 μm cyclone, the greater extinction measured by the LANL CAPS-SSA compared to the CRD-PAS may have resulted from different losses of larger particles in the sampling lines from the cyclone to the instruments; the tubing length was shorter from the cyclone to the LANL CAPS-SSA, consistent with this idea. A summary of the TRACER-CAT-UCDavis measurements, along with some of the TRACER-CAT-LANL measurements, are shown in the figure below. Notably, there were periods when the contributions of presumed dust were substantial and even dominated the observed light extinction and absorption. Also, there was a clear shift in the behavior of submicron particles from before July 16, 2022 to after, with the prior period exhibiting regular episodes of new particle formation and the latter period exhibiting rapid variations in the concentrations of small particles.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Multiple-charging effects on the CCN activity and hygroscopicity of surrogate black carbon particles

Accurate measurements of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activity and hygroscopicity of black carbon (BC)-containing particles are particularly important because of the positive climate forcing from these particles. Such measurements are typically conducted on particles selected by a Differential Mobility Analyzer (DMA), which in addition to singly charged particles transmits multiply charged larger particles that have the same electrical mobility. These larger particles activate at lower supersaturations than the singly charged particles, biasing measurements and resulting in overestimation of CCN activity and hygroscopicity parameter (κ). Here, we measure the CCN activity and determine κ for different BC surrogates with electrical mobility diameters from 100 to 200 nm selected 1) only by electrical mobility with a DMA, and 2) by both electrical mobility and mass using a DMA and a Centrifugal Particle Mass Analyzer (CPMA), thus allowing selection of only singly charged particles. We demonstrate the use of the DMA-CPMA system in resolving biases caused by multiply charged particles, and we show that the effect of multiple charging on the CCN activity of the BC particles is strongly influenced by morphology dispersion, i.e., the variability due to the range of morphologies of particles that have the same electrical mobility and mass. Finally, our findings show that electrical mobility-based methods alone are unlikely to lead to accurate results in measurements of CCN activation and hygroscopicity of BC particles, even for those with a more compact morphology.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗