Award Data

Methane (CH4) is the second most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide (CO2). Human activity related radiative forcing by methane accounts for about half of that caused by CO2. In the U.S., the largest industrial source of CH4 is oil and gas systems. Fugitive sources are often identified as potentially large sources of CH4 emissions; however, multiple measurement challenges inhibit more co ...

Approximately 25% of all anthropogenic generated methane comes from the oil and gas industry, and it is estimated that ~6% of those emissions are from storage tanks used in the production phase. Methane has a shorter lifetime in the atmosphere but has a significantly greater warming potential than carbon dioxide on short time scales. The emissions from these storage tanks are not well known, and n ...

The EPA has identified a need for new methods and instrumentation to characterize size, shape, and composition of microplastics, especially in the size range of 1 µm – 1 mm. To meet the needs identified by EPA, we propose development of a portable sensor for improved microplastic sampling and characterization useable at remote measurement sites or fixed installations. The sensor would be connec ...

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is one of the six "criteria" pollutants listed in the Clean Air Act that are regulated under the EPA National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). SO2 is the most abundant anthropogenic sulfur compound in the troposphere, and is mainly emitted through coal and petroleum combustion, petroleum refining, and metal smelting operations. Although national ambient air quality trend ...

To monitor the freshness of fresh produce in storage and during transportation, we propose using a gas sensor based on swept]wavelength broadly tunable external cavity quantum cascade lasers (EQCCLs).These sensors detect, identify, and quantify multiple chemical species in the airspace near the sensor continuously and in real]time, with part]per]billion level sensitivity. The sensors will ...

The overall goal of this Project is to develop an innovative inexpensive optical technology and rugged and portable instrumentation for highly sensitive, selective, continuous measurement of atmospheric ammonia for air pollution monitoring. Environmental studies have proven that ammonia presents a significant environmental hazard; therefore, accurate monitoring and control of NH3 concentration is ...

Environmental studies have proven that ammonia (NH3) presents a significant environmental hazard; therefore, accurate monitoring and control of NH3 concentration is required inorder to maintain appropriate air quality levels. Atmospheric ammonia contributes directly and indirectly to acidification, eutrophication, human health and climate change. For air pollution monitoring, the ammonia concentr ...

New pollution control technologies are needed for small oil- and coal-fired industrial boiler located throughout the United States. Although each unit is relatively small, the vast number of these units creates a significant air pollution source, especially in heavily populated areas, that emits particulate matter (PM) and other air pollutants. In the EPA boiler MACT regulations, it was estimate ...

There is growing concern about the particulate pollution emitted by outdoor wood-fired boilers (0WBs) and their related health effects. These systems are also referred to as outdoor wood-fired hydronic heaters or outdoor wood-fired furnaces. There are currently over 500,000 OWBs installed, primarily in the northern US. During the Phase I SBIR project, a catalytic combustor system that can be retro ...

Outdoor wood-fired boilers (OWB) are gaining in popularity for heating homes. As energy prices have risen, sales of OWBs are doubling each year because they provide a lower cost solution and use renewable fuel. There is concern about their air emissions, however. OWBs typically emit 18 times the pollution of an EPA certified wood stove and there are currently no emission controls for OWBs. The ...