Physical Chemistry at the Intersection of Combustion and Atmospheric Sciences

Physical Chemistry at the Intersection of Combustion and Atmospheric Sciences provides the first detailed exploration of overlapping scientific problems in physical chemistry within the domains of combustion and atmospheric chemistry. The intersection between these two areas refers specifically to the role in atmospheric processes of gas-phase and particle-phase emissions produced from combustion in the transportation sector. The importance of this intersection of the two areas is derived from the influence of molecular structure of hydrocarbons and biofuels on the formation of volatile organic compounds and primary organic aerosols (POA) becoming reactants in the troposphere and contribute to secondary organic aerosol (SOA) in the atmosphere. Research approaches required to solve these challenges span a broad range of experimental apparatus, experimental target (spectroscopy, reaction rates, speciation), computational quantum chemistry methodologies, detailed chemical kinetics modelling, and atmospheric modelling. Specific problems addressed in this book include detailing the current state of knowledge and future research needs on topics, such as the role of organic hydroperoxide reactivity in both atmospheric chemistry and combustion, the importance of peroxy radicals produced in biofuel and hydrocarbon combustion that control chain-branching, and in tropospheric chemistry, affect OH-budgeting and the formation of aerosols that impact air quality. Significant attention will also be paid to the influence of functional groups on combustion reaction mechanisms as well as downstream effects on gas-phase chemical reactions in atmosphere. Specifically, problems connecting gas-phase reactions of functionalized organic molecules present in combustion emissions to secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation will be addressed. In addition, remaining challenges in understanding the subsequent physical and chemical processes involving SOA will be addressed. Physical Chemistry at the Intersection of Combustion and Atmospheric Sciences is written primarily for research staff scientists, R&D personnel (laboratory and industry), graduate students, and professors in the fields of physical chemistry, atmospheric science, and chemical engineering. The book will appeal to experimental and theoretical kineticists as well as any researchers involved in combustion and atmospheric modelling.