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At least 289 records · Page 16

Methods of analyzing microsize particulate aerosols and contaminants.

Methods for analyzing atmospheric aerosols and particulate contaminants from natural and industrial sources are briefly described. Their development was spurred by interest in cosmic dust investigations. These methods make it possible to analyze individual particles ranging in size from 0.01 to 1000 microns for elemental and mineralogical content. The described methods include transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis, X-ray diffraction, optical mineralogy, and density measurement.

Blanchard, M. B.↗

Particulate and aerosol detector

Particulate detector which monitors emissions from solid propellant fuels can monitor air quality. High signal-to-noise ratio detector can count aerosols and particles efficiently. Detector can distinguish one particle from another with respect to both time and energy of impact. Detector consists of accelerator, capacitor sensor, and readout recording equipment.

Kinard, W. H.↗

Principal sources and dispersal patterns of suspended particulate matter in nearshore surface waters of the northeast Pacific Ocean and the Hawaiian Islands

The author has identified the following significant results. ERTS-1 multispectral scanner imagery of the nearshore surface waters of the Northeast Pacific Ocean is proving to be a useful tool for determining source and dispersal of suspended particulate matter. The principal sources of the turbid water, seen best on the green and red bands, are river and stream effluents and actively eroding coastlines; secondary sources are waste effluents and production of planktonic organisms, but these may sometimes be masked by the very turbid plumes of suspended sediment being discharged into the nearshore zone during times of high river discharge. The configuration and distribution of the plumes of turbid water also can be used to infer near-surface current directions. Comparison of imagery of the nearshore water off the northern California coast from October 1972 and January 1973 shows a reversal of the near-surface currents, from predominantly south-setting in the fall (California Current) to north-setting in the winter (Davidson Current).

Carlson, P. R.↗

Apparatus for sampling particulates in gases

A device for sampling particulates in gases is described. The device is used to obtain samples of the upper atmosphere. The equipment used a common source of gas pressure to provide the driving gas of an air ejector pump. The sample collection cylinder has many slit impactors running longitudinally on the outer surface of a cylinder and terminating just short of each end of the cylinder.

Wood, R. C.↗

A comparison of two transient methods of measuring thermal conductivity of particulate samples.

A comparison is made of the line source (LS) method and the differential line source (DLS) method of measuring thermal conductivity of particulate materials in vacuum. The DLS method requires more instrumentation in the measuring circuitry (an additional amplifier and a differentiating circuit), but since it does not require a stable temperature to initiate a test, it does not need a sample temperature control system. DLS tests can be taken as the temperature in the samples is rising from liquid nitrogen temperature to room temperature. This eliminates the practice of extrapolating thermal conductivity over this large temperature range. Also, the advantages of reduced test time, data reduction time, and small sample temperature rise enable the experimenter to take about 7-12 DLS tests in the time of 2 LS tests. Test data from the two methods agree very well.

Scott, R. W.↗

A study of the origin, nature, and behavior of particulate matter and metallic atoms in the mesosphere, lower thermosphere, and at the mesopause

In a study of particulate matter and metallic atoms in the vicinity of the mesopause, three areas have received the most effort. These areas are: the significance of cometary dust influxes to the earth's atmosphere; the relation of nightglows to atmospheric motions and aerosols; and the feasibility of using an airborne resonant scatter lidar to study polar noctilucent clouds, the sodium layer, and fireball dust.

Poultney, S. K.↗

Flight prototype regenerative particulate filter system development

The effort to design, fabricate, and test a flight prototype Filter Regeneration Unit used to regenerate (clean) fluid particulate filter elements is reported. The design of the filter regeneration unit and the results of tests performed in both one-gravity and zero-gravity are discussed. The filter regeneration unit uses a backflush/jet impingement method of regenerating fluid filter elements that is highly efficient. A vortex particle separator and particle trap were designed for zero-gravity use, and the zero-gravity test results are discussed. The filter regeneration unit was designed for both inflight maintenance and ground refurbishment use on space shuttle and future space missions.

Green, D. C.↗

In situ measurement of particulate number density and size distribution from an aircraft

Commercial particulate measuring instruments were flown aboard the NASA Convair 990. A condensation nuclei monitor was utilized to measure particles larger than approximately 0.003 micrometers in diameter. A specially designed pressurization system was used with this counter so that the sample could be fed into the monitor at cabin altitude pressure. A near-forward light scattering counter was used to measure the number and size distribution particles in the size range from 0.5 to 5 micrometers and greater in diameter.

Briehl, D.↗

Preliminary analysis of an extensive one year survey of trace elements and compounds in the suspended particulate matter in Cleveland, Ohio

Beginning in 1971 a cooperative program has been carried on by the City of Cleveland Division of Air Pollution Control and NASA Lewis Research Center to study the trace element and compound concentrations in the ambient suspended particulate matter in Cleveland Ohio as a function of source, monitoring location and meteorological conditions. The major objectives were to determine the ambient concentration levels at representative urban sites and to develop a technique using trace element and compound data in conjunction with meteorological conditions to identify specific pollution sources which could be developed into a practical system that could be readily utilized by an enforcement agency.

King, R. B.↗

Lidar measurements of the variability of stratospheric particulates

Laser radar observations were made to provide information on the distribution of particulate material in the stratosphere between 33,000 feet and 98,000 feet. The observations are part of a program to assess the impact of climatic changes that may result from perturbation of the upper atmosphere by a world high-altitude aircraft fleet. Results are presented as vertical profiles of the scattering ratio and the aerosol backscattering ratio.

Russell, P. B.↗

Statistical summary of air quality data for metropolitian Cleveland, Ohio, 1967 - 1972: Total suspended particulates, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide

Air-quality data for metropolitan Cleveland, Ohio, from 1967 through 1972 were collated and statistically analyzed. Total suspended particulates (TSP) departed from lognormal distribution in 1972. Nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, departed significantly from lognormal distributions in 1972. In Cleveland the Ohio standards were not met. However, the data indicate a general improvement in air quality. Unusually high precipitation (43% above the average in 1972) may be responsible in lowering these values from the 1971 levels. The mean values of TSP, NO2, and SO2 are 104, 191, and 83 microgram/cu m respectively.

King, R. B.↗

Spectral reflectance and emittance of particulate materials. I - Theory. II - Application and results

The sizes, shapes, and complex refractive indices of particles are calculated in a study of the IR spectral reflectance of a semiinfinite medium composed of irregular particles of different materials. Geometric optics techniques with corrections for additional absorption due to particle edges and asperities is used in scattering and absorption calculations for particles larger than the wavelength. A Lorentz-Lorenz model is used to derive the averaged complex index of the medium, assuming that its individual particles are ellipsoids. Experimental results obtained on a Michelson interferometer for the spectral emittance of particulate mineral materials are compared with theoretical results. Good agreement between the experimental and theoretical results suggests the applicability, in remote IR spectroscopy, of the theoretical concepts applied in this study.

Emslie, A. G.↗

Detection of particulate air pollution plumes from major point sources using ERTS-1 imagery

The Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS-1) launched by NASA in July 1972 has been providing thousands of high resolution multispectral images of interest to geographers, cartographers, hydrologists, and agroculturists. It has been found possible to detect the long-range (over 50 km) transport of suspected particulate plumes from the Chicago-Gary steel mill complex over Lake Michigan. The observed plumes are readily related to known steel mills, a cement plant, refineries, and fossil-fuel power plants. This has important ramifications when discussing the interregional transport of atmospheric pollutants. Analysis reveals that the Multispectral Scanner Band 5 (0.6 to 0.7 micrometer) provides the best overall contrast between the smoke and the underlying water surface.

Lyons, W. A.↗

Optical measurement of interplanetary particulates from Pioneer 10

The spatial concentration and size distribution for particulates measured in situ by the asteroid/meteoroid detector on Pioneer 10 between 1.0 and 3.5 AU are presented. The size distribution includes particles of radii from about 35 microns to 10 cm. Extrapolation from the smallest particle sizes measured shows good agreement with the results of the particle penetration detector carried on the same spacecraft. Within the uncertainties of this experiment, a single size distribution seems appropriate for all but the smallest particles measured. There is evidence for the existence of a planetary sweeping effect in the vicinity of the Mars orbit. As calculated from the particle spatial distribution, the zodiacal light brightness is found to vary approximately as the inverse square of solar distance out to about 2.25 AU and then decrease more rapidly. The absolute value of the zodiacal light brightness as calculated from the particle spatial concentration is found to be too high by a factor of 10.

Soberman, R. K.↗

Preliminary analysis of an extensive one year survey of trace elements and compounds in the suspended particulate matter in Cleveland, Ohio

Preliminary review of a study of trace elements and compound concentrations in the ambient suspended particulate matter in Cleveland, Ohio, measured from August 1971 through June 1973, as a function of source, monitoring location, and meteorological conditions. The study is aimed at the development of techniques for identifying specific pollution sources which could be integrated into a practical system readily usable by an enforcement agency.

King, R. B.↗

Particulate sizes from polarization measurements

Radiation measurements from a ground based polarimeter were used to infer the optical properties of atmospheric particles. The inherent nonunigueness in model calculations is discussed. The inverse problem in atmospheric optics is described, along with incident and emergent beams. Emergent radiation was calculated for all possible particulate distributions, and results were catalogued.

Kuriyan, J. G.↗

Elemental composition of suspended particulates as functions of space and time in Cleveland, Ohio

An approach to the analysis of a very large elemental concentration data set. The particular data considered was generated by instrumental neutron activation and emission spectroscopy analyses of over 750 24-hour ambient air particulate samples collected at 16 sites in Cleveland, Ohio, during the 15 months from August 1971 thru October 1972. Examples are presented that show the use of multiple approaches to interpreting the data, including pairwise correlation statistics, selective data plotting and cluster analysis.

Neustadter, H. E.↗

A photometric function for diffuse reflection by particulate materials

A photometric function is proposed to describe the diffuse reflection of radiation by particulate materials. Both multiple scattering and the dominant effects of particle shadowing are included and the function is verified by comparisons with the photometries of laboratory surfaces. Brightness measurements of planetary and other diffusely scattering surfaces can be used to calculate the brightness for geometries other than those used in the measurements and for which the Minnaert function does not apply. The measurements also can be directly related to such surface characteristics as particle size, single-particle albedo, and compactness.

Meador, W. E.↗