Synthesis of Metal Particles from Heavy Fuel Oil Using Spray Flame Pyrolysis for Health Effects Studies

Zhongqing Zheng, HEEJUNG JUNG, Xiaocheng Tang, Akua Asa-Awuku

University of California Riverside

     Abstract Number: 338
     Last modified: May 7, 2010

Abstract
Diesel engines on the ocean-going-vessels (OGVs) contribute an appreciable amount of particulate matter (PM) emissions over the world. PM emissions from OGVs affect air quality both near and downstream of ports and have adverse health effects. However, studies of particulate pollutants from diesel engines on the OGV are very difficult due to the extreme limitation with respect to accessibility and constraints for the tests on board. We developed a laboratory scale oxyhydrogen flame burner and generated metal particles using heavy fuel oil as precursor. Synthesized particles were characterized by scanning mobility particle sizer and transmission electron microscopy. Particles were also collected on Teflon and quartz filters for elementary carbon/organic carbon (EC/OC) and anion analysis. Chemical equilibrium calculations were performed for both oxyhydrogen flame and engine combustion. Analysis showed reasonable similarity between synthesized particles and actual particles emitted from diesel engines of OGV. The advantage of this technique is to provide surrogate particles for various preliminary studies of air pollution from OGV, such as health effects research as well as CCN studies at low cost and with no worry about accessibility to the ship.