scholarly journals Secondary formation of nitrated phenols: insights from observations during the Uintah Basin Winter Ozone Study (UBWOS) 2014

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (20) ◽  
pp. 28659-28697 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Yuan ◽  
J. Liggio ◽  
J. Wentzell ◽  
S.-M. Li ◽  
H. Stark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Phase ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Heterogeneous Reactions ◽  
Box Model ◽  
Ionization Mass ◽  
Oil And Gas Production ◽  
Production Region ◽  
Secondary Formation ◽  
Online Measurements

Abstract. We describe the results from online measurements of nitrated phenols using a time of flight chemical ionization mass spectrometer (ToF-CIMS) with acetate as reagent ion in an oil and gas production region in January and February of 2014. Strong diurnal profiles were observed for nitrated phenols, with concentration maxima at night. Based on known markers (CH4, NOx, CO2), primary emissions of nitrated phenols were not important in this study. A box model was used to simulate secondary formation of phenol, nitrophenol (NP) and dinitrophenols (DNP). The box model results indicate that oxidation of aromatics in the gas phase can explain the observed concentrations of NP and DNP in this study. Photolysis was the most efficient loss pathway for NP in the gas phase. We show that aqueous-phase reactions and heterogeneous reactions were minor sources of nitrated phenols in our study. This study demonstrates that the emergence of new ToF-CIMS (including PTR-TOF) techniques allows for the measurement of intermediate oxygenates at low levels and these measurements improve our understanding of the evolution of primary VOCs in the atmosphere.

scholarly journals Secondary formation of nitrated phenols: insights from observations during the Uintah Basin Winter Ozone Study (UBWOS) 2014

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 2139-2153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Yuan ◽  
John Liggio ◽  
Jeremy Wentzell ◽  
Shao-Meng Li ◽  
Harald Stark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Phase ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Heterogeneous Reactions ◽  
Box Model ◽  
Ionization Mass ◽  
Oil And Gas Production ◽  
Production Region ◽  
Secondary Formation ◽  
Online Measurements

Abstract. We describe the results from online measurements of nitrated phenols using a time-of-flight chemical ionization mass spectrometer (ToF-CIMS) with acetate as reagent ion in an oil and gas production region in January and February of 2014. Strong diurnal profiles were observed for nitrated phenols, with concentration maxima at night. Based on known markers (CH4, NOx, CO2), primary emissions of nitrated phenols were not important in this study. A box model was used to simulate secondary formation of phenol, nitrophenol (NP), and dinitrophenols (DNP). The box model results indicate that oxidation of aromatics in the gas phase can explain the observed concentrations of NP and DNP in this study. Photolysis was the most efficient loss pathway for NP in the gas phase. We show that aqueous-phase reactions and heterogeneous reactions were minor sources of nitrated phenols in our study. This study demonstrates that the emergence of new ToF-CIMS (including PTR-TOF) techniques allows for the measurement of intermediate oxygenates at low levels and these measurements improve our understanding on the evolution of primary VOCs in the atmosphere.

scholarly journals Declining methane emissions and steady, high leakage rates observed over multiple years in a western US oil/gas production basin

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Lin ◽  
Ryan Bares ◽  
Benjamin Fasoli ◽  
Maria Garcia ◽  
Erik Crosman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Oil And Gas Production ◽  
Production Region ◽  
Main Component ◽  
Oil Gas ◽  
The U.S

AbstractMethane, a potent greenhouse gas, is the main component of natural gas. Previous research has identified considerable methane emissions associated with oil and gas production, but estimates of emission trends have been inconsistent, in part due to limited in-situ methane observations spanning multiple years in oil/gas production regions. Here we present a unique analysis of one of the longest-running datasets of in-situ methane observations from an oil/gas production region in Utah’s Uinta Basin. The observations indicate Uinta methane emissions approximately halved between 2015 and 2020, along with declining gas production. As a percentage of gas production, however, emissions remained steady over the same years, at ~ 6–8%, among the highest in the U.S. Addressing methane leaks and recovering more of the economically valuable natural gas is critical, as the U.S. seeks to address climate change through aggressive greenhouse emission reductions.

scholarly journals Investigation of secondary formation of formic acid: urban environment vs. oil and gas producing region

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (17) ◽  
pp. 24863-24914
Author(s):  
B. Yuan ◽  
P. R. Veres ◽  
C. Warneke ◽  
J. M. Roberts ◽  
J. B. Gilman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Formic Acid ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Model Performance ◽  
Receptor Site ◽  
Heterogeneous Reactions ◽  
Box Model ◽  
Chemical Mechanism ◽  
Secondary Formation ◽  
June July ◽  
A Site

Abstract. Formic acid (HCOOH) is one of the most abundant carboxylic acids in the atmosphere. However, current photochemical models cannot fully explain observed concentrations and in particular secondary formation of formic acid across various environments. In this work, formic acid measurements made at an urban receptor site in June–July of 2010 during CalNex and a site in an oil and gas producing region in January–February of 2013 during UBWOS 2013 will be discussed. Although the VOC compositions differed dramatically at the two sites, measured formic acid concentrations were comparable: 2.3 ± 1.3 ppb in UBWOS 2013 and 2.0 ± 1.0 ppb in CalNex. We determine that concentrations of formic acid at both sites were dominated by secondary formation (> 8%). A constrained box model using the Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM v3.2) underestimates the measured formic acid concentrations drastically at both sites (by a factor of > 10). Inclusion of recent findings on additional precursors and formation pathways of formic acid in the box model increases modeled formic acid concentrations for UBWOS 2013 and CalNex by a factor of 6.4 and 4.5, respectively. A comparison of measured and modeled HCOOH/acetone ratios is used to evaluate the model performance for formic acid. We conclude that the modified chemical mechanism can explain 21 and 47% of secondary formation of formic acid in UBWOS 2013 and CalNex, respectively. The contributions from aqueous reactions in aerosol and heterogeneous reactions on aerosol surface to formic acid are estimated to be −7 and 0–6% in UBWOS 2013 and CalNex, respectively. We observe that air-snow exchange processes and morning fog events may also contribute to ambient formic acid concentrations during UBWOS 2013 (∼20% in total). In total, 50–57% in UBWOS 2013 and 48–53% in CalNex of secondary formation of formic acid remains unexplained. More work on formic acid formation pathways is needed to reduce the uncertainties in the sources and budget of formic acid and to narrow the gaps between measurements and model results.

MEMO2: MEthane goes MObile – MEasurements and MOdelling

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvia Walter ◽  
Thomas Röckmann ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Coal Mining ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Mining Area ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Atmospheric Measurements ◽  
Oil And Gas Production ◽  
Global Warming Impact ◽  
Production Region ◽  
Coal Mining Area ◽  
European Training

<p>MEMO<sup>2</sup> was a 4-years European Training Network with more than 20 collaborators from 7 countries. The project contributed significantly to the targets of the EU with a focus on methane (CH<sub>4</sub>). CH<sub>4</sub> emissions are a major contributor to Europe’s global warming impact, and the official inventories of emissions and estimates derived from direct atmospheric measurement show significant discrepancies. However, effective emission reduction can only be achieved if sources are properly quantified, and mitigation efforts are verified. MEMO<sup>2</sup> contributed to advanced combinations of measurement and modelling which are needed to achieve such quantification.</p><p>With respect to the recently released EU methane strategy and the implementation of independent verification of emissions by atmospheric measurements, we will present some examples of relevant results from MEMO<sup>2</sup> up to now:</p><p><strong>Urban CH<sub>4</sub> emissions:</strong> We can now detect and quantify CH<sub>4</sub> leaks in cities at the street-level with mobile nigh precision analysers. Similar studies have been carried out in >10 EU cities and in collaboration with interested network operators those measurements are ready to be rolled out at larger scale.</p><p><strong>Oil and gas production:</strong> We carried out a large study in the oil and gas production region in Romania (ROMEO), with aircraft, drones and vehicles. The final results are close to publication and help to improve the emission verification.</p><p><strong>Coal mining:</strong> In collaboration with CoMet, another science project, we quantified the CH<sub>4</sub> emissions from the Upper Silesian coal mining area. The collaboration and its results contribute to the development of an independent and objective emission monitoring system</p><p><strong>Modelling:</strong> Micro-scale plume modelling is significantly improved. Those models e.g. help to simulate a measurement day as we had during our field campaign in Romania and improve sampling and measurement strategies.</p>

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