Development of Top-down Hydrocarbon Emission from Oil and Gas Production in the Uintah Basin
Utah State University and the University of Utah will use a method known as top-down emission estimation to refine volatile organic compound emissions from oil and gas production based on long-term surface level measurements of methane and hydrocarbons in the Uintah Basin. The objective of this project is to improve the Utah Division of Air Quality (UDAQ) bottom-up Uintah Basin Emission Inventory (UBEI), which is critical information for developing a regulatory model for UDAQ’s State Implementation Plan to attain the 8-hour federal ozone standard.
- Principal Investigators: Seth Lyman (Utah State University), John C. Lin (University of Utah)
- Funded by Science for Solutions Research Grant: $106,095
Development of a WRF-based Urban Canopy Model for the Greater Salt Lake City Area
Brigham Young University will conduct a two-year project that will utilize state-of-the-science meteorological modeling with land use descriptions of the Great Salt Lake area to characterize impacts of urban growth on local meteorological conditions. Model methodology and usage will be documented so air quality modelers can use existing or self-developed future results for additional urban growth and air pollutant assessments.
- Principal Investigator: Bradley Adams (BYU)
- Funded by Science for Solutions Research Grant: $59,411
Assessing Wintertime Ozone Prediction Sensitivity to Photochemical Mechanism
Ramboll and the Utah State University – Bingham Research Center (BRC) will conduct a study to thoroughly investigate wintertime ozone prediction sensitivity in the Uinta Basin among two current photochemical mechanisms using a consistent modeling platform. Recent air quality modeling conducted by BRC using different modeling systems indicates that the Regional Atmospheric Chemistry Mechanism (RACM) produces much higher ozone concentrations than the Carbon Bond (CB) mechanisms. Ramboll and the BRC will comprehensively test and understand RACM2 performance in simulating wintertime ozone in the Uinta Basin relative to the CB version 6 (CB6) mechanism currently implemented in the CAMx air quality model used by the Utah Division of Air Quality.
- Principal Investigators: Greg Yarwood (Ramboll), Seth Lyman (Utah State University)
- Funded by Science for Solutions Research Grant: $98,048
Ethylene Oxide in Utah
Ethylene Oxide (EtO) is an air toxic pollutant of emerging concern. At typical ambient concentrations, EtO is an odorless and colorless gas that is used in the sterilization of materials, such as medical equipment and spices. EtO is also an ingredient in chemical products, such as antifreeze, textiles, plastics, detergents and adhesives. EtO inhalation can contribute to increased cancer risk,
Emissions of Reactive Organics from Natural Gas-Fueled Engines
Utah State University scientists will improve estimates of the magnitude and composition of emissions from natural gas-fueled artificial lift engines in the Uinta Basin. Recent ambient air measurements have implicated natural gas-fueled engines as a large source of reactive organics, including formaldehyde, ethylene, propylene, and other compounds. The results from this project will allow Utah DAQ to better understand and model this source of ozone-forming pollution in the Uinta Basin and develop science-based, effective emissions reduction strategies for wintertime ozone.
- Principal Investigators: Seth Lyman (USU), Huy Tran (USU)
- Funded by Science for Solutions Research Grant: $117,300
Vertical Ozone Profiles in the Uinta Basin and Validating Drones as an Air Measurement Platform
The University of Utah will conduct vertical ozone profile measurements from ground level to the mid-stratosphere to develop a better understanding of ozone layers and evolution over Utah. Data collected by drones and balloons will provide information on the vertical distribution of ozone and nitrous dioxide (NO2) among other gases. This data will be used by UDAQ to inform policy and decision makers.
- Tony Saad (UU), John Sohl (Weber State University)
- Funded by Science for Solutions Research Grant: $92,463
Quantitative Attribution of Wildfires on Summertime Ozone Concentrations along the Wasatch Front
Wildfires can significantly enhance summertime ozone and aerosol concentrations, which can degrade air quality and have adverse effects on human health. While air quality has improved across much of the U.S., the Western U.S. has seen a recent increase in wildfire activity. This project will assess the contribution of regional fires and long-range smoke transport to poor air quality in the Salt Lake Valley. This study will also improve our understanding of how wildfires interact with urban plumes, improve air quality modeling capabilities, and guide the implementation of effective regulatory policies.
- Adam Kochanski (San Jose State University), Derek Mallia (UU), Kerry Kelly (UU)
- Funded by Science for Solutions Research Grant: $79,768
Halogen Sources and their Influence on Winter Air Pollution in the Great Salt Lake Basin
The Great Salt Lake Basin is meteorologically and chemically distinct from other regions in the U.S. It is subject to both persistent cold air pools in complex terrain that lead to winter air pollution and potentially large inputs of natural and anthropogenic sources of halogen species. This project will investigate the role of these halogen sources in regulating the severity of winter fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Results from this study will improve estimates of halogen emissions and enhance Utah DAQ’s understanding of winter PM2.5 chemistry.
- Steve Brown (NOAA), Caroline Womack (NOAA)
- Funded by Science for Solutions Research Grant: $83,426
Winter Measurements of Heavy-duty Vehicles to Characterize the Cold Temperature Effectiveness of Selective Catalytic Reductions Catalyst in Controlling Oxide of Nitrogen Emissions
The Salt Lake City region in Utah experiences periods of high particulate levels in the winter months due to the combination of its topography, winter atmospheric inversions and local emissions. Secondary nitrate particles comprise the dominant fraction of the particles in these episodes and are the result of the reaction of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) with ammonia. A significant fraction of NOx emissions in the Salt Lake City area are produced by heavy-duty vehicles operating in or traveling through the area on the interstate highway system. This study will measure wintertime NOx emissions from local heavy-duty vehicle activity in order to improve Utah DAQ emissions inventory estimates and better inform policy.
- Gary Bishop (University of Denver)
- Funded by Science for Solutions Research Grant: $52,000
Identifying and Quantifying the Impact of Wildfires and Dust Events on Utah’s Air Quality
Wildfires and dust storms are considered “exceptional events” in air quality modeling because they are not reasonably controllable or preventable, are caused by human activity that is unlikely to recur at a particular location, or are a natural event. Exceptional events can unpredictably increase concentrations of pollutants like particulate matter (PM) and ozone precursors, especially downwind of the events. Until now, it
Improving Volatile Organic Compound Emission Estimates for the Uintah Basin
This study builds on last year’s effort to improve the speciation of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from oil and gas wells in the Uintah Basin. Better speciation profiles will yield a better emission inventory for the basin and will help focus emission reduction strategies.
- Principal Investigators: Trang Tran, Huy Tran (USU)
- Funded by Science for Solutions Research Grant: $140,000
Characterizing Air Quality Impacts from Exceptional Events along the Wasatch Front
This study, led by researchers at BYU, will use particulate matter (PM) sampling to identify regional dust sources that impact local air quality and public health, as well as model how dust sources might change in the future.
- Principal Investigators: Dr. Greg Carling (BYU)
- Funded by Science for Solutions Research Grant: $150,000
Improving WRF/CMAQ Model Performance using Satellite Data Assimilation Technique for the Uintah Basin
This study will test if satellite observations of vegetation and land use can be used to improve photochemical model performance in the Uintah basin. An improved model will help inform emission reduction strategies and regulatory action.
- Principal Investigators: Huy Tran, Trang Tran (USU)
- Funded by Science for Solutions Research Grant: $38,392
TRAX Air Quality Observation Project (Blue Line)
The TRAX air quality project continues to measure PM2.5 and ozone from TRAX light rail trains, and will add measurements to the Blue line. All data is publicly available and posted in near real-time on the MesoWest website.
- Principal Investigators: Daniel Mendoza, Logan Mitchell, John Horel, John Lin (UU)
- Funded by legislative appropriation: $44,000
Investigating Sources of Ammonia Uncertainty in Modeling the Salt lake City PM2.5 Nonattainment Area
This study will investigate the existing emission inventory of ammonia (NH3) sources and compare modeled NH3 concentrations to those observed during recent field studies in order to identify and correct missing NH3 sources. In addition to improving the inventory, this study will add new NH3 emission pathways to the photochemical model.
- Principal Investigators: Chris Emery (Ramboll), Randal S. Martin (USU)
- Funded by Science for Solutions Research Grant: $86,396
The Red Butte Canyon Air Mass Exchange and Pollution Transport Study
The University of Utah will make measurements of vertical wind and aerosol profiles, as well as ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations at the mouth of Red Butte Canyon in order to better understand air exchange in the Salt Lake Valley during wintertime PM2.5 events.
- Principal Investigators: Sebastian W. Hoch, Erik T. Crosman (UU)
- Funded by Science for Solutions Research Grant: $34,965