The Red Butte Canyon Ozone Network:
Leveraging Existing Infrastructure to Probe Background Concentrations, Canyon Flows, and Stratospheric Oxidant Exchange
This study will deploy a number of ozone sensors at different distances up Red Butte Canyon to better understand natural gradients in ozone and how phenomena like large thunderstorms and valley drainage flows contribute to ozone concentrations in the Salt Lake Valley.
- Principal Investigators: Logan Mitchell, Ryan Bares, David Eiriksson (UU)
- Funded by Science for Solutions Research Grant: $39,833
Understanding How Wood-Burning’s Contribution to Particulate Matter Concentrations Have Changed over Time
Wood burning contributes to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution in the Wasatch Front, and reducing the use of wood burning during pollution episodes has been the focus of many policy decisions. This study looks at patterns of temperature, heat deficit, and day of the week along with markers of woodsmoke and mandatory no-burn days, to try and understand if public awareness and policy efforts have been effective in reducing wood burning during pollution events.
- Principal Investigator: Kerry Kelly (UU)
- Funded for: $25,215
Statewide Oil & Gas Emissions Inventory
Utah is home to a wealth of natural resources, particularly in the oil and gas sector. Responsible production of these resources is essential to preserving our state’s beautiful natural landscapes and to prioritizing the public health of our citizens. Oil and gas operators will find web resources here to help them abide by Division of Air Quality regulations. Tools for
Hydrocarbon Emissions Detection Survey of Uinta Basin Oil and Gas Wells
Utah State University’s Bingham Research Center presents the results of simultaneous aerial and ground-based optical gas imaging surveys conducted in winter and spring 2018.
ULend Program
The ULend program is a collaborative approach for fixing compliance issues before they become a regulatory problem. The program focuses on small oil and gas producers who might not be able to afford the kind of expensive equipment that could help them identify and repair leaks early.
Jordan Narrows Gap Ammonia Transport Study
This study will provide key meteorological support for the chemistry observations taken during the upcoming 2018--2019 winter season that are focused on the ammonia transport and air mass exchange between the Salt Lake and Utah Valleys.
- Principal Investigators: Sebastian W. Hoch, Erik Crosman (UU)
- Funded by Science for Solutions Grant: $19,510
Wasatch Front Ammonia and Chloride Observations (WaFACO)
The objective of this study is to define the spatio-temporal behavior of atmospheric ammonia (NH3) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) along the Wasatch Front across both summer and winter seasons. This objective will be accomplished through three tasks developed in consultation with UDAQ and the U.S. EPA. These tasks include 1) networked NH3 and HCl observations, 2) particulate chloride spatial distributions, and 3) mobile real-time NH3 assessments.
- Principal Investigators: Randal S. Martin (USU), Kerry Kelly (UU), Jaron Hansen (BYU)
- Funded by Science for Solutions Grant: $210,000
Aethalometer Study for Estimating Compliance with Wood-burning Ban
The University of Utah Department of Chemical Engineering will collaborate with UDAQ to estimate the contributions of wood burning to wintertime PM2.5 levels using aethalometer data from four locations and from mobile aethalometer measurements. The goal of this study is to identify and understand levels of wood burning and compliance with wood-burning restrictions during the winter of 2018/2019.
- Principal Investigator: Kerry Kelly (UU)
- Funded by Science for Solutions Grant: $30,000
Composition of Volatile Organic Compound Emissions From Oil and Gas Wells in the Uinta Basin
The Utah Division of Air Quality (UDAQ) is leading a new effort to improve estimates of the speciation of organic compound emissions from Uinta Basin oil and gas wells. Utah State University (USU) will work with UDAQ to collect and analyze pressurized gas and liquid samples from oil and gas well separators, as well as conduct data processing and analysis.
- Principal Investigators: Seth Lyman, Trang Tran (USU)
- Funded by Science for Solutions Grant: $30,358
Bountiful City Formaldehyde and Dichloromethane Source Apportionment Study
A source apportionment campaign, with an emphasis on determining the source of dichloromethane in Bountiful City, will be conducted between December 2018 and January 2019. Supporting measurements of PM2.5 concentration and composition will be provided as part of this effort.
- Principal Investigators: Kerry Kelly (UU), Jaron Hansen (BYU)
- Funded by Science for Solutions Grant: $80,067
Ammonia Emissions Assessment from Diesel and Gasoline Engines under Utah Specific Conditions
To better understand the contribution of automobiles to Utah ammonia emissions, tailpipe ammonia (NH3) measurements will be taken in laboratory and on-road settings for an array of diesel and gasoline vehicles representative of Utah’s vehicle fleet.
- Principal Investigators: Randal S. Martin (USU), Joe Thomas (UDAQ), John Sohl (WSU)
- Funded for: $59,958
Storage Tank Emissions Pilot Program (STEPP)
The Utah Legislature’s 2016 budget included a $150,000 appropriation for the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to create a pilot program to screen for leaks of volatile organic compounds (VOC) primarily coming from the “thief hatch” on oil and gas-condensate storage tanks. DEQ proposed a partnership agreement with the Tri-County Health Department and the Bingham Entrepreneurship and Energy Research
Production Prediction and Decline Curve Statistical Analysis of Oil and Gas Production in Utah
Oil and gas production appears to be the major source of ozone precursors in the Uinta Basin. The Utah Division of Air Quality seeks to maintain the regulatory ozone limits within the basin without impeding continued development. As such, the Division of Air Quality developed a model projecting future-year emission inventories in the oil and gas sector accounting for both growth within
Non-Combustion Formaldehyde Study
During the winters of 2012, 2013, and 2014, the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) led a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency study of ozone formation in the Uinta Basin. Among other findings, these studies found that formaldehyde and other carbonyls play a key role in wintertime atmospheric ozone production. There are three main carbonyl sources in the Uinta Basin: Combustion-related Primary Emissions Secondary Atmospheric
Wasatch Front Wood Smoke: Modeling To Consider The Impact Of Emissions From Solid Fuel Burning Devices
Background The 2015 Utah Legislature provided $70,000 to the Utah Division of Air Quality (DAQ) to undertake a modeling study to address two specific questions. What would be the effect of a two-stage program that would reduce emissions from wood-burning stoves while at the same time maximizing the number of days that EPA-certified stoves and other devices could be used for home
Northern Utah Wood Burning Survey
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) contracted with ICF International (ICF), an independent research and consulting firm, to conduct a survey of residents in seven northern Utah counties regarding their opinions surrounding air quality and their home heating and wood burning behaviors. Key objectives of the study included estimating the percentage of households in the target area which burn wood and the volume