• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2019

Sources of NOx are both anthropogenic (e.g. fossil fuel combustion, vehicles, and other industrial processes) and natural (e.g. lightning, biogenic soil processes, and wildfires). The nitrogen stable isotope ratio of NOx has been proposed as an indicator for NOx source partitioning, which would help identify the contributions of various NOx sources. In this study, the ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_2$ values of vehicle emissions were measured in an urban region, to understand the sources and processes that influence the isotopic composition of NOx emissions. The Ogawa passive air sampler was used to determine the isotopic composition of $NO_2$(g). In urban tunnels, the observed $NO_2$ concentration and ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_2$ values averaged $3809{\pm}2656ppbv$ and $7.7{\pm}1.8$‰, respectively. The observed ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_2$ values are associated with slight regional variations in the vehicular $NO_2$ source. Both $NO_2$ concentration and ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_2$ values were significantly higher near the expressway ($965{\pm}125ppbv$ and $5.9{\pm}1.4$‰) than at 1.1 km from the expressway ($372{\pm}96ppbv$ and $-11.5{\pm}2.9$‰), indicating a high proportion of vehicle emissions. Ambient ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_2$ values were used in a binary mixing model to estimate the percentage of the ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_2$ value contributed by vehicular NOx emissions. The calculated percentage of the ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_2$ contribution by vehicles was significantly higher close to the highway, as observed for the $NO_2$ concentration and ${\delta}^{15}N-NO_2$.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.127-137
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• 2021

Air emission charge for nitrogen oxide as a precursor of fine dust has been introduced and implemented within the country from 2020. Therefore, the development of economical combustion technology for NOx reduction has got more needed urgently. This study investigated the air-staging effect as a way to reduce the NOx during combustion of domestic unused forest biomass, recently possible to secure REC (Renewable Energy Certification) as a substitute for overseas wood pellets in a 0.1 MWth circulating fluidized bed combustion test-rig. Operating conditions were comparison with and without air-staging, the supply position of tertiary air (6.4 m, 8.1 m, 9.4 m in the combustor) and variation of air-staging ratio (Primary air:Secondary air:Tertiary air=91%:9%:0%, 82%:9%:9%, 73%:9%:18%). NO and CO concentrations in flue gas, profiles of temperature and pressure at the height of the combustion, unburned carbon in sampled fly ash and combustion efficiency on operating conditions were evaluated. As notable results, NO concentration with air-staging application under tertiary air supply at 9.4 m in the combustor reduced 100.7 ppm compared to 148.8 ppm without air-staging while, CO concentration increased from 52.2 ppm without air-staging to 99.8 ppm with air-staging. However, among air-staging runs, when tertiary air supply amount at 6.4 m in the combustor increased by air-staging ratio (Primary air:Secondary air:Tertiary air=73%:9%:18%), NO and CO concentrations decreased the lowest 90.8 ppm and 66.1 ppm, respectively. Furthermore, combustion efficiency at this condition was improved to 99.3%, higher than that (98.3%) of run without air-staging.