Design, Evaluation and Application of a Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor System for Use in Nitric Acid Air Pollutant Studies

Padgett, Pamela E.; Bytnerowicz, Andrzej; Dawson, Philip J.; Riechers, George H.; Fitz, Dennis R.

Design, Evaluation and Application of a Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor System for Use in Nitric Acid Air Pollutant Studies

2004

Padgett, Pamela E. | Bytnerowicz, Andrzej | Dawson, Philip J. | Riechers, George H. | Fitz, Dennis R.

Nitric acid (HNO₃) vapor is a significant component of air pollution. Dry deposition of HNO₃ is thought to be a major contributor to terrestrial loading of anthropogenically-derived nitrogen (N), but many questions remain regarding the physico-chemical process of deposition and the biological responses to accumulation of dry-deposited HNO₃ on surfaces. To examine these processes experimentally, a continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) fumigation system has been constructed. This system enables simultaneous fumigation at several concentrations in working volumes 1.3 m dia by 1.3 m ht, allowing for simultaneous fumigation of many experimental units. Evaluation of the system indicates that it is appropriate for long-term exposures of several months duration and capable of mimicking patterns of diurnal atmospheric HNO₃ concentrations representative of areas with different levels of pollution.

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