Modelling the fate of ultrafine particles from exhaust pipe to rural background: an analysis of time scales for dilution, coagulation and deposition

摘要

We investigate the time scales of various dynamic processes during the evolution of the particle size distribution from its emission from a vehicle exhaust pipe through its dilution at kerbside and urban level. In addition, the situation in a road tunnel or near a highway is discussed. The derived formula framework allows the estimation of approximated time scales based on a given particle size distribution for the processes dilution with background air, coagulation, deposition and condensation. The variation of the time scales for these processes with "lifetime" of the exhaust particles and the dependence of the time scales on the particle size is shown. We identify the spatial or temporal scales under which the discussed processes are important and have to be included in operational particle pollution models.