Understanding Combustion-Generated Soot and its Morphology

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Combustion supplies about 85% global energy. The International Energy Agency forecasts that global energy demand will continue to grow by 25% until 2040, with the demand for oil and natural gas expected to increase by 11% and 43%, respectively. This suggests combustion will remain a mainstay supply of energy for decades. One of the most harmful pollutant emissions from combustion is soot aerosol, also known as `particulate matter' or `black carbon' in atmospheric sciences. Soot emission contributes to human-made climate change and leads to several health problems. For example, atmospheric aerosol is estimated to cause 4.5% of all deaths worldwide. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recognizes soot aerosol as the third largest contributor to human-made climate change. Unlike CO2, however, atmospheric soot has a life span in the order of only weeks, making soot emission control a viable short-term strategy to mitigate global warming. Soot emission reductions due to better engineering can be very effective, with the potential to prevent an estimated 1.7 million premature deaths annually and accrue a net annual climate benefit of $190 million and annual health benefit of $5 billion by 2030. This research program aims to help reduce/mitigate atmospheric soot aerosol by advancing our understanding of how soot is generated, its composition and what its constituents are. This research program consists of multiple carefully planned experiments using laboratory-scale burners and optical and physical measurement techniques available at Ryerson University. Sooting characteristics of many traditional- and bio-fuels will be studied. Knowledge of soot formation processes in bio-fuels remains uncertain, and there is a need for comparison of the combustion characteristics of bio-fuels with those of traditional fuels, before large-scale adoption of bio-fuels can take place. Findings of this research program will help industry develop soot particle models (from qualitative to quantitative prediction) that can be implemented into engine development programs and enhance the competitiveness of Canadian engine manufacturers. Projects outlined in this research program will provide training for several graduate students on state-of-the-art aerosol diagnostic methods. Research students will acquire skills highly sought-after in industry and of benefit to Canada's workforce including image processing, data analysis, and non-intrusive testing. This research program will generate new fundamental knowledge on soot formation and oxidation processes and soot morphology and chemistry. Advances in these areas will yield, among other benefits, reduced emissions from industry, better-policy making, improved medical interventions, and a slowdown of global warming. The proposed research will benefit Canada's commitment to preserve our environment and mitigate climate change.