Some considerations on the washout of sulfate from stack plumes

Abstract

A theoretical analysis of the contribution to rainwater sulfate concentration by precipitation scavenging of gaseous SO₂ and sulfate containing aerosols is presented. Aspects, such as the proper choice of mean raindrop diameter, are discussed in detail, and guidelines for their use are explored. Sample calculations are provided in which emissions from a hypothetical stack are considered as the source of the gaseous SO₂ and sulfate aerosol. The basic assumption of irreversible sorption behavior is discussed and utilized to obtain an upper limit to the resulting sulfate concentration. The effect of raindrop diameter on the sulfate concentration is not consistent. However, for a given drop diameter the sulfate concentration decreases as the precipitation rate increases. The sulfate concentration resulting from aerosol scavenging depends on the particle diameter and the precipitation rate. The sulfate concentration shows a maximum with respect to particle size; at moderate distances from the source, it is maximum for particles having aerodynamic equivalent diameter of about 5 μm to 10 μm.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the first international symposium on acid precipitation and the forest ecosystem

Citation

Peters, Leonard K. 1976. Some considerations on the washout of sulfate from stack plumes. In: Dochinger, L. S.; Seliga, T. A., eds. Proceedings of the first international symposium on acid precipitation and the forest ecosystem; Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-23. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 219-239