An evaluation of the carbon balance technique for estimating emission factors and fuel consumption in forest fires

Nelson Jr. Ralph M.

doi:10.2737/SE-RP-231

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An evaluation of the carbon balance technique for estimating emission factors and fuel consumption in forest fires

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Nelson, Jr. Ralph M.

Year:

1982

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Southern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/SE-RP-231

Source:

Res. Pap. SE-231. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station. 9 p

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Abstract

Eighteen experimental fires were used to compare measured and calculated values for emission factors and fuel consumption to evaluate the carbon balance technique. The technique is based on a model for the emission factor of carbon dioxide, corrected for the production of other emissions, and which requires measurements of effluent concentrations and air volume in the plume. The maximum percent difference in values was about 15 percent. These differences followed the carbon balance percent differences closely, which indicates that field application of the technique should succeed to the extent that all carbon can be accounted for in sampling.

Keywords

Plume concentrations, laboratory fires, forest fire smoke, smoke management

Citation

Nelson, Ralph M., Jr. 1982. An evaluation of the carbon balance technique for estimating emission factors and fuel consumption in forest fires. Res. Pap. SE-231. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station. 9 p.