methane and carbon dioxide concentration patterns over ... · figure 10: brandon daub and nathan...
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Methane and Carbon Dioxide Concentration Patterns over Washington State University’s PACCAR Building
Introduction Wind speed, wind direction, methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2) were measured on a 10-meter tall meteorological tower atop the roof of Washington State University’s PACCAR Environmental Technology Building from June 27 to July 5, 2016.
Results
1Brandon Daub, 2Nathan Sparks, 2Eric Russell, 2Zhongming Gao, 2Raleigh Grysko, 2Heping Liu, 2Brian Lamb, 2Patrick O’Keeffe
1Millersville University of Pennsylvania 2Washington State University Laboratory for Atmospheric Research
Sensor Height(s) (m)
CSAT3B Sonic Anemometer 1.22, 2.34, 3.90, 5.78
CSAT3 Sonic Anemometer 3.90, 5.78
WXT520 Weather Transmitter 10
Ultra-Portable Greenhouse Gas Analyzer
2.34
Table 1: Sensors on the tower.
Figure 2: CSAT3B Sonic Anemometer and Ultra-Portable Greenhouse Gas Analyzer inlet atop the PACCAR roof (2.34m).
Objectives
•Understand CH4 and CO2 diurnal patterns and determine if there are any wind direction dependencies. •Determine if Grimes Way Steam Plant is a potential source for CH4 emissions. •Compare the variations between the concentrations of CH4 and CO2 in relation to wind direction and wind speed.
Figure 1: Aerial view of measurement site at Washington State University (green circle) and Grimes Way Steam Plant (yellow circle) located 0.25 km east of the site.
Method The Los Gatos Ultra-Portable Greenhouse Gas Analyzer measured and stored CH4 and CO2 concentrations. CR5000 and CR3000 data loggers were used to store meteorological data from the tower. Five-minute averaged data from the period were analyzed to relate CH4 and CO2 concentrations to wind speed and direction and determine the correlation between CH4 and CO2 concentrations.
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
>1.55 1.25-1.55 0.95-1.25 0.65-0.95 0.35-0.65 <0.35
Wind Speed (m/s)
N
NE
E
SW
S
SE
W
NW
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14% N
NE
E
SW S
SE
W
NW
Figure 3: Diurnal cycle of CH4 and CO2 from June 27-July 5, 2016.
Figure 4: Wind rose from CSAT3B Sonic Anemometer (2.34m). a) Wind direction and speed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. b) Wind direction
and speed from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
a) b)
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
>1.89 1.88-1.89 1.87-1.88 1.86-1.87 1.85-1.86 <1.85
W
CH4 (ppm)
N
E
S
NE NW
SE
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
>430 422-430 414-422 406-414 398-406 <398
CO2 (ppm)
N
NE
E
SE
S
W
NW
Figure 5: Concentration rose from CSAT3B Sonic Anemometer (2.34m) from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. a) Wind direction and CO2
concentrations. b) Wind direction and CH4 concentrations.
a) b)
Figure 6: a) Above-average CH4 values compared to wind direction at 2.34m. b) Above-average CO2 values compared to wind direction at 2.34m.
Acknowledgement
This work was supported by the National Science Foundation’s REU program under grant number AGS-1461292.
a) b)
Figure 8: Wind direction from the highest CSAT3 Sonic Anemometer (5.78m). a) Delta CH4 values versus wind direction show the higher concentration events closer to 90°. b) Delta CO2 values versus wind
direction shows a similar pattern at the higher height.
0.0%
2.0%
4.0%
6.0%
8.0%
10.0%
>4.7
3.9-4.7
3.1-3.9
2.3-3.1
1.5-2.3
<1.5
Wind Speed (m/s)
SW
S
SE
E
NE
N
NW
W
•Diurnal patterns between CH4 and CO2 were correlated. •The data suggests the Grimes Way Steam Plant may be a source of CH4 due to the relation between CH4 and CO2 concentrations during peak events. The correlation between CH4 and CO2 was a result of a combustion source. •The PACCAR building impacts the wind direction at lower and higher heights of the weather tower.
Conclusion
Figure 10: Brandon Daub and Nathan Sparks working at the weather tower atop the PACCAR roof.
Figure 7: A linear relationship between above-average CH4 and CO2 concentrations signify a combustion source.
Figure 9: Wind rose from WXT520 (10m) from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Results
PACCAR
Steam Plant
a)
b)
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360
De
lta
CH
4 (
pp
m)
Wind Direction Sonic (5.78m)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360
de
lta
CO
2 (
pp
m)
Wind Direction Sonic (5.78m)