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Methanol Uptake By Low Temperature Aqueous Sulfuric Acid SolutionsTo evaluate the role of upper tropospheric and lower stratospheric aerosols in the global budget of methanol, the solubility and reactivity of CH3OH in aqueous sulfuric acid solutions are under investigation. Using standard uptake techniques in a Knudsen cell reactor, we have measured the effective Henry's law coefficient, H(*), for methanol dissolution into 45 to 70 percent by weight H2SO4. We find that methanol solubility ranges from 10(exp 5) to 10(exp 8) M/atm and increases with decreasing temperature and with increasing sulfuric acid content. These solubility measurements include uptake due to physical solvation and all rapid equilibria which are established in solution. Our data indicate that simple uptake by aqueous sulfuric acid particles will not be a significant sink for methanol in the UT/LS. These results differ from those recently reported in the literature, and an explanation of this disparity will be presented. In addition to solvation, reaction between primary alcohols and sulfuric acid does occur, leading to the production of alkyl sulfates. Literature values for the rate of this reaction suggest that formation of CH3OSO3H may proceed in the atmosphere but is not significant under our experimental conditions. Results obtained using a complementary equilibrium measurement technique confirm this directly. In addition, the extent of methanol sequestration via formation of mono- and dimethylsulfate will be evaluated under several atmospheric conditions.
Document ID
20020073861
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Iraci, Laura T.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Essin, Andrew M.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Golden, David M.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Hipskind, R. Stephen
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2001
Subject Category
Environment Pollution
Meeting Information
Meeting: Gordon Conference on Atmospheric Chemistry
Location: Newport, RI
Country: United States
Start Date: June 17, 2001
End Date: June 22, 2001
Sponsors: Gordon Research Conferences, Inc.
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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