Modeling the effect of ethanol/gasoline blend usage on ozone formation in urban areas

Abstract

The potential effects of ozone formation which would result if the 1985 vehicle fleet were converted from gasoline to ethanol/gasoline blends were investigated using the EKMA approach. Changes in vehicular emissions were used to calculate changes in ambient HC reactivities and ambient levels of HC, NO/sub x/ and CO for a number of scenarios. Ozone formation was then modeled for each scenario. Effects on ozone formation were not significant unless the usage of ethanol/gasoline blends resulted in deterioration of the emissions control systems. Ambient NO/sub x/HC ratios were shown to have a significant effect on ozone formation.