Cloud droplet nucleation by crude oil smoke and coagulated crude oil/wood smoke particles

Abstract

Cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) measurements are reported, taken on smoke aerosol particle samples generated from the combustion of small quantities of high- and low-sulfur crude oils. The smoke samples were stored in 6 m3 aging bags, and were analyzed over aging times of more than 50 h. Up to 58% of the high-sulfur crude oil smoke particles were found to be active as CCN at water supersaturation of 1% or less, while 20% were active in the low-sulfur case. Ion chromatography data show the presence of small quantities of inorganic and organic compounds which may be the cause of the CCN activity. The low-sulfur crude oil smoke particles were mixed with wood smoke particles, to see if the resulting aggregates are active as CCN. © 1991.