This manuscript based thesis examines and advances methods for constraining sources of atmospheric trace constituents with a Lagrangian particle dispersion model. The method of Bayesian inversion is demonstrated, and a new method is introduced to a class of similar problems where established methods are not applicable. First, A new regression based methodology was developed and applied to observations of atmospheric methanesulfonic acid mass concentrations at Alert, Nunavut. The methodology was used to compare the importance of phytoplankton blooms vs. the ice-free ocean as sources of the dimethylsulfide precursor, and to compare the importance of bromine monoxide vs. hydroxyl as agents oxidizing dimethylsul de to methanesulfonic acid. These issues are relevant to the application of methanesulfonic acid concentrations in ice cores to determine historic sea ice properties. The analysis indicated that source regions to Alert during the spring are primarily ice-free ocean with a significant contribution from ice edge blooms, and during the summer to be dominated by the ice-free ocean. The model also indicated that oxidation of DMS by BrO was the dominant source of MSA in the spring, while DMS oxidation by OH was the dominant source in the summer. Secondly, Bayesian inversion was applied to observations of atmospheric elemental carbon mass concentrations at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. The analysis provided evidence that current bottom-up elemental carbon emissions estimates in northern China are likely underpredicted. Global chemical transport models show ubiquitous underestimates of the atmospheric burden of elemental carbon, especially near large sources of emissions. Northern China is among the regions with the most intensive elemental carbon emissions in the world, and an underestimate of emissions in this region may be partially responsible for the global chemical transport model underestimates.

This manuscript based thesis examines and advances methods for constraining sources of atmospheric trace constituents with a Lagrangian particle dispersion model. The method of Bayesian inversion is demonstrated, and a new method is introduced to a class of similar problems where established methods are not applicable. First, A new regression based methodology was developed and applied to observations of atmospheric methanesulfonic acid mass concentrations at Alert, Nunavut. The methodology was used to compare the importance of phytoplankton blooms vs. the ice-free ocean as sources of the dimethylsulfide precursor, and to compare the importance of bromine monoxide vs. hydroxyl as agents oxidizing dimethylsul de to methanesulfonic acid. These issues are relevant to the application of methanesulfonic acid concentrations in ice cores to determine historic sea ice properties. The analysis indicated that source regions to Alert during the spring are primarily ice-free ocean with a significant contribution from ice edge blooms, and during the summer to be dominated by the ice-free ocean. The model also indicated that oxidation of DMS by BrO was the dominant source of MSA in the spring, while DMS oxidation by OH was the dominant source in the summer. Secondly, Bayesian inversion was applied to observations of atmospheric elemental carbon mass concentrations at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. The analysis provided evidence that current bottom-up elemental carbon emissions estimates in northern China are likely underpredicted. Global chemical transport models show ubiquitous underestimates of the atmospheric burden of elemental carbon, especially near large sources of emissions. Northern China is among the regions with the most intensive elemental carbon emissions in the world, and an underestimate of emissions in this region may be partially responsible for the global chemical transport model underestimates.

This thesis aims at increased knowledge in two fields of tribological research; both related to making currently used combustion engines greener. The first field regards the possibilities of using a boric acid fuel additive to increase fuel efficiency. The second field is about the severe wear phenomenon scuffing, which can become problematic when cargo ships are operated on low-sulphur fuel to reduce sulphuric emissions. Tribological tests were developed and performed to simulate the applications. Advanced surface analysis was performed to understand changes occurring on the outermost surface of sliding components, which affect friction and wear. Samples from engines were studied to verify the relation between the lab tests and the applications. In the case of boric acid, the coefficient of friction was below 0.02 for large parts of the tests, but varied with test parameters. The corresponding reduction in friction was up to 78% compared with tests without the additive. As an attempt to assess if the substantial fuel savings found in field tests with passenger cars (6%) can be explained by friction reduction in boundary and mixed lubricated parts of the piston assembly, assumptions were presented that would lead to fuel savings close to these 6%. Boric acid was detected on surfaces after the tests, and the tribofilm appearance depended on test parameters. The tribofilms were shown to be affected by storage time and test temperature; a finding that is vital for future studies. In the case of scuffing, mechanisms were studied and accumulation of wear debris had a significant role on scuffing initiation in the lab scale scuffing tests. Regarding the possibility to test materials scuffing resistance, there was a large scatter in the results, and thereby difficult to draw conclusions. Two new piston ring materials were identified to perform somewhat better than the currently used. In conclusion, findings that could facilitate immediate improvement of fuel efficiency of today’s combustion engine vehicles as well as findings that strengthen available hypotheses on scuffing mechanisms are presented. The latter offers improved understanding of scuffing and thereby give possibilities to counteract the higher risk associated with operation on cleaner fuel.

As emissões atmosféricas têm sido consideradas por especialistas, poder público, iniciativa privada e organizações ambientalistas, um dos maiores impactos ambientais que o planeta vem enfrentando. Neste contexto estão tanto as fontes estacionárias quanto as fontes móveis. Ao mesmo tempo em que se lançam na atmosfera milhões de toneladas de poluentes a cada ano através da indústria, o homem procura soluções alternativas através de fontes de energia limpa. Adicionalmente, procura-se ao diminuir as emissões das fontes fixas exercer melhor controle e tratamento. Apresenta-se nesse trabalho, a possibilidade da implementação de ações que visem minimizar o impacto causado pelas caldeiras geradoras de energia, em especial as que operam com queimadores convencionais. Experimentou-se um procedimento capaz de ser utilizado de imediato pelas indústrias, antes mesmo de se implementar inovações tecnológicas, que demandam tempo e recursos. Desta forma, pode-se reduzir, de maneira imediata, o volume de poluentes lançados diariamente na atmosfera, em especial o monóxido de carbono, CO, os óxidos de nitrogênio, NOx, e o material particulado, MP. Objetivou-se atingir um nível de emissões capaz de minimizar o custo do dano, sem perder a eficiência da combustão. Apresenta-se ainda a base metodológica de um modelo, utilizando-se a lógica difusa, como forma de se obter um controle e confiabilidade na gestão das emissões. / Atmospheric emissions are considered by specialists, government, private organizations and environmental organizations as one of the main causes of all weather changes that our planet has been facing. This work focuses mainly on stationary sources, especially the large ordinary high pressure steam generators. While millions of tons of pollutants are released in the atmosphere by industrial sources annually, human beings are searching for alternative solutions to estabilish clean energy sources. Besides this search, there is growing interest in concentration the generation of emissions on stationary sources, so as to establish an easier way of controlling and treating emissions. A procedure that can be immediately adopted by industries. It has been tested, without the necessity of implementing expensive and time consuming technological changes. Thus, it is possible to immediately reduce the amount of pollutants released in the atmosphere. Besides reducing nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and carbon monoxide, it aimed at reaching a level of them which permitted the establishment of the ideal value between emission and cost of the damage, to obtain the lowest cost of damage. It also presents the methodological base of a model, using Fuzzy logic as a way of obtaining control and reliability on the management of emissions.

As emissões atmosféricas têm sido consideradas por especialistas, poder público, iniciativa privada e organizações ambientalistas, um dos maiores impactos ambientais que o planeta vem enfrentando. Neste contexto estão tanto as fontes estacionárias quanto as fontes móveis. Ao mesmo tempo em que se lançam na atmosfera milhões de toneladas de poluentes a cada ano através da indústria, o homem procura soluções alternativas através de fontes de energia limpa. Adicionalmente, procura-se ao diminuir as emissões das fontes fixas exercer melhor controle e tratamento. Apresenta-se nesse trabalho, a possibilidade da implementação de ações que visem minimizar o impacto causado pelas caldeiras geradoras de energia, em especial as que operam com queimadores convencionais. Experimentou-se um procedimento capaz de ser utilizado de imediato pelas indústrias, antes mesmo de se implementar inovações tecnológicas, que demandam tempo e recursos. Desta forma, pode-se reduzir, de maneira imediata, o volume de poluentes lançados diariamente na atmosfera, em especial o monóxido de carbono, CO, os óxidos de nitrogênio, NOx, e o material particulado, MP. Objetivou-se atingir um nível de emissões capaz de minimizar o custo do dano, sem perder a eficiência da combustão. Apresenta-se ainda a base metodológica de um modelo, utilizando-se a lógica difusa, como forma de se obter um controle e confiabilidade na gestão das emissões. / Atmospheric emissions are considered by specialists, government, private organizations and environmental organizations as one of the main causes of all weather changes that our planet has been facing. This work focuses mainly on stationary sources, especially the large ordinary high pressure steam generators. While millions of tons of pollutants are released in the atmosphere by industrial sources annually, human beings are searching for alternative solutions to estabilish clean energy sources. Besides this search, there is growing interest in concentration the generation of emissions on stationary sources, so as to establish an easier way of controlling and treating emissions. A procedure that can be immediately adopted by industries. It has been tested, without the necessity of implementing expensive and time consuming technological changes. Thus, it is possible to immediately reduce the amount of pollutants released in the atmosphere. Besides reducing nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and carbon monoxide, it aimed at reaching a level of them which permitted the establishment of the ideal value between emission and cost of the damage, to obtain the lowest cost of damage. It also presents the methodological base of a model, using Fuzzy logic as a way of obtaining control and reliability on the management of emissions.