Smog monitor

• US 5,571,724 A
• Filed: 01/22/1996
• Issued: 11/05/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation (Commonwealth Of Australia As Represented By Department Of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research And Tertiary Education)
• Original Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation (Commonwealth Of Australia As Represented By Department Of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research And Tertiary Education)
• Inventors: Johnson, Graham M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, HIEN THI
• Application Number:
  US08/589,200
• Time in Patent Office: 288 Days
• Field of Search: 436/135, 436/116, 436/118, 436/155, 436/158, 436/159, 422/52, 422/83, 422/93, 73/31.02, 73/31.05, 73/23.31, 73/23.2, 73/31.01
• US Class Current: 436/116
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0037 for NOx
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/177692 Oxides of nitrogen
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/206664 Ozone or peroxide
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/208339 Fuel/air mixture or exhaust gas analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/23 Carbon containing

Abstract

The amount of smog formed in air and the smog concentration in air is determined by measuring the consumption of nitric oxide.

Claims

1. A method for determining rate coefficient of smog formation in air, the method comprising:

(a) adding excess ozone to an air sample containing nitric oxide to provide an excess ozone/air mixture;

(b) permitting the mixture to react for a first selected reaction period wherein excess ozone in the mixture reacts with substantially all nitric oxide in the mixture;

(c) determining a first ozone concentration of the mixture after the first selected reaction period;

(d) illuminating the mixture of (a) or the mixture after the first selected reaction period for a second selected reaction period under reference temperature and illumination conditions;

(e) permitting the mixture, after illumination, to react for a third selected reaction period wherein excess ozone in the mixture reacts with any nitric oxide present in the mixture;

(f) determining a second ozone concentration of the mixture after the third selected reaction period; and

(g) determining the rate coefficient of smog formation from the first and second ozone concentrations, the reference temperature and illumination conditions and the duration of the second selected reaction period.

3. A method for determining time required for maximum smog formation in air under selected conditions of illumination and temperature, the method comprising:

(A) determining rate coefficient of smog formation in the air by the method of claim 1 or claim 2;

(B) determining maximum potential smog formation in the air by;

(B)(i) determining amount of prior smog formation in the air by;

(I) determining NO_y concentration in the air;

(II) determining concentration of smog in the air by;

(III) adding excess nitric oxide to the air sample to provide an excess nitric oxide/air mixture;

(II)(ii) reacting the mixture for a selected period wherein the excess nitric oxide reacts with substantially all ozone in the mixture;

(II)(iii) determining the nitric oxide concentration of the mixture after the selected period;

(II)(iv) determining the total oxidized nitrogen (NO_y) concentration of the mixture after the selected period; and

(II)(v) determining the concentration of smog formation from the nitric oxide concentration of (II)(iii) and the NO_y concentration of (II)(iv);

(III) determining the concentration of total nitrogen oxides previously emitted into the air from the NO_y concentration in the air and the concentration of smog in the air; and

(IV) determining the amount of prior smog formation in the air from the concentration of total nitrogen oxides previously emitted into the air as determined in step

(III) and the concentration of smog in the air as determined in (II);

(B)(ii) determining the maximum potential smog formation in the air from the concentration of total nitrogen oxides previously emitted into the air; and

(C) determining the time required for maximum smog formation, under selected temperature and illumination conditions, from the maximum potential smog formation and the rate coefficient of smog formation.

4. A method for determining time period during which smog formation in air has occurred, the time period being substantially the same as or within a predetermined period for which the illumination and temperature conditions are known, wherein the end of the predetermined period coincides with the end of the time period, the method comprising:

(A) determining temperature of the air for the predetermined period;

(B) determining sunlight intensities for the predetermined period;

(C) determining rate coefficient of smog formation in the air by the method of claim 1 or claim 2;

(D) determining amount of prior smog formation in the air at the end of the time period by;

(I) determining NO_y concentration in the air;

(II) determining the concentration of smog in the air by;

(II)(i) adding excess nitric oxide to the air sample to provide an excess nitric oxide/air mixture;

(II)(ii) reacting the mixture for a selected period wherein the excess nitric oxide reacts with substantially all ozone in the mixture;

(II)(iii) determining the nitric oxide concentration of the mixture after the selected period;

(II)(iv) determining the total oxidized nitrogen (NO_y) concentration of the mixture after the selected period; and

(II)(v) determining the concentration of smog formation from the nitric oxide concentration of (II)(iii) and the NO_y concentration of (II)(iv);

(III) determining the concentration of total nitrogen oxides previously emitted into the air from the NO_y concentration in the air and the concentration of smog in the air; and

(IV) determining the amount of prior smog formation in the air from the concentration of total nitrogen oxides previously emitted into the air as determined in step (III) and the concentration of smog in the air as determined in (II); and

(E) determining the time period during which the smog formation in the air has occurred from the amount of prior smog formation, the rate coefficient, and the determined temperatures and sunlight intensities.

5. A method of locating a source of reactive organic compounds present in air, the method comprising:

(α

) determining a time period during which smog formation in the air has occurred, the time period being substantially the same as or within a predetermined period for which the illumination and temperature coefficients are known, wherein the end of the predetermined period coincides with the end of the time period, said step of determining a time period comprising;

(A) determining temperatures of the air for the predetermined period;

(B) determining sunlight intensities for the predetermined period;

(C) determining the rate coefficient of smog formation in the air by the method of claim 1 or claim 2;

(D) determining the amount of prior smog formation in the air at the end of the time period by;

(I) determining NO_y concentration in the air;

(II) determining the concentration of smog in the air by;

(II)(i) adding excess nitric oxide to the air sample to provide an excess nitric oxide/air mixture;

(II(ii) reacting the mixture for a selected period wherein the excess nitric oxide reacts with substantially all ozone in the mixture;

(II)(iii) determining the nitric oxide concentration of the mixture after the selected period;

(II)(iv) determining the total oxidized nitrogen (NO_y) concentration of the mixture after the selected period; and

(II)(v) determining the concentration of smog formation from the nitric oxide concentration of (II)(iii) and the NO_y concentration of (II)(iv);

(III) determining the concentration of total nitrogen oxides previously emitted into the air from the NO_y concentration in the air and the concentration of smog in the air; and

(IV) determining the amount of prior smog formation in the air from the concentration of total nitrogen oxides previously emitted into the air as determined in step (III) and the concentration of smog in the air as determined in (II); and

(E) determining the time period during which the smog formation in the air has occurred from the amount of prior smog formation, the rate coefficient, and the determined temperatures and sunlight intensities; and

(β

) determining speed of movement and trajectory in the air during the time period; and

(γ

) locating said source of reactive organic compound from said time period and said speed and trajectory in the air over said time period.

6. A method of determining time required for production of a selected amount of smog in air under selected temperature and illumination conditions and with selected initial amount of smog in the air, the method comprising:

(A) determining the rate coefficient of smog formation in the air according to the method of claim 1 or claim 2;

(B) determining NO_y concentration in the air;

(C) determining the amount of NO_y previously emitted into the air from the NO_y concentration of (B) and the selected initial amount of smog in the air;

(D) determining the time required for production of selected amount of smog in the air for the selected conditions of temperature and illumination from the rate coefficient and the amount of NO_y.

2. A method for determining rate coefficient of smog formation in air, the method comprising:

(a) adding excess ozone to an air sample containing nitric oxide to provide an excess ozone/air mixture;

(b) adding a quantity of nitrogen oxides to the mixture;

(c) permitting the mixture to react for a first selected reaction period wherein excess ozone in the mixture reacts with substantially all nitric oxide in the mixture;

(d) determining a first ozone concentration of the mixture after the first selected reaction period;

(e) illuminating the mixture of (a) or the mixture after the first selected reaction period for a second selected reaction period under reference temperature and illumination conditions;

(f) permitting the mixture, after illumination, to react for a third selected reaction period wherein excess ozone in the mixture reacts with any nitric oxide present in the mixture;

(g) determining a second ozone concentration of the mixture after the third selected reaction period; and

(h) determining the rate coefficient of smog formation from the first and second ozone concentrations, the reference temperature and illumination conditions and the duration of the second selected reaction period.

7. A method for determining rate of smog formation in air under selected temperature and illumination conditions, which method comprises:

(a) adding excess ozone to an air sample containing nitric oxide to provide an excess ozone/air mixture;

(b) permitting the mixture to react for a first selected reaction period wherein excess ozone in the mixture reacts with substantially all nitric oxide in the mixture;

(c) determining a first ozone concentration of the mixture after the first selected reaction period;

(d) illuminating the mixture of (a) or the mixture after the first selected reaction period for a second selected reaction period under selected temperature and illumination conditions;

(e) permitting the mixture, after illumination, to react for a third selected reaction period wherein excess ozone in the mixture reacts with any nitric oxide present in the mixture;

(f) determining a second ozone concentration of the mixture after the third selected reaction period; and

(g) determining the rate of smog formation from the first and second ozone concentrations and the duration of the second selected reaction period.

9. A method for determining time required for maximum smog formation in air under selected conditions of illumination and temperature, the method comprising:

(A) determining rate of smog formation in the air under the selected conditions by the method of claim 7 or claim 8;

(B) determining maximum potential smog formation in the air by;

(B)(i) determining the amount of prior smog formation in the air by;

(I) determining NO_y concentration in the air sample;

(II) determining the concentration of smog in the air by;

(II)(i) adding excess nitric oxide to the air sample to provide an excess nitric oxide/air mixture;

(II)(ii) reacting the mixture for a selected period wherein the excess nitric oxide reacts with substantially all ozone in the mixture;

(II)(iii) determining the nitric oxide concentration of the mixture after the selected period;

(II)(iv) determining the total oxidized nitrogen (NO_y) concentration of the mixture after the selected period; and

(II)(v) determining the concentration of smog formation from the nitric oxide concentration of (II)(iii) and the NO_y concentration of (II)(iv);

(III) determining the concentration of total nitrogen oxides previously emitted into the air from the NO_y concentration in the air and the concentration of smog in the air; and

(IV) determining the amount of prior smog formation in the air from the concentration of total nitrogen oxides previously emitted into the air as determined in step (III) and the concentration of smog in the air as determined in (II);

(B)(ii) determining the maximum potential in the air from the concentration of total nitrogen oxides previously emitted into the air;

(C) determining the time required for maximum smog formation, under selected temperature and illumination conditions, from the maximum potential smog formation and the rate of smog formation.

10. A method for determining time period during which smog formation in air has occurred, the time period being substantially the same as or within a predetermined period for which the illumination and temperature conditions are known, wherein the end of the predetermined period coincides with the end of the time period, the method comprising:

(A) determining temperatures of the air for the predetermined period;

(B) determining sunlight intensities for the predetermined period;

(C) determining rate of smog formation in the air under temperatures and light intensities corresponding to the determined temperature and sunlight intensities by the method of claim 7 or claim 8;

(D) determining the amount of prior smog formation in the air at the end of the time period by;

(I) determining NO_y concentration in the air;

(II) determining the concentration of smog in the air by;

(II)(i) adding excess nitric oxide to the air sample to provide an excess nitric oxide/air mixture;

(II)(ii) reacting the mixture for a selected period wherein the excess nitric oxide reacts with substantially all ozone in the mixture;

(II)(iii) determining the nitric oxide concentration of the mixture after the selected period;

(II)(iv) determining the total oxidized nitrogen (NO_y) concentration of the mixture after the selected period; and

(II)(v) determining the concentration of smog formation from the nitric oxide concentration of (II)(iii) and the NO_y concentration of (II)(iv);

(III) determining the concentration of total nitrogen oxides previously emitted into the air from the NO_y concentration in the air and the concentration of smog in the air; and

(IV) determining the amount of prior smog formation in the air from the concentration of total nitrogen oxides previously emitted into the air as determined in step (III) and the concentration of smog in the air as determined in (II); and

(E) determining the time period during which the smog formation in the air has occurred from the amount of prior smog formation and the rate of smog formation.

11. A method of locating a source of reactive organic compounds present in air, the method comprising:

(α

) determining a time period during which smog formation in the air has occurred, the time period being substantially the same as or within a predetermined period for which the illumination and temperature conditions are known, wherein the end of the predetermined period coincides with the end of the time period, said step of determining a time period comprising;

(A) determining temperatures of the air for the predetermined period;

(B) determining sunlight intensities for the predetermined period;

(C) determining rate of smog formation in the air under temperatures and light intensities corresponding to the determined temperatures and sunlight intensities by the method of claim 7 or claim 8;

(D) determining the amount of prior smog formation in the air at the end of the time period by;

(I) determining NO_y concentration in the air;

(II) determining the concentration of smog in the air by;

(II)(i) adding excess nitric oxide to the air sample to provide an excess nitric oxide/air mixture;

(II(ii) reacting the mixture for a selected period wherein the excess nitric oxide reacts with substantially all ozone in the mixture;

(II)(iii) determining the nitric oxide concentration of the mixture after the selected period;

(II)(iv) determining the total oxidized nitrogen (NO_y) concentration of the mixture after the selected period; and

(II)(v) determining the concentration of smog formation from the nitric oxide concentration of (II)(iii) and the NO_y concentration of (II)(iv);

(III) determining the concentration of total nitrogen oxides previously emitted into the air from the NO_y concentration in the air and the concentration of smog in the air; and

(IV) determining the amount of prior smog formation in the air from the concentration of total nitrogen oxides previously emitted into the air as determined in step (III) and the concentration of smog in the air as determined in (II); and

(E) determining the time period during which the smog formation in the air has occurred from the amount of prior smog formation and the rate of smog formation;

(β

) determining speed of movement and trajectory in the air during the time period; and

(γ

) locating said source of reactive organic compound from said time period and said speed and trajectory in the air over said time period.

12. A method of determining time required for production of a selected amount of smog in air under selected temperature and illumination conditions and with selected initial amount of smog in the air, the method comprising:

(A) determining the rate of smog formation in the air under the selected temperature and illumination conditions according to the method of claim 7 or claim 8;

(B) determining NO_y concentration in the air;

(C) determining the amount of NO_y previously emitted into the air from the NO_y concentration of (B) and the selected initial amount of smog in the air;

(D) determining the time required for production of the selected amount of smog in the air for the selected conditions of temperature and illumination from the rate and the amount of NO_y previously emitted into the air.

8. A method for determining rate of smog formation in air under selected temperature and illumination conditions, which method comprises:

(a) adding excess ozone to an air sample containing nitric oxide to provide an excess ozone/air mixture;

(b) adding a quantity of nitrogen oxides to the mixture;

(c) permitting the mixture to react for a first selected reaction period wherein excess ozone in the mixture reacts with substantially all nitric oxide in the mixture;

(d) determining a first ozone concentration of the mixture after the first selected reaction period;

(e) illuminating the mixture of (a) or the mixture after the first selected reaction period for a second selected reaction period under selected temperature and illumination conditions;

(f) permitting the mixture, after illumination, to react for a third selected reaction period wherein excess ozone in the mixture reacts with any nitric oxide present in the mixture;

(g) determining a second ozone concentration of the mixture after the third selected reaction period; and

(h) determining the rate of smog formation from the first and second ozone concentrations and the duration of the second selected reaction period.

13. A method of monitoring smog formation in air, the method comprising:

(a) adding excess of a first smog indicator species to an air sample containing a second smog indicator species to provide an excess first smog indicator species/air mixture;

(b) permitting the mixture to react for a first selected reaction period wherein excess of the first smog indicator species in the mixture reacts with substantially all of the second smog indicator species in the mixture;

(c) determining a first concentration of the first smog indicator species in the mixture after the first selected reaction period;

(d) illuminating the mixture of (a) or the mixture after the first selected reaction period for a second selected reaction period under reference temperature and illumination conditions;

(e) permitting the mixture, after illumination, to react for a third selected reaction period wherein excess of the first smog indicator species in the mixture reacts with any of the second smog indicator species present in the mixture;

(f) determining a second concentration of the first smog indicator species of the mixture after the third selected reaction period; and

(g) determining rate coefficient of smog formation in air, reactive organic compound concentration in air, and/or total concentration of prior reactive organic compound emission into air, from the first and second concentrations of the first smog indicator species, the reference temperature and illumination conditions and the duration of the second selected reaction period;

wherein the first smog indicator species is selected from the group consisting of nitric oxide and ozone, and the second smog indicator species is ozone if the first smog indicator species is nitric oxide and the second smog indicator species is nitric oxide if the first smog indicator species is ozone.

14. A method of determining rate of smog formation in air, under selected temperature and illumination conditions, the method comprising:

(a) adding excess of a first smog indicator species to an air sample containing a second smog indicator species to provide an excess first smog indicator species/air mixture;

(b) permitting the mixture to react for a first selected reaction period wherein excess of the first smog indicator species in the mixture reacts with substantially all of the second smog indicator species in the mixture;

(c) determining a first concentration of the first smog indicator species in the mixture after the first selected reaction period;

(d) illuminating the mixture of (a) or the mixture after the first selected reaction period for a second selected reaction period under selected temperature and illumination conditions;

(e) permitting the mixture, after illumination, to react for a third selected reaction period wherein excess of the first smog indicator species in the mixture reacts with any of the second smog indicator species present in the mixture;

(f) determining a second concentration of the first smog indicator species of the mixture after the third selected reaction period; and

(g) determining the rate of smog formation from the first and second concentrations of the first smog indicator species and the duration of the second selected reaction period wherein the first smog indicator species is either nitric oxide or ozone and the second smog indicator species is ozone if the first smog indicator species is nitric oxide or the second smog indicator species is nitric oxide if the first smog indicator species is ozone.

15. A method of monitoring smog formation in air, the method comprising:

(a) adding excess ozone to an air sample containing nitric oxide to provide an excess ozone/air mixture;

(b) adding a quantity of nitrogen oxides to the mixture;

(c) permitting the mixture to react for a first selected reaction period wherein excess ozone in the mixture reacts with substantially all of the nitric oxide in the mixture;

(d) determining a first concentration of the ozone in the mixture after the first selected reaction period;

(e) illuminating the mixture of (a) or the mixture after the first selected reaction period for a second selected reaction period under reference temperature and illumination conditions;

(f) permitting the mixture, after illumination, to react for a third selected reaction period wherein excess ozone in the mixture reacts with any nitric oxide present in the mixture;

(g) determining a second concentration of ozone of the mixture after the third selected reaction period; and

(h) determining rate coefficient of smog formation in air, reactive organic compound concentration in air, and/or total concentration of prior reactive organic compound emissions into air, from the first and second concentrations of ozone, the reference temperature and illumination conditions and the duration of the second selected reaction period.

16. A system for monitoring smog formation in air, the system comprising:

(a) a combiner for combining excess of a first smog indicator species with an air sample containing a second smog indicator species to provide an excess first smog indicator species/air mixture, said combiner having a first inlet for the first smog indicator species, a second inlet for the air sample and first and second outlets for said mixture;

(b) a first reactor having an inlet operatively associated with the first outlet of the combiner, said first reactor being constructed and arranged to allow said mixture to react therein for a first selected reaction period wherein excess of the first smog indicator species in the mixture reacts with substantially all of the second smog indicator species in the mixture;

(c) a photoreactor operatively associated with the second outlet of the combiner and also operatively associated with the first reactor;

(d) an illumination source operatively disposed adjacent to the photoreactor to illuminate the mixture of (a) in the photoreactor, or the mixture after the first selected reaction period, in the photoreactor for a second selected reaction period under reference temperature and illumination conditions;

(e) a second reactor operatively associated with the photoreactor, said second reactor being constructed and arranged to allow said mixture to react therein for a third selected reaction period wherein excess first smog indicator species in the mixture reacts with substantially any of the second smog indictor species in the mixture;

(f) a smog indicator species analyzer operatively associated with the first reactor to determine a first concentration of the first indicator species in the mixture after the first selected reaction period and operatively associated with the second reactor to determine a second concentration of the first indicator species in the mixture after the third selected reaction period;

(g) a temperature sensor operatively associated with the photoreactor to determine the temperature of the mixture;

(h) an illumination sensor operatively associated with the illumination source to determine the amount of illumination of the illuminated mixture; and

(i) calculating means operatively associated with the temperature and illumination sensors and the smog indicator species analyzer to calculate rate coefficient of smog formation in air, reactive organic compound concentration in air, and/or total concentration of prior reactive organic compound emission into air, from the first and second concentrations, the reference temperature and illumination conditions and the duration of the second selected reaction period, wherein the first smog indicator species is either nitric oxide or ozone and the second smog indicator species is ozone if the first smog indicator species is nitric oxide or the second smog indicator species is nitric oxide if the first smog indicator species is ozone.

17. A system according to claim 16 wherein the first reactor and the photoreactor are two separate vessels through which the mixture can continuously flow in separate streams and the second reactor is a separate vessel through which the mixture from the photoreactor can continuously flow.

18. A system for determining time required for maximum smog formation in air under selected conditions of illumination and temperature wherein the system comprises:

(A) a system for determining the rate coefficient of smog formation in the air according to claim 16;

(B) wherein said first smog indicator species is nitric oxide and said first smog indicator species analyzer is a nitric oxide analyzer;

said nitric oxide analyzer is operatively associated and coupled with the first reactor for determining NO_y concentration and nitric oxide (NO) concentration of the mixture and is operatively associated and coupled with said air sample source for determining NO_y concentration of the air sample; and

said calculating means is operatively associated and coupled with the nitric oxide analyzer to calculate maximum potential smog formation in the air from the NO_y concentration of the air sample and the NO_y and NO concentrations of the excess nitric oxide/air mixture; and

(D) wherein said calculating means operatively associated with the nitric oxide analyzer to calculate the maximum time for smog formation, under the temperature and illumination conditions, from the NO_y concentration, the maximum potential smog formation and the rate coefficient of smog formation.

19. A system for determining time required for maximum smog formation in air according to claim 18, wherein said nitric oxide analyzer includes a NO_y converter to convert all the NO_y in the air sample to nitric oxide and the nitric oxide analyzer is constructed to determine the total nitric oxide.

20. A system for determining time period during which smog formation in air has occurred, the time period being substantially the same as, or within a predetermined period for which the illumination and temperature conditions are known, wherein the end of the predetermined period coincides with the end of the time period, the system comprising:

(A) a system for determining the rate coefficient of smog formation in the air according to claim 16;

(B) wherein said first smog indicator species is nitric oxide and said first smog indicator species analyzer is a nitric oxide analyzer;

said nitric oxide analyzer is operatively associated and coupled with the first reactor for determining NO_y concentration and nitric oxide (NO) concentration of the mixture and is operatively associated; and

said calculating means is operatively associated and coupled with the nitric oxide analyzer to calculate concentration o smog from the NO_y and NO concentrations;

(C) wherein said nitric oxide analyzer is operatively associated and coupled with said air sample source for determining NO_y concentration of the air sample;

(D) a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the air sample for the duration of the selected period;

(E) a light sensor for determining sunlight illumination during the selected period; and

(F) wherein said calculating means operatively associated with the temperature sensor, the light sensor, the nitric oxide analyzer and the system for determining the rate coefficient of smog formation and smog concentration to calculate the time period during which smog formation in air has occurred under measured sunlight and temperature conditions from the NO_y concentration, the maximum potential smog formation and the rate coefficient of smog formation.

21. A system for determining time period during which smog formation in air has occurred according to claim 20, wherein the nitric oxide analyzer includes a NO_y converter to convert substantially all NO_y in the mixture to nitric oxide, the converter being operatively associated with the nitric oxide analyzer.

22. A system for determining time period during which smog formation in air has occurred according to claim 20, further comprising means of determining speed and trajectory of the air sample during the selected period and said calculating means being constructed to determine the location of emission sources of reactive organic compound present in air sample on the basis of the time period of smog formation, the air speed and trajectory.

23. A system for determining time required for production of a selected amount of smog in air under selected illumination and temperature conditions, the system comprising:

(A) a system for determining the rate coefficient of smog formation in the air according to claim 16;

(B) wherein said first smog indicator species is nitric oxide and said first smog indicator species analyzer is a nitric oxide analyzer;

said nitric oxide analyzer is operatively associated and coupled with the first reactor for determining NO_y concentration and nitric oxide (NO) concentration of the mixture; and

said calculating means is operatively associated and coupled with the nitric oxide analyzer to calculate concentration of smog from the NO_y and NO concentrations;

(C) said nitric oxide analyzer is operatively associated and coupled with said air sample source for determining NO_y concentration of the air sample; and

(D) wherein said calculating means operatively associated with the system for determining the rate coefficient, smog concentration and with the nitric oxide analyzer to calculate the time required for the production of a selected amount of smog in the air under the temperature and illumination conditions.

24. A system for determining time required for production of a selected amount of smog in air under selected temperature and illumination conditions according to claim 23 wherein the nitric oxide analyzer includes a NO_y converter to convert substantially all NO_y in the mixture to nitric oxide, the converter being operatively associated with the nitric oxide analyzer.

25. A system according to claim 16, further comprising a temperature controller/programmer operatively associated with the photoreactor whereby the temperature of the mixture can be kept constant during illumination, can be allowed to vary and be monitored or the temperature of the mixture can be varied according to a preselected or selected temperature profile.

26. A system according to claim 16, further comprising an illuminator controller/programmer operatively associated with and coupled to the illumination source whereby the illumination can be kept constant or can be varied according to a preselected or selected illumination profile.

27. A system according to claim 16, further comprising an air filter to filter the air prior to injection into the combiner.

28. A system for locating a source of reactive organic compounds present in air, the system comprising:

(A) means for determining a time period during which smog formation in air has occurred, the time period being substantially the same as, or within a predetermined period for which the illumination and temperature conditions are known, wherein the end of the predetermined period coincides with the end of the time period;

(B) a system for determining the rate coefficient of smog formation in the air according to claim 16;

(C) wherein said first smog indicator species is nitric oxide and said first smog indicator species analyzer is a nitric oxide analyzer;

said nitric oxide analyzer is operatively associated and coupled with the first reactor for determining NO_y concentration and nitric oxide (NO) concentration of the mixture; and

said calculating means includes a first calculating means operatively associated and coupled with the nitric oxide analyzer to calculate concentration of smog from the NO_y and NO concentrations;

(D) wherein said nitric oxide analyzer is operatively associated and coupled with said air sample source for determining NO_y concentration of the air sample;

(E) a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the air sample for the duration of the selected period;

(F) a light sensor for determining sunlight illumination during the selected period; and

(G) wherein said calculating means includes a second calculating means operatively associated with the temperature sensor, the light sensor and the nitric oxide analyzer and the system for determining the rate coefficient of smog formation and smog concentration, to calculate the time period during which smog formation in air has occurred under measured sunlight and temperature conditions;

(H) means for determining speed of movement and trajectory of the air sample during the time period; and

(I) wherein said calculating means includes a third calculating means operatively associated with the means for determining speed of movement and trajectory and the second calculating means to calculate the location of said source of reactive organic compound.

29. A system according to claim 16 wherein the photoreactor is located within a purified air purgeable airtight chamber.

30. A system according to claim 29 wherein the first reactor is located within a purified air purgeable airtight chamber.

47. A system according to claim 16, further comprising first metered delivery means to deliver metered doses of the air sample to the first combiner and second metered delivery means to deliver metered doses of said first gas to the first combiner.

48. A system according to claim 47, further comprising third metered delivery means to deliver metered doses of said second gas to the second combiner.

31. A system for determining rate of smog formation in air under selected temperature and illumination conditions, the system comprising:

(a) a combiner for combining excess of a first smog indicator species with an air sample containing a second smog indicator species to provide an excess first smog indicator species/air mixture, said combiner having a first inlet for the first smog indicator species, a second inlet for the air sample and first and second outlets for said mixture;

(b) a first reactor having an inlet operatively associated with the first outlet of the combiner, said first reactor being constructed and arranged to allow said mixture to react therein for a first selected reaction period wherein excess of the first smog indicator species in the mixture reacts with substantially all of the second smog indicator species in the mixture;

(c) a photoreactor having an inlet operatively associated with the second outlet of the combiner and also operatively associated with the first reactor;

(d) an illumination source operatively disposed adjacent to the photoreactor to illuminate the mixture of (a), in the photoreactor, or the mixture after the first selected reaction period, in the photoreactor for a second selected reaction period under selected temperature and illumination conditions;

(e) a second reactor operatively associated with the photoreactor, said second reactor being constructed and arranged to allow said mixture to react therein for a third selected reaction period wherein excess first smog indicator species in the mixture reacts with substantially all of the second smog indictor species in the mixture;

(f) a smog indicator species analyzer operatively associated with the first reactor, to determine a first concentration of the first indicator species in the mixture after the first selected reaction period and operatively associated with the second reactor to determine a second concentration of the first indicator species in the mixture after the third selected period;

(g) calculating means operatively associated with the smog indicator species analyzer to calculate the rate of smog formation from the first and second concentrations and the duration of the second selected period, wherein the first smog indicator species is either nitric oxide or ozone and the second smog indicator species is ozone if the first smog indicator species is nitric oxide or the second smog indicator species is nitric oxide if the first smog indicator species is ozone.

32. A system for determining time required for maximum smog formation in air under selected conditions of illumination and temperature wherein the system comprises:

(A) a system for determining the rate of smog formation in the air according to claim 31;

(B) wherein said first smog indicator species is nitric oxide and said first smog indicator species analyzer is a nitric oxide analyzer;

said nitric oxide analyzer is operatively associated and coupled with the first reactor for determining NO_y concentration and nitric oxide (NO) concentration of the mixture and is operatively associated and coupled with said air sample source for determining NO_y concentration of the air sample; and

said calculating means is operatively associated and coupled with the nitric oxide analyzer to calculate maximum potential smog formation in the air from the NO_y concentration of the air sample and the NO_y and NO concentrations of the excess nitric oxide/air mixture; and

(D) wherein said calculating means operatively associated with the nitric oxide analyzer to calculate the maximum time for smog formation, under the temperature and illumination conditions, from the NO_y concentration, the maximum potential smog formation and the rate of smog formation.

33. A system for determining time required for maximum smog formation in air according to claim 32, wherein said nitric oxide analyzer includes a NO_y converter to convert all the NO_y in the air sample to nitric oxide and the nitric oxide analyzer is constructed to determine the total nitric oxide.

34. A system for determining time period during which smog formation in air has occurred, the time period being substantially the same as, or within a predetermined period for which the illumination and temperature conditions are known, wherein the end of the predetermined period coincides with the end of the time period, the system comprising:

(A) a system for determining the rate of smog formation in the air according to claim 31;

(B) wherein said first smog indicator species is nitric oxide and said first smog indicator species analyzer is a nitric oxide analyzer;

said nitric oxide analyzer is operatively associated and coupled with the first reactor for determining NO_y concentration and nitric oxide (NO) concentration of the mixture and is operatively associated; and

said calculating means is operatively associated and coupled with the nitric oxide analyzer to calculate concentration of smog from the NO_y and NO concentrations;

(C) wherein said nitric oxide analyzer is operatively associated and coupled with said air sample source for determining NO_y concentration of the air sample;

(D) a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the air sample for the duration of the selected period;

(E) a light sensor for determining sunlight illumination during the selected period; and

(F) wherein said calculating means operatively associated with the temperature sensor, the light sensor, the nitric oxide analyzer and the system for determining the rate coefficient of smog formation and smog concentration to calculate the time period during which smog formation in air has occurred under measured sunlight and temperature conditions from the NO_y concentration, the maximum potential smog formation and the rate coefficient of smog formation.

35. A system for determining time period during which smog formation in air has occurred according to claim 34, wherein the nitric oxide analyzer of (C) includes a NO_y converter to convert substantially all NO_y in the mixture to nitric oxide, the converter being operatively associated with the nitric oxide analyzer.

36. A system for determining time period during which smog formation in air has occurred according to claim 34, further comprising means of determining speed and trajectory of the air sample during the selected period and said calculating means being constructed to determine the location of emission sources of reactive organic compound present in air sample on the basis of the time period of smog formation, the air speed and trajectory.

37. A system for determining time required for production of a selected amount of smog in air under selected illumination and temperature conditions, the system comprising:

(A) a system for determining the rate of smog formation in the air according to claim 31;

(B) wherein said first smog indicator species is nitric oxide and said first smog indicator species analyzer is a nitric oxide analyzer;

said nitric oxide analyzer is operatively associated and coupled with the first reactor for determining NO_y concentration and nitric oxide (NO) concentration of the mixture; and

said calculating means is operatively associated and coupled with the nitric oxide analyzer to calculate concentration of smog from the NO_y and NO concentrations;

(C) said nitric oxide analyzer is operatively associated and coupled with said air sample source for determining NO_y concentration of the air sample; and

(D) wherein said calculating means operatively associated with the system for determining the rate coefficient, smog concentration and with the nitric oxide analyzer to calculate the time required for the production of a selected amount of smog in the air under the temperature and illumination conditions.

38. A system for determining time required for production of a selected amount of smog in air under selected temperature and illumination conditions according to claim 37 wherein the nitric oxide analyzer includes a NO_y converter to convert substantially all NO_y in the mixture to nitric oxide, the converter being operatively associated with the nitric oxide analyzer.

39. A system for locating a source of reactive organic compounds present in air, the system comprising:

(A) means for determining a time period during which smog formation in air has occurred, the time period being substantially the same as, or within a predetermined period for which the illumination and temperature conditions are known, wherein the end of the predetermined period coincides with the end of the time period;

(B) a system for determining the rate of smog formation in the air according to claim 31;

(C) wherein said first smog indicator species is nitric oxide and said first smog indicator species analyzer is a nitric oxide analyzer;

said nitric oxide analyzer is operatively associated and coupled with the first reactor for determining NO_y concentration and nitric oxide (NO) concentration of the mixture; and

said calculating means includes a first calculating means operatively associated and coupled with the nitric oxide analyzer to calculate concentration of smog from the NO_y and NO concentrations;

(D) wherein said nitric oxide analyzer is operatively associated and coupled with said air sample source for determining NO_y concentration of the air sample;

(E) a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the air sample for the duration of the selected period;

(F) a light sensor for determining sunlight illumination during the selected period;

(G) wherein said calculating means includes a second calculating means operatively associated with the temperature sensor, the light sensor and the nitric oxide analyzer and the system for determining the rate coefficient of smog formation and smog concentration, to calculate the time period during which smog formation in air has occurred under measured sunlight and temperature conditions;

(H) means for determining speed of movement and trajectory of the air sample during the time period; and

(I) wherein said calculating means includes a third calculating means operatively associated with the means for determining speed of movement and trajectory and the second calculating means to calculate the location of said source of reactive organic compound.

40. A system according to claim 31 wherein the first reactor and the photoreactor are two separate vessels through which the mixture can continuously flow in separate streams and the second reactor is a separate vessel through which the mixture from the photoreactor can continuously flow.

41. A system according to claim 31, further comprising a temperature controller/programmer operatively associated with the photoreactor whereby the temperature of the mixture can be kept constant during illumination, can be allowed to vary and be monitored or the temperature of the mixture can be varied according to a preselected or selected temperature profile.

42. A system according to claim 31, further comprising an illuminator controller/programmer operatively associated with and coupled to the illumination source whereby the illumination can be kept constant or can be varied according to a preselected or selected illumination profile.

43. A system according to claim 31, further comprising first metered delivery means to deliver metered doses of the air to the combiner and second metered delivery means to deliver metered doses of the first smog indicator species to the combiner.

44. A system according to claim 31, further comprising an air filter to filter the air prior to injection into the combiner.

45. A system according to claim 31, wherein the photoreactor is located within a purified air purgeable airtight chamber.

46. A system for determining rate of smog formation in air under selected temperature and illumination conditions, the system comprising:

(a) a first combiner for providing a first air mixture, said first combiner having a first inlet connected to a first source containing a first gas, a second inlet connected to an air sample source containing an air sample and an outlet for said first air mixture;

(b) a second combiner for providing a second air mixture, said second combiner having an inlet operatively associated with the outlet of the first combiner, an inlet connected to a second source containing a second gas, and a first and second outlets for said second air mixture wherein said first gas is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen oxides and ozone, said second gas is ozone when said first gas is nitrogen oxides and said second gas is nitrogen oxides when said first gas is ozone, and wherein said second air mixture is an excess ozone/air mixture;

(c) a first reactor having an inlet operatively associated with the first outlet of the second combiner, said first reactor being constructed and arranged to allow said second air mixture to react therein for a first selected reaction period wherein excess ozone in the second air mixture reacts with substantially all of the nitric oxide in the second air mixture;

(d) a photoreactor having an inlet operatively associated with the second outlet of the second combiner and also operatively associated with the first reactor;

(e) an illumination source operatively disposed adjacent to the photoreactor to illuminate the mixture of (b), in the photoreactor, or the mixture after the first selected reaction period, in the photoreactor for a second selected reaction period under selected temperature and illumination conditions;

(f) a second reactor operatively associated with the photoreactor, said second reactor being constructed and arranged to allow said mixture to react therein for a third selected reaction period wherein excess ozone in the mixture reacts with substantially all of the nitric oxide in the mixture;

(g) an ozone analyzer operatively associated with the first reactor, to determine a first concentration of ozone in the mixture after the first selected reaction period and operatively associated with the second reactor to determine a second concentration of ozone in the mixture after the third selected period;

(h) calculating means operatively associated with the ozone analyzer to calculate the rate of smog formation from the first and second concentrations and the duration of the second selected period.