Role of CO in Atmospheric NOx Reaction

by Victoria Satizabal Hernandez

Submitted : Spring 2010

Nitrogen compounds emitted from tail-pipes of automobiles include NO and NO2. Of these two nitrogen compounds NO2 is less dangerous to humans. Once these gases are emitted, particularly in an atmosphere with other pollutants such as carbon monoxide, they become involved in a large number of chemical reactions. There are a number of different reactions that occur. Only one of these reactions, NO2 and O2 reacting to form NO and O3, occurs at night. Once the initial concentrations of all the species that react are specified, the concentration of NO and NO2 can be tracked with respect to time.

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