Simulation of Rocket Exhaust Clouds at the Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara Using the WRF-CMAQ Modeling System

Authors

  • Erick Giovani Sperandio Nascimento Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo- Vitoria/ES
  • Davidson Martins Moreira Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo- Vitoria/ES
  • Gilberto Fisch Instituto de Aeronautica e Espaço- Sao Jose dos Campos/SP
  • Taciana Toledo de Almeida Albuquerque Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo- Vitoria/ES

Keywords:

Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara, Rocket launch, CMAQ, Dispersion modeling.

Abstract

In this work we report numerical simulations of the contaminant dispersion and photochemical reactions of rocket exhaust clouds at the Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara (CLA) using the CMAQ modeling system. The simulations of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen chloride (HCl) and alumina (solid Al2O3) pollutants emission represent an effort in the construction of a computational tool in order to simulate normal and/or accidental events during rocket launches, making possible to predict the contaminant concentrations in accordance with emergency plans and pre and post-launchings for environmental management. The carbon monoxide and the alumina concentrations showed the formation of the ground and contrail cloud. The results also showed that hydrogen chloride concentrations would be harmful to human health, demonstrating the importance of assessing the impact of rocket launches in the  environment and human health.


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Published

2014-05-28

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 2 (2014): APR./JUN.2014

Section

Original Papers

License

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