RESEARCH

UV LEDs can be designed to emit radiation in the ultra-violet spectrum, which in turn inactivates the microbial DNA in pathogens. The AQR is studying how to use this technology in air treatment systems to sanitize air. We have developed a software tool for simulating pathogen inactivation for various duct designs and LED properties and layouts.

Windblown dust events in Utah can have significant impact on local air quality and can impact mountain snowpack. The AQR uses state-of-the-science software from the U.S. EPA to predict the location and magnitude of dust emissions and transport. We also assess dust impacts for future scenarios such as a shrinking Great Salt Lake and installation of large-scale solar farms. We also produced a Dust User Guide to help other modelers.

AQR personnel participated with other BYU Researchers in a 5-yr U.S DOE project to design, build and test a 100 kW_th pressurized dry-feed oxy-coal combustor (POC). This technology allows improved capture of CO2 from the combustion process. The AQR provided dense-phase coal-CO2 modeling of the fluidized feed system, and heat transfer and combustion modeling of the multi-fuel burner and main reactor.

Urban canopies (UC) refer to impacts on local meteorological conditions due to building structures and anthropogenic heating from metropolitan areas. Salt Lake City urban canopies affect local pollutants such as ozone and PM_2.5 in the Salt Lake Valley. AQR is using UC modeling to better understand the correlation between urban growth characteristics, meteorological properties, and pollutants.