We live in a flight path where many planes fly over (every five minutes) and wonder whether those emissions end up on earth and if so, is that harmful to humans, animals and plants?
Answer
Aircraft emissions are the product of the combustion of kerosene, which is a fuel with properties between those of petrol and diesel.
The emission consists of water (H2O), CO2 (carbon dioxide), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2) and as a by-product NOx (a collection of nitrogen oxides).
The water mixes with the air, just like the nitrogen and the oxygen (the latter two are the constituents of air) and gives moist air. Nothing wrong.
the CO2 however, it will mix with the air and cause the greenhouse effect (climate warming).
The nitrogen oxides (mainly NO2) are also harmful. In composition with water (present in the air) H2O, does it form H2NO3, nitric acid, which causes so-called acid rain. Acid rain has three causes:
– SO emissions2by combustion of sulphur, but serious work has been done in the last 20 years, the SO . is filtered2 at the power stations (SO2 gave sulfuric acid and that corroded buildings, statues etc…)
– emissions of NOx, mainly from petrol engines and aircraft; here too people are trying to remedy this with clean engines; NOx filters are installed at the power stations
– by-products of fertilizers that the farmers apply to their land
Answered by
ir Marc Borremans
Thermodynamics Pumps and Compressors Heat Techniques
Industrial quay 170 B-1070 Brussels
http://www.erasmushogeschool.be/
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