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

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.

摘要：本研究以阿尔坎塔拉发射中心（Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara, CLA）为研究场景，采用CMAQ建模系统，开展了火箭尾焰云团的污染物扩散与光化学反应数值模拟。本次模拟针对一氧化碳（CO）、氯化氢（HCl）以及氧化铝（固态Al₂O₃）三类污染物的排放过程，旨在构建一套可模拟火箭发射正常工况及突发事故的计算工具，从而能够依据应急方案以及发射前后的环境管理需求，对污染物浓度进行预测。研究结果显示，一氧化碳与氧化铝会形成地面及凝结尾流云团；氯化氢浓度将对人体健康造成危害，这一结果凸显了评估火箭发射对环境及人体健康影响的重要性。