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：本研究采用社区多尺度空气质量（Community Multiscale Air Quality, CMAQ）建模系统，对阿尔坎塔拉发射中心（Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara, CLA）处的火箭尾焰云团污染物扩散与光化学反应开展数值模拟。针对一氧化碳（CO）、氯化氢（HCl）及氧化铝（固态Al₂O₃）三类污染物的排放模拟工作，旨在构建一套可模拟火箭发射正常工况与突发事故的计算工具，从而能够依据应急预案及发射前后的环境管理需求，对污染物浓度进行预测。模拟结果显示，一氧化碳与氧化铝的浓度分布会形成地面云团及航迹云；此外，氯化氢浓度将对人体健康产生危害，这凸显了评估火箭发射对环境及人体健康影响的重要性。