From: jfh@rpp386 (John F. Haugh II)
Subject: Re: Ground-source Heat Pumps
Followup-To: austin.talk
Reply-To: jfh@rpp386.cactus.org (John F. Haugh II)
Organization: Los Tejanos SCUBA Club and Beer Joint, Austin, Tejas
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1993 14:37:06 GMT

In article <3272@devnull.mpd.tandem.com> billc@zippy.UUCP (Bill Carter) writes:
>   So now you're an atmospheric scientist?  Mr. Haugh, your countless 
>   areas of expertise are amazing. :)

No, I am merely repeating scientific information that I have read from
other sources.  However, I do understand the principles involved, having
a background which includes chemistry and physics.  You are free to
present contradictory information.

>   It my understanding that chlorinated hydrocarbons like Freon
>   act as the transport mechanism whereby chlorine atoms reach the
>   stratosphere.  The chlorine in the ocean does not reach the
>   stratosphere.  I've seen descriptions of the complex sequence of
>   reactions whereby chlorinated hydrocarbons destroy ozone, and
>   these reactions do not happen in the lower atmosphere.

It is my understanding that the mobility of different substances within
the atmosphere is dependent, in large part, on the density of that
substance.  For example, helium was not discovered on earth, it was
discovered on the sun, because all of the atmosphere helium "escapes"
through the upper atmosphere.  Likewise, you will probably find virtually
all of the radon on the planet very close to the ground.

As a quick mental exercise, compare the molecular weight of CFC's against
that of O3.  Remebering that the number of moles of gas per volume is
dependent (our friendly ideal gas law) on the pressure and temperature,
and not on the molecular weight, we have that the density of a gas - for
the most part - is directly proportional to the molecular weight.  Now,
which is supposedly more able to reach the stratosphere?  O3 or your
CFC's?  Remember that your answer must be consistent with the observered
reality that radon sinks and helium is so light it "floats" off the top of
the stratosphere.

As for "those reactions", they do take place in the lower atmosphere. 
They even take place in the chemistry labs where they demostrate that
"those reactions" take place.  But the fact that ionic chlorine will
combine with ozone to create chlorine monoxide and O2 DOES NOT mean that
the reaction of ultraviolet light and O2 no longer occurs.  Nor does the
simple fact that the the reaction can occur mean that it dominates the
various other reactions, including the natural destructive reaction which
involves O3 and hydrogen sulfide.  And by the way, hydrogen sulfide is
both more plentiful in the atmosphere (volcanoes, geysers, hot springs,
oil seeps, etc. all make it) and of lesser molecular weight than even O3.
But I've yet to hear anyone proprosing that we outlaw hot springs or
volcanic erruptions.

Back to our friend ozone and the upper atmosphere, let us revisit our
friend Le Chatlier.  Le Chatlier says that if you add reactants, you
increase the products.  The reaction 3 O2 => 2 O3 is endothermic.  That
is, it absorbs energy in its formation (the "Heat of Formation").  The
other reaction, 2 O3 => 3 O2 is exothermic.  Le Chatlier says that if
we add HEAT, we increase the rate of O2 -> O3 production.  Heat is a
requirement of that reaction, so we move the equilibrium in the direction
of increased amounts of O3.  Le Chatlier also says that if we increase
PRESSURE, we move the reaction in the direction of fewer molecules in
the total system.  The reaction 3 O2 -> 2 O3 favors increased pressures.
Le Chatlier also says thats that if we remove the products, we push the
reaction to favor increased production of the products.  The reaction

	Cl- + O3 => ClO + O2

favors the increased production of O3, both because it removes product
and because it increases a reactant (O2).

What does all this mean to our friend ozone and the upper atmosphere?
It means for starters that the reaction favors the lower atmosphere and
it favors higher temperatures.  If we ever manage to significantly
reduce the amount of ozone in the "upper" atmosphere, the reaction

	3 O2 + 34 Cal/mole => 2 O3

will simply move to a more plentiful location of heat, O2, or pressure.
The really good news is that there are quite a few places on the planet
between us and harmful UV light where there is greater temperature,
pressure, and O2 - starting about 1,000 feet below the current ozone
layer.  But it also means that if you destroy ozone, that your increase
its production.
-- 
John F. Haugh II                  [ PGP 2.1 ] !'s: ...!cs.utexas.edu!rpp386!jfh
Ma Bell: (512) 251-2151           [ DoF #17 ]        @'s: jfh@rpp386.cactus.org
"If we make SS need based, can we change the name to: Failing Incompetents
    Compensation Allotment?"  -- Dr. Michael Reed
Newsgroups: austin.general