Estimate the volume of car exhaust produced per day by autom

Estimate the volume of car exhaust produced per day by automobiles in the United States. List all assumptions and show calculations.

Solution

As per the US Environmental Protection agency, the average emission of different type of Vehicle is calculated based on a series of computer models. These Vehicles which causes emission are broadly classified into two.

1. gasoline fueled light duty vehicles which are the passenget cars

2. light duty trucks like pickup trucks, sport-utility vehicles etc

Please refer to the Emission and fuel consumption for the above vehicles:

Average Emissions and Fuel Consumption for Passenger Cars
Pollutant/Fuel	Emission & Fuel Consumption Rates (per mile)	Calculation	Annual Emission & Fuel Consumption
Volatile organic compounds	1.034 grams (g)	(1.034 g/mi) x (12,000 mi/yr) x (1 lb/454 g)	27.33 lb
Total hydrocarbons	1.077 g	(1.077 g/mi) x (12,000 mi/yr) x (1 lb/454 g)	28.47 lb
Carbon monoxide	9.400 g	(9.400 g/mi) x (12,000 mi/yr) x (1 lb/454 g)	248.46 lb
Carbon dioxide	368.4 g	(368.4 g/mi) x (12,000 mi/yr) x (1 lb/454 g)	9,737.44 lb
Nitrogen oxides	0.693 g	(0.693 g/mi) x (12,000 mi/yr) x (1 lb/454 g)	18.32 lb
Average Emissions and Fuel Consumption for Light-Duty Trucks
Volatile organic compounds	1.224 grams (g)	(1.224 g/mi) x (15,000 mi/yr) x (1 lb/454 g)	32.35 lb
Total hydrocarbons	1.289 g	(1.289 g/mi) x (15,000 mi/yr) x (1 lb/454 g)	34.07 lb
Carbon monoxide	9.400 g	(11.84 g/mi) x (15,000 mi/yr) x (1 lb/454 g)	312.95 lb
Carbon dioxide	368.4 g	(368.4 g/mi) x (12,000 mi/yr) x (1 lb/454 g)	9,737.44 lb
Nitrogen oxides	0.95 g	(0.95 g/mi) x (15,000 mi/yr) x (1 lb/454 g)	25.11 lb