Solid sorbent for formaldehyde monitoring

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1982 · Anal. Chem.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ac00246a011· OSTI ID:6189391

Matthews, T G; Howell, T C

A simple, analytical methodology has been developed for formaldehyde (CH/sub 2/O) monitoring using 13X molecular sieve as a sorbent medium. Sieve sample pretreatment consists of a 20-min drying period at 100 to 200/sup 0/C in an open-air oven. Following air sampling a CH/sub 2/O determination is performed by using a water-rinse desorption and pararosaniline (colorimetric) analysis. Formaldehyde-exposed sieve samples can be stored in a sealed container for approximately 1 month with <10% CH/sub 2/O degradation. A pumped molecular sieve based air sampling unit has been developed with a demonstrated 0.025 to 10.0 ppM CH/sub 2/O linear dynamic range. Sampling periods of 15 and 5 min are applicable in most domestic and industrial environments, respectively. The primary limitation to the length of the air sampling period prior to CH/sub 2/O breakthrough is caused by the saturation of the molecular sieve with water vapor. A mathematical expression has been developed to estimate the maximum sampling period as a function of sieve sample mass and ambient water vapor concentration. The results from a preliminary field evaluation of the molecular sieve sample mass and ambient water vapor concentration. The results from a preliminary field evaluation of the molecular sieve-based sampling unit show excellent agreement with measurements taken with reference CH/sub 2/O monitoring techniques. Three domestic dwellings with sub 150 ppB CH/sub 2/O concentration levels were evaluated.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 6189391
• Journal Information: Anal. Chem.; (United States), Vol. 54
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
FORMALDEHYDE
AIR SAMPLERS
DESIGN
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HOUSES
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
MOLECULAR SIEVES
MONITORING
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
TESTING
ADSORBENTS
AIR POLLUTION
ALDEHYDES
BUILDINGS
DATA
EQUIPMENT
INFORMATION
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SAMPLERS
SURFACE PROPERTIES
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring &amp; Transport- (-1989)