PEFTEC - Abstract

Abstract Information :

The first step in understanding and controlling emissions is detecting and quantifying the presence of the emissions. Refineries and petrochemical plants must undertake fenceline monitoring in order to reduce their impact on the environment. rnrnNext generation air measurement technologies are making it easier to track air pollution leaks from pipes, seals, and other areas at industrial facilities. These novel high-tech monitoring technologies can be used to help determine where leaks are occurring and what chemicals are being released.rnrnPhotoacoustic laser spectroscopy is known to be highly sensitive method for monitoring trace levels of air pollutants in ambient air. Detection limits even down to sub-ppt levels have been recently reported in research papers. Photoacoustic laser spectroscopy is an optimal technology for detecting low levels of harmful non-criteria pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde, and hydrogen fluoride among others. Typically, the ambient concentration levels of those gases are in the low ppb range which sets strict performance requirements for the monitoring technologies. Benzene, formaldehyde, and hydrogen fluoride all have severe health effects which motivates to keep the fugitive emissions of these gases as low as possible.rn rnThere are standard methods already in place for monitoring criteria pollutants such as CO and NOx but these are not the only gases industries are emitting which calls for novel monitoring technologies. Benzene is especially challenging component for spectroscopic methods, but lack of fast and sensitive sensors in the market has motivated our research to develop a new technique for benzene analysis.rnrnSub-ppb level detection limits are demonstrated for multiple gas compounds including benzene, formaldehyde, and hydrogen fluoride in a standalone analyzer which includes gas sampling and easy-to-use user interface and has a low power consumption. Zero-background measurement principle enables drift-free operation, wide dynamic range and long re-calibration interval.rn