Artifacts in the Analysis and Assessment of Low-Cost Containers for Sampling and Storing Greenhouse Gases

Abstract

The objectives of this study were twofold: to assess two chromatographic methods for the analysis of greenhouse gases (GHG) and carbon monoxide, and to propose and evaluate a low-cost and reusable alternative system for their sampling and storage, using 10 different container configurations (flasks and bags). To that end, standard samples containing the gases of interest (CO 2 , CH 4 and CO) and different types of real samples were tested. Finally, procedures for the sampling, storage and analysis of CO 2 and CH 4 were evaluated and optimized. Two chromatographic methods were applied, using different analysis conditions and columns. Gas chromatography analysis of sample stability and container reusability demonstrated that borosilicate flasks with butyl rubber and PTFE/silicone septa are ideal for storing samples, allowing up to 5 successive sampling cycles with no significant loss of recovery. For larger volume samples, multilayer foil bags are the most stable for the compounds analyzed. The tests conducted with real and synthetic gas samples under optimized chromatography conditions using both methods indicated satisfactory performance for CO 2 and CH 4 quantification. However, CO analysis in the column with a polystyrene-divinylbenzene stationary phase (Method 1) produced an artifact due to the presence of oxygen in the samples, restricting its quantification.

Advances in Raw Material Industries for Sustainable Development Goals

“…It should also be noted that the results of this study, similar to the results reflected in the Abruzzi's research (Abruzzi et al 2019), show that homemade containers are a good alternative to commercial ones for storing air samples and further analysis by chromatographic method. The Abruzzi's work also says about the possibility of stable storage of samples in homemade borosilicate glass containers for up to 96 hours, while in our lavsan bags the time of stable stor age is about 72 hours.…”

“…For instance, some scientists consider the problem of storage stability (Akdeniz et al 2011, Laor et al 2010; in other works the question regarding the sample loss is raised (Sironi et al 2014; there are also some works on the different types of bags , Laor et al 2010) and materials (Salo & Makinen 2019) comparison. Of particular interest is the study of comparing commercial and homemade bags (Parker et al 2010, Abruzzi et al 2019. All in all, the results allowed concluding that air sample bags can be an alternative to the widely used sampling devices and are suitable for many areas, including industrial hygiene, landfill (biogas), ambient air, indoor air and station ary source testing.…”

Evaluation of the removal of n‐butanol vapor by the poly(lactic acid)‐zeolite‐TiO2 composite and formation of by‐products

“…The double septa (Supelco, Blue ∅ 13 mm, PTFE/Silicone, and Red ∅ 13 mm, Butyl rubber/PTFE) were employed as either protective caps or an impermeable barrier to the gases of interest. Abruzzi et al 36 previously validated the sampling protocol using the flask.…”

Control of pollutants in the atmospheric air on the example of an automated monitoring system in St. Petersburg

“…A modern alternative to sorption tubes are specialized sampling bags designed for taking gaseous samples [36]. These devices are widely used in observing systems around the world, manufactured in different countries and designed for different tasks [37][38]. To determine VOCs, bags made of various materials are used [39,40] -Tedlar®, lavsan, polyvinylidene fluoride, foil films, and others.…”