Simultaneous Gas Chromatographic Determination of Four Toxic Gases Generally Present in Combustion Atmospheres*

Abstract

The measurement of combustion gases produced by burning aircraft cabin materials poses a continuing limitation for smoke toxicity research. Because toxic effects of gases depend on both their concentrations and the duration of exposure, frequent atmosphere sampling is necessary to define the gas concentration-exposure time curve. A gas chromatographic (GC) method was developed for the simultaneous analyses of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and hydrogen cyanide (HCN). The method used an MTI M200 dual-column gas chromatograph equipped with 4-m molecular sieve-5A and 8-m PoraPlot-U wall-coated capillary columns and two low-volume, high-sensitivity thermal conductivity detectors. Detectability (in parts per million [ppm]) and retention times (in seconds) for the gases were as follows: CO, 100 ppm, 28 s; H2S, 50 ppm, 26 s; SO2, 125 ppm, 76 s; and HCN, 60 ppm, 108 s. The method was effective for determining these gases in mixtures and in the combustion atmospheres generated by burning wool (CO, HCN, and H2S) and modacrylic fabrics (CO and HCN). Common atmospheric gaseous or combustion products (oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, water vapor, and other volatiles) did not interfere with the analyses. However, filtration of the combustion atmospheres was necessary to prevent restriction of the GC sampling inlet by smoke particulates. The speed, sensitivity, and selectivity of this method make it suitable for smoke toxicity research and for evaluating performance of passenger protective breathing equipment. Also, this method can potentially be modified to analyze these gases when they are liberated from biosamples.

Comparison between Mid-Infrared (ATR-FTIR) Spectroscopy and Official Analysis Methods for Determination of the Concentrations of Alcohol, SO2, and Total Acids in Wine

“…In recent years, new methods, including chromatographic [24], spectrometric [25][26][27][28][29][30], and electrochemistry methodologies [31], have been developed to allow faster determination to analyze many samples in a short time. Headspace gas chromatography [30,32,33], liquid chromatography (LC) [34], and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were chromatographic apparatuses used to isolate sulfur dioxide in wine, and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), phosphorescence, chemiluminescence, infrared (IR), and mass spectrometer dose it. UV-Vis detection is based on radiation emission, determining transitions between distinct electronic states [34].…”

Synthesis and Characterization of Low-Cost Activated Carbons for Pollutants Removal from Automotive Emissions

“…Under the described chromatographic conditions, the four gases could be easily separated and quantified [25,26].…”

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“…A standard gas chromatography was used with the following specs: Under the described chromatographic conditions, the four gases could be easily separated and quantified (Endecott et al, 1996;Dhole and Kadam, 2013). The methodology used starting with the preparation of the calibration gas sample by injecting known volumes of each of the four pure gases (CO, SO2, NO2 and H2S) and balance nitrogen into adequate Gas Sampling Bag through the bag's rubber septum.…”