We have applied a newly designed, mobile, resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) time-of-flight mass spectrometer for real-time on-line emission analysis of flue gases from a technical waste incineration pilot plant. With one-color REMPI (laser wavelength: 248 nm), benzene, toluene, phenol, several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH, here naphthalene, anthracene/phenanthrene, pyrene etc.) and methylated PAH were detected in the flue gas, mostly in the 10-100 ppb concentration range. Time resolutions up to 5 Hz were achieved. A change of combustion process operating conditions caused significant variations in the time-intensity profiles of different combustion products. This demonstrates the feasibility of the REMPI approach for real-time on-line trace analysis of process gases and combustion flue gases. Numerous practical industrial applications, ranging from emission monitoring and control, to process control in the chemical, mineral oil, or food industries, and to quality control are possible.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Zimmermann et al. (1997) studied this question.