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Abstract
A near-real-time method for the detection and estimation of methyl nitrite (MeNO2) gas was needed in a chemical production facility where MeNO2 gas was generated. Preliminary work with indicating tubes for nitrogen oxides revealed that a freshly generated stream of MeNO2 gas produced a color change on the tubes. A formal study was designed to determine whether the method demonstrated the desired sensitivity and whether the response was quantitative. MeNO2 gas was generated in a laboratory-scale reaction identical to the reaction used in the production facility. MeNO2 was confirmed as present, in the generated gas, by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) through the use of an infrared absorbance band between 800 and 900 cm-1. Low levels of nitrogen dioxide and methanol were also present in the neat gas. Dilute atmospheres of MeNO2 were prepared in Tedlar™ bags. Samples were drawn from the Tedlar bags through the indicating tubes using a bellows hand pump. Four bags were prepared at each of five concentrations between 2 and 100 ppm MeNO2. Two samples were taken from each bag. Prepared atmospheres of MeNO2 were evaluated by FTIR to identify the gas and vapor species that were present. Indicating tubes for nitrous fumes respond to MeNO2 in a linear, nearly quantitative manner (correlation coefficient = 0.977) over the range of 2-100 ppm MeNO2.