Quantitative measurement of formaldehyde formed in combustion processes using gas chromatography analytical approach

ABSTRACT

We report here the development, validation, and application of a reliable analytical approach to calibrate gaseous formaldehyde (HCHO) using gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detector and methanizer (GC-FID-methanizer). Contrary to the classical GC-FID, GC-FID-methanizer allows HCHO measurements and presents a higher detection sensitivity for other oxygenated products. Therefore, it becomes a common analytical technique used in the combustion community. However, a common challenge encountered while using GC-FID-methanizer is that the conversion efficiency reduces over time of use and consequently the initial response factor of HCHO based on methanizer is no longer applicable. Therefore, we have developed a direct HCHO calibration method that consists of using of an aqueous liquid mixture with known concentration of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde as an internal standard. A detailed protocol of this proposed method was established. The method was tested and evaluated in (1) two GC-FID-methanizers (one with low and one with high conversion efficiency, respectively) and (2) a calibrated GC-Mass Spectrometry system. Finally, the method was successfully applied in a study devoted to the characterization of furanic biofuel flames and the impact of biofuel combustion on pollutant formation, including HCHO.

KEYWORDS:

• Formaldehyde
• combustion
• gas chromatography
• FID-methanizer
• quantitative measurement

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche through the LABEX CAPPA (ANR-11-LABX-0005), the Région Hauts-de-France, the Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche (CPER Climibio) and the European Fund for Regional Economic Development.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).