You are here:
EVALUATION OF A FTIR SOURCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
Citation:
Sigsby, Jr., J., A. McArver, AND R. Snow. EVALUATION OF A FTIR SOURCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/3-89/036.
Description:
An initial evaluation was made of a prototype Fourier transform infrared spectrometer on its ability to measure mobile source emissions. This prototype represents the commercialization of research technology developed by the Ford Motor Co. The system utilizes a Mattson Instruments Co. interferometer coupled to a Masscomp computer. The required software is still incomplete. This has resulted in the inability to correct errors or optimize results. Unreliability of both hardware and software has been a major shortcoming of this system. When operating properly, the system measures carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, and formaldehyde accurately, both when compared to bag analysis and on direct point-by-point comparisons with real-time data. Carbon monoxide is measured low, whereas methanol is about 35% high. Real-time analysis appears to be available for a variety of other compounds such as ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, nitrous acid, nitrous oxide, formic acid, a number of individual hydrocarbons, etc. Completion of the evaluation awaits the final software translations and improvements in reliability.