Development of the Sulfur Chemiluminescence Detector
Abstract
A novel sulfur selective detector based on the chemiluminescence produced from the reaction of sulfur monoxide with ozone has been developed. The detector, called the "Sulfur Chemiluminescence Detector" (SCD), converts sulfur-containing molecules to sulfur monoxide in a hydrogen flame. The flame converts approximately 0.4% of the sulfur molecules to sulfur monoxide and the system converts approximately 1 in 10^9 sulfur molecules into a photon that is detected by a photomultiplier tube. This efficiency allows for a detection limit of about 100 parts -per-trillion (ppt(v/v)) with an electronic time constant of 6 seconds. The SCD has been subjected to a myriad of optimization experiments and the results are reported. These experiments have revealed the instrumental parameters that are most important for optimizing the sensitivity of the SCD. Extensive laboratory experiments have shown that the SCD is free of interference effects from common atmospheric chemical species. A slight but measurable interference from hydrocarbons can be eliminated by adjusting the residence time of the flame in the burner housing. A field experiment was conducted to compare the SCD with flame photometric and fluorescent sulfur dioxide detectors. The experiment showed that the SCD is more sensitive and less subject to the interference effects suffered by the other detectors in real-world conditions. The response frequency of the SCD was determined to be 3.8 Hz, with a root-mean-square noise level of about 600 ppt(v/v). The potential utility of the SCD for aircraft and eddy-correlation surface sulfur flux measurements is discussed. Although the SCD has enjoyed much success there are undoubtedly areas for improvement of this relatively new technology. Future directions for use and optimization of the SCD are presented.
- Publication:
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Ph.D. Thesis
- Pub Date:
- 1991
- Bibcode:
- 1991PhDT.......158B
- Keywords:
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- CHEMILUMINESCENCE;
- Chemistry: Analytical; Physics: Atmospheric Science; Environmental Sciences