Fourier Transform Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy for Quantitative Analysis of Gas Mixtures for Homeland Security Applications at Low Temperatures

Published

April 13, 2016

Author(s)

Douglas C. Meier, Kurt D. Benkstein, Wilbur S. Hurst, Pamela M. Chu

Abstract

Performance specifications for point chemical vapor detectors are specified in ASTM E2885-13 and ASTM E2933-13. The performance evaluation of the detectors requires the accurate delivery of known concentrations of the chemical target to the system under test. Referee methods enable the analyte test concentration and associated uncertainties in the analyte test concentration to be validated by independent analysis, which is especially important for reactive analytes. This work extends the capability of a previously demonstrated method for using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) absorption spectroscopy for quantitatively evaluating the composition of vapor streams containing hazardous materials at Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGL) to include test conditions colder than laboratory ambient temperatures. The described method covers the use of primary reference spectra to establish analyte concentrations, the generation of secondary reference spectra suitable for measuring analyte concentrations under specified testing environments, and the use of additional reference spectra and spectral profile strategies to mitigate the uncertainties due to impurities and water condensation within the low-temperature (7 °C, -5 °C) test cell. Important benefits of this approach include verification of the test analyte concentration with characterized uncertainties by in situ measurements co-located with the detector under test, near-real-time feedback, and broad applicability to toxic industrial chemicals.

Citation

Journal of Testing and Evaluation

Volume

45

Issue

3

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

DOI Link

Keywords

gas-phase, FT-IR spectroscopy, toxic industrial chemicals

Citation

Meier, D. , Benkstein, K. , Hurst, W. and Chu, P. (2016), Fourier Transform Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy for Quantitative Analysis of Gas Mixtures for Homeland Security Applications at Low Temperatures, Journal of Testing and Evaluation, [online], https://doi.org/10.1520/JTE20150382 (Accessed October 22, 2025)