Optimization of a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer during on-site pollution analysis

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Abstract
The field transportable Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer system developed at Kansas State University is now finishing the testing stage. The testing stage consisted of three parts: the measurements of (1) controlled releases of volatile organic compounds (VOC), (2) uncontrolled VOC releases at well documented sites, and (3) uncontrolled VOC releases at complex sites with little or no precharacterization1. Some measurements have been acquired in all three categories with most of the data acquisition taking place in the first two categories, which are discussed in these proceedings. These tests were developed to validate the qualitative and quantitative capabilities while enhancing the versatility and detection limits of the spectrometer system. The controlled VOC releases, for the most part, took place at the University of Kansas (KU). The KU tests utilized a co-monitoring technique, evacuated stainless steel canisters followed by GC/FID analysis, during the acquisition of the infrared data. The ability to monitor the concentrations of the released plume with another technique allowed for the comparison and examination of how varying parameters can affect the infrared spectrometer technique. The varying parameters that were addressed were wind, path length, temperature, barometric pressure, water and carbon dioxide concentration, and air borne particulates. One set of uncontrolled releases occurred at an active production facility. A list of the possible compounds that might be observed from the facility directly due to production was obtained. Infrared measurements were acquired at two different setup geometries down wind and one setup geometry up wind. The three path lengths were 390 meters, 500 meters, and 412 meters respectively. During these measurements two series of canister samples were obtained down wind and one series of canister samples were obtained up wind. The analyses of these canisters, on-going at this writing, is being performed by GC/FT-IR (matrix isolation). When the analysis from this method is complete the results will be compared. These two different data acquisitions have led to much insight into the capabilities of the spectrometer system and how varying parameters can affect the FT-IR spectrometer's performance. Preliminary analysis of the spectroscopic data from both data acquisitions will be discussed.

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