JMSSJ On-line, Vol. 57 (2009) No. 5, pp. 341-343
Application of an Ion Attachment Mass Spectrometer to Direct Detection of Intermediate Species Formed in Dimethyl Ether-Air and Ethanol-Air Flames
>> Full Text PDF
>> References
    Takahiro TORII,1 Hae-Yang PAK,2 Kozo MATSUMOTO,2 and Kuniyuki KITAGAWA2

    1 Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya, JAPAN
    2 EcoTopia Science Institute, Nagoya University, Nagoya, JAPAN

Identification of intermediate chemical species in a combustion flame is an important step for obtaining energy with high efficiency from combustion, reducing the toxic emissions released by combustion, and understanding reaction mechanisms in flames. We have developed a unique system based on ion attachment mass spectrometry (IAMS) to identify such intermediates. In this system, the chemical species generated in flames under atmospheric pressure are directly introduced through a sampling cone of a newly developed interface into the ionization chamber (ca. 2 Pa). Then, the species are ionized by Li ion attachment and introduced into a quadrupole mass spectrometer operating at ca. 1×10-3 Pa. Intermediate species in flames were successfully detected. Notably, the production of highly toxic environmental pollutants, such as formaldehyde (HCHO) and acetaldehyde (CH3CHO), were confirmed to be produced during combustion of the promising alternative fuels, dimethyl ether (CH3OCH3) and ethanol (CH3CH2OH). In addition, by moving the burner position for detecting the species at various positions, the abundance of the species in the flames was observed in two-dimensional distribution profiles. Some correlations were found between the distributions of intermediate species and the flame temperature.

Key words: Ion attachment mass spectrometry, Intermediate species, Flames

[ Full Text PDF ]    [ References ]

© COPYRIGHT by The Mass Spectrometry Society of Japan. All Rights Reserved.