Detection of ozone-depleting substances and halogenated GHGs in industrial zones with a cryogen-free preconcentration–GC–MS system

Summary

This application note describes a cryogen-free method to collect and analyse ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and halogenated greenhouse gases (GHGs) in 100% humidity ambient air, which meets recent requirements for industrial monitoring in China. In this approach, automated canister sampling and preconcentration employs Markes’ UNITY– CIA Advantage-xr equipment, and is used in conjunction with a Nafion dryer for management of water vapour, and a GC–MS using selected ion monitoring (SIM).

Introduction

To comply with the Montreal Protocol1 and recent Five-Year Plans in China,2,3 it has been decided to carry out pilot-scale monitoring of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and greenhouse gases (GHGs) in factories or industrial parks that produce or use large quantities of these chemicals.

The chemicals of concern include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and other haloalkanes including chloromethane, bromomethane, bromochloromethane, 1,1,1-trichloroethane and carbon tetrachloride.

China has already phased out CFCs, and is gradually steppingup the phase-out of HCFCs. HFCs, although they do not harm the ozone layer, have a very strong greenhouse effect, and were added to the Montreal Protocol in 2016 under the Kigali Amendment.