Application of an Ion Attachment Mass Spectrometer to Direct Detection of Intermediate Species Formed in Dimethyl Ether-Air and Ethanol-Air Flames
Year: 2009
Type: article
Abstract: 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.
Authors: Takahiro TORII, Hae-Yang PAK, Kozo MATSUMOTO, Kuniyuki KITAGAWA
Institution: Nagoya University
Language: English
Subfield: Spectroscopy
Field: Chemistry
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W1963530705