
Monitoring trace greenhouse gases in air using cryogen-free TD–GC–MS
Application Note 087
The Montreal Protocol operates to reduce global levels of ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and under the 2016 Kigali Amendment has now been extended to include the reduction of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent greenhouse gases.
This application note shows how Markes’ thermal desorption technology for analysing ‘air toxics’ can also be applied to the detection of the most challenging ultra-volatile greenhouse gases, including tetrafluoromethane, hexafluoroethane, sulfur hexafluoride and nitrous oxide.
Detection limits below 1 ppt are demonstrated for sulfur hexafluoride and hexafluoroethane, with excellent peak shape and linearity also being obtained.