Fourier Transform Infrared Method Validation at a Carbon Bed Solvent Recovery Unit for Four Gaseous Hydrocarbons

We report the results of a 1995 study in which Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) gas-phase spectrometry was employed to measure the concentrations of four organic compounds (tetrahydrofuran, toluene, 2-butanone, and cyclohexanone) in the gas stream of an industrial solvent recovery unit. The goals of the study were to demonstrate that the extractive FTIR technique is (a) suitable for compliance measurements of the four individual compound concentra tions and (b) an accurate substitute for flame ionization detection determinations of the total hydrocarbon content of the gas stream. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides guidance on this type of study in its Method 301, which lists specific procedures and statistical criteria, and in several recently published documents describing FTIR quality assurance/quality control measures. The EPA reviews of the procedures and results indicate that both goals of the study were met according to EPA standards.