GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHIC METHOD TO DETERMINE FORMALDEHYDE TRACES IN AUTOMOBILE EXHAUST-GASES

A method for the gas chromatographic determination of traces of formaldehyde was described. The formaldehyde was detected by a modified FID [flame ionization detector] which contained a microreactor inside the jet for the hydrogenation of formaldehyde to methane. Only a slight modification to an ordinary FID was needed, with no additional gas tubes or alteration to the existing detector heater. The additional dead volume and peak broadening was negligible. The system was calibrated by a gas generator. The method was used for determining the content of formaldehyde in the exhaust gases of methanol-driven cars.