Characterization of Fourier Transform Infrared, Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy, and Optical Feedback Cavity-Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy Instruments for the Analysis of Ammonia in Biogas and Biomethane

Anal Chem. 2022 Nov 8;94(44):15207-15214. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c01951. Epub 2022 Oct 27.

Abstract

Novel traceable analytical methods and reference gas standards were developed for the detection of trace-level ammonia in biogas and biomethane. This work focused on an ammonia amount fraction at an upper limit level of 10 mg m-3 (corresponding to approximately 14 μmol mol-1) specified in EN 16723-1:2016. The application of spectroscopic analytical methods, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, cavity ring-down spectroscopy, and optical feedback cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy, was investigated. These techniques all exhibited the necessary ammonia sensitivity at the required 14 μmol mol-1 amount fraction. A 29-month stability study of reference gas mixtures of 10 μmol mol-1 ammonia in methane and synthetic biogas is also reported.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ammonia* / analysis
  • Biofuels* / analysis
  • Feedback
  • Fourier Analysis
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared / methods

Substances

  • Ammonia
  • Biofuels