Application of laser photoacoustic spectroscopy for the analysis of gas samples emitted by diesel engines

摘要

A homemade CO2 laser photoacoustic spectrometer has been constructed for monitoring gas emissions from several sources. Numerous air pollutant gases are emitted by the exhaust of industries, vehicles, power plants, etc. In Brazil, there has been an increasing demand for power generators, driven by diesel oil and other fossil fuels, because of the lack of rain and consequent decreased availability of hydroelectric energy, leading to the rationing of energy. It is known that the combustion of diesel oil in power generators is the main source of many contaminant gases such as nitrogen oxides, SO2, CO and hydrocarbons. In this work, we performed a thorough analysis, using photoacoustic technology, of gas samples collected in a closed room where a power generator was turned on for 60 and 30 min to saturate the ambient air. Some gases e.g. SO2 and NO2 were detected in the ppm range. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. [References: 17]