Simultaneous determination of sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides and hydrogen chloride in flue gas by means of an automated ion chromatographic system

An automated ion chromatographic (IC) system has been developed for the simultaneous determination of sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides and hydrogen chloride in flue gas. The sample gas was collected in a hollow cylindrical absorption bottle with a fritted glass bubbler containing 5% triethanolamine (TEA)-absorbing solution and was then determined by IC. Nitrogen monoxide was also collected in a TEA solution after oxidation to nitrogen dioxide by UV irradiation. A designed IC apparatus was operated automatically for sampling and determination. The time required for one cycle was about 55 min. The detection limits of SO2, NO2 and HCl were 0.3 ppm, 0.1 ppm and 0.1 ppm (all v/v) with a 5-1 gas volume, respectively. The interference of carbonate ion was eliminated by using a separation column of IonPac AS7 and an anion self-regeneration suppressor. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.