Atmospheric Carbon Monoxide by Infrared Absorption

Carbon monoxide is analyzed in the atmosphere by nondispersive infrared spectrometry. This technique depends on the fact that carbon monoxide absorbs infrared radiation strongly at certain wavelengths. Therefore, when such radiation is passed through a long (typically 100 cm) cell containing trace levels of carbon monoxide, more of the infrared radiant energy is absorbed. 

Nondispersive infrared spectrometer for the determination of carbon monoxide in the 

Monitoring of hydrocarbons in atmospheric samples takes advantage of the very high sensitivity of the hydrogen-flame-ionization detector to measure this class of compounds. Known quantities of air are run through the flame-ionization detector 4-12 times per hour to provide a measure of total hydrocarbon content. 

FIGURE 18.21 Fourier transform infrared system for remote sensing of air pollutants. 

---