Quantifying functional group compositions of household fuel-burning emissions
Emily Y Li1, Amir Yazdani2, Ann M Dillner3
1Air Methods and Characterization Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA.
Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
|June 7, 2024
Summary
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) offers a fast, non-destructive method to analyze indoor air pollution from burning fuels. This technique accurately estimates organic carbon, reducing reliance on traditional thermal-optical measurements.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Public Health
Background:
- Indoor fuel burning for cooking and heating affects billions globally, causing chronic illnesses and premature deaths.
- Residential fuel combustion is a major source of black carbon emissions, potent contributors to global warming.
- Accurate characterization of fine-particulate emissions is crucial for understanding health and climate impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) as a method for analyzing fine-particulate emissions from domestic fuel combustion.
- To compare FTIR-based organic carbon (OC) estimates with traditional thermal-optical transmittance (TOT) methods.
- To demonstrate the utility of FTIR for identifying functional groups (FGs) in particulate matter from different fuel types.
Main Methods:
- Fine particulate matter was collected on Teflon membrane filters from 15 cookstove and 5 fuel types.
- Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to analyze the spectral characteristics of collected particulate emissions.
- Multivariate statistical methods were used to identify influential functional groups (FGs) in organic carbon (OC) and compare FTIR results with thermal-optical transmittance (TOT).
Main Results:
- Distinct FTIR spectral profiles were obtained for particulate emissions from charcoal, kerosene, and red oak wood.
- FTIR analysis successfully identified influential functional groups (FGs) contributing to organic carbon (OC).
- FTIR-based OC estimates showed a high correlation (R² = 82.5%) with collocated thermal-optical transmittance (TOT) measurements.
Conclusions:
- FTIR spectroscopy provides a rapid, non-destructive, and informative method for analyzing fine-particulate emissions from domestic fuel burning.
- The technique offers complementary functional group information, enhancing the understanding of emission composition.
- FTIR analysis can significantly reduce the need for thermal-optical measurements in source emission characterization, improving efficiency and reducing costs.
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