Trace-level measurement of complex combustion effluents and residues using multidimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (MDGC-MS).

The identification and quantitation of non-method-specific target analytes have greater importance with respect to EPA's current combustion strategy. The risk associated with combustion process emissions must now be characterized. EPA has recently released draft guidance on procedures for the collection of emissions data to support and augment site-specific risk assessments (SSRAs) as part of the hazardous waste incineration permitting process.

Speciation of Organic By-Products from the Thermal Decomposition of Alternative Automotive Fuels.

The high-temperature thermal degradation of four alternative automotive fuels (methanol, ethanol, natural gas, and liquefied petroleum (LP) gas) have been examined as a function of fuel-oxygen equivalence ratio and exposure temperature using fused silica flow reactor instrumentation coupled to in-line GC-TCD and GC-MS detection. Organic speciation for methanol, natural gas, and LP gas were consistent with previous measurements. However, several previously undetected organic by-products were observed from ethanol oxidation and pyrolysis.