Response Factors for Flame Ionization Detector Operation

TECHNICAL NOTEResponse Factors for Flame Ionization Detector Operation

FLAME IONIZATION DETECTOR OPERATION BASICS

DataFID™ and MicroFID II™ portable flame ionization

detectors are designed to monitor volatile organic

compounds (VOC). Establishing a response factor for a

compound over a wide concentration range is

necessary to accurately determine the unknown

concentration at the sampling point.

Since DataFID and MicroFID II contain the same flame

ionization detection technology, response factors for

both instruments are identical. In this document,

DataFID is used to represent both DataFID and

MicroFID II.

DataFID uses a flame ionization detector (FID) for the

measurement of combustible organic compounds in air

at parts per million (ppm) levels. The permanent air

gases (argon, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, water

vapor, etc.) are not ionized by the FID, and therefore

are not measured.

When DataFID is flamed on, an internal pump draws

air in through the DataFID inlet. This sample air

provides the oxygen necessary for combustion in the

hydrogen fed flame.

Figure 1 Flame Ionization Detector

When the proper ratio of hydrogen to air is present in

the combustion chamber, the flame is ignited with a

glow plug. A thermocouple is used to monitor the status

of the flame.

When the sample passes through the flame, the

combustible organic compounds in the sample will be

ionized. After the compounds have been ionized by the

flame, the ionized particles are subjected to a

continuous electric field between the repeller electrode

at the jet (+75 V) and the collector electrode.

The ions move in the electric field, generating a

current, which is proportional to the concentration of

the ionized molecules in the ionization chamber. An

electrometer circuit converts the current to a voltage

which is then fed to the microprocessor.

After the sample passes through the flame and has

become ionized, it is vented from the detector through

a flame arrestor, also known as the exhaust frit. The

flame arrestor prevents the flame from igniting any

flammable gases present in the sampling location.

Electrometer

Repeller Electrode(Jet +75 Volts)

Collector Electrode

Sample In

Exhaust Out Flame Arrestor

Flame Arrestor

MicroprocessorCombustion Chamber

Glow PlugThermocouple

1 of 50

Detector Response

DataFID is strictly an organic compound detector. It

does not respond to inorganic compounds. DataFID

sensitivity is highly dependent on chemical structure

and bonding characteristics. The combustion efficiency

of a compound determines its sensitivity.

Simple saturated hydrocarbons (methane, ethane,

etc.) possess high combustion efficiencies and are

among the compounds that produce the highest

DataFID response. Organic fuels (acetylene, refined

petroleum products), burn easily and are detected

extremely well.

The presence of substituted functional groups (amino,

hydroxyl, halogens) on a simple hydrocarbon, such as

methanol and chloromethane, reduces its combustion

efficiency and thus DataFID’s sensitivity to the

compounds. A greater number of carbon atoms can

offset this loss of sensitivity due to substitution. For

example, DataFID is more sensitive to n-butanol than it

is to methanol.

Introduction to Response Factor

DataFID measures total VOCs and cannot distinguish

between different VOCs. In some applications, the

concentration of a specific compound must be

extrapolated from total VOC readings.

For total VOC measurements, DataFID is calibrated

with methane. The sensitivity of other chemicals can be

calculated using the methane calibration as a

reference. Because methane is the reference

compound, it has a response factor of 1.0.

A known standard of a VOC is analyzed on a DataFID

calibrated with 500 ppm methane and DataFID reports

a concentration. The following formula is used to

calculate the response factor:

A response factor less than 1.0 indicates a compound

response higher than methane. A response factor

greater than 1.0 indicates a lower response than that of

methane.

Response Factor Examples

1 100 ppm of a compound reads 80 ppm on DataFID,

the Response Factor would be:

2 100 ppm of a compound reads 125 ppm on

DataFID, the Response Factor would be:

Response Factor Application Examples

1 Calculate Actual Concentration in ppm

Formula

Example

2 Calculate DataFID Response in ppm

Formula

Example

Each compound has its own unique set of response

factors. Response factors can change as the

concentration of a compound varies, so the response

factor at 1,000 ppm will most likely be different from

that of 500 ppm. Please refer to the specific

compounds in this document and choose the response

factor that best fits the nearest concentration value.

DataFID can use a response factor to automatically

adjust display concentration. Refer to the DataFID

Operating Manual (PN 074-578-P1) for a detailed

procedure to enter Response Factor information into

the instrument.

Response Factor for MicroFID II

Similarly for MicroFID II, refer to the MicroFID II

Operating Manual (PN 074-579-P1) for a detailed

procedure to enter Response Factor information.

NOTE: This document provides response factors for a

specific list of compounds. It is intended to cover the

compounds most often encountered.

Response FactorActual ConcentrationDataFID Response

---------------------------------------------------=

Response Factor 100 ppm (Actual Concentration in ppm)80 ppm (DataFID Response in ppm)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.25= =

Response Factor 100 ppm (Actual Concentration in ppm)125 ppm (DataFID Response in ppm)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0.80= =

Response Factor DataFID Response in ppmActual Concentration in ppm=

1.25 (Response Factor 80 (DataFID Response in ppm)100 (Actual Concentration in ppm)=

Actual Concentration in ppmResponse Factor

--------------------------------------------------------------------- DataFID Response=

100 (Actual Concentration in ppm)0.80 (Response Factor)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 125 (DataFID Response)=

Response Factors for Flame Ionization Detector Operation 2 of 50

RESPONSE FACTORS

Acetic Acid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Acetone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Acetonitrile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Acrylic Acid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Aniline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Benzene. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Benzyl Chloride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

1,3 Butadiene. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Butane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Butanol. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

1- Butene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Butyl Acetate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Butyl Acrylate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Chlorobenzene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Chloroform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Cyclohexane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

1,1 Difluoroethylene. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Dimethylformamide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Ethane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Ethanol. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

2-Ethoxyethanol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Ethyl Acrylate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Ethylbenzene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Ethylene. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Ethylene Oxide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Heptane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Hexane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Iodomethane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Isobutylene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Methanol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Methyl Ethyl Ketone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Methyl Isobutyl Ketone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Octane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

n-Pentane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Pentanol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Propane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Propanol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Propylene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Styrene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Tetrachloroethylene. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Tetrahydrofuran. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Toluene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Trichloroethylene. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Vinyl Acetate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Vinyl Chloride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Xylene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50


Acetic Acid

Response Curve

Response Factors

Concentration ppm Response Factor

10 0.980

50 0.912

100 0.856

500 0.847

1000 0.842

5000 0.829

10000 0.825

CAS Number Formula Formula Weight Vapor Pressure in mmHg

64-19-7 C2H4O2 60.052 11


Acetone

Response Curve

Response Factors


100 3.125

500 2.732

2000 1.664

5000 1.156

10000 0.920


67-64-1 C3H6O 58.0791 180


Acetonitrile

Response Curve

Response Factors

Concentration to ppm Response Factor

100 1.020

500 1.219

1000 1.291

5000 1.460


75-05-8 C2H3N 41.052 73


Acrylic Acid

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 0.526

50 0.481

100 0.476

500 0.439

1000 0.401

5000 0.356

10000 0.344


79-10-7 C3H4O2 72.0627 3


Aniline

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 0.435

50 0.811

100 0.962

500 1.127

1000 0.943


62-53-3 C7H7N 93.1265 0.6


Benzene

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 0.91

50 0.91

100 0.85

500 0.82

1000 0.80

5000 0.79

10000 0.71


71-43-2 C6H6 78.1118 75


Benzyl Chloride

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 1.887

50 1.894

100 1.961

500 2.119

1000 2.169

5000 2.284

10000 2.341


100-44-7 C7H7Cl 126.5832 3.3


1,3 Butadiene

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 2.381

50 2.051

100 1.932

500 1.449

1000 1.285

5000 0.909

10000 0.778


106-99-0 C4H6 54.0904 1824


Butane

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 2.463

50 2.457

100 2.439

500 1.667

1000 1.333

5000 0.573

10000 0.528


106-97-8 C4H10 58.1222 1558


Butanol

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 1.015

50 0.926

100 0.909

500 0.882

1000 0.851

5000 0.818

10000 0.734


71-36-3 C4H10O 74.1216 6


1- Butene

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 3.48

50 3.18

100 3.06

500 2.39

1000 1.96

5000 0.81

10000 0.56


106-98-9 C4H8 56.11 1971


Butyl Acetate

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 1.667

50 1.563

100 1.493

500 1.368

1000 1.330

5000 1.259

10000 1.190


123-86-4 C6H12O2 116.1583 10


Butyl Acrylate

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 1.18

50 1.06

100 1.04

500 0.93

1000 0.90

5000 0.80

10000 0.73


141-32-2 C7H12O2 128.169 4


Chlorobenzene

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 1.72

50 1.69

100 1.66

500 1.64

1000 1.60

5000 1.56

10000 1.52


108-90-7 C6H5Cl 112.5566 9


Chloroform

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 10.00

50 10.87

100 11.36

500 11.90

1000 12.20

5000 12.59

10000 12.94


67-66-3 CHCl3 119.3767 160


Cyclohexane

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 1.89

50 1.87

100 1.78

500 1.74

1000 1.71

5000 1.61

10000 1.43


110-82-7 C6H12 84.1595 78


1,1 Difluoroethylene

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 2.10

50 2.18

100 2.14

500 2.01

1000 1.91

5000 1.42

10000 1.23


75-38-7 C2H2F2 64.03 26788


Dimethylformamide

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 6.67

50 6.76

100 6.94

500 7.25

1000 7.46

5000 7.58

10000 7.75

Dimethylformamide Formula Formula Weight Vapor Pressure in mmHg

68-12-2 C3H7ON 73.0938 3


Ethane

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 2.11

50 2.12

100 1.53

500 1.87

1000 1.72

5000 1.10

10000 0.36


74-84-0 C2H6 30.07 28842


Ethanol

Response Curve

Response Factors


50 3.937

100 3.891

500 3.497

1000 3.367

10000 3.124


64-17-5 C2H6O 46.0684 44


2-Ethoxyethanol

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 2.94

50 2.91

100 2.85

500 2.75

1000 2.72

5000 2.49

10000 2.20


110-80-5 C2H10O2 90.121 4


Ethyl Acrylate

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 12.50

50 12.20

100 11.11

500 10.96

1000 10.53

5000 10.27

10000 10.14


140-88-5 C5H8O2 100.1158 29


Ethylbenzene

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 1.49

50 1.43

100 1.37

500 1.10

1000 1.01

5000 0.94

10000 0.88


108-38-3 C8H10 106.165 9


Ethylene

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 2.70

50 2.63

100 2.40

500 1.59

1000 1.26

5000 0.73

10000 0.62


74-85-1 C2H4 28.0532 32065


Ethylene Oxide

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 2.44

50 2.98

100 3.04

500 2.83

1000 2.73

5000 2.33

10000 2.06


75-21-8 C2H4O 44.05 1050


Heptane

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 1.30

50 1.25

100 1.18

500 1.04

1000 0.94

5000 0.80


142-82-5 C7H16 100.2019 40


Hexane

Response Curve

Response Factors


100 1.695

500 1.678

1000 1.631

5000 1.335

10000 0.969


110-54-3 C6H14 86.1754 124


Iodomethane

Response Curve

Response Factors


50 33.33

100 31.25

500 30.30

1000 28.57

10000 27.03


74-88-4 CH3I 141.939 400


Isobutylene

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 2.51

50 2.56

100 2.81

500 2.34

1000 1.45

5000 0.28


115-11-7 C4H8 56.11 3278


Methanol

Response Curve

Response Factors


100 23.81

1000 23.15

5000 22.67

10000 22.17


67-56-1 CH4O 32.0149 96


Methyl Ethyl Ketone

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 2.985

50 2.688

100 2.630

500 2.488

1000 2.410

5000 2.150

10000 1.981


78-93-3 C4H8O 72.1057 78


Methyl Isobutyl Ketone

Response Curve

Response Factors


100 1.61

500 1.59

1000 1.58

5000 1.53


108-10-1 C6H12O 100.1589 16


Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE)

Response Curve

Response Factors


100 0.83

500 0.68

1000 0.47

5000 0.37


1634-04-4 C5H12O 88.1482 245


Octane

Response Curve

Response Factors


100 1.10

500 0.97

1000 0.85

5000 0.78


111-65-9 C8H18 114.2285 10


n-Pentane

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 2.27

50 2.04

100 1.93

500 1.53

1000 1.25

5000 0.50

10000 0.41


109-66-0 C5H12 72.15 434


Pentanol

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 0.792

50 0.746

100 0.752

500 0.719

1000 0.701

5000 0.699

10000 0.594


71-41-0 C5H12O 88.1482 1.97


Propane

Response Curve

Response Factors


150 2.17

750 1.71

1500 1.50

5000 1.12

10000 0.78

14000 0.69


74-98-6 C3H8 44.0956 6384


Propanol

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 1.996

50 1.992

100 1.988

500 1.894

1000 1.818

5000 1.667

10000 1.578


71-23-8 C3H8O 60.095 15


Propylene

Response Curve

Response Factors


100 1.92

500 1.84

1000 1.53

5000 1.00

10000 0.85


115-07-1 C3H6 42.0797 11704


Styrene

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 1.389

50 1.275

100 1.172

500 1.163

1000 1.159

5000 1.111

10000 1.066


100-42-5 C8H8 104.1491 5


Tetrachloroethylene

Response Curve

Response Factors


500 1.79

1000 1.69

2500 1.67

5000 1.65

10000 1.57


127-18-4 C2Cl4 165.8322 14


Tetrahydrofuran

Response Curve

Response Factors


100 1.75

500 1.67

1000 1.46

5000 1.24


109-99-9 C4H8O 72.1057 132


Toluene

Response Curve

Response Factors


50 1.12

100 0.98

500 0.95

1000 0.86

5000 0.77

10000 0.72


108-88-3 C7H8 92.1384 21


Trichloroethylene

Response Curve

Response Factors


500 1.72

1000 1.60

2500 1.52

5000 1.37

10000 1.29


79-01-6 C2HCl3 131.3874 19


Vinyl Acetate

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 3.846

50 3.704

100 3.534

500 3.289

1000 3.257

5000 3.030

10000 2.577


108-05-4 C4H6O2 86.0892 83


Vinyl Chloride

Response Curve

Response Factors


10 2.63

50 2.56

100 2.57

500 2.30

1000 2.07

5000 1.18

10000 0.92


75-01-4 C2H3Cl 62.50 2600



Xylene

Response Curve

Response Factors


100 1.37

500 1.10

1000 1.01

5000 0.94

10000 0.88


108-38-3 C8H10 106.165 9

The compound measured is m-xylene.

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Response Factors for Flame Ionization Detector Operation

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