SULFUR DIOXIDE ADSORPTION ON-AND DESORPTION FROM TEFLON TYGON GLASS STAINLESS STEEL AND ALUMINIUM TUBINGS

A feasibility study was undertaken to determine whether ambient levels of sulfur dioxide could be measured without adsorption or desorption through the 30.5 m of 1.27 cm (i.d.) [inner diameter] tubings of teflon, tygon, glass, stainless steel and aluminium. Experimental parameters studied included: air flow rate through the tubing (1.41/min and 28.31/min), concentration of sulfur dioxide (1 to 100 pphm vol.), temperature (20 and 35[degree]C) and r.h. [relative humidity] (17-53%). The West-Gaeke method and midget bubbler technique were used to monitor for sulfur dioxide at the beginning and at the end of the 30.5 m of tubing. It was found that after a relatively short period of conditioning, the tubings neither adsorbed nor desorbed sulfur dioxide under the experimental parameters tested. Teflon, glass and stainless steel did not need prior conditioning while tygon and aluminium did need conditioning.