This Phase I project involves the development of a rapid response atmospheric monitor for trace levels of gas-phase ammonia. The detector is based on the use of a metal oxide annular denuder tube for the collection of gaseous ammonia. When heated, this tube converts ammonia to nitric oxide which is then detected by a chemiluminescent reaction with ozone. Two metal oxide catalysts will be evaluated for the sorption and conversion of NFb to NO, molybdenum (VI) oxide coating on molybdenum metal rods and denuder tubes prepared using rare earth/barium/copper oxides of the composition recently shown to exhibit high temperature; superconducting properties. The ammonia detector, using either material in an annular denuder tube design, should offer many advantages over conventional tungstic acid denuder tubes and other methods for measuring gas-phase ammonia in terms of sensitivity, speed of analysis, selectivity, ease of operation, and long-term stability.Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee:Successful completion of this research will result in the development of a commercial instrument for the rapid measurement of trace levels of ammonia in ambient air, measurement of the vertical flux and deposition velocities of ammonia, and detection of ammonia in other gas streams, such as petrochemical feed stocks. With minor modifications, the instrument could be adapted for the measurement of ammonia in liquid samples.
