Application Note: Determination Of Trace Levels Of Ethylene In Air

The Trace Analytical ta3000R Gas Analyzer, from AMETEK Process Instruments, is ideally suited for determination of ppb to ppm levels of ethylene (C2H4) in ambient air. In this analysis, the Reduction Gas Detector (RGD) is used to provide rapid and reproducible measurements. Several unique qualities of the RGD enable the quantitation of ethylene down to extremely low concentrations.

Ethylene, sometimes referred to as ethene, plays numerous roles in the life cycle of plant life. At concentrations as low as a few parts per billion (ppb) fruit depend on it for ripening, flowers use it to bloom, while trees rely on ethylene to turn the leaves brown in the autumn (senescence process). Thus, in order to preserve the ecological balance, environmental agencies require continuous monitoring to detect ethylene leakage at the property fence line of chemical facilities where large quantities of ethylene are produced or stored.