A continuous quantitative detection method for total mercaptans, organic sulphides, H2S, and CS2 for odouriferous emissions.

A monitoring system enabling detection and determination of the nature of odour nuisance caused by industrial emissions of volatile organic sulphur compounds is presented. The system consists of two continuous, highly sensitive detectors for sulphur compounds at the ppb-level. One of the detectors is equipped with a SOx-scrubber and measures the total amount of non-S02 sulphur compounds. By the use of a newly developed scrubber retaining S02, H2S and CS2 the second detector monitors the presence of odorous mercaptans and organic sulphides in ambient air. Both these continuous detection signals are fed to a data processor which triggers air collection for the determination of the individual compounds by gas chromatographic analysis in the laboratory. The concept and operation, as well as the practical possibilities and applications of the system are explained