Optimization of a Flame Ionization Detector for Determination of Hydrocarbon in Diluted Automotive Exhausts

The effects of burner flow parameters, fuel type, and fuel composition on the uniformity of relative response of a Flame Ionization Detector (FID) hydrocarbon analyzer were experimentally investigated. Means have been found to improve correlation between analyzers and to optimize relative response characteristics. Although this investigation was directed at analyzers being used for analysis of dilute exhaust sample bags from the Federal Vehicle Emission Test, the results can be applied to a FID in other applications.