Stability of gaseous volatile organic compounds contained in gas cylinders with different internal wall treatments

Abstract

Measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been ongoing for decades to track growth rates and assist in curbing emissions of these compounds into the atmosphere. To accurately establish mole fraction trends and assess the role of these gas-phase compounds in atmospheric chemistry it is essential to have good calibration standards. A necessity and precursor to accurate VOC gas standards are the gas cylinders and the internal wall treatments that aid in maintaining the stability of the mixtures over long periods of time, measured in years. This paper will discuss the stability of VOC gas mixtures in different types of gas cylinders and internal wall treatments. Stability data will be given for 85 VOCs studied in gas mixtures by National Metrology Institutes and other agency laboratories. This evaluation of cylinder treatment materials is the outcome of an activity of the VOC Expert Group within the framework of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) program.