Decomposition reactions in the flame ionization detector

Abstract

A computer simulation has been made of reactions postulated as occurring in the flame ionization detector, f.i.d. Upstream of the luminous zone, alkanes, alcohols and ethers decompose in an atmosphere of hydrogen to give methane. For each additive the calculated yield of methane equals the experimentally determined relative ionization yield. The response characteristics of the f.i.d. follow from this, provided that the additive decomposition and the ionization reaction occur in separate regions of the flame. For the very different response of an f.i.d. using carbon monoxide as fuel instead of hydrogen, the methane yield and the ionic yield are also equal.