Detection and Monitoring of Hydrazine, Monomethylhydrazine, and Their Decomposition Products.

Abstract

The decomposition of trace concentrations of hydrazine (N2H4) and monomethylhydrazine (MMH) in air has been studied. The major decomposition products of both compounds were determined using gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (gc-ms) and infrared spectrometric techniques. The decomposition of MMH is complex and involves secondary decomposition reactions of some of the primary products. Seventeen products were identified in the reaction mixture of MMH, and five were identified in the reaction mixture of N2H4. The rate of decomposition depends on the nature of the surfaces in contact with the reactants and by the surface-to-volume ratio of the reaction container. Several analyses methods which are considered superior for the detection of hydrazines or their decomposition products in air or other diluent gases in the parts per billion concentration range are discussed. One of these methods, which entails the electrochemical measurement of nitric oxide, is recommended to DoD and NASA as the basis for the development of a lightweight battery-operated monitoring device. A novel device for generating calibrating gas streams containing any compound of interest in any desired diluent gas in the parts per billion or parts per trillion concentration range is also described.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1976
Accession Number
ADA027966

Entities

People

  • John T. Larkins
  • Raymond A. Saunders

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Containers
  • Decomposition
  • Detection
  • Hydrazines
  • Lightweight
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Measurement
  • Monitoring
  • Spectrometry
  • Spectroscopy

Fields of Study

  • Chemistry

Readers

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Combustion science or combustion engineering.