Quantification of trace level NOx in a hydrocarbon matrix by cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy**

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Members of the Osthoff group have recently constructed a cavity-enhanced absorption spectrometer for quantification of NO2 and HONO in ambient air. In this proposal, we will evaluate if this emerging technology can be used to monitor NO2 and NOx (=NO+NO2) in a slip stream matrix consisting of ethane and ethylene. Concentrations of NOx need to be monitored in a chemical plant where light-weight hydrocarbons are purified on an industrial scale to avoid build of an explosive 'gum' which creates hazardous situations during plant turnarounds/shutdowns.**Step 1 will be to measure the scattering cross-sections of ethane and ethylene. Step 2 will be to verify spectral retrieval of NO2 in lab-generated mixtures. Step 3 will be the addition of O3 to enable NOx measurement through titration of NO. The new method will be validated using batch samples.