Formaldehyde mass-transfer properties study

Formaldehyde, an important feedstock in industrial processes and manufacture, is widely present in numerous consumer products. Emitted by many types of consumer products and indoor materials, indoor air can contain high concentrations of formaldehyde. Exposure to formaldehyde is hazardous to human health. Thus knowledge of formaldehyde mass-transfer properties is critical to efforts to reduce formaldehyde emissions and establish related standards and regulations. The primary objectives of this project include: 1) documenting and validating procedures and methods for analyzing and measuring formaldehyde mass-transfer characteristics; 2) evaluating and comparing formaldehyde mass-transfer properties in different materials using micro-balance sorption/desorption tests; 3) investigating observed formaldehyde mass-transfer irreversibility and the recently developed formaldehyde polymerization theory. The procedures and methods for analyzing and measuring formaldehyde mass-transfer characteristics were developed in an effort to minimize experimental variability and were strictly followed during the research. The formaldehyde mass-transfer properties of five polymer materials (polycarbonate, polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate), polyethylene and polypropylene) were measured through sorption/desorption testing. Results indicated that formaldehyde solubility was highest in polyethylene while the rate of diffusion was the highest in polypropylene. Results also showed that the diffusion process in the selected polymer materials was irreversible in all cases. Furthermore, additional testing showed no detectable polyformaldehyde formation on polymer surfaces after exposure to formaldehyde. The causes of observed mass-transfer irreversibility need further study.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Civil Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Zhao, Xiaomin

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Little, John C.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Cox, Steven S.
• Frazier, Charles E.

• emissions
• reference material
• formaldehyde
• polycarbonate
• polystyrene

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:1558

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/51597