Multiple headspace extraction–gas chromatographic method for the study of process kinetics

A multiple headspace extraction gas chromatographic technique to automate the study of process kinetics that involves volatile species was developed in this study. The technique was demonstrated by using it to study methanol formation in kraft black liquor samples under an isothermal temperature of 70 °C. The results indicate that methanol formation in kraft black liquors under isothermal conditions follows an exponential decay function. The present method is very simple, efficient and fully automated. It can be easily applied to study slow kinetic processes, such as reaction or adsorption and desorption, involving volatile species in any environmental and industrial samples with complicated matrices.