Volatile hydrocarbons from domestic wood burning

The quantitative proportions of 16 alkenes, 5 alkadienes, 5 alkynes and several alkanes and arenes were determined in emissions from wood burning in a wood-stove and in small-scale model experiments. Samples were taken on triple-layer adsorption cartridges, and gas chromatographic separations were performed on an aluminium oxide column. Ethene, ethyne and benzene were major components, especially from efficient flame combustion. The proportions of C3---C7 alkenes were markedly higher for smouldering. The carcinogenic compounds benzene and 1,3-butadiene constituted roughly 10–20% and 1–2% by weight of total non-methane hydrocarbons. Similar results were obtained for hardwood and softwood.