Detection and quantitative determination of halogenated hydrocarbons in atmosphere

Claim 1

A PROCESS FOR QUANTITATIVELY DETERMINING THE PRESENCE OF HALOGENATED HYDROCARBONS INCLUDING BROMIDES, CHLORIDES AND IODIDES IN AN ATMOSPHERE CONTAMINATED WITH THE SAME, WHICH COMPRISES ADDING TO SUCH CONTAMINATED AIR AN AMOUNT OF HYDROGEN GAS THEORETICALLY SUFFICIENT TO REACT WITH THE OXYGEN CONTENT OF THE ATMOSPHERE IN EXCESS OF THAT PART THEREOF WHICH WILL REACT WITH THE HALOGENATED HYDROCARBON THEREIN, HEATING THE RESULTING MIXTURE TO AN ELEVATED TEMPERATURE AND BY THE AID OF SUCH HEAT, (1) CONVERTING THE HALOGENATED HYDROCARBONS INTO HYDROGEN HALIDES THROUGH REACTION WITH OXYGEN IN THE AIR, AND (2) REACTING THE ADDED HYDROGEN PRESENT WITH THE REMAINING OXYGEN WHEREBY THE FORMATION OF FREE HALOGEN IS PREVENTED, DISSOLVING THE HALOGEN HALIDES FORMED IN WATER OF KNOWN ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY AND MEASURING THE ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY OF THE RESULTING SOLUTION.