Analytical Approach to the Measurement of Formaldehyde Generation During the Drying and Curing of Latex Binders, 1995 Nonwovens Conference Proceedings

M. J. Drews

Clemson University

K. Ivey

Clemson University

Formaldehyde release continues to be an important area of concern in the manufacture of latex bonded non woven products. Until recently, most of the analytical emphasis has been placed on formaldehyde emissions from the finished fabrics and the development of new reduced and zero formaldehyde binder systems. The objective of this study was to develop an analytical approach that could be used to measure formaldehyde release during the production of latex bonded non woven fabric using pilot scale laboratory equipment. The method described involves the sampling of the exhaust from a Benz pilot laboratory scale continuous oven with either micro impingers or cartridges containing a derivatizing reagent, DNPH, during the drying and curing of the fabric, and subsequent analysis of the DNPH-derivatives by HPLC. The approach was validated by using binders of known relative formaldehyde generation. By changing process conditions it was demonstrated that the methodology was sensitive to these parameters as well. Based on the results presented, it was concluded that using this approach it would be possible to construct a data base which could then be used to predict formaldehyde generation and emission in a plant production environment. The extension of this methodology to stack gas emissions monitoring was also discussed.