Measurement and analyses on volatile organic compounds in aircraft cabins

Performs the in-flight measurement on the volatile organic compound (VOC) concerned in aircraft cabins by randomly selecting 16 domestic flights. Adopting the method of sampling and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis on VOC and continuous monitoring of total volatile organic compound (TVOC) and CO₂, obtains the VOC target list, concentration levels and changing trends in different flight phases. A comprehensive analysis on VOC species, concentration levels and ventilation in the tested flights indicates that the concentration level of pollutants at cruise is higher than those of other flight phases. Main source emissions at cruise might be derived from human activities in cabins, such as meal service and human body. This conclusion may be a reference of recognizing the characteristics of pollutants in aircraft cabins, developing the design parameters of airworthiness standards and optimizing the actual energy consumption of cabin environmental control system (ECS).