A simple laboratory generator for low concentrations of sulphur dioxide

The generator is based on permeation of sulphur dioxide through silicone rubber tubes immersed in a buffered, thermostated solution of sodium hydrogensulphite. The generator contains three (or more) permeation tubes of different lengths immersed simultaneously in the generation solution. The tubes can be connected stepwise to the carrier gas source, so that three (or more) different concentrations of SO₂ in the carrier gas can be obtained from a single solution. The tested generator produced 1.25–25.4 ng s^?1 SO₂, depending on the hydrogensulphite concentration in the solution. Long-term stability was tested for the production of 10.49 ng s^?1 over 50 h; the relative standard deviation was 1.57%. The experimental conditions affecting the production of SO₂ are discussed. An equation is derived for estimating the SO₂ production for various solution compositions and surface areas of the permeation tubes.