Noble metal loaded zeolites for the catalytic oxidation of chlorinated hydrocarbons

Summary A series of metal loaded zeolite catalysts (Pd/H-ZSM-5, Pd/H-BETA, Pt/H-ZSM-5, and Pt/H-BETA) were investigated for their activity and selectivity during oxidation of different chlorinated hydrocarbons, namely dichloromethane and trichloroethylene, at constant gas space velocity (15,000 h^-1) and constant chlorohydrocarbon concentration (1,000 ppm in dry air). It was observed that the two noble metals played a major role in influencing the catalytic performance for complete oxidation of both chlorinated compounds. The acidic properties of the zeolite support in combination with increased oxygen activation owing to the noble metal were responsible for the high chlorocarbon destruction activity exhibited by this type of catalysts.     

Decomposition of benzene using wire-tube AC/DC discharge reactors

Decomposition of benzene was investigated using single and two-stage stainless steel reactors with application of high-voltage AC and DC currents. Benzene removal, CO, and CO₂ were measured as a function of reactor diameter, applied voltage, and stage of reactor configuration. The results showed that, benzene removal and CO₂ selectivity improved in two-stage configuration and reached up to 59% and 97.8% respectively, where the gap size was 8.5 mm. Formation of OH, N-H and N=O function groups were seen in the exhaust gas. Subsequently, organic acids, phenols, and alcohols were identified as the main byproduct of benzene decomposition considering GC-MS analysis.     

Combination of a Mid-infrared Hollow Waveguide Gas Sensor with a Supported Capillary Membrane Sampler for the Detection of Organic Compounds in Water

A Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy based gas sensor for continuous analysis of liquid phase samples has been developed, coupling a short hollow waveguide (HWG) gas cell with a supported capillary membrane sampler (SCMS) probe. Passing an inert carrier gas through the thin-walled tubular silicon membrane enables the permeation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in aqueous solution and facilitates their continuous and quantitative detection in the infrared hollow fiber by multiple internal reflection spectroscopy. The sensitivity of the sensor system has been determined at the ppb (μg/L) concentration level and the response time ranges from few minutes to 30 min, depending on the analyte and the permeation properties of the sampling membrane.

The experimental set-up consists of Bruker Vector 22 FT-IR spectrometer with an externally aligned 50 cm long silica HWG coupled to the SCMS, which is immersed into a glass flask filled with analyte solution and kept under constant stirring.

Aqueous solutions of benzene, toluene, xylene isomers and chloroform were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed confirming the feasibility of this sensor approach for environmental analysis.     

Development of certified reference materials of high-purity volatile organic compounds: purity assay by the freezing-point depression method

For accurate measurement of concentrations of substances by instrumental analysis, reliable calibration standards are needed. In Japan, national reference materials are supplied under the national standards dissemination system named the Japan Calibration Service System (JCSS). In JCSS, calibration standards for the analysis of environmental pollutants are supplied. For the traceability to the SI of reference materials for calibration in JCSS, the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) is developing high-purity reference materials of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as NMIJ CRMs. The freezing-point depression method, which has potential as a primary method of measurement, is employed for the determination of property value. In this paper, a development scheme of certified reference materials of high-purity VOCs is described. Presented at BERM-11, October 2007, Tsukuba, Japan.     

Simultaneous analysis of 23 priority volatile compounds in water by solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and estimation of the method's uncertainty

Most water contaminations with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are traceable to leaking underground fuel reservoirs, solvent storage vessels, agricultural practices, industrial residues, and deficient wastewater treatment and disposal. In order to perform effective monitoring of such organic micropollutants in a straightforward manner, a multiresidue method for the determination of 23 VOCs (trihalomethanes (THMs), BTEX and chlorinated solvents) in water has been developed using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and capillary gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). This group includes also methyl-tert-butyl ether, epichlorhydrine, and vinyl chloride which present additional analytical difficulties. Three different fibres were assayed: 7-µm polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), 100-µm PDMS, and 75-µm Carboxen-PDMS, and the extraction conditions were optimized. The best results for the majority of the analytes and mainly for those with the lowest signals were obtained using the Carboxen-PDMS fibre after 15 min of extraction in the headspace mode at a room temperature of 20 ± 2°C. The analytical sensitivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, and uncertainties have been studied for method validation in agreement with the international standard ISO/IEC 17025:2005. The limits of detection achieved with the proposed method (0.06–0.17 µg L^?1) are adequate to determine the VOCs at the restrictive levels established by the European legislation. This was a decisive achievement to enable the analysis of all VOCs listed under the drinking-water directive in a single assay. The method exhibits performance capabilities suitable for routine analysis of VOCs in drinking-water by quality-control laboratories as enforced by EU Directives. The method is currently being used for this purpose, and participation in proficiency tests was assessed, with encouraging results.     

LP-DOAS测量乙二醛时大气中干扰吸收的去除

针对利用长光程差分吸收光谱技术在实现对大气中乙二醛实时监测中,一些干扰结构（Xe灯结构,H2O、NO2和O4干扰吸收）对长光程差分吸收光谱技术的影响,讨论了乙二醛的光谱反演方法对干扰吸收的准确去除.针对Xe灯结构由于压力和多普勒展宽程度等的变化而引起的Xe灯结构的非线性变化,采用不同时刻的参考灯谱通过光谱插值的方式准确去除,其去除误差引起的剩余结构可降低到比乙二醛的最低理论检测限低3倍|针对H2O的非线性吸收以及特征吸收结构随柱浓度的不同而变化的特点,采用较高和较低浓度H2O吸收光谱插值的方法准确去除了严重干扰乙二醛准确反演的H2O的吸收结构,其去除误差引起的剩余结构可降低到比乙二醛的最低理论检测限低10倍|另外,对于在此波段存在干扰的NO2和O4的吸收结构也实现了准确地去除.干扰结构的准确去除使DOAS对乙二醛的监测实现了较低的实际检测限 (0.15 ppbv)和较低的测量误差 (~10 %).最后,在广州郊区对实际大气进行了实际监测,其浓度范围在低于检测限到1.66 ppbv之间,与文献报道的浓度范围和变化趋势十分吻合.     

Analysis of industrial contaminants in indoor air: Part 1. Volatile organic compounds,carbonyl compounds,polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls

This article reviews recent literature on the analysis of industrial contaminants in indoor air in the framework of the REACH project, which is mainly intended to improve protection of human health and the environment from the risks of more than 34 millions of chemical substances. Industrial pollutants that can be found in indoor air may be of very different types and origin, belonging to the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) categories. Several compounds have been classified into the priority organic pollutants (POPs) class such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/PCDFs) and related polychlorinated compounds, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Many of these compounds are partially associated to the air gas phase, but also to the suspended particulate matter. Furthermore, settled dust can act as a concentrator for the less volatile pollutants and has become a matrix of great concern for indoors contamination. Main literature considered in this review are papers from the last 10 years reporting analytical developments and applications regarding VOCs, aldehydes and other carbonyls, PCBs, PCDDs, PCDFs, and PAHs in the indoor environment. Sample collection and pretreatment, analyte extraction, clean-up procedures, determination techniques, performance results, as well as compound concentrations in indoor samples, are summarized and discussed. Emergent contaminants and pesticides related to the industrial development that can be found in indoor air are reviewed in a second part in this volume.     

Use of emanation thermal analysis and evolved gas analysis in thermal study of zinc(II) benzoate complex compounds

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are the main factors involved in pollution control and global warming in industrialized nations. Various treatment methods involving incineration, adsorption, etc., were employed to reduce VOCs concentration. Various absorbents, such as activated carbon, zeolite, silica gel or alumina, and so on were broadly used to adsorb VOCs in various industrial applications. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was handled to analyze the thermal characteristics of absorbents. Typically, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) has been used to evaluate the structure variation of absorbents under high temperature situations. In view of pollution control and loss prevention, versatility and analysis of recycled adsorbents are necessary and useful for various industrial applications.     

锰基氧化物与冷等离子体协同催化氧化VOCs研究进展

挥发性有机化合物(VOCs)对环境的严重污染和对人体的危害引起了人们的重视。冷等离子体与催化剂耦合形成的协同效应可显著提高VOCs低温转化速率,减少二次污染和降低能耗,具有较好的应用前景。协同催化效果主要取决于催化剂物化性能,可通过调控催化剂的组成、粒径和结构改善协同催化活性。锰基氧化物因其具有较高的储氧能力、稳定的晶体结构、较好的氧气活化性能和良好的抗中毒能力等优点而被广泛应用于冷等离子体协同催化净化VOCs的应用研究。通过金属离子掺杂调控锰基氧化物的离子价态、氧迁移率和氧气吸附量,是改善催化剂与等离子体协同催化性能主要方法。本文总结了近年来锰基氧化物与冷等离子体协同催化氧化VOCs的研究进展,主要包括氧化锰晶型、分散度和掺杂金属离子对协同催化氧化VOCs的活性影响趋势及反应机理。分析冷等离子体与锰基氧化物催化剂协同氧化VOCs中存在的问题并对其发展前景进行了展望。     

Sorbent-based sampling methods for volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds in air: Part 1: Sorbent-based air monitoring options

Sorbent tubes/traps are widely used in combination with gas chromatographic (GC) analytical methods to monitor the vapour-phase fraction of organic compounds in air. Target compounds range in volatility from acetylene and freons to phthalates and PCBs and include apolar, polar and reactive species. Airborne vapour concentrations will vary depending on the nature of the location, nearby pollution sources, weather conditions, etc. Levels can range from low percent concentrations in stack and vent emissions to low part per trillion (ppt) levels in ultra-clean outdoor locations. Hundreds, even thousands of different compounds may be present in any given atmosphere. GC is commonly used in combination with mass spectrometry (MS) detection especially for environmental monitoring or for screening uncharacterised workplace atmospheres. Given the complexity and variability of organic vapours in air, no one sampling approach suits every monitoring scenario. A variety of different sampling strategies and sorbent media have been developed to address specific applications. Key sorbent-based examples include: active (pumped) sampling onto tubes packed with one or more sorbents held at ambient temperature; diffusive (passive) sampling onto sorbent tubes/cartridges; on-line sampling of air/gas streams into cooled sorbent traps; and transfer of air samples from containers (canisters, Tedlar^® bags, etc.) into cooled sorbent focusing traps. Whichever sampling approach is selected, subsequent analysis almost always involves either solvent extraction or thermal desorption (TD) prior to GC(/MS) analysis. The overall performance of the air monitoring method will depend heavily on appropriate selection of key sampling and analytical parameters. This comprehensive review of air monitoring using sorbent tubes/traps is divided into 2 parts. (1) Sorbent-based air sampling option. (2) Sorbent selection and other aspects of optimizing sorbent-based air monitoring methods. The paper presents current state-of-the-art and recent developments in relevant areas such as sorbent research, sampler design, enhanced approaches to analytical quality assurance and on-tube derivatisation.