Development of a monitoring tape for phosgene in air

A porous cellulose tape impregnated with a processing solution that includes 4-p-nitroben-zylpyridine, N-benzylaniline and methanol is a highly sensitive means of detecting phosgene and maintains stable sensitivity for at least three months in air in a desiccator. When the sample including phosgene was passed through the tape, the color of tape changed to red. The degree of color change was proportional to the concentration of phosgene at a constant sampling time and flow rate. The degree of color change could be recorded by measuring the intensity of reflecting light (555 nm). The detection limit was 6 ppb for phosgene with a sampling time of 60 sec and a flow rate of 400 ml/min. Reproducibility tests showed that the relative standard deviation of response (n = 10) was 2.6% for 0.2 ppm phosgene. No interference was observed from ethanol (1 vol.%), trichloroethylene (1 vol.%), acetone (1 vol.%), carbon dioxide (4.9 vol.%), carbon monoxide (100 ppm), nitrogen dioxide (100 ppm), sulfur dioxide (50 ppm), hydrogen chloride gas (5 ppm), chlorine (3 ppm), acetic acid gas (24 ppm), ammonia (40 ppm), or benzyl chloride (20 ppm).     

Improvement of a monitoring tape for nitrogen dioxide in air

A porous cellulose tape containing a silica gel that was previously impregnated with a processing solution containing p-toluenesulfonic acid, sulfanilic acid, N-1-naphthyl ethylene diamine dihydrochloride, ethylene glycol and methanol has been developed to provide a highly sensitive detection of nitrogen dioxide in air. When the sample including nitrogen dioxide was passed through the tape, the color of tape changed to red, and the degree of color change could be recorded by measuring the intensity of reflecting light (555 nm). The calibration graph was linear up to approximately 0.10 ppm. The detection limit was 0.5 ppb for nitrogen dioxide with a sampling time of 8 min and a flow rate of 60 ml min(-1). No interferences were observed from ammonia (40 ppm), sulfur dioxide (51 ppm), carbon dioxide (21%), ozone (0.75 ppm), hydrogen sulfide (27 ppm) or nitrogen monoxide (99 ppm).     

Evaluation of gas chromatography coupled with ion mobility spectrometry for monitoring vinyl chloride and other chlorinated and aromatic compounds in air samples

The objective of this research was to evaluate, in the laboratory, the potential of gas chromatography/ion mobility spectrometry (GC/IMS) for monitoring vinyl chloride and other organic compounds in air samples in the field. It was determined that GC/IMS has the potential to directly detect vinyl chloride in air at the 2 ppbv level, and when concentrated on an adsorbent trap from a 1 L sample of air, detection could be lowered to the 0.02 ppbv level. From a comparative investigation of 18 EPA priority pollutants and 34 common vapor-phase organic compounds, many compounds were found to provide a more sensitive response in IMS than vinyl chloride, indicating that GC/IMS would be broadly applicable to the direct detection of vapor-phase organics in air. Operating parameters including drift gas, spectrometer temperature, and sample-inlet position were evaluated and discussed with respect to sensitivity and resolution. High temperature dramatically increased sensitivity to vinyl chloride. Vinyl chloride was shown to produce both negative and positive ion mobility spectra, with the negative-mode spectra resulting from electron-capture dissociation of the vinyl chloride. The limit of detection for vinyl chloride was found to be 7 pg/s. Limits of detection for 18 EPA priority pollutants were determined and compared to vinyl chloride. The responses of 34 other vapor-phase organic compounds were also compared to that of vinyl chloride. Non-selective, positive-ion detection of 30 of the 34 compounds was demonstrated along with selective, electron-capture-type detection of 29 of them. Chloride-specific and bromide-specific detection illustrated the advantages of selected-ion monitoring in IMS.     

Development of an automated monitoring system for various gas-phase organic carbonyls in ambient air

An automated monitoring system for various C₁ to C₅ gas-phase organic carbonyls in ambient air is described. The system consists of a parallel plate diffusion scrubber (PPDS), which is coupled with a high-performance liquid chromatography–ultraviolet (HPLC–UV) system using an automated injection valve. Compared with an annular diffusion scrubber (DS) employed so far for gas-phase carbonyl monitoring, PPDS shows an improved collection efficiency for formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, and acetone with >97% at an airflow rate of 0.5?L/min. High gas–liquid concentration ratios of PPDS and an optimised HPLC–UV system allow limits of detection (LOD) in a range of 80–500?pptv. A low liquid hold-up volume of the PPDS results in a short response time of about 10?min. Additionally, the optimised analysis time for 13 carbonyl compounds containing calibration standard enables brief measurement intervals of 25?min. The developed PPDS–HPLC system shows its reliability from urban site monitoring in Seoul, South Korea.     

Quantitative analysis of phthalates using a pyrolyzer gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method

A pyrolyzer gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method eliminates toxic solvents that burden our environment and can address the crucial problem of the solvent extraction GC/MS method. The purpose of this study is to establish an efficient quantitative analysis method for 10 phthalates that are regulated by the several governments. A change of concentrations over time for phthalates and internal standards was measured to verify the feasibility of using an auto sampler that facilitates analyzing multiple samples. Both standards maintained constant concentrations over the appropriate time for analysis. A certified reference material under the auspices of the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science was used to verify the calibration curve obtained by the pyrolyzer GC/MS method, and a deviation was considered similar to the solvent extraction GC/MS method. Then, the limit of detection and limit of quantitation values were confirmed for various consumer products. To verify the reliability of the method, a comparative test with several accredited testing institutes was conducted, and the results were within the standard deviations of the results provided by the institutes. These results indicate that the pyrolyzer GC/MS method can be used in not only screening but also in accurate quantitative analysis.     

环境空气监测气体分析仪在线校准装置研制

设计一种新型的膜渗透动态配气系统,将动态配气膜渗透技术、基体空气标准添加方法、大气采样技术相结合,研制环境空气监测气体分析仪在线校准装置.该装置实现了环境空气污染组分SO2、NO2、CO在线监测仪的连续、实时、基体添加校准,校准不确定度小于3％(k=2).设计的长寿命膜渗透动态配气系统制备的标准气体混合物,可以连续使用...     

Development of a new pyrolyzer for thermal desorption and/or pyrolysis gas chromatography of polymeric materials

A new vertical microfurnace-type pyrolyzer for thermal desorption and/or pyrolysis-gas chromatography has been developed. The pyrolyzer consists of two independent temperature-controlled ovens. Initially, in the desorption process, a sample cup containing the polymeric sample of interest is inserted into an oven at 300°C; the sample is then re-positioned at the upper part of the pyrolyzer where the temperature is maintained at room temperature. The resulting vaporized components such as residual solvents and additives give a desorption chromatogram. The relative peak intensities of desorbed plasticizers in acrylonitrile butadiene-rubber gave a relative standard deviation (RSD) of less than 2%. Subsequently, pyrolysis of the remaining polymer is conducted by dropping the sample cup into the second, pyrolyzing, oven at 55°C; at this stage the pyrogram is recorded. The resulting two chromatograms of desorbed components and pyrolysis products make it easier to characterize the polymer formulation than the complicated pyrogram obtained by an ordinary, single-step pyrolysis.     

Rapid and sensitive determination of morphine in street opium samples by thermal desorption gas chromatography using a microfurnace pyrolyzer

Thermal desorption of the alkaloids in opium samples at 300 degrees C using a vertical microfurnace pyrolyzer was followed by their on-line gas chromatographic (GC) analysis on a large-bore glass capillary column. This method permitted rapid and sensitive determination of the content of the main alkaloid, morphine, in the small (ca. 100 microg) opium samples with a relative standard deviation within 4% for 5 runs. The observed morphine contents of about 12 to 15 w/w% in the given opium samples were in fairly good agreement with those estimated by a conventional GC-MS method.     

Determination of branching in polyethylene and poly(vinyl chloride) using pyrolysis gas chromatography

A series of polyethylenes (PE), reduced poly(vinyl chlorides), and precursor poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) systems were studied by pyrolysis–gas chromatography (PGC) and by pyrolysis–hydrogenation–gas chromatography (PHGC). The branch content of these polymers has been interpreted on the basis of previously established literature information. Low-density PE (LDPE) was found to contain a significant number of ethyl branches. The pyrolysis results on an LAH-reduced PVC series gave significant insight on PVC microstructure. It was determined that the short-chain branches in PVC are mainly one carbon long. Some ethyl side chains and virtually no butyl branches were found in this experimental PVC series. The effect of chain branching on the pyrolysis of PVC is to increase fragmentation. The benzene/toluene ratio, along with relative amounts of benzene and naphthalene formed, may be used to indicate the relative degree of branching in this system. The application of PGC and PHGC have thus been shown to successfully extend analytical work on PE and PVC and to provide microstructural information.     

A selective GC column for trace analysis of vinyl chloride in air

Summary A selective GC column for the determination of vinyl chloride monomer in air has been developed. The 1.5m×1/8 column is filled with a mixture of Porapack S and T (8020). The selectivity was tested with 21 possible pollutants. All of the tested compounds were separated from vinyl chloride.     

Study of poly(vinyl chloride) by inverse gas chromatography

Inverse gas chromatography (IGC) was used to investigate PVC to determine what information can be gathered using the technique. Standard IGC using a column of PVC-coated support was performed at 120°C. The polymer-solvent interaction coefficients for 25 probes were obtained and the polymer solubility parameter was determined. A 50/50 blend of PVC/poly(∈-caprolactone) was studied to determine the polymer-polymer interaction coefficient B₂₃ and the solubility parameter of the blend. A nonstandard analysis using bulk, suspension-polymerized PVC as the column packing was performed at 40°C, and the retention behavior compared with a computer simulation of Langmuir type adsorption.     

Analysis of waterborne paints by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with a temperature-programmable pyrolyzer

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with a temperature-programmable pyrolyzer was used for the analysis of waterborne paints. Evolved gas analysis (EGA) profiles of the waterborne paints were obtained by this temperature-programmed pyrolysis directly coupled with MS via a deactivated metal capillary tube. The EGA profile suggested the optimal thermal desorption conditions for solvents and additives and the subsequent optimal pyrolysis temperature for the remaining polymeric material. Polymers were identified from pyrograms with the assistance of a new polymer library. The solvents were identified from the electron ionization mass spectra with the corresponding chemical ionization mass spectra. The additive was identified as zinc pyrithione by comparison with authentic standard. Zinc pyrithione cannot be analyzed by GC-MS as it is. However, the thermal decomposition products of zinc pyrithione could be detected. The information on the decomposition temperature and products was useful for the identification of the original compound.     

Polymerization of vinyl chloride and copolymerization with propylene by a ternary catalyst system

Polymerization of vinyl chloride by the ternary catalyst system of VOCl₃–AIR_nCl_3–n complexing agent was investigated. It was suggested that the formation of a polar complex (or charge-transfer complex) between AlR_nCl_3–n and the complexing agent participated in the polymerization of vinyl chloride. In the copolymerization of vinyl chloride with propylene with the present catalyst system, it was more difficult to incorporate the propylene unit in the copolymer than with a typical radical catalyst.     

Copolymerization studies of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate with ethylene using a transition-metal catalyst

Since the advent of Ziegler-Natta polymerization of ethylene, attempts have been made to extend coordination polymerization to commercially important monomers with polar functionality. In this study we examined the copolymerization of perdeuterated vinyl chloride (VC) and perdeuterated vinyl acetate (VA) with ethylene using a tridentate Fe(II) dichloride pyridine diimine metal catalyst. The resulting ethylene oligomers were examined by GC/MS and 2H NMR spectroscopy. It was shown that VC was inserted once for every approximately 180 ethylene monomers and VA was inserted once for every approximately 350 ethylene monomers. VC and VA behave as comonomers for coordination/insertion polymerizations with ethylene. However, we find that insertion with either monomer leads to termination of the growing chain via beta-elimination processes. The deuterium atoms are exclusively located at the olefin terminus for each of the monomers.     

Development of an automated measurement system using a diffusion scrubber and high-performance liquid chromatography for the monitoring of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in automotive exhaust gas.

An automated measurement system for monitoring formaldehyde (HCHO) and acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) in automotive exhaust gas by using a diffusion scrubber in combination with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was developed. HCHO and CH3CHO are effectively collected by the diffusion scrubber, which consists of a hydrophobic porous PTFE tube disposed concentrically within a Pyrex-glass tube and a scrubbing solution. 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine is used as the scrubbing solution for trapping HCHO and CH3CHO, which are derivatized to formaldehyde 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone (DNPH-HCHO) and acetaldehyde 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone (DNPH-CH3CHO), respectively, with phosphoric acid as an acid catalyst. After the collection of the gas sample, the sample solution in the diffusion scrubber is injected into the HPLC system and DNPH-HCHO and DNPH-CH3CHO are separated and determined. All measurement operations are sequenced by a programmable controller and an automated continuous measurement can be performed at 10 min intervals. The collection efficiencies of HCHO and CH3CHO were higher than 97% at a gas flow rate of 0.21 min-1. The detection limit (3 sigma of the blank value) was 0.001 ppm v/v for HCHO and CH3CHO for a 1.61 gas sample volume. No interference of co-existing nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the collection of HCHO and CH3CHO was observed. The average concentration of HCHO in the exhaust gas from methanol-fueled vehicles was 77.3 ppm v/v (n = 5) in the cold-phase mode when engines were first started. In the hot-phase mode, the average concentration of HCHO was 3.3 ppm v/v (n = 15). The concentrations of HCHO measured by this automated measurement system were in good agreement with those obtained using the impinger-HPLC method.     

Development and validation of an automated monitoring system for oxygenated volatile organic compounds and nitrile compounds in ambient air

Few studies were conducted on oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOC) because of problems encountered during the sampling/analyzing steps induced by water in sampled air. Consequently, there is a lack of knowledge of their spatial and temporal trends and their origins in ambient air. In this study, an analyzer consisted of a thermal desorber (TD) interfaced with a gas chromatograph (GC) and a flame ionization detector (FID) was developed for online measurements of 18 OVOC in ambient air including 4 alcohols, 6 aldehydes, 3 ketones, 3 ethers, 2 esters and 4 nitriles. The main difficulty was to overcome the humidity effect without loss of compounds. Water amount in the sampled air was reduced by the trap composition (two hydrophobic graphitized carbons—Carbopack B:Carbopack X), the trap temperature (held at 12.5 °C), by diluting (50:50) the sample with dry air before the preconcentration step and a trap purge with helium. Humidity management allowed the use of a polar CP-Lowox column in order to separate the polar compounds from the hydrocarbon/aromatic matrix. The safe sampling volume for the dual-sorbent trap 75 mg Carbopack X:5 mg Carbopack B was found to 405 mL for ethanol by analyzing a standard mixture at a relative humidity of 80%. Detection limits ranging from 10 ppt for ETBE to 90 ppt for ethanol were obtained for 18 compounds for a sampling volume of 405 mL. Good repeatabilities were obtained at two levels of concentration (relative standard deviation <5%). The calibration (ranging from 0.5 to 10 ppb) was set up at three different levels of relative humidity to test the humidity effect on the response coefficients. Results showed that the response coefficients of all compounds were less affected by humidity except for those of ethanol and acetonitrile (decrease respectively of 30% and 20%). The target compounds analysis shows good reproducibility with response coefficient variability of less then 10% of the mean initial value of calibration for all the compounds. Hourly ambient air measurements were conducted in an urban site in order to test this method. On the basis of these measurements, ethanol, acetone and acetaldehyde have shown the highest concentration levels with an average of 2.10, 1.75 and 1.37 ppb respectively. The daily evolution of some OVOC, namely ethanol and acetaldehyde, was attributed to emissions from motor vehicles while acetone has a different temporal evolution that can be probably associated with remote sources.     

Development of poly(vinyl chloride)/montmorillonite nanocomposites using chelating agents

Different chelating agents such as poly(ethylene glycol), propylene glycol monooctadecanoate and palm oil were used for modification of the surface-treated montmorillonite (MMT). The work also included the development of a technique for mixing chelating agents with MMTs using different methods and different proportions of MMT/chelating agent/ethanol. Evaluation of the result of mixing was performed by thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM). The results showed that the chelating agents used were intercalated in MMT, increasing the interlayer spacing. The OMMT was used in the manufacture of composites with rigid PVC using a microcompounder. The master batch concept turned out to be promising in terms of dispersion and delamination of clay, as observed in HR-SEM photographs. However, despite good dispersion and exfoliation of MMT, poor compatibility between clay platelets and PVC matrix remains to be solved to enable full exploitation of its engineering potential. Despite this drawback, good thermal stability and mechanical properties have already been achieved.     

Trace analysis for chlorinated hydrocarbons in air by quantitative combustion and coulometric chloride determination: application to standardization of vinyl chloride permeation tubes

Methods for high-temperature combustion of vinyl chloride in air were studied theoretically and two types of gas mixtures were found to give 100% conversion into HCl. The chloride was determined by coulometric titration with silver, in 70% acetic acid. Good agreement between theoretical and experimental results was obtained. Permeation rates of vinyl chloride from fluorinated ethylene propylene permeation tubes were determined gravimetrically and with the coulometric method developed. The standard deviations of the methods were 0.002 and 0.001 microg min respectively for permeation rates of 0.5 microg min when the temperature was controlled to +/- 0.02 degrees . The coulometric mean value was 99.9% of the gravimetric mean; 1 ppm of vinyl chloride in air could be determined coulometrically with a standard deviation of about 0.002 ppm.