Prediction of gas collection efficiency and particle collection artifact for atmospheric semivolatile organic compounds in multicapillary denuders

A modeling approach is presented to predict the sorptive sampling collection efficiency of gaseous semivolatile organic compounds (SOCs) and the artifact caused by collection of particle-associated SOCs in multicapillary diffusion denuders containing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stationary phase. Approaches are presented to estimate the equilibrium PDMS–gas partition coefficient (K_pdms) from a solvation parameter model for any compound, and, for nonpolar compounds, from the octanol–air partition coefficient (K_oa) if measured K_pdms values are not available. These estimated K_pdms values are compared with K_pdms measured by gas chromatography. Breakthrough fraction was measured for SOCs collected from ambient air using high-flow (300 L min⁻¹) and low-flow (13 L min⁻¹) denuders under a range of sampling conditions (−10 to 25 °C; 11–100% relative humidity). Measured breakthrough fraction agreed with predictions based on frontal chromatography theory using K_pdms and equations of Golay, Lövkvist and Jönsson within measurement precision. Analytes included hexachlorobenzene, 144 polychlorinated biphenyl congeners, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers 47 and 99. Atmospheric particle transmission efficiency was measured for the high-flow denuder (0.037–6.3 μm diameter), and low-flow denuder (0.015–3.1 μm diameter). Particle transmission predicted using equations of Gormley and Kennedy, Pich, and a modified filter model, agreed within measurement precision (high-flow denuder) or were slightly greater than (low-flow denuder) measured particle transmission. As an example application of the model, breakthrough volume and particle collection artifact for the two denuder designs were predicted as a function of K_oa for nonpolar SOCs. The modeling approach is a necessary tool for the design and use of denuders for sorptive sampling with PDMS stationary phase.     

Evaluation and applications of a gaseous mercuric chloride source

In this study, a diffusion-type device for generating gaseous mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) was systematically evaluated and applied to validate the annular denuder method for sampling gaseous HgCl₂ species in a synthetic gas stream. The results show that it takes at least 48 h for the system to reach a steady-state condition after the diffusion cell reaches the temperature set-point and the carrier gas is activated. The primary Hg species from the source was proven to be HgCl₂. In the temperature range from –5.00 to 11.80 °C, the Hg emission rates from the source vary from 1.8 to 14.2 pg min^–1. It is shown that, under the experimental conditions examined, KCl-coated annular quartz denuders designed for ambient reactive gaseous mercury (RGM) collection could quantitatively collect HgCl₂. It is also demonstrated that the impactors used to remove coarse airborne particulate matter could lead to a loss of up to one third of the HgCl₂ in the gas stream.     

Simultaneous determination of inorganic and organic acids in air by use of annular denuders and ion chromatography

Summary The performance of KOH-coated annular denuders for simultaneous collection of gas-phase atmospheric organic and inorganic acids has been evaluated by ion chromatography (IC) with an NaOH−H₂O gradient. Sampling efficiency was tested for formic and acetic acids under dry and humid air conditions. With this method several mono- and dicarboxylic acids, nitric acid, and hydrogen chloride can be detected. Laboratory and field measurements confirmed the reliability of the denuder method and its superior versatility compared with other techniques (scrubbing by means of a nebulizer, cryogenic trapping) which cannot be used to determine termine gaseous inorganic acids.     

The use of multi-channel silicone rubber traps as denuders for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are ubiquitous environmental pollutants, which may be present both in the gaseous phase and adsorbed onto the surface of particles. Denuders are sampling devices which have been effectively employed in such partitioning applications. Here we describe and characterise a novel miniature denuder consisting of two multi-channel silicone rubber traps (each 178 mm long, 6 mm o.d. containing 22 silicone tubes), separated by a quartz fibre filter for particle phase collection. The denuder only requires a small portable personal sampling pump to provide sampling flow rates of ∼0.5 L min⁻¹. Theoretical considerations indicated that the air flow through the denuder was expected to be laminar, and the linear velocity arising from longitudinal diffusion was found to be negligible. The calculated particle transmission efficiency through the denuder was found to be essentially 100% for particles > 50 nm, whilst the experimental overall efficiency, as determined by CPC and SMPS measurements, was 92 ± 4%. The size resolved transmission efficiency was <60% for particles below 20 nm and 100% for particles larger than 200 nm. Losses could have been due to diffusion and electrostatic effects. Semi-volatile gaseous analytes are pre-concentrated in the silicone of the trap and may be thermally desorbed using a commercially available desorber, allowing for total transfer and detection of the collected analytes by GC–MS. This enhances detection limits and allows for lower sampling flow rates and shorter sampling times, which are advantageous for studies requiring high temporal resolution.     

Development of a KI Annular Denuder for NO2 Collection

Abstract

The use of a KI-coated annular denuder for eliminating NO₂ interference during sampling of airborne particulate matter on filter media is proposed. The performances of this novel diffusion sampler were evaluated in a series of practical tests concerning optimization of the sorption efficiency of NO₂. Results pointed out that a properly sized annular denuder under 1 m long could be able to remove HO₂ before collecting aerosols at laminar airflows as high as 15 1 min^?1.     

Application of wet effluent diffusion denuder for measurement of uptake coefficient of gaseous pollutants

The comparison of theoretical approaches describing the collection of analyte in the cylindrical wet effluent diffusion denuder (CWEDD) with experimental data is presented. Various absorption liquids were tested for the collection of formaldehyde (distilled-deionized water, H₂SO₄ solution), acetaldehyde (distilled-deionized water) and nitrous acid (distilled-deionized water, sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate solutions of various concentrations and sodium phosphate pH 6-8) in CWEDD. pH of absorption liquids significantly influences the collection of formaldehyde as well as nitrous acid. The collection efficiency of formaldehyde for 0.05 M H₂SO₄ as absorption liquid was generally higher than for distilled-deionized water. Absorption liquid pH markedly affected the collection efficiency of HONO too (with increasing pH the collection efficiency increase). Data derived by Gormley-Kennedy equation for all investigated compounds were overestimated especially for higher flow rates of air, data calculated with respect to Henry constant are not in good agreement with experimental data and are considerably depended on a determination of the Henry constant value. The CWEDD can be alternative tool for the determination of uptake coefficient. Obtained uptake coefficients were in good agreement with data found in other literature.     

Feinreinigung von Radiostrontiumproben mittels Ionen-Chromatographie

Summary An annular denuder system for simultaneous determination of gaseous and particulate pollutants in ambient air was developed. Inorganic acids (HCl, HNO₃) were collected in a NaF-coated denuder, while organic acids (HCOOH, CH₃COOH) were trapped in one coated with KOH. NH₃ was sampled with a H₃PO₄-coated denuder tube. Particulate H₂SO₄ was evaporated at elevated temperature (145°–155°C) and deposited on a NaF-coating together with HCl and HNO₃ originating from thermal decomposition of NH₄Cl and NH₄NO₃. NH₃ resulting from deammoniation of (NH₄)₂SO₄ as well as NH₃ remaining from NH₄Cl and NH₄NO₃ were collected in a H₃PO₄-coated denuder. The practical collection capacity of the tubes ranged from 0.35 to 1.0 mol calculated from an experimentally determined sorption efficiency of at least 90%. The precision, expressed as relative standard deviation, of sampling and analytical procedures was determined from duplicate measurements in ambient air. The reproducibility varied from 9% to 14% for the gaseous components, while that of the particulate compounds ranged from 12% to 23%. Aqueous extracts of the denuder coatings were analysed for ionic components by ion chromatography using conductivity detection. The minimum detectable concentration in air was found to be 1.5 to 14 nmol/m³ for the different compounds calculated for 1.6 m³ sample volume, based on 3-h measurements at a flow of 9 l/min.

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Bestimmung der atmosphärischen Konzentrationen von anorganischen und organischen gasförmigen Säuren, NH₃, teilchenförmigem SO ₄ ^2– , NO ₃ ^2– und Cl^– mit einem Ringspaltrohr-Diffusionsdenudersystem

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On leave from the Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland     

Use Of Diffusion Controlled Preconcentration Systems With Chemically Immobilized Coatings For The Determination Of Atmospheric Nitric Acid

Abstract

A new coating procedure for different diffusion controlled preconcentration methods (tubular denuder, annular denuder, diffusion screen) is described for the determination of nitric acid in air. In this study, a silanization reaction is applied to obtain a chemically fixed coating with an end placed functional NH₂-group, which can be used as a sink to collect acidic compounds from air. This coating must be carried out only once and can be used for a long time. The denuders, coated with this procedures, were compared with conventionally coated NaF denuders.     

High Efficiency Annular Denuder for Formaldehyde Monitoring

Abstract

A practical and correct methodology for evaluating CH₂O in air without sampling artifact formation is presented. Formaldehyde is collected on an annular denuder coated with bisulfite-triethanolamine. The sorbent layer is extracted with water and the solution analyzed by the chromotropic acid (CTA) procedure. Sorption efficiency and loading capacity have been investigated along with storage stability.

Results of laboratory validation studies have indicated that a small annular denuder was able to sample about 300 μg CH₂O without an appreciable decrease in the initial collection efficiency (99% at 2.5 1 min^?1).

Tests on storage stability before and after exposure have also demonstrated that both oxidation of bisulfite and release of CH₂O did not occur for time periods as long as 1 month.     

Studies on the Use of Commercial Capillary Gas Chromatographic Columns as Diffusion Denuders

The possibility of using a piece of gas chromatographic capillary column as a tubular denuder for isolation and enrichment of organic pollutants present in air was studied. The partition coefficients (K_fs) of typical organic pollutants (benzene, chlorobenzene, toluene) between the gaseous phase and the denuder sorption layer were determined and effects of analyte concentration in the gaseous phase and gas flow rate on partitioning were studied. The partition coefficients were found to be constant in the studied range of concentration and gaseous mixture flow rate. A piece of a capillary column coated with polydimethylosiloxane can be used as a tubular denuder.     

Determination of nitrous acid in air using wet effluent diffusion denuder-FIA technique

A sensitive and fast method for the determination of nitrous acid (HONO) in air is described. The method combines a continuous collection of nitrous acid into a thin film of absorption liquid in a cylindrical wet effluent diffusion denuder (CWEDD) and on-line analysis of collected nitrous acid at the denuder concentrate employing a flow-injection analysis (FIA) where nitrous acid is oxidized into peroxynitrous acid and a chemiluminescent light emitted during the reaction of peroxynitrite with luminol is detected. Various absorption solutions (carbonate, bicarbonate, phosphate) as well as deionized water were compared from point of view of collection efficiency of nitrous acid at the CWEDD and selectivity and sensitivity of nitrous acid determination in air.All tested liquids provide quantitative collection of HONO in the CWEDD at the air flow rate of 1 L min⁻¹. The detection limit of nitrous acid of 15 ppt (v/v) is the same for all tested liquids. Small positive interference of nitrogen dioxide and peroxyacetylnitrate has been found. The lowest interference of NO₂ was found for 1 × 10⁻⁴ M NaHCO₃ (pH 6.4; 0.18%) while for deionized water interference of NO₂ (0.28%) was slightly higher. The lowest interference of peroxyacetylnitrate was found for deionized water (1.46%). No enhanced formation of HONO inside the cylindrical wet effluent diffusion denuder was observed for simultaneous bringing of nitrogen dioxide together with phenol, p-cresol, guaiacol, catechol, o-nitrophenol as well as with n-octane, n-nonane, n-decane, isoprene, α-pinene, β-pinene, camphene, 3-carene, α-phellandrene, S-limonene, benzene, toluene or o-xylene in comparison with formation of HONO only in the presence NO₂.Deionized water was chosen as the optimum absorption liquid for the sampling of atmospheric nitrous acid at the CWEDD as well as for FIA chemiluminescent detection. The time resolution is 70 s and the response time is 164 s. The calibration curve is linear over 4 orders of magnitude (0.045-450 ppb HONO). The CWEDD-FIA technique has been applied to the measurement of nitrous acid in urban air.     

Laboratory investigation of annular denuders as sampling system for the determination of aliphatic primary and secondary amines in stack gas

A method for the sampling and analysis of aliphatic amines ranging from C₁ to C₅ and some diamines in exhaust gas is described. Two different annular denuder systems coated with phosphoric acid were used for the laboratory investigation of sampling gaseous amines. The denuder sampling systems were tested under different conditions for their readiness to work in stack gas.The reagent 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) was used in pre-column derivatization of the amines investigated. The amino derivatives were separated using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in conjunction with UV-detection. This method has been used for the examination of emissions from a landfill waste disposal and from animal husbandry with respect to traces of aliphatic amine emissions.     

Determination of organic,inorganic and particulate iodine in the coastal atmosphere of Japan

A reliable method for the sampling and analysis of atmospheric iodine species was developed. The air filtering system consisted of a 0.4 m Nuclepore^® filter, 47 mm in diameter, for particulate collection followed by two, 47 mm in diameter, cellulose filters for inorganic iodine collection. The latter filters had been impregnated with 1N LiOH in a 10% glycerol-water mixture. The organic iodine was collected by two beds holding 0.2 g of fibriform activated charcoal produced from phenol resin. Supplementation of the charcoal with triethylendiamine (TEDA) enhanced the sorption ability for gaseous iodine. The filters were analyzed by neutron activation analysis. The background radioactivity could be reduced by using the fibriform activated charcoal due to the low content of impurities in the phenol resin. The background count for¹²⁸I (443 keV) obtained from the fibriform activated charcoal was about one order of magnitude lower than that of the conventional granular one (plant origin). Approximate detection limits for particulate, inorganic and organic iodine were 1, 0.5 and 0.5 ng/m³, respectively, when 50 m³ of air was sampled by this system. The air was sampled at two locations along the coast of Ibaraki, Japan. The concentration ranges of particulate, inorganic and organic iodine were 0.3–3.4, 1.2–3.3 and 7.8–20.4 ng/m³, respectively. Almost 90% of the atmospheric iodine was in a gaseous form in which organic iodine was dominant.     

Continuous chemiluminescence determination of formaldehyde in air based on Trautz-Schorigin reaction

A new continuous method for the determination of formaldehyde in air is described. A cylindrical wet effluent diffusion denuder is used for the collection of formaldehyde from air into a thin film of absorption liquid (distilled-deionized water). Formaldehyde in the denuder concentrate is on-line detected employing a chemiluminescence flow method based on a reaction of formaldehyde and gallic acid with hydrogen peroxide in an alkaline solution. The collection efficiency of formaldehyde is quantitative at the air flow rate of 0.5 L min⁻¹ (absorption liquid flow rate of 336 μL min⁻¹). The limit of detection (S/N = 3) is 0.60 μg m⁻³ HCHO (0.49 ppb). The calibration graph is linear up to 300 μg m⁻³ HCHO (244 ppb). The relative standard deviations of chemiluminescence method for 1 × 10⁻⁶ and 5 × 10⁻⁶ M HCHO are 2.87% and 1.49%, respectively. Acetaldehyde interferes negligible, other compounds do not interfere. The method was employed for formaldehyde measurement in ambient air. The comparison measurement illustrates the good agreement of results obtained by proposed method with those obtained by reference fluorimetric method.     

Annular denuder tube preconcentrator for nitrobenzene determination by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection

A platinum/lead alloy-coated annular denuder tube was employed to concentrate nitrobenzene from nitrogen atmospheres of relative humidity < 5% at ambient temperatures. The limit of detection achieved was 1.7 ng of nitrobenzene, which could be obtained from a concentration of 0.15 μg m^?3 of nitrobenzene in nitrogen. Quantification was carried out at concentrations above 0.12 μg m^?3 of nitrobenzene in nitrogen over a 4-month period, although ageing and deterioration of the denuder system were noted, necessitating regular recalibration. The results support claims made elsewhere regarding the suitability of denuder tubes for organic vapour determination, in this instance with an analyte-selective collection surface.     

Measurement of krypton-85 in the atmosphere with a portable apparatus

A portable apparatus was developed for the rapid collection, separation and counting of krypton-85 in the environmental air samples. The apparatus consists of a molecular sieve trap for the elimination of H₂O and CO₂, a charcoal trap for the collection of krypton, a chromatographic column for the isolation of krypton in the air sample and a vial for the dissolution of krypton in the scintillation solution. With this apparatus, krypton can be collected from half a cubic meter of air with 94% recovery in about 3 hrs. The measurements of krypton-85 have been done several times in Fukuoka area between the periods Jan. 30, 1981 and Dec. 9, 1981. And then, the krypton-85 concentration was found to be approximately 21 pCi/m³ air. The results were compared with those obtained by foregin investigators.     

Diffusion technique for the generation of gaseous halogen standards

Halogens are known to play an important role in the tropospheric ozone-depletion chemistry and are of special interest because of their influence on the atmospheric oxidation capacity. In this paper, we investigate the application of a capillary diffusion technique for the generation of gaseous halogen standards like Br₂, IBr, ICl and I₂. The influence of capillary dimension (i.e. length and inner diameter), ambient pressure and headspace volume of the diffusion vessel on the test gas output has been evaluated. The experimental output rates are determined from the mass loss of the analyte vessel on a regular schedule and compared with their respective theoretical predictions. We also demonstrate that a 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene-coated diffusion denuder is capable of collecting gaseous ICl quantitatively, which provides an attractive alternative for the rapid determination of the output of test gas devices. The output rates of ICl measured by the denuder method are in close agreements with the data obtained by the gravimetric method.     

Separation of <Superscript>133</Superscript>Xe from <Superscript>99</Superscript>Mo, <Superscript>131</Superscript>I and uranium,and removal of impurities using gas chromatography

Summary Separation and purification of ¹³³Xe from acidic solution containing uranium, ⁹⁹Mo and ¹³¹I has been developed. In the first step of this work, uranium pellets were dissolved under pressure (8-15 bar) in 8M nitric acid solution. Then¹³³ Xe and other gases were conducted to activated charcoal cold trap. Final purification of ¹³³Xe from impurities such as NO_x, radioiodine and krypton was performed by passing through a molecular sieve preparative chromatographic column using helium as mobile phase. The final recovery of ¹³³Xe from the separation-purification process was higher than 98%. Adsorption-desorption behavior of radioxenon on the charcoal and molecular sieves have also been studied and discussed.     

Gas-phase cleanup method for analysis of trace atmospheric semivolatile organic compounds by thermal desorption from diffusion denuders

A novel gas-phase cleanup method was developed for use with a thermal desorption method for analysis of trace semivolatile organic compounds (SOCs) in the atmosphere using diffusion denuder samplers to separate gas-phase from particle-associated fractions. The cleanup selectively removed hydrogen-bonding chemicals from samples, including much of the background matrix of oxidized organic compounds that is present in ambient air samples. Abraham solvation parameters were found to be useful predictors of recovery of compounds through the cleanup method; most compounds with A + B < 0.3 and L ≤ 12.3 were fully recovered through the cleanup method. Addition of the cleanup method successfully produced baseline resolution in air samples and improved method precision. The utility of the method was demonstrated in an investigation of the built environment as a continuing source of semivolatile persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals (PBTs) to the atmosphere.     

Preparation and characterization of (SBA-15)-La2O3 host-guest composite materials

Lanthanum oxide was successfully incorporated into an SBA-15 mesoporous molecular sieve via the microwave-assisted synthesis method (MASM) for the first time, and was compared with liquid-phase grafting and thermal diffusion methods. A series of characterizations were used to characterize the prepared materials. The results showed that the preparation of (SBA-15)-La₂O₃ host-guest composite materials by MASM has the advantages of simpler operation, higher efficiency and more plentiful lanthanum oxide could be incorporated into SBA-15 compared with other methods. In the prepared host-guest (SBA-15)-La₂O₃ materials, the frameworks of the host molecular sieve were kept intact, their structures were still kept high ordered and the guest lanthanum oxide locates inside the pores of the SBA-15. The sizes of the prepared (SBA-15)-La₂O₃ samples were 340-357 nm. The prepared host-guest composite materials show the properties of luminescence, and the luminescent intensities are about 2 times of bulk La₂O₃.