Analysis of sulfur-containing compounds in ambient air using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography with pulsed flame photometric detection

A new analysis method for sulfur-containing compounds in air using solid-phase microextraction (SPME), gas chromatography and pulsed flame photometric detection (PFPD), SPME-GC-PFPD method, has been developed. The analysis method is simple, fast and easily performed. To demonstrate the usefulness and versatility of the method air samples collected in geothermal areas in Rotorua, at a muddy beach in Auckland (cities in New Zealand), and in a wastewater treatment plant were analysed. COS, H₂S, CS₂, SO₂, CH₃SH, (CH₃)₂S and CH₃(CH₂)₂CH₂SH were identified in the samples from Rotorua. It was noted that air quality in residential areas with respect to sulfur compounds was better than that around geothermal sources. Samples from the wastewater treatment plant contained COS, H₂S, CS₂, SO₂, CH₃SH, (CH₃)₂S and (CH₃)₂S₂. It was found that the emission of sulfur compounds was reduced in the course of the wastewater treatment process. The potential impact of the detected sulfur compounds on human health is briefly discussed.     

Organophosphine transition metal complexes as selective surfaces for the reversible detection of sulfur dioxide with piezoelectric crystal sensors

Some organotransition metal complexes, bis (sulfur dioxide)tetrakis (triphenylphosphine oxide) manganese(II)dioxide [Mn(OPPh₃)₄I₂(SO₂)₂] and bis(tribenzylphosphine)copper(II) thiophenolate [Cu(PBz₃)₂SPh], were identified as candidate coatings for the detection of sulfur dioxide on piezoelectric crystal sensors. After treatment to form the mono (sulfur dioxide) adduct, the first complex binds sulfur dioxide to reform the bis adduct, and can be used as a coating for an integrating piezoelectric sensor. The initial complex can be regenerated by placing the coated piezoelectric sensor under vacuum for 4 h. The specified copper complex was found to act as a reversible coating for the detection sulfur dioxide in the range 10–1000 mg l^?1.     

Adsorption of carbon disulfide on activated carbon modified by Cu and cobalt sulfonated phthalocyanine

A series of adsorbents were studied for removal efficiency of carbon disulfide (CS₂) under micro-oxygen conditions. It was found that activated carbon modified by Cu and cobalt sulfonated phthalocyanine (CoSPc) denoted as ACCu–CoSPc showed significantly enhanced adsorption ability. Reaction temperature was found to be a key factor for adsorption, and 20 °C seems to be optimal for CS₂ removal. Samples were analyzed by N₂-BET, XRD, XPS, SEM–EDS and CO₂-TPD. The characterization results demonstrated that large quantities of SO₄ ^2? anions were formed and adsorbed in the reaction process. SO₂, CS₂ and COS were detected in the effluent gas generated from the temperature programmed desorption of ACCu–CoSPc–CS₂. Therefore, it can be concluded that ACCu–CoSPc most likely acted as a catalyst in the adsorption/oxidation process on the surface of the impregnated sample. The generated sulfide and sulfur oxide can cover the active sites of adsorbents, resulting in pronounced reduction of adsorbent activity. Finally, the exhausted ACCu–CoSPc can be regenerated by thermal desorption.     

Identification of control parameters for the sulfur gas storability with bag sampling methods

Air samples containing sulfur compounds are often collected and stored in sample bags prior to analysis. The storage stability of six gaseous sulfur compounds (H₂S, CH₃SH, DMS, CS₂, DMDS and SO₂) was compared between two different bag materials (polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) and polyester aluminum (PEA)) at five initial concentrations (1, 10, 100, 1000, and 10,000 ppb). The response factors (RF) of these samples were determined after storage periods of 0, 1, and 3 days by gas chromatography–pulsed flame photometric detector (GC–PFPD) combined with an air server (AS)/thermal desorber (TD) system. Although concentration reduction occurred more rapidly from samples of the high concentration standards (1000 and 10,000 ppb), such trends were not evident in their low concentration counterparts (1, 10, and 100 ppb). As such, temporal changes in RF values and the associated loss rates of most sulfur gases were greatly affected by their initial concentration levels. Moreover, the storability of oxidized sulfur compound (SO₂) was greatly distinguished from that of reduced sulfur compounds (RSCs), as the former almost disappeared in the PVF bag even after one day. The results of our study confirm that storability of gaseous sulfur species is affected interactively by such variables as initial gas concentration level, bag material type, and oxidation status with the associated reactivity.     

Bi‐channel Surface Acoustic Wave Gas Sensor for Carbon Disulfide and Methanol Vapors in Polymer Plants

A C₆₀‐polyphenylacetylene (C₆₀‐PPA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coated two‐channel surface acoustic wave (SAW) crystal gas sensor with a homemade computer interface for data acquisition and data processing was developed and employed to detect carbon disulfide (CS₂) and methanol (CH₃OH) vapors in polymer plants. The frequency of surface acoustic wave oscillator decreases due to the adsorption of gas molecules on the coated materials of the SAW sensor. Six coating materials (C₆₀‐PPA, nafion, PPA, crytand [2,2], polyethene glycol and PVP) were used to adsorb and detect carbon disulfide and methanol gases. Adsorption of all the six coating materials to CS₂ and CH₃OH was found to be physical adsorption. The C₆₀‐PPA coated SAW detector exhibited more sensitive to CS₂ than the other coating materials. In contrast, the PVP coated SAW detector was more sensitive to CH₃OH than the other coating materials. With the two‐channel SAW sensor, the C₆₀‐PPA coated SAW showed a good detection limit of 0.4 ppm and good reproducibility with RSD of 3.37 % (n=10) for CS₂. Similarly, the PVP coated SAW also showed a good detection limit of 0.05 ppm and good reproducibility, with RSD of 0.86 % (n=10) for CH₃OH. The interference effect of other organic molecules on the SAW detection system was negligible, except for the irreversible adsorption of C₆₀‐PPA to propylamine. The frequency signals from the two‐channel SAW sensor array C₆₀‐PPA and PVP coatings were processed by a back‐propagation artificial neural network (BPN) and multiple regression analysis (MRA). Thus a two‐channel SAW sensor array with BPN and MRA has been successfully applied for the qualitative and quantitative analyses of CS₂ and CH₃OH in mixtures.     

The reactions between SO2 and C2H2 (and C2H4) at elevated temperatures. A single-pulse shock tube investigation

The high-temperature reaction between sulfur dioxide and acetylene in an excess of argon was studied in a 1?in. i.d. single-pulse shock tube. Mixtures ranging from 1.81% to 5.40% SO₂ and 1.60% to 4.90% C₂H₂ were heated to reflected shock temperatures of 1550°–2150°K, for dwell times of about 0.6 msec and gas dynamically quenched. Total reaction densities were 0.89 to 5.4 × 10^?2 moles/1. The reaction products were analyzed by gas chromatography. A technique was developed for separating Ar, C₂H₄, C₂H₂, SO₂, CO, CO₂, H₂S, COS, and CS₂. The major products of the reaction are CO, H₂, CS₂, and sulfur. The products observed were compared with those predicted on the assumption that equilibrium was attained. Several preliminary experiments were carried out with ethylene-sulfur dioxide mixtures, and the results indicated that for this combination the sulfur dioxide probably reacted with the acetylene generated from the decomposition of the ethylene, rather than directly with the ethylene. The rate of decline in the sulfur dioxide content in C₂H₂-SO₂ mixtures was found to be approximately second order (total) and can be empirically represented by A mechanism is proposed to account for the overall reaction kinetics.     

Efficient and sustainable V-catalyzed oxidative desulfurization of fuels assisted by ionic liquids

Fuel desulfurization is an appealing topic for the chemical industry since severe environmental regulations regarding SO₂ emissions have been legislated in many countries. In order to reduce the amount of sulfur-containing compounds in fuels, responsible for high SO_x emission levels, a green chemistry approach is compulsory. In this paper, vanadium salen and salophen complexes were used in the oxidation of a model aromatic sulfide, such as dibenzothiophene (DBT), in the presence of H₂O₂ as green oxidant. The oxidative process was successfully coupled with the extraction of the oxidized compounds by ionic liquids. The system resulted highly selective for sulfide oxidation, showing poor reactivity toward the oxidation of alkenes and allowing a significant reduction of S content in a model benzine. To note, the use of microwave in place of standard heating allowed to obtain 98% of DBT oxidation and almost complete sulfur extraction in the model fuel in 1000 s. For these reasons, this system was considered an easy, rapid and clean process to achieve fuel desulfurization.     

Influence of Aprotic Solvent on Selectivity of an Amperometric Sensor with Nafion Membrane

This paper presents the results of investigation on selectivity of the sulfur dioxide amperometric sensor with Nafion membrane in the presence of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide as the interferents. There have been compared selectivity coefficients, for the sensors containing the following internal electrolytes: solution of sulfuric acid (concentration 5 mol dm^?3) in pure water (A) and solution of sulfuric acid (concentration 5 mol dm^?3) in mixed solvent dimethylsulfoxide‐water with an DMSO: H₂O mole ratio of 1 : 2 (B). Values of the selectivity coefficients have been calculated based on the calibration curves. Analysis of both calibration curves and selectivity coefficients plays a significant role in optimization of a working point of a particular sensor. The investigated sensor operates in a three‐electrode system, where the working and counter electrodes are vacuum sublimation deposited on the membrane surface.     

A Coated Piezoelectric Crystal Sensor for the Determination of 2, 4-Toluene Diisocyanate in Air

Abstract

2, 4-toluene diisocyanate (TDI) in air was detected and determined by a piezoelectric quartz crystal sensor coated with tetrakis(hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine (THEED)/dithizone(diphenylthiocarbazone) solution (l:3v/v in acetone). The response curve is linear over the concentration range 3–24 ppb of TDI. The sensor can be used for more than 2 months without loss in sensitivity and presented good reversibility and reproducibility. Of the different possible interferents tested, only SO₂ caused a frequency change.     

Matrix-isolation infrared spectra of oxy(tetraphenylporphyrinato)iron(II) containing CS2 and SO2 as axial ligands

The IR spectra of cocondensation products of Fe(TPP) with CS₂/Ar exhibit the ν(CS₂) of Fe(TPP)(CS₂) at 1522 cm⁻¹ which is 7 cm⁻¹ lower than that of free CS₂. When Fe(TPP) was cocendensed with O₂/CS₂/Ar, the bands characteristic of Fe(TPP)(CS₂)O₂ (ν(CS₂), 1519 cm⁻¹ and ν(O₂), 1190 cm⁻¹) were observed in addition to those of Fe(TPP)(CS₂) and Fe(TPP)O₂ (ν(O₂), 1195 cm⁻¹). These assignments were confirmed by ¹²CS₂/¹³CS₂ isotope shifts and warm-up experiments. A S-bonded structure in which the linear CS₂ molecule is weakly coordinated to the Fe atom has been proposed for these adducts. The IR spectra of cocondensation products of Fe(TPP) with SO₂/Ar exhibit bands characteristic of Fe(TPP)(SO₂) (1342, 1146) and Fe(TPP)(SO₂)₂ (1332 and 1142) in addition to those of SO₂ monomer ((1355*, 1351*) and (1152*, 1148*)), SO₂ dimer (1344, 1151) and SO₂H₂O (1343 and 1150 cm⁻¹). Here, the numbers in brackets indicate the SO₂ stretching frequencies, ν₃ and ν₁, respectively, and the asterisks denote those split by the matrix effect. The cocodensation products of Fe(TPP) with O₂/SO₂/Ar exhibit new bands at 1328 (ν₃), 1142(ν₁) and 1188 cm⁻¹ (ν(O₂)). The O-bonded structure in which the bent SO₂ molecule is coordinated to the Fe atom via the terminal oxygen has been proposed, based on small shifts of the ν₃ and ν₁ vibrations upon coordination.     

Atmospheric oxidation of reduced sulfur species

The kinetics of elementary gas phase reactions involved in the oxidation of reduced sulfur species, H₂S, CS₂, OCS, CH₃SH, CH₃SCH₃, and CH₃SSCH₃, to SO₂ (or other products) are reviewed. The reactions with OH and NO₃ which are the processes that initiate the degradation of the above compounds have been evaluated. Reactions of key intermediates, HS, HSO, CH₃S, and CH₃SO, are discussed. Whenever possible, recommendations for the rate coefficients are made and the need for further work indicated. The review has been carried out with the atmospheric chemistry in mind by looking at the laboratory based kinetics data. This review also provides information that will help model the Earth's sulfur cycle.     

High-efficiency process for production of sulfur from metallurgical sulfur dioxide gases

Process in which sulfur is produced from a gas containing 25–55% SO₂ was studied in order to evaluate the real efficiency of the catalytic post-reduction of sulfur dioxide in a pilot unit with gas flow rate of up to 1.2 nm³ h^–1 at the following temperatures (°C): thermal stage 850–1100, catalytic conversion 350–570, and Claus reactor 219–279. It was found that the conversion at 400–550°C and space velocity of 1600 h^–1 on AOK-78-57 promoted aluminum oxide catalyst provides full processing of organosulfur compounds (CS₂ and COS). The temperature dependence of the conversion/generation of hydrogen sulfide on AOK-78-57 catalyst corresponds to the equilibrium model. It was experimentally confirmed that the homogeneous reduction of sulfur dioxide gas with methane at T ≈ 1100°C, with catalytic post-reduction at 400–550°C and subsequent Claus-conversion of the reduced gas at 230–260°C, provide a sufficiently deep (by 92–95%) general processing of sulfur dioxide gas to sulfur.     

Proton conductive thin films prepared by plasma polymerization

Proton conductive membranes were prepared as thin films of about 10 μm thickness by an ion beam assisted plasma polymerization process. Argon ions were generated in a high frequency plasma and accelerated towards a PTFE target where CF fragments were released as a consequence of the ion impact. Various sulfur components (SO₂, CF₃SO₃H or ClSO₃H) were added to achieve proton conductivity by the formation of sulfonic acid groups. The CF fragments combined with the sulfur components to form a coherent thin film on a substrate. Mass spectrometric investigations revealed, however, that sulfur oxygen compounds were extremely delicate towards reduction to sulfur carbon compounds like CS₂ or SCF₂. The best membrane conductivities (>10⁻⁴ S/cm) and highest ion exchange capacities (0.15 mmol/g) were achieved with chlorosulfonic acid involved in the plasma polymerization process. Ultra-thin layers of these of these plasma polymers (ca. 300 nm) were subsequently deposited onto Nafion^® membranes in order to suppress methanol permeation for a potential application in a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). The ratio of proton conductivity and methanol diffusion coefficient was employed for an assessment of the transport characteristics of the coated membrane. Diffusion coefficients were determined in a flow cell coupled to a mass spectrometer. The plasma polymer coating decreased both the methanol permeation and the proton conductivity. With a proton conductive plasma polymer coating the decrease of methanol diffusion could outweigh the loss of proton conductivity. Plasma coating offers a way to suppress methanol crossover in DMFCs and to maintaining the proton conductivity.     

Extraction and determination of elemental selenium in sediments--a comparative study

This paper proposes a new technique to extract elemental Se from soil and sediment samples. In this study, we have identified that the purchased red elemental selenium standard (PF-Se) was impure and rather consisted of a mixture of CS₂ soluble amorphous elemental Se (ca. 10%, w/w), water soluble oxidized Se (ca. 15-17%, w/w) and, CS₂ insoluble red monoclinic elemental Se. In more recent studies, a slow oxidation and a mineral phase transition of this sample was also observed. The solubility of the amorphous elemental Se in CS₂ was at least 0.64 mg L⁻¹. The black elemental Se purchased from Sigma-Aldrich had a much lower solubility in CS₂ (7.2 μg mL⁻¹) compared to that given in the literature. Any selenium compounds with electrical charge and polar nature is insoluble in CS₂. In a sodium sulphite solution, PF-Se was completely dissolved thus giving a clear indication of the lack of selectivity in that extraction system. Other comparative studies also demonstrated that over extraction did occur with the Na₂SO₃ method. Compared to Na₂SO₃, CS₂ extraction of elemental Se is not only much simpler, straightforward and with higher analytical precision, but also much more selective and accurate. With HG-AFS, the detection limit can reach as low as 1.0 ng g⁻¹ in sediment sample owing to a low reagent blank of CS₂ solvent.     

Detection of Sulfur Dioxide Using a Piezoelectric Quartz Crystal Microbalance

Abstract

Sulfur dioxide was detected and determined in air by a piezoelectric quartz crystal sensor coated with 4-aminoantipyrine 1-hydroxyetil-2-heptadecenyl imidazol (amine 220) solution (1:1 v/v in chloroform). The analytical response curve is linear over the concentration range from 0.70 to 5.0 ppm of SO₂. Good linearities (r = 0.9990, 0.9995 and 0.9968) and sensitivities (18.0, 33.4 and 50.7 Hz/ppm) were found, respectively for exposure times of 30, 60 and 90 seconds. The sensor can be used for more than six months without loss in sensitivity and presented good reversibility and reproducibility. Among some possible interferents tested, only nitrogen dioxide and moisture caused major frequency changes.     

Automatic microanalyzers: VII. Automatic analyzer for rapid microdetermination of sulfur

A commercially available analyzer for determination of sulfur (0.5–100%) in organic and some inorganic compounds is described. It involves combustion of the sample at high temperature (1050 °C) to form SO₂ and SO₃ in a vertical reactor. SO₃ is reduced to SO₂ and nitrogen oxides to N₂ on copper at 850–900 °C. At this temperature the chemical reactions of SO₂ and copper are minimized so that SO₂ is obtained quantitatively in this range.Use of a vertical reactor and an autosampler makes an easy and complete automation of the sulfur determination possible. With this automation, great improvements are noticed in accuracy and precision over manual methods. The average time for a single determination is about 8 min.     

The Chromatographic Analysis of Reduced Sulfur Gases in Antarctic Waters Following Pre-Concentration onto Tenax

Abstract

A technique was developed using sparging and pre-concentration onto a Tenax trap at ambient temperature allowing field measurements to be made of reduced sulfur gases in Antarctic marine and glacial melt waters. Following thermal desorption, gases were determined by gas chromatography using a flame photometric detector. Detection limits in ng 1^?1 were: H₂S 50, OCS 8, SO₂ 160, CH₃SH 6, CH₃SCH₃ 20 and CS₂ 2. Storage of melt water samples for more than 24 hours resulted in concentration changes of the reduced sulfur gases present. While the Antarctic environment imposed limitations on the analytical method, an investigation of various pond and marine waters was undertaken.     

准东煤灰渣烧结熔融过程中钠基化合物作用机理研究

将Na₂CO₃添加剂按折算为Na₂O以20%的比例掺入煤灰中制成混合灰样,对混合灰样在不同温度下烧结.对不同温度下的烧结灰进行EDS元素分析和XRD物相分析,探究钠基化合物在准东煤灰烧结过程中的转变机理.并以EDS分析结果为基础用Fact sage 5.2计算软件中的Equilib模块进行化学热力学平衡反应计算.结果表明,随着烧结温度的升高,硫会发生富集,而钠主要和硫反应生成Na₂SO₄.同时会有NaCl的产生,NaCl会与含钾化合物反应置换出KCl.NaCl、KCl和Na₂SO₄与其他物质产生低温共熔物.     

Reaktionen von elementarem Schwefel mit halogenierten Methanen

Reactions of elemental Sulfur with Halogenated Methanes At 250°C a reaction between CCl₄ and sulfur forms S₂Cl₂ and CS₂ (besides small amounts of S₃Cl₂ and S₄Cl₂). CHCl₃ and sulfur above 200°C under catalytic influence of AlCl₃ are forming HCl, S₂Cl₂, and CS₂; CH₂Cl₂ and sulfur also are reacting (with AlCl₃ or AI as catalyst) to CS₂ and HCl. Only at 345°C one gets,CS₂, HCl, and H₂S from CH₃Cl and sulfur. At 160°C forms HBR,BR₂, and CS₂. Aluminium is necessary for the reaction of CH₂Br₂ at 250°C with sulfur, forming CS₂ and HBr. A mixture of products (CS₂,H₂S, HBr, CH₃SCH₃, and (CH₃)₃SBr) results from CH₃ Br and sulfur at 250°C. CH₃I and sulfur produce CS₂,I₂, and H₂S at 145°C. The same products are formed from CH₂I₂ and sulfur with aluminium as catalyst at 175°C.     

Optical sensors for dissolved sulfur dioxide

Colorimetric sensing membranes for the determination of sulfur dioxide were developed and characterized. These films can be used for sensing trace amounts of sulfur dioxide both in the gas phase and in aqueous solutions. Lipophilic pH indicator ion pairs were immobilized in hydrophobic gas-permeable silicone and phenyl substituted ormosil. On exposure to SO₂ the films undergo a visually detectable color change from blue to yellow. No cross-sensitivity to pH and CO₂ was observed. Response times depend on the thickness of the sensing membranes, the indicator concentration in the film as well as on the respective SO₂ concentration. Membranes with response times of < 1 min (t₉₀) were developed. The sensitivity to sulfur dioxide depends on the pK_a of the indicator. An increase in the pK_a results in a lower detection limit. The new optical SO₂ sensors are chemically and mechanically stable and are easy to manufacture. The storage stability of the membranes is at least 7 months if stored in the dark. Received: 17 December 1997 / Revised: 12 June 1998 / Accepted: 15 June 1998