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Real-time combustion monitoring of PCDD/F indicators by REMPI-TOFMS
Citation:
GULLETT, B. K., A. TOUATI, L. OUDEJANS, AND D. G. TABOR. Real-time combustion monitoring of PCDD/F indicators by REMPI-TOFMS. Presented at Dioxin 2008, 29th International Symposium on Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants, Birmingham, UK, August 17 - 22, 2008.
Impact/Purpose:
International symposium paper
Description:
Analyses for polychlorinated dibenzodioxin and dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) emissions typically require a 4 h extractive sample taken on an annual or less frequent basis. This results in a potentially minimally representative monitoring scheme. More recently, methods for continual sampling of emissions take approximately two weeks. These methods are useful for delayed assurance of compliance and may provide eventual insight into plant performance. However, both sampling methods result in emission results weeks after sampling. Methods for on-line monitoring of PCDD/F would have many benefits. Recent developments include resonance-enhanced multi photon ionization (REMPI) coupled to time of flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS). REMPI is a laser-based, two photon ionization process in which the laser wavelength can be tuned to enhance the excitation or ionization process. The system is isomer selective and reaches low ppb-level detection limits for many common aromatic-structured combustion pollutants. The presence of an on-line monitor raises the first possibility to provide operational feedback to minimize the formation of PCDD/F, as well as characterization of PCDD/F emissions during operational transients.