Grantee Research Project Results
2002 Progress Report: Trace-level Measurement of Complex Combustion Effluents and Residues using Multi-dimensional Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (MDGC-MS)
EPA Grant Number: R828190Title: Trace-level Measurement of Complex Combustion Effluents and Residues using Multi-dimensional Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (MDGC-MS)
Investigators: Rubey, Wayne A. , Taylor, Philip H. , Striebich, Richard
Institution: University of Dayton
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: June 1, 2000 through May 31, 2003
Project Period Covered by this Report: June 1, 2001 through May 31, 2002
Project Amount: $335,000
RFA: Combustion Emissions (1999) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air Quality and Air Toxics , Air
Objective:
This project is testing the hypothesis that organic emissions and organics extracted from particulate matter (PM) are more complex than standard gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based instrumentation can currently measure. This complexity affects quantitation for toxic compounds, thereby affecting risk assessments. There is a pressing need to better characterize these organic emissions from hazardous waste incinerators and PM extracts from various other combustion sources. Therefore, we will develop, test, and use advanced multidimensional (MD) GC-MS instrumentation to examine combustion effluents and residues.
Progress Summary:
We have continued our success in this effort. Our first graduate student has graduated and another outstanding graduate student has been recruited and has taken over the new work to be done. The original graduate student documented her work in several publications, as well as leaving a system capable of multidimensional separations. The new graduate student has trained on the current MDGC-MS system and is in the process of designing parts of the new MDGC-MS system. This new system will conduct analyses much faster by using fast GC techniques in conjunction with fast detection systems.
The following samples have been examined using MDGC-MS in conjunction with conventional chromatographic techniques to both evaluate MDGC-MS and to collect new information on real-world combustion effluent and residue samples: (1) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) samples for diesel automobile exhaust; (2) samples obtained by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) combustion researchers (Dr. Brian Gullett) for analysis of endocrine disrupting chemicals; (3) samples provided by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) (petroleum-derived jet fuels); and (4) samples from the U.S. Army (fog oil and fog oil combustion products). These samples were successfully analyzed with this instrument.
Although we have a working system, we are researching more advanced systems that incorporate faster GC to increase the speed and resolution in the secondary separation. We have just begun to examine how best to describe this information in light of its considerable complexity. We are continuing the second phase of our research, which is to produce a faster chromatographic analysis in tandem with a more sensitive MS: a Varian Saturn Ion Trap GC-MS-MS. We have observed that even this new MS may not be fast enough to adequately address the compounds eluting from fast GC techniques. We are considering the possibility of using Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry as a faster MS to obtain the information needed to identify components of the samples from combustion residues and effluents.
Future Activities:
We are working towards new designs that incorporate faster GC methods, including Thermal Gradient Programmed Gas Chromatography (TGPGC). We will be working toward obtaining other funding for a MS (Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry) that will allow us to obtain data faster than our current systems. Our new graduate student is fully trained in conducting experiments related to MDGC, and is performing experiments on the existing system as well as working toward the design of the new system. As we perform these updates, we will be moving more into the area of how risk assessments can be improved with detailed chromatographic data.
Journal Articles on this Report : 2 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 19 publications | 2 publications in selected types | All 2 journal articles |
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Sidhu S, Gullett B, Striebich RC, Klosterman JR, Contreras J, Ryan J, Lemieux P, DeVito M. Endocrine disrupting chemical emissions from combustion sources: diesel particulate emissions and domestic waste open burn emissions. Atmospheric Environment 2005;39(5):801-811. |
R828190 (2002) |
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Striebich RC, Rubey WA, Klosterman JR. Trace-level measurement of complex combustion effluents and residues using multidimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (MDGC-MS). Waste Management 2002;22(4):413-420. |
R828190 (2002) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
multidimensional, risk assessments, endocrine disrupting chemicals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAH, oxygenated PAH, trace analysis, residues, preseparation, gas chromatography, GC, mass-spectrometry, MS, GC-MS, multidimensional gas chromatography, MDGC-MS., RFA, Air, Scientific Discipline, Waste, Engineering, Chemistry, particulate matter, Environmental Chemistry, Incineration/Combustion, Environmental Engineering, organic emissions, mass spectrometry, risk assessment, products of incomplete combustion (PIC), hazardous waste incinerators, multi-dimensional gas chromatography, complex combustion effluents, qualitative identification of compoundsRelevant Websites:
http://www.udri.udayton.edu/enviroscience Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.