Grantee Research Project Results
Real-Time Transformer Oil Polychlorinated Biphenyl Sensor
EPA Contract Number: EPD06035Title: Real-Time Transformer Oil Polychlorinated Biphenyl Sensor
Investigators: Evenson, Carl R.
Small Business: Eltron Research & Development Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2006 through August 31, 2006
Project Amount: $69,999
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2006) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , SBIR - Waste , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) remain a significant environmental threat even though manufacturing of PCBs was discontinued 30 years ago. PCBs are toxic and suspected to be carcinogenic to humans and therefore are monitored carefully. Because of the chemical and thermal stability of PCBs in the environment and the continued use of transformers containing these chemicals, very specific regulations are in place that require the quantification of PCBs in all transformer oil. The Toxic Substance Control Act has mandated that the concentration of PCBs in transformer oil be less than 50 parts per million. Analysis of PCB concentration is currently performed by ASTM standards in an analytical laboratory using gas chromatography. This type of analysis is time consuming and costly. In addition, for this off-site analysis, oil must be removed from the transformer, which potentially exposes workers and the environment to PCBs. There is an opportunity to develop a portable real-time sensor that can be used on-site to quantify which PCBs are present and in what concentration.
In this Phase I SBIR project, Raman spectroscopy and multivariate analysis will be used to create a rapid in situ sensor capable of simultaneous detection of PCB concentration and composition within transformer oil. A matrix of Raman spectra corresponding to specific concentrations and specific mixtures of PCBs will be collected and compiled using multivariate analysis software. Raman spectra will be collected using fiber optics and a submersible Raman probe. This will allow collection of Raman spectra without removing oil from the transformer. Chemometric models then will be created that will allow the determination of PCB concentration and type based on a single Raman spectrum of an unknown transformer oil sample.
Eltron Research, Inc. has extensive experience in the development of sensors based on this technology. Once developed this type of sensor will easily be modified for rapid detection of PCBs in a variety of different media. The final product of this project will be a real-time sensor that is cost effective, portable, user friendly, and, most importantly, will prevent the hazardous removal and transportation of contaminated transformer oil for PCB analysis.
Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs, contaminated detection, Raman, spectroscopy, monitoring, analytical, portable real-time sensor, EPA,, RFA, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Scientific Discipline, Environmental Chemistry, Monitoring/Modeling, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Monitoring, field detection, field portable monitoring, in situ sensor, Raman spectroscopy, aqueous waste streams, PCB, contaminant detectionProgress and Final Reports:
SBIR Phase II:
Real-Time Transformer Oil Polychlorinated Biphenyl Sensor | Final ReportThe 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.