Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: 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: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) , SBIR - Waste , Hazardous Waste/Remediation
Description:
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) remain a significant environmental threat even though manufacturing of PCBs was discontinued 30 years ago. 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 Substances Control Act has mandated that the concentration of PCBs in transformer oil be less than 50 ppm. Analysis of PCB concentration currently is performed by SW-846 Method 8082 in an analytical laboratory using gas chromatography. This type of analysis is time consuming and costly. In addition, for 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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project, Raman spectroscopy and multivariate analysis were used to create a rapid in situ sensor capable of simultaneous detection of PCB concentration and composition within transformer oil.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
Raman spectroscopy was combined with chemometric analysis to develop a real-time sensor for detection of PCBs in transformer oil. Raman spectrographic data were collected for five different Aroclors in Hyvolt II transformer oil using a submersible fiber optic probe. Regression analysis demonstrated that PCBs could be detected in concentrations as low as 5 ppm in transformers using this technique. Classification analysis also was used to create a model that could predict the type of Aroclor in transformer oil, even at concentrations as low as 5 ppm. When combined, these two features provide a sensor that is less costly then current methods and can be used in the field for quick accurate results.
Conclusions:
This project demonstrated the ability to detect PCB concentration and Aroclor type in transformer oil using a real-time, hand-held sensor. The instrument can be used in the field without removing contaminated oil from a transformer. This type of sensor has a capital cost equivalent to current gas chromatograph methods but a significantly lower per sample cost.
Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs, contaminant detection, Raman, spectroscopy, monitoring, analytical, portable real-time sensor, EPA, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, environmental chemistry, environmental engineering, environmental monitoring, monitoring/modeling, Raman spectroscopy, aqueous waste streams, contaminant detection, field deployable, field detection, field portable monitoring, low-cost, real-time PCB sensor, hand-held Raman,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Environmental Chemistry, Monitoring/Modeling, Environmental Monitoring, Environmental Engineering, field portable monitoring, Raman spectroscopy, in situ sensor, PCB, field deployable, field detection, aqueous waste streamsSBIR 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.