SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1983
STP33546S

Development of a Method for Determining Purgeable Organic Compounds in Solid Wastes

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This study was undertaken to develop an improved method for determining the total content of individual volatile organic compounds in industrial solid wastes. The objective was the development of a method that would (1) be applicable to a wide range of specimen matrixes, (2) be applicable to a wide range of purgeable compounds, (3) have a detection range of 1 ppm to 100%, (4) give acceptable recovery and reproducibility, and (5) be easily performed at a reasonable cost.

The waste matrixes of interest included aqueous sludges, dry solids, soils, tars, oil, and oily sludges. The compounds of interest included purgeable halocarbons, hydrocarbons, ketones, ethers, esters, sulfides, and nitriles having boiling points in the range of −30 to 180°C.

The method developed involves a combination of solvent extraction and a purge and trap technique. The main features of the method are simply (1) solvent extraction with tetraglyme, a nonvolatile, water-miscible and oil-miscible solvent, (2) dilution of the extract with solvent as necessary, and (3) purge-and-trap analysis of an aliquot of the extract. Recommended techniques for the final analysis step include gas chromatography with detection by mass spectrometry, flame ionization, electron-capture, Hall electrolytic conductivity, or nitrogen and phosphorus specific thermionic detection to determine individual compounds, and microcoulometric analysis to determine the total purgeable organic halogen content.

In addition to meeting the specified requirements, the method has the advantage of being readily integrated with sampling and specimen handling to avoid losses of volatile compounds before analysis.

Author Information

Warner, JS
Battelle Columbus Laboratories, Columbus, OH
Slivon, LE
Battelle Columbus Laboratories, Columbus, OH
Meehan, PW
Battelle Columbus Laboratories, Columbus, OH
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Details
Developed by Committee: D34
Pages: 193–202
DOI: 10.1520/STP33546S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4872-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0246-0