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Title: Nitration of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in coal combustors and exhaust streams. Quarterly report, July 1, 1993--September 30, 1993

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10141190· OSTI ID:10141190

The objectives of this three-year project are to (1) identify the conditions which promote the nitration of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) during primary combustion, reburning, hot gas cleanup, and particulate removal; and (2) investigate the potential relationship between NOx abatement and PAH nitration. During the period July 1, 1993 to September 30, 1993, the PAH preparation project at SRI International and the development of analytical methods for PAH proceeded at Stanford proceeded smoothly without any major obstacles. The PAH preparation project in Dr. Niksa`s new laboratory at SRI International is now fully reactivated. New PAH samples from oxidatiive pyrolysis of the volatiles from various coals are now being acquired. Activity this quarter focused on upgrading the furnace and analytical equipment. A new coal feeder enables better control of the gas flows into the radiant coal flow experiment; hence, residence times will be assigned more accurately. We also reconfigured the induction power supply to achieve higher operating temperatures than before. The elemental analyzer for determinations of C/H/N in condensed phase samples, including PAH, benefitted from a major overhaul, and our new gas chromatographs are now being calibrated for the light hydrocarbons of interest. At this point, the only analytical instrument remaining to be reactivated is the on-line NDIR detector for water vapor, which will be evaluated in the next quarter. Analytical activity this quarter focused on the HPLC separation procedure. Tests were conducted to determine the appropriate composition and flowrate of the HPLC eluent. Additional experiments utilizing standard mixtures allowed selection of the detection wavelength settings that optimized the sensitivity and specificity of PAH detection.

Research Organization:
Stanford Univ., CA (United States). Dept. of Civil Engineering
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
FG22-91PC91284
OSTI ID:
10141190
Report Number(s):
DOE/PC/91284-8; ON: DE94009717; BR: AA1525050
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: Nov 1993
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English