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Title: A fiber-optic absorption sensor for the detection of volatile organic compounds in aqueous solutions

Conference ·
OSTI ID:230988
 [1];  [2]
  1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
  2. Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (United States)

A core-based intrinsic fiber optic absorption sensor has been developed for the detection of volatile organic compounds. The sensor can detect organics in aqueous solutions or in the vapor phase without a chemical reaction. The distal ends of transmission and receiving fibers are connected by a small section of an optically clear silicone rubber. The silicone rubber section acts both as a lightpipe and as a selective membrane into which the analyte molecules can diffuse. Absorption spectra obtained in the near-infrared (NIR) provide qualitative and quantitative information about the analyte. Water, which has strong broad-band absorption in aqueous solutions the NIR, is excluded from the spectra due to the hydrophobic properties of the silicone rubber. In a stirred solution, the sensor reaches equilibrium in approximately 10 minutes. The current limit of detection is approximately 1.0 ppm for TCE in an aqueous solution.

OSTI ID:
230988
Report Number(s):
CONF-950209-; TRN: IM9623%%298
Resource Relation:
Conference: 4. international symposium on field screening methods for hazardous wastes and toxic chemicals, Las Vegas, NV (United States), 22-24 Feb 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Field screening methods for hazardous wastes and toxic chemicals. VIP-47, Volume 1; PB: 733 p.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English