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Title: Development of a multistage tandem air sampler for mercury. LASL Project R-060. Quarterly report, April 1--September 30, 1973

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4374027· OSTI ID:4374027

The thermal desorption of organic mercurials from sampling tubes containing Carbosieve B was studied. The techniques used in the desorption and determination of metallic mercury collected on silvered Chromosorb P were also found applicable for determining organic mercurials collected on Carbosieve B. The relention and removal of metallic mercury vapor from Carbosieve B was also investigated. Under the experimental conditions, the retention of metallic mercury by Carbosieve B was less than 2% of the total mercury that passed through the Carbosieve B if the Carbosieve B was purged with nitrogen gas before analysis. A study was made to extend the upper range of the thermal desorption--flameless atomic absorption technique for mercury analysis. The study included shortening the optical light path, different instrumental configurations, and electronic desensitizing. A dual cell system (2 cm and 15.5 cm) made from two MAS-50 Mercury Analysis Systems was found to be the most flexible. The pressure drops of newly designed mercury sampling tubes for sampling both organic and metallic mercury vapors were measured. These tubes meet the criteria established by NIOSH for the personal sampling system. A tentative method for determining organic mercurial and metallic vapors was written and prsented to NIOSH. (auth)

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
NSA Number:
NSA-29-017976
OSTI ID:
4374027
Report Number(s):
LA-5467-PR
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 30-JUN-74
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English