Development of a portable fluorescence monitor to detect surface contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Technical Report · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:5729954

Burtis, C A; Mrochek, J E ^[1]

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1. comps.

A portable fluorometer, termed the spill spotter, has been developed to monitor for surface and skin contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fossil energy conversion facilities. The spill spotter operates by optically exciting the PAH molecules then measuring the resultant fluorescence. The apparatus consists of two cable-linked, hand-held components: an optics unit and an electronics module. The spill spotter can be operated either with 110-V ac electric current or with rechargeable batteries by exchanging the top cover of the electronics module. The optics unit emits a beam of intensity-modulated ultraviolet light for excitation and detects the resultant fluorescent by phase-sensitivity. Easily exchanged excitation and emission filters in the unit provide for selective detection of various classes of organic compounds, and its sensitivity to the phase of the signal enables discrimination of the fluorescence of organic compounds from the longer-lived luminescence of inorganic compounds. The spill spotter has been extensively evaluated by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and through field testing in coal conversion plants. It has been found suitable for monitoring both production areas for PAH spills and personnel for skin contamination. Recent studies with hairless mice demonstrated a dose-response relationship. An improved prototype was fabricated and subsequently field tested by personnel of Ashland Synthetic Fuels, Inc. at the H-Coal Pilot Plant in Catlettsburg, Kentucky. In 1980, the spill spotter earned an IR-100 Award as one of the 100 most significant technical developments for that year. 8 references, 16 figures, 10 tables.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5729954
• Report Number(s): ORNL/TM-8753; ON: DE84002390
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AROMATICS
BODY
COAL GASIFICATION PLANTS
COAL LIQUEFACTION PLANTS
CONTAMINATION
DATA
DESIGN
DETECTION
EQUIPMENT
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FIELD TESTS
FLUORESCENCE
HYDROCARBONS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INFORMATION
LUMINESCENCE
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MONITORS
NUMERICAL DATA
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PERSONNEL
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
PORTABLE EQUIPMENT
SAFETY
SKIN
SURFACE CONTAMINATION
TESTING