Methods for analysis of trace organic constituents on fly ash

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:5745282

Griest, W H; Caton, J E; Yeatts, Jr, L B; Maskarinec, M P

Currently, ultrasonic solvent extraction is one of the better methods for obtaining an organic extract of fly ash, although some strongly sorbed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) may be poorly extracted. The solvent extracts of fly ash can be analyzed directly by gas chromatography (GC) for volatile constituents. In stack and electrostatic precipitator hopper ash (ESP ash) samples, the volatiles consist for the most part of C/sub 15/ through at least C/sub 36/ n-paraffins and other hydrocarbons. Concentrations range from a few ppB to nearly 1 ppM. Concentrations and complexity of the profiles vary considerably from source to source of ash. Preliminary studies suggest, however, that the bulk of the extractable mass is not amenable to direct GC analysis. Specific chemical classes can be isolated from the solvent extracts. PAHs are isolated by adsorption column chromatography and determined by procedures optimized for the fly ash sample size or expected PAH concentration levels. PAHs isolated from small (approx. 3 g) samples of ash are determined with great sensitivity and specificity by the thin-layer chromatography procedure with in-situ fluorescence measurement, while the PAHs isolated from larger samples may be analyzed in greater detail by capillary column GC. The parent, unsubstituted PAHs appear to predominate in PAHs isolated from ESP ash with concentrations ranging from 0.03 to 30 ppB. Again, concentrations vary considerably depending on ash source. 3 figures, 4 tables.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5745282
• Report Number(s): CONF-800115-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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