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Title: Online fiber-optic spectrophotometry

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5955544

To improve the timeliness of chemical information and reduce the potential for personnel radiation exposure, the Savannah River Laboratory has developed online absorption spectrophotometers. Absorption spectrophotometers are rugged, precise instruments which, however, are susceptible to interference from other optically absorbing species and to changes in analyte absorbance due to different matrixes. Also, it is difficult and expensive to interface absorption spectrophotometers to SRP's radioactive processes. The fiber-optic spectrophotometer described solves these problems by combining three technologies: fiber optics, diode array spectrophotometers, and multivariate data analysis. A multiplexed fiber-optic light transmission system connects as many as ten process sample locations to a single remote spectrophotometer up to 100 meters distant. In addition to the sample locations, the spectrophotometer is also connected to reference and standard optical cells for online data validation and error checking. For each sample location, the spectrophotometer rapidly collects a series of absorption spectra from 300 to 820 nm. Spectra are tested for sample quality and integrity before analyte concentrations and residual spectra are computed from a multivariate model of the absorption characteristics of the chemical system. Residual spectra are tested to determine if any unknown interference or matrix effect may invalidate concentration results.

Research Organization:
Savannah River Lab., Aiken, SC (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC09-76SR00001
OSTI ID:
5955544
Report Number(s):
DP-MS-87-100; CONF-8710168-1; ON: DE88001378
Resource Relation:
Conference: Du Pont process analyzers and instruments symposium, Wilmington, DE, USA, 14 Oct 1987; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English