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Identification and quantification of polynuclear organic matter (POM) in energy-related materials. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6328311

The interaction of stack ash with organic matter was studied for developing methodology to determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and other organic compounds in environmental emissions of fly ash from coal-fired power plants. Stack samples were used in sorptivity studies and analytical methodology development. Carbonaceous particles, ranging from uncombusted coal to coal coke, were identified as principally responsible for the strong sorptivity of ash for PAH. They also influence the distribution of surface area and organic matter in the ash, and may provide a transport mechanism for the emitted organic matter from coal combustion. The total organic content of the carbonaceous particles ranged up to 1.6 mass %. Procedures for the determination of organic matter on ash ranged from gas chromatographic (GC) screening procedures featuring derivatized solvent extracts and thermal desorptions to more complex sequential procedures involving semipreparative scale high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) fractionation followed by GC or analytical scale HPLC analysis. The extractable organic content ranged up to 2 mg/g in one sample. Major components identified included C/sub 18/-C/sub 32/ n-paraffins (0.04 to 0.2 ..mu..g/g each), 3 to 5 ring PAH (0.08 to 0.2 ..mu..g/g each), fatty acids, n-heterocyclics, PAH-ketones, and mono/diaromatic hydrocarbons (0.06 to 2.6 ..mu..g/g each).

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
6328311
Report Number(s):
ORNL/M-109; ON: DE86004498
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English