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U.S. Department of Energy
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Use of isopropanol to distinguish H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ from particulate sulfate on filters

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6405918

Potential interferences in the anhydrous isopropanol (a-IPA) extraction method for separating sulfuric acid from particulate sulfate on filters were investigated. The method involves separation and recovery of the acid with a-IPA, followed by aqueous extraction of the particulate. Analysis for sulfate in the separate fractions was performed by ion chromatography. The solubility of ammonium sulfate in a-IPA was measured, and the effects of temperature and moisture content of the solvent on ammonium sulfate solubility were determined. Neither a small uptake of moisture by the a-IPA nor elevated temperatures up to 30 C had a significant effect on the solubility of ammonium sulfate in IPA. Ammonium sulfate was determined to be very highly insoluble in a-IPA and therefore, exposure of samples to any source of ammonia will result in low recoveries of sulfuric acid by the solvent-recovery procedure.

Research Organization:
Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC (USA). Atmospheric Sciences Research Lab.
OSTI ID:
6405918
Report Number(s):
PB-87-180048/XAB; EPA-600/J-84/401
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English