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Desorption efficiencies of vapor phase polynuclear aromatic compounds on solid adsorbents

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6445877

Polynuclear aromatic compounds (PNAs) in the vapor phase can be collected by adsorption onto solid adsorbents. This paper reports the results of a study using several liquid and gas chromatographic packing materials to determine their applicability for vapor phase sampling of PNAs. The desorption procedure for PNAs from the solid adsorbents involves extraction with non-polar organic solvents. The desorption efficiency for each adsorbent is evaluated using gas chromatography. The combined adsorption/desorption (recovery) efficiency of several adsorbents was evaluated. These adsorbents can be grouped into four classifications: (1) carbon or charcoal, (2) macroreticular resins such as Tenax GC or the XAD-series, (3) adsorbents solids such as silica, alumina, and Florisil, and (4) bonded-phases on silica such as C/sub 18/. The resin XAD-8 was found to be most suitable for sampling vapor phase PNAs as a result of its high adsorption desorption efficiency and good reproducibility.

Research Organization:
Emory Univ., Atlanta, GA (USA). Dept. of Chemistry
DOE Contract Number:
AS05-82ER60100
OSTI ID:
6445877
Report Number(s):
DOE/ER/60100-3; ON: DE85001303
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English