Optrode for sensing hydrocarbons

Patent · Tue May 19 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:7148194

Miller, H; Milanovich, F P; Hirschfeld, T B; Miller, F S

A two-phase system employing the Fujiwara reaction is provided for the fluorometric detection of halogenated hydrocarbons. A fiber optic is utilized to illuminate a column of pyridine trapped in a capillary tube coaxially attached at one end to the illuminating end of the fiber optic. A strongly alkaline condition necessary for the reaction is maintained by providing a reservoir of alkali in contact with the column of pyridine, the surface of contact being adjacent to the illuminating end of the fiber optic. A semipermeable membrane caps the other end of the capillary tube, the membrane being preferentially permeable to the halogenated hydrocarbon but preferentially impermeable to water and pyridine. As the halogenated hydrocarbon diffuses through the membrane and into the column of pyridine, fluorescent reaction products are formed. Light propagated by the fiber optic from a light source, excites the fluorescent products. Light from the fluorescence emission is also collected by the same fiber optic and transmitted to a detector. The intensity of the fluorescence gives a measure of the concentration of the halogenated hydrocarbons. 6 figs.

• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 4666672; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 6-721150
• OSTI ID: 7148194
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400102* -- Chemical & Spectral Procedures
CONCENTRATION RATIO
EMISSION SPECTROSCOPY
FIBERS
FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPY
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXIDES
MEMBRANE TRANSPORT
OPTICAL FIBERS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
SPECTROSCOPY