Gas-Phase Analysis of Trimethylamine, Propionic and Butyric Acids, and Sulfur Compounds Using Solid-Phase Microextraction

• Published in: Analytical chemistry (Washington) Vol. 74; no. 5; pp. 1054 - 1060
• Main Authors: Kim, Hyunook, Nochetto, Cristina, McConnell, Laura L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 01.03.2002
• Subjects: Adsorption; Air Pollutants - analysis; Analysis; Analysis methods; Analytical chemistry; Applied sciences; Atmospheric pollution; Butyric Acid - analysis; Calibration; Chemical Phenomena; Chemistry; Chemistry, Physical; Chromatographic methods and physical methods associated with chromatography; Exact sciences and technology; Gas chromatographic methods; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Gases; Methylamines - analysis; Odorants - analysis; Pollution; Propionates - analysis; Sulfur Compounds - analysis; Solid phase extraction; Sulfur compounds; Polymer fibers; Propionic acid; Air quality; Air; Gas analysis; Butyric acid; Waste water; Gas chromatography; Trimethylamine; Detection limit; Microextraction; Environment; Air pollution; Agricultural waste; Odor
• ISSN: 0003-2700; 1520-6882
• DOI: 10.1021/ac010960j

Complaints due to odors are an important problem for the wastewater, composting, and animal agriculture industries. Accurate, objective measurement techniques are needed to monitor emissions, to develop new waste handling procedures, and to reduce the production of these volatile gases. Solid-phase microextraction was investigated as a technique for the determination of representative odorous gases. A flow-through Teflon chamber was used to expose the fibers to certified gas standards. A 75-μm carboxen-poly(dimethylsiloxane) (Car-PDMS) coating was used for trimethylamine (TMA), carbon disulfide (CS2), dimethylsulfide (DMS), and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), and an 85-μm polyacrylate coating was used for propionic acid (PA) and butyric acid (BA). Using a 1-h fiber exposure time and a flow rate through the chamber of 72 mL/min, method detection limits were 2.38, 0.074, 0.150, 0.063, 1.85, and 1.32 ppbv for TMA, DMS, CS2, DMDS, PA, and BA, respectively. Enhanced detector signal was observed for all analytes under flow conditions, as compared to static conditions, and the porous nature of the Car-PDMS coating appears to increase the time needed for analytes to reach equilibrium under flow conditions.