Real-time gas-phase analysis of mono- to tri-chlorobenzenes generated from heated MSWI fly ashes containing various metal compounds: application of VUV-SPI-IT-TOFMS

Environ Sci Technol. 2010 Jul 15;44(14):5528-33. doi: 10.1021/es1008888.

Abstract

We measured sensitive real-time change of low-chlorinated (Cl(1)-Cl(3)) benzenes in gas phase from heated model and real solid samples using the recently developed vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) single-photon ionization (SPI) ion trap time-of-flight mass spectrometer (VUV-SPI-IT-TOFMS). Model solid samples that contained activated carbon, potassium chloride, silicon dioxide, and trace metallic compounds (copper, iron, lead, and zinc) were used to simulate fly ash at a municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI). The concentrations of chlorobenzenes determined by integrating the area for 30 min using VUV-SPI-IT-TOFMS were correlated with gas-phase concentrations analyzed by GC/MS. Real-time changes had characteristic patterns dependent on metal species and compounds. Comparing gas-phase real-time patterns of low-chlorinated benzenes between real and model fly ashes, copper chloride- and oxide-like compounds in real fly ash at the postcombustion zone in a MSWI may play key factors in the formation of low-chlorinated benzenes. Lead and zinc compounds and iron oxide in solid phase did not affect the formation of low-chlorinated benzenes in gas phase. VUV-SPI-IT-TOFMS can be applied to the time-dependent characterization of volatile low-chlorinated benzenes in gas phase in various artificial and environmental processes.

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants / chemistry*
  • Carbon
  • Chlorobenzenes / chemistry*
  • Coal Ash
  • Gases / chemistry*
  • Incineration / methods*
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Metals / chemistry*
  • Particulate Matter
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Chlorobenzenes
  • Coal Ash
  • Gases
  • Metals
  • Particulate Matter
  • Carbon