GAS SENSOR AND PERMEATION APPARATUS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS IN WATER

A solid-state gas sensor with a selective response to chlorinated hydrocarbons has been combined with a simple silicone rubber permeation apparatus. The apparatus has been tested in a way that simulates the on-line analysis of chlorinated hydrocarbons In a liquid process stream. The system can provide Information on whether or not the sampled stream contains chlorinated hydrocarbons as well as quantitation of the chlorinated hydrocarbon In the sample. No sensor response was observed for 1000 ppm hexane or phenol while concentrations of a few parts per million of chlorobenzene were easily detected. The permeation apparatus offers a new and convenient method to analyze the contents of an aqueous sample but allows use of a gas sensor. Since many more types of gas sensors are convenient and available than are liquid sensors, this approach may be more generally useful if other gas sensors are interfaced to the liquid sampling system by means of semipermeable membrane technology. © 1990, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.