Optrode Development for Rapid and Continuous Water Monitoring

对仪器的需求日益增长， 现场检测极低浓度的有机化学品 水中的污染物。监测需求增加， 降低了环境部规定的检测限 保护局，以及许多国家，正在迅速作出 现有的探测工具已经过时。 实时监控 十亿分之一（ppb）浓度的芳香族化合物 地下水中的碳氢化合物是一项艰巨的任务。 在实验室中，精确测量的 溶解有机物的浓度需要发展 强大的分析工具。 环保署批准的方法使用气体 色谱来完成这些分离。 但 所采用的敏感技术是昂贵的，并且不适合于非- 地下水中有机污染物的现场监测。 最近最令人兴奋的分析方法之一是 光纤和电极技术的融合， 称为“光极”。 Cape Cod Associates将投资 开发一种创新的光极装置的可行性， 检测、鉴定和定量痕量的 水中的化学污染物。这种基于光纤的仪器 将有一个快速反应探测器，可以测量污染物 浓度为十亿分之几。 该器械的潜在应用包括： 地下水填埋场羽流中污染物的检测，检测 冷却水系统中的化学品以及危险废物 现场监测和一般水质评估。 Cape Cod Associates一直致力于高度创新的 环境、聚合物和材料研究， 联邦和州政府机构。它很可能继续使 在其选定的研发领域做出了重大贡献。

There is a growing demand for instrumentation that can detect, in-situ, very low concentrations of organic chemical contaminants in water. The increased monitoring requirements and lowered detection limits being imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency, as well and many states, are rapidly making existing detection instrumental obsolete. Real-time monitoring of parts-per-billion (ppb) concentrations of aromatic hydrocarbons in groundwater is a difficult task. In the laboratory, accurate measurement of very low concentrations of dissolved organics has required the development of powerful analytical tools. EPA approved methods use gas chromatography to accomplish these separations. However, the sensitive techniques employed are expensive and not suited to on- site monitoring of organic contaminants in groundwater. One of the most exciting recent analytical approaches is a blend of fiber optic and electrode technologies into what are called "optrodes". Cape Cod Associates will investgate the feasibility of developing an innovative optrode device for the detection, identification, and quantification of trace levels of chemical contaminants in water. This fiber optic-based instrument will have a rapid response detector that can measure contaminant concentrations in parts per billion. Potential applications for this device would include: detection of pollutants in groundwater landfill plumes, detection of chemicals in cooling water systems as well as hazardous waste site monitoring, and general water quality assessment. Cape Cod Associates has been involved in highly innovative environmental, polymer, and materials research for numerous federal and state agencies. It is likely to continue to make significant contributions in its chosen area of R&D.