Real-time trace detection of vapor phase elemental mercury and its compounds

Xiaomei Tong, Robert B. Barat, Arthur T. Poulos

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

Abstract

The high toxicity of mercury species (elemental and compound) has prompted a demand for accurate, real-time inventory and control of their emissions. Our method of choice for mercury compound vapor is Photofragment Fluorescence spectroscopy. Target compound concentrations can be related to the fluorescence intensity from an excited fragment. Fragment identities and distributions, as revealed in the fluorescence spectrum provide information on the composition of the parent species. In the first experimental phase, a static cell (no flow) containing mercury compound (e.g. HgCl2) vapor was probed with a deep ultraviolet (UV) laser to generate characteristic spectra. An atmospheric pressure flow cell was used in the second stage. Limits-of-detection have been estimated. Detection schemes have included both photomultiplier tube (with interference filter) and charge-coupled-device camera (with monochromator). To reduce fluorescence quenching, we have expanded an argon gas stream containing Hg vapor through a micro-jet into a vacuum. The jet is crossed with a laser beam at 253.7 nm to excite atomic fluorescence, which is distinguished from the background by time gating.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)162-171
Number of pages10
JournalProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume3853
StatePublished - 1999
EventProceedings of the 1999 Environmental Monitoring and Remediation Technologies II - Boston, MA, USA
Duration: Sep 20 1999Sep 22 1999

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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