On-line monitoring of organic species in the aquatic environment usiong infra-red optical fibers

Objective

To develop mid infra-red optical techniques for monitoring the presence of selected organics in the aqueous environment.


Newly developed mid infra-red optical fibres which transmit in the wavelength interval 2-16 mm will be used. Established commercial instrumentation involving Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) and wavelength tunable laser sources will be applied in conjunction with the fibres in order to establish a core technology capable of detection at trace levels.

The primary feature of this programme will be to bring on-line a powerful chemical sensing technique that is sensitive and selective to a range of chemical species (i.e. multi-component) in an environment (i.e. aqueous) that has proved hitherto difficult due to technology limitations. A successful attainment of the objectives will establish a core technology capable of subsequent development into cost-effective commercial instrumentation.

It is expected to obtain an on-line continuous monitoring capability which in turn will provide real-time information concerning the presence of hazardous chemical species in the aqueous environment.

Two parallel approaches will be adopted :

a) a direct approach, i.e. in-situ
b) an indirect approach, i.e. vapour phase

In both developments, mid infra-red fibres will be applied as sensors and will also enable remote operation of the analytical instrumentation. The range of chemical species to which this technology is to be considered will include organohalides, e.g. 1,2 dichloroethane, chlorinated ethylenes, pentachlorinated phenols and hexachlorocyclohexane. In addition, pesticides, aromatic solvents, and volatile hydrocarbons are further species that could be potentially monitored by this approach.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › chemical sciences › organic chemistry › hydrocarbons
• natural sciences › physical sciences › optics › spectroscopy › absorption spectroscopy
• natural sciences › chemical sciences › organic chemistry › aliphatic compounds
• natural sciences › physical sciences › astronomy › observational astronomy › infrared astronomy
• natural sciences › physical sciences › optics › fibre optics

Programme(s)

• FP3-ENV 1C - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of the environment, 1990-1994

Topic(s)

• 0201 - Assessment of environmental quality and monitoring

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

CeramOptec GmbH

Address

Siemensstrasse 44
53121 Bonn
Germany

Links

Participants (2)

Dublin City University

Ireland

Address

Glasnevin
9 Dublin

T.R.I. Srl

Italy

Address

Via Aldo Moro
24020 Scanzorosciate