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Analusis 28, 953-959 (2000)
DOI: 10.1051/analusis:2000161
Determination of volatile organic compounds in coal, fly ash and slag samples by direct thermal desorption/GC/ms
G. Fernández-Martínez, P. López-Mahía, S. Muniategui-Lorenzo and D. Prada-RodríguezDepartment of Analytical Chemistry, University of A Coruña, Zapateira s/n, E-15071 A Coruña, Spain
(Received July 20, 2000; revised December 12, 2000; accepted December 18, 2000.)
Abstract
This work proposes a method for quantifying volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in coal,
fly ash and slag, coming from coal-fired power stations, using direct thermal desorption
coupled with gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS) detection. The described
method requires practically no sample handling and is precise and sensitive. Aromatic
and aliphatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, alkylbenzes, heptane and octane) are the
most abundant compounds in these solid samples, coal samples presenting higher levels
than fly ash and slag. Other compounds (acids, ketones, aldehydes, limonene, etc.)
were identified by mass spectrometry.
Key words: Thermal desorption -- volatile organic compounds -- coal -- fly ash -- slag -- GC-MS.
© EDP Sciences, Wiley-VCH 2000