Determinations of chlorinated hydrocarbons by gas chromatography using response factor calibration

Abstract

The response of the Hall electrolytic conductivity detector relative to a response standard may be used to determine unidentified chlorinated hydrocarbons. The detector can be used as an organic chlorine detector since the response rationis independent of analyte structure for diverse compounds. The response standard acts as a detector response reference for all analytes determinded, similar to an internal standard, but requires neither identification nor identical reference substances for each measured analyte. Response factor calibration uses Hall electrolytic conductivity detector data for chlorinated hydrocarbons, based upon a response standard, for determinations in units of moles of analyte chlorine. Additional information such as supplemental gas chromatography—mass spectrometry data allows analyte determinations in units of mass. As an example, several chlorinated hexachlorocyclopentadiene photolysis products arre determined by using response factor calibration with Hall electrolytic conductivity detection.