Influence of volatility on the collection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon PAH vapors with polyurethane foam

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) vapor penetration through thin sections of polyurethane foam (PUF) was studied to determine the relationships between sample breakthrough, PAH vapor pressure, and total air volume. Frontal chromatographic movement of fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, and pyrene vapors through a PUF bed at high volume airflow was examined. From these fronts, the thickness of foam corresponding to 50% breakthrough was obtained for each compound. This breakthrough point was related to total air volume, and breakthrough point was related to total air volume, and breakthrough volumes (V/sub B/) were determined for a 7.5-cm PUF thickness (equivalent to a single field sampling plug). A log-log plot of V/sub B/ vs. PAH solid phase vapor pressure showed only a rough relationship between the two parameters, but the correlation was much improved when the subcooled liquid vapor pressure was used. From the frontal chromatograms the number of theoretical plates (N) in the absorbent bed was determined. When V/sub B/ and N were known, the maximum safe sampling volume at a required collection efficiency was calculated. 25 references.