Variety Of Volatile Organic Compounds Research Articles

Characterization of a newly isolatedcis-1,2-dichloroethylene and aliphatic compound-degrading bacterium,Clostridium sp. strain KYT-1

Acis-1,2-dichloroethylene (cis-DCE)-degrading anaerobic bacterium,Clostridium sp. strain KYT-1, was isolated from a sediment sample collected from a landfill site in Nanji-do, Seoul, Korea. The KYT-1 strain is a gram-positive, endospore-forming, motile, rod-shaped anaerobic bacterium, of approximately 2.5∼3.0 μm in length. The degradation ofcis-DCE is closely related with the growth of the KYT-1 strain, and it was stopped when the growth of the KYT-1 strain became constant. Although the pathway ofcis-DCE degradation by strain KYT-1 remains to be further elucidated, no accumulation of the harmful intermediate, vinyl chloride (VC), was observed during anaerobiccis-DCE degradation. Strain KYT-1 proved able to degrade a variety of volatile organic compounds, including VC, isomers of DCE (1,1-dichloroethylene,trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, andcis-DCE), trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and 1,1,2-trichloroethane. Strain KYT-1 degradedcis-DCE at a range of temperatures from 15 to 37°C, with an optimum at 30°C, and at a pH range of 5.5 to 8.5, with an optimum at 7.0.

Calibration Transfer Among Sensor Arrays Designed for Monitoring Volatile Organic Compounds in Indoor Air Quality

Sensor arrays were constructed using commercially available heated tin oxide sensors (Figaro TGS2602) and exposed to a wide variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air streams at concentration levels in the range of 0.01-0.30 ppm, which is a range typical of indoor air quality studies. Partial least squares calibration models were developed using steady-state sensor array responses. These calibration models were used to detect, differentiate, and quantify different VOCs. The authors were able to successfully transfer single-component calibrations by sorting the sensors in each array by sensitivity prior to transfer. Future work will explore multicomponent calibration transfer

A Solid‐Phase Microextraction Chamber Method for Analysis of Manure Volatiles

Odors from livestock operations are a complex mixture of volatile carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen compounds. Currently, detailed volatiles analysis is both time consuming and requires specialized equipment and methods. This work describes a new method that utilizes a dynamic flux chamber, solid-phase microextraction (SPME), and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) to describe and compare the odorous compounds emitted from cattle and swine feces. Evaluation of method parameters produced a protocol for comparing relative emissions based on fixed sample temperature (20 degrees C) and exposed surface area (approximately 523 cm(2)), air flow rates (1 L min(-1) or 16 cm s(-1)), SPME exposure time (5 min), and chamber cleaning procedures (70% ethanol rinse and drying for 30 min at 105 degrees C) to minimize cross-contamination between samples. A variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including alcohols, volatile fatty acids, aromatic ring compounds, ketones, esters, and sulfides were routinely detected and the relative emissions from fresh and incubated (37 degrees C overnight) swine and cattle feces were compared as a measure of potential to produce odorants during manure storage. Differences in the types and relative quantities of volatiles emitted were detected when animal species (cattle or swine), diet, fecal incubation, or sample storage conditions (20, 4, or -20 degrees C) were varied.

Indium Tin Oxide Thin-Film Sensor for Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

ABSTRACT Indium tin oxide (ITO) (In2O3 + 17% SnO2) thin films were grown on glass substrate by direct evaporation method. Two thick gold pads were deposited to take out contacts. The response of these films at different operating temperatures, when exposed to various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as methanol, ethanol, butanol, and acetone in the concentration range 200–2500 ppm was evaluated. Additionally, the effect of film thickness on the response charateristics of methanol and acetone was studied. The linearity and sensitivity of the sensors were measured. The ITO thin-film sensors showed a sensitivity of 0.256 ohms/ppm to acetone vapors, which was almost linear in the range 200–2500 ppm. In order to improve sensitivity and selectivity, a thin layer of various metal and metal oxides such as Cu and PbO was deposited on the sensor surface to work as catalytic layer and the effect on the performance of the sensor was studied. The response and recovery times of the sensor were determined for acetone vapors and were found to be 155 sec and 110 sec, respectively.

Experimental Wood Smoke Exposure in Humans

Experimental studies are used to evaluate effects of human exposure to diesel exhaust and concentrated ambient particles. This article describes a system for studying exposure of humans to wood smoke. Wood smoke was generated using a wood stove placed outside an exposure chamber that can hold at least 10 subjects. A partial flow of the generated wood smoke from the stove was mixed with filtered indoor air. Personal and stationary measurements were performed of PM2.5 and PM1 mass concentrations and various volatile organic compounds (VOCs): 1,3-butadiene, benzene, and aldehydes. In addition, particulate matter (PM) mass, number concentrations, and size distributions of particles (0.007–6.7 μm), as well as nitrous oxides, CO2, and CO, were measured online. Filters were analyzed for trace elements and black smoke. Polycyclic aromatic compounds, toluene, and xylenes were determined in stationary samples. Results of the first experiment showed no differences between personal and stationary measurements for particles or VOCs. Consequently, stationary measurements can be used to predict personal exposure. All PM mass (about 250 μg/m3) was in the PM1 fraction. Subjective symptoms were generally weak, while clear objective signs were found, for example, in biomarkers of inflammation. With careful control of the combustion process, relatively constant mass and number concentrations were obtained over each exposure session. By varying the combustion and dilution of the wood smoke, different exposure scenarios can be achieved and thus, knowledge about which of the properties of particles and gaseous compounds are crucial for the effects.

Modified silicone–PVDF composite hollow‐fiber membrane preparation and its application in VOC separation

AbstractPolydimethylsiloxanevi–poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PDMSvi–PVDF) composite membranes were prepared using asymmetric PVDF hollow‐fiber membranes as the substrate where a very thin layer of silicone‐based coating material was deposited via a developed dip coating method. The preparation of the composite membranes under various conditions were investigated. In the optimal coating procedure, homogenous and stable oligo‐PDMSvi coating layers as thin as 1–2 μm were successfully deposited on the surface of PVDF membranes. The developed PDMSvi–PVDF composite membranes were applied for separation of a wide variety of volatile organic compounds (benzene, chloroform, acetone, ethyl acetate, and toluene). The results showed that the PDMSvi–PVDF hollow‐fiber composite membranes that had been developed exhibited very high removal efficiency (>96%) for all the VOCs examined under favorable operating conditions. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006

Health Effects from Breathing Air Near CAFOs for Feeder Cattle or Hogs

There is concern that livestock operations for fattening cattle and raising hogs known as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) release substances into the air that have negative effects on the health of persons living nearby. These substances include dust containing endotoxin and other microbial products as well as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and a variety of volatile organic compounds. Odors from these farms are considered offensive by some neighbors. A variety of medical complaints are reported to be more common in those people who live near CAFOs for raising hogs than in people without this exposure. Respiratory health effects, including symptoms of pulmonary disease and lung function test result abnormalities, have been described in workers employed in CAFOs where hogs are raised. Health effects after inhalation exposure of neighbors to substances released into the ambient air from these farms is less well characterized. It must be noted that CAFO workers may differ from neighbors in terms of their exposures and general health status. The presence of dust and other substances from cattle feedlots also causes some neighbors to voice concerns about the impact on their health but this exposure has been studied less extensively than exposure to substances released from CAFOs where hogs are raised. Further research needs to be done to look for measurable health effects attributable to living near all CAFOs in order to better understand the impact of these farms.

Occupational Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds and Mitigation by Push‐Pull Local Exhaust Ventilation in Printing Plants

The extensive use of multiple organic solvents in offset lithographic printing causing high emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) indeed poses a serious risk to printing workers' health. In this study, indoor air quality (IAQ) assessments were carried out in seven printing plants and the main objectives were to understand the effect of VOC emissions on IAQ and develop effective mitigation measures to protect workers. The thorough gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) measurements showed that although a variety of VOCs were presented in the indoor air, none of them was found close to individual 8-h time-weighted average (TWA) of the occupational exposure limit (OEL). The additive effect was also found below the critical value of unity. However, short-term personal exposure to total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) was exceedingly high when a print worker carried out blanket and ink roller cleaning procedures. Therefore, the occupational health risk was mainly due to repeated short-term exposures during intermittent VOC-emitting procedures rather than long-term exposure to background VOCs. Push-pull local exhaust ventilation (LEV) was identified as an effective mitigation measure. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was conducted to study the push-pull LEV operation. It was found that there existed a threshold LEV air flow rate for an abrupt reduction in the worker's exposure to VOCs. The reduction was less sensitive when the LEV airflow was further increased beyond the threshold. These phenomena, consistent with experimental results reported by other investigators, were explained by detailed CFD analysis showing the competition between the general ventilation and the push-pull LEV to become the dominating driving force for the resultant local flow pattern.

Control of VOCs emissions by condenser pre-treatment in a semiconductor fab

The performance of a modified design of local condensers to pre-treat a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from the stripping process of a semiconductor fab was tested in this study. The reaction temperature of the condensers was controlled at around 10 °C, it is relatively higher than the traditional condenser reaction temperature. Both VOCs and water vapors were condensed and formed liquid films. This resulted in an enhancement of the VOCs removals, especially for VOCs of high boiling points or solubility. This can help to prevent the follow up zeolite concentrator from damage. The performance of the integrated system of condenser/zeolite concentrator could, therefore, remain highly efficient for a longer operation time. Its annualized cost would also be lower than installing the zeolite concentrator only.

Treatment of Paint Spray Booth Off-Gases in a Fungal Biofilter

Biological processes, most notably biofilters and biotrickling filters, are increasingly used to remove and biodegrade a wide variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in gas streams emitted from industrial operations. In the research described herein, a laboratory-scale biofilter was operated for a period of more than 180 days to treat a waste gas comprised of a four-component VOC mixture representative of solvents present in off-gases emitted by painting operations. The biofilter, packed with a cubed polyurethane foam media and initially inoculated with a pure culture of the fungus Cladosporium sphaerospermum, was maintained under acidic conditions throughout the duration of the experiments. The system was supplied with a mixture of n-butyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl propyl ketone, and toluene with influent concentrations of 124, 50.5, 174, and 44.6 mgm−3, respectively. The biofilter’s empty bed residence time (EBRT) was varied from 2.0 min to 15 s. When the influent gas stream was properly humidified, the system exhibited stable long-term performance with an average total VOC removal greater than 98% even with an EBRT as low as 15 s. Under the loading condition tested, this corresponds to an average elimination capacity of 92 gm−3h−1. VOC concentration profiles measured along the height of the biofilter revealed a distinct VOC degradation pattern that was observed under all loading conditions tested. Although the column was initially inoculated with only Cladosporium sphaerospermum, several additional species of fungi tentatively identified as Penicillium brevicompactum, Exophiala jenselmei, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium nygamai, Talaromyces flavus, and Fonsecaea pedrosi were found growing attached to the packing medium by the end of experiment. Results demonstrate that fungal biofilters can consistently maintain high removal efficiency for paint VOC mixtures over extended periods of operation. The results also indicate that it would be difficult and likely unnecessary to maintain specific species in full-scale fungal biofilters treating paint spray booth emissions.

Prediction of retention time of a variety of volatile organic compounds based on the heuristic method and support vector machine

The support vector machine (SVM) and the heuristic method (HM) were used to develop the non-linear and linear models between the retention time (RT) and five molecular descriptors of 149 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Descriptors calculated from the molecular structures alone were used to represent the characteristics of compounds. The five molecular descriptors selected by the heuristic method in CODESSA were used as inputs for SVM. The results obtained by SVM were compared with those obtained by the heuristic method. The mean squared errors (MSE) in RT predictions for the whole data set given by HM and SVM were 1.270 and 0.844, respectively, which shows the performance of SVM model is better than that of the HM model. The prediction results are in very good agreement with the experimental values. This paper provided a new and effective method for predicting the chromatography retention index.

Application of PTR-MS for measurements of biogenic VOC in a deciduous forest

The vegetation–atmosphere-exchange is an important process controlling the atmospheric concentration of various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that play a major role in atmospheric chemistry. However, the quantification of VOC exchange on the ecosystem scale is still an analytical challenge. In the present study we tested and applied a proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry system (PTR-MS) for the measurement of biogenic VOCs in a mixed deciduous forest. VOC concentrations were calculated from the raw instrument signals based on physical principles. This method allows a consistent quantification also of compounds for which regular calibration with a gas standard is not available. It requires a regular and careful investigation of the mass-dependent ion detection characteristics of the PTR-MS, which otherwise could become a considerable error source. The PTR-MS method was tested in the laboratory for a range of oxygenated and non-oxygenated VOCs using a permeation source. The agreement was within 16% or better, which is well within the expected uncertainty. During the field measurement campaign in a deciduous forest stand, an on-line intercomparison with a state-of-the-art gas-chromatography system showed a generally good agreement. However, the relatively low ambient VOC concentrations revealed some systematic difference for acetone and isoprene, that may indicate an error in the determination of the PTR-MS offset or an interference of an unidentified isobaric compound on the detected ion mass. With the presentation of selected field results, we demonstrate the ability of the PTR-MS system to measure continuous vertical concentration profiles of biogenic VOCs throughout a forest canopy at a time resolution of 20 min. The resulting datasets provide valuable information for the study of the interactions between emission, photochemical transformation and transport processes within and above the forest canopy.

Use of Computer‐Assisted Methods for the Modeling of the Retention Time of a Variety of Volatile Organic Compounds: A PCA‐MLR‐ANN Approach.

Use of Computer‐Assisted Methods for the Modeling of the Retention Time of a Variety of Volatile Organic Compounds: A PCA‐MLR‐ANN Approach.

Use of computer-assisted methods for the modeling of the retention time of a variety of volatile organic compounds: a PCA-MLR-ANN approach.

A hybrid method consisting of principal component analysis (PCA), multiple linear regressions (MLR), and artificial neural network (ANN) was developed to predict the retention time of 149 C(3)-C(12) volatile organic compounds for a DB-1 stationary phase. PCA and MLR methods were used as feature-selection tools, and a neural network was employed for predicting the retention times. The regression method was also used as a calibration model for calculating the retention time of VOCs and investigating their linear characteristics. The descriptors of the total information index of atomic composition, IAC, Wiener number, W, solvation connectivity index, X1sol, and number of substituted aromatic C(sp(2)), nCaR, appeared in the MLR model and were used as inputs for the ANN generation. Appearance of these parameters shows the importance of the dispersion interactions in the mechanism of retention. Comparison of the MLR and 5-2-1 ANN models indicates the superiority of the ANN over that of the MLR model. The values of 0.913 and 0.738 were obtained for the standard error of prediction set of MLR and ANN models, respectively.

Development of Al/Al2O3-Coated Wire-Mesh Honeycombs for Catalytic Combustion of Volatile Organic Compounds in Air

A wire-mesh honeycomb (WMH) catalyst was constructed from alternating layers of flat and corrugated wire-mesh sheets packed within a frame. The wire-mesh sheets were first coated with aluminum particles using an electrophoretic deposition method. The coated layer was suitably porous and showed a good adherence to the wire surface because of sintering of aluminum particles after thermal treatment at 800 °C. An additional calcination at 500 °C formed a thin layer (∼50 nm in thickness) of oxide phase on each aluminum particle in the deposited layer. Then, Al/Al2O3-coated WMH modules were coated with a Pt (1.0 wt %)/TiO2 catalyst. Their catalytic activities were compared with the conventional ceramic honeycomb (CH) modules with the same catalyst loading for catalytic combustion of various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air. The WMH modules showed a better performance than the CH modules for all of the VOCs tested, especially at high temperatures. Kinetic study has shown that the better performance with WMH was caused by an improved external mass-transfer rate as a result of the existence of additional flow across the channel walls of the wire mesh.

Closed-Chamber Inhalation Pharmacokinetic Studies with Hexamethyldisiloxane in the Rat

Gas uptake methods together with physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling have been used to assess metabolic parameters and oral absorption rates for a wide variety of volatile organic compounds. We applied these techniques to study the in vivo metabolism of hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDS), a volatile siloxane with low blood/air (partition coefficient PB ≈ 1.00) and high fat/blood partitioning (partition coefficient PF ≈ 300). In contrast to other classes of metabolized volatiles, metabolic parameters could only be estimated from closed-chamber results with confidence by evaluating both closed-chamber disappearance curves and constant concentration inhalation studies. The constant-concentration inhalation results refine the estimate of the blood/air partition coefficient and constrain model structure for storage of the lipophilic compound in blood and tissues. The gas uptake results, from Fischer 344 rats (male, 8-9 wk old) exposed to initial HMDS air concentrations from 500 to 5000 ppm, were modeled with a 5-tissue PBPK model. Excellent fits were obtained with diffusion-limited uptake of HMDS in fat and a lipid storage pool in the blood. Metabolism, restricted to the liver, was described as a single saturable process (V max = 113.6 µmol/h/kg; K m = 42.6 µmol/L) and was affected by inhibitors (diethyldithiocarbamate) or inducers (phenobarbital) of cytochrome P-450s. Exhalation kinetics of HMDS after oral/intraperitoneal administration showed low bioavailability and significant lag times, also quite different from results of other classes of volatile hydrocarbons. In general, estimates of metabolic clearance by gas uptake studies were improved by simultaneous examination of time-course results from constant concentration inhalation studies. This conclusion is likely to hold for any volatile lipophilic compound with low blood/air partitioning.

Closed-Chamber Inhalation Pharmacokinetic Studies with Hexamethyldisiloxane in the Rat

Gas uptake methods together with physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling have been used to assess metabolic parameters and oral absorption rates for a wide variety of volatile organic compounds. We applied these techniques to study the in vivo metabolism of hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDS), a volatile siloxane with low blood/air (partition coefficient PB ≈ 1.00) and high fat/blood partitioning (partition coefficient PF ≈ 300). In contrast to other classes of metabolized volatiles, metabolic parameters could only be estimated from closed-chamber results with confidence by evaluating both closed-chamber disappearance curves and constant concentration inhalation studies. The constant-concentration inhalation results refine the estimate of the blood/air partition coefficient and constrain model structure for storage of the lipophilic compound in blood and tissues. The gas uptake results, from Fischer 344 rats (male, 8-9 wk old) exposed to initial HMDS air concentrations from 500 to 5000 ppm, were modeled with a 5-tissue PBPK model. Excellent fits were obtained with diffusion-limited uptake of HMDS in fat and a lipid storage pool in the blood. Metabolism, restricted to the liver, was described as a single saturable process (V max = 113.6 µmol/h/kg; K m = 42.6 µmol/L) and was affected by inhibitors (diethyldithiocarbamate) or inducers (phenobarbital) of cytochrome P-450s. Exhalation kinetics of HMDS after oral/intraperitoneal administration showed low bioavailability and significant lag times, also quite different from results of other classes of volatile hydrocarbons. In general, estimates of metabolic clearance by gas uptake studies were improved by simultaneous examination of time-course results from constant concentration inhalation studies. This conclusion is likely to hold for any volatile lipophilic compound with low blood/air partitioning.

Development of a flow controller for long-term sampling of gases and vapors using evacuated canisters.

Anthropogenic activities contribute to the release of a wide variety of volatile organic compounds (VOC) into microenvironments. Developing and implementing new air sampling technologies that allow for the characterization of exposures to VOC can be useful for evaluating environmental and health concerns arising from such occurrences. A novel air sampler based on the use of a capillary flow controller connected to evacuated canisters (300 mL, 1 and 6 L) was designed and tested. The capillary tube, used to control the flow of air, is a variation on a sharp-edge orifice flow controller. It essentially controls the velocity of the fluid (air) as a function of the properties of the fluid, tube diameter and length. A model to predict flow rate in this dynamic system was developed. The mathematical model presented here was developed using the Hagen-Poiseuille equation and the ideal gas law to predict flow into the canisters used to sample for long periods of time. The Hagen-Poiseuille equation shows the relationship between flow rate, pressure gradient, capillary resistance, fluid viscosity, capillary length and diameter. The flow rates evaluated were extremely low, ranging from 0.05 to 1 mL min(-1). The model was compared with experimental results and was shown to overestimate the flow rate. Empirical equations were developed to more accurately predict flow for the 300 mL, 1 and 6 L canisters used for sampling periods ranging from several hours to one month. The theoretical and observed flow rates for different capillary geometries were evaluated. Each capillary flow controller geometry that was tested was found to generate very reproducible results, RSD < 2%. Also, the empirical formulas developed to predict flow rate given a specified diameter and capillary length were found to predict flow rate within 6% of the experimental data. The samplers were exposed to a variety of airborne vapors that allowed for comparison of the effectiveness of capillary flow controllers to sorbent samplers and to an online gas chromatograph. The capillary flow controller was found to exceed the performance of the sorbent samplers in this comparison.

Catalytic combustion of methane in the presence of organic and inorganic compounds over La0.9Ce0.1CoO3 catalyst

The catalytic combustion of the emission from coke ovens containing various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and inorganic species over a La0.9Ce0.1CoO3 catalyst is investigated in an integral fixed reactor through several steps. (1) Combustion of a mixture of VOC reveals that the kinetics of total oxidation of methane determines the total VOC conversion. (2) The conversion of methane, in the case of sulfur-free feed is inhibited by H2O and CO2.

Hybrid Bioreactors for Decontamination of Water and Air

AbstractThe Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has developed and patented innovative Hybrid Bioreactors that destroy water and air contaminants, with dramatic savings over existing technologies. Hybrid Bioreactors accomplish single‐step destruction of contaminants without generating contaminated off‐gases or other secondary waste streams. Contaminants destroyed include a wide variety of volatile organic compounds, chlorinated solvents, and other compounds. The bioreactors can be used in a variety of applications ranging from site restoration to industrial compliance. Treatment costs using Hybrid Bioreactors are generally less than one‐tenth of costs reported at Superfund sites. A gas stream application of the new technology was field‐demonstrated at Anniston Army Depot in a project funded by the U.S. Army Environmental Center. A 300‐cubic‐foot Hybrid Bioreactor is being demonstrated this year at TVA's Wetlands Complex in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Additional information is available at http://www.tva.gov/environment/envservices/alw_biofilter.htm. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.*