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This paper describes a faster method for testing volatile organic compounds (VOC) developed at a water treatment plant that was located downstream from 86 storm sewer outfalls. There were periodic high VOCs loading into the intake causing water quality problems. The operators had successfully coped with the fluctuation of VOC by using the VOC concentration as guide for dosing powder activated carbon (PAC) to treat the raw water. Continuous monitoring of the VOC levels was carried out by using the purge and trap gas chromatograph/flame ionization detector (GC/FID). They felt that the analysis time of 1 hour was too long for optimum treatment control. As a consequence of the operational needs, a faster method for testing VOC using Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) and FastGC/FID/ECD was developed and tested. With this method, 19 VOCs were analyzed in 10 minutes. The method detection limits for 17 of the 20 compounds were from 0.1 ug/L to 0.3 ug/L with the relative standard deviations of 3% to 10%. Problems encountered in the analyses of benzene, dichloromethane and 1,1-dichloroethene are discussed.

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Published: 01/01/1998 ISBN(s): 0898679796 Number of Pages: 17File Size: 1 file , 160 KB