Degree Type
Thesis
Date of Award
2017
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Major
Environmental Science
First Advisor
Jacek A. Koziel
Abstract
Finding rugged and farm-proven sampling methods for odor measurement and mitigation of emissions continues to be a challenge. The objective was to develop a new method to quantify odorous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air. The main goal was to transform a fragile lab-based technology into a sampler that can be deployed for longer periods of time in remote locations. The developed method uses improved solid-phase microextraction (SPME) for combined on-site air sampling and sampling preparation. No power source is needed, and the technique is solvent-less. SPME fiber is exposed inside a protective glass liner. Thus, extraction of odorants is controlled by diffusion. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry is used for sample analysis in the laboratory. Acetic acid was chosen as a model compound to prove the concept. In the new method, extraction of acetic acid had a linear relationship with extraction time (R2<0.99). The Car/PDMS 85 ÃÂõm fiber was shown to have better sensitivity for acetic acid. The effects of glass liner condition and diffusion path length on mass extraction were studied. The new method was evaluated under field conditions by comparing it to the standard method (sorbent tubes) in four different locations. This research shows that SPME fiber retracted inside a glass liner is a low-cost, simple, yet accurate sampling technique for quantification of odorous VOCs.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.31274/etd-180810-5245
Copyright Owner
Madina Tursumbayeva
Copyright Date
2017
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
File Size
52 pages
Recommended Citation
Tursumbayeva, Madina, "Simple and accurate quantification of odorous volatile organic compounds in air with solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography - mass spectrometry" (2017). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 15632.
https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd/15632