Analysis of part-per-billion level of arsine and phosphine in light hydrocarbons by capillary flow technology and dielectric barrier discharge detector.
A practical gas chromatographic procedure has been developed and implemented for the measurement of arsine and phosphine in hydrocarbons such as propylene at the part-per-billion level. The successful measurement of arsine and phosphine at the level mentioned was attained by incorporating a large volume injection technique to increase the mass of solutes delivered for sensitivity improvement, capillary flow technology to keep the matrix from entering the detector by either back-flushing through the inlet vent, or by heart-cutting if required, and dielectric barrier discharge detector operating in argon mode for sensitivity enhancement, as well as offering improved selectivity towards the solutes cited. Using the technique described a complete analysis can be conducted in less than 4 min. A relative standard precision of less than 1.7% was achieved with repeated injections at the concentration level of 25 and 125 ppb (v/v) each of arsine and phosphine in nitrogen with a practical detection limit at the 5 ppb (v/v) level. Correlation coefficients of greater than 0.9999 were obtained for arsine and phosphine over a range from 10 to 2500 ppb (v/v). The analytical methodology was proven to be reliable in continuous operation during the first 6 months of deployment.
Gras
R
R
Dow Chemical Canada, P.O. BAG 16, Highway 15, Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta T8L 2P4, Canada.
Luong
J
J
Hawryluk
M
M
Monagle
M
M
D000475:Alkenes / Q000737:chemistry; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000032:analysis*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017022:Flow Injection Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000737:chemistry*; D010720:Phosphines / Q000032:analysis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000475:Alkenes; D001152:Arsenicals; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D010720:Phosphines; C013658:propylene; C044646:phosphine; C006633:arsine