Hazardous chemicals and real-time detection systems

PDC 411 

Methods and Applications for Exposure Assessment Chemical Detection in Real Time 

Advanced | 1.34 CM Points/ 8 Contact Hours/ 1.0 CEU/COC Point | Sunday | 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Limit: 60

Topics:
Hazardous Chemicals, Real-Time Detection Systems

Description: The PDC is targeted towards industrial hygiene, safety, and emergency response personnel who use or may be called on to use field-portable detection and identification tools, or professionals who may need to understand data produced by such tools. Participants should have some knowledge of the general capabilities and limitations of detection and identification tools. The expert case studies presented will demonstrate how each type of tool has been effectively used to answer important human exposures questions while the hands-on part of the PDC will give participants greater depth of experience beyond typical classroom delivery of information. The didactic training portion will include slides showing instrumentation in field settings and resulting data; additionally the hands-on portion of the PDC will include instruments and associated data processing hardware/software.

Value Added: Case studies, flow charts and other tools to illustrate and formalize the selection process will be provided.

Prerequisites: IH level knowledge of chemistry, interest in field-portable detection tools and the exposure assessment process 

Outcomes: Upon completion, the participant will be able to:

• Develop a field detection plan of hazards based on costs, availability, and operating principles of important field detection and identification technologies.
• Select the best field detection and identification tool based on capabilities and limitations.
• Describe important human exposure problems.
• Discuss technologies used in implementing critical decisions based on field analyses.

Outline:

• Introduction
• Discuss the ways that real time detection instrumentation supports and improves the exposure assessment process
• Discuss the range of detection and identification tools, capabilities/limitations, costs, and training needs for each
• Presentation of a case study for representative detection/identification tool discussed where important human exposure questions were answered in field settings including: 

• Photoionization detectors
• Portable infrared spectrometry
• Portable gas chromatography/mass spectrometry 
• Personal detectors
• Hands-on detection system demonstrations (students rotate through three separate stations in small groups)
• Conclusion

Transfer of Knowledge: Instructors will evaluate participants understanding of the materials presented based on:

• Hands-on demonstrations and practicum
• Group activities

Sponsoring Committee:
Real-Time Detection Systems

Important PDC dates:

• May 18 — E-handout download instructions are e-mailed.
• June 1  — Contact the AIHA if you have not received your e-handout e-mail.
• June 1  — AIHce 2012 online communities for collaborative learning open.
• June 15-17 — AIHce 2012 PDCs are presented. Participants must bring a printed or electronic copy of their PDC handout.
• August 31 — AIHce 2012 online communities for collaborative learning close.
• August 27 – Educational transcripts updated and available for download

Instructors:

• Robert Henderson, BS, MBA, Gfg Instruments, Inc.
• Philip Smith, PhD, CIH, USDOL - OSHA, Health Response Team

Assisting: 

Dr. Jack Driscoll, PID Analyzers, LLC

Portable GC offers high performance onsite analysis in real-time

Real-time detection system for coal gas monitoring. This video was taken at the 2010 American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition in Denver, CO. The presenter, Dr. Jack Driscoll describes our Model 312 portable gas chromatograph and how it is used for real-time detection in coal mines in China. What is so unique about this application? Our detector technology.




Last year Jack presented our Model 322 compact fast lab GC at the Real-Time Detection Systems podium session in Portland, OR. Read more here.

This June we're heading to Indianapolis to assist with the Professional Development Courses (4-Gas/PID for Field Use and Methods and Applications for Exposure Assessment Chemical Detection in Real-Time  ) and to present  at the Real-Time Detection Systems Podium Session and the *Enlighten me but make it quick* Ignite Session. 

Our friend and colleague Phil Smith and Jack Driscoll working on the fast GC Winter 2012

Fast GC-PID/FID Analyses using Resistively Heated Columns for Rapid Analyses in the Field

Fast GC-PID/FID Analyses using Resistively Heated Columns for Rapid Analyses in the Field

Oral presentation in Real-Time Detection Systems

 Authors:

John N.  Driscoll, PID Analyzers, Sandwich, MA 02653

Stan Stearns, VICI, Houston, TX 77055

Philip Smith, OSHA Labs, Salt Lake City, UT 84081

Objective- The analysis times for NIOSH ketone and aromatics methods (# 1301, 1501 & 2005) are between 25-35 minutes. The time consuming operations are the long ramping and cooling times required. The other difficulty is that if peaks are not adequately resolved, other components could interfere with the analysis. We will employ resistively heated columns to reduce the total analysis times by 50-60% to 12-15 minutes and use the PID/FID response ratios to enhance identification of components of interest. These ratios have been used previously (1) to identify the molecular structure of hydrocarbons. 

Methods- A PID Analyzers compact GC (<20#) with an external laptop will be used for the analysis that incorporates  new technology developed by VICI  that takes  polyimide-coated fused silica (FST) and removes  the polyimide layer. Then the (FST) is electroplated with nickel.  As a result of the superior heat transfer of the electroplated nickel, we are able to  rapidly and efficiently heat and achieve excellent resolution for a 30M capillary column. A mini-FID was designed that will easy attach to the outlet of the PID taking a single detector port and providing improved identification of components.

Results –For  the initial runs with the series of 12 ketones (NIOSH #1301), we were able to separate 10 of the components by just increasing the ramp rate from 10^o/min to 20⁰ /min. The final time for analysis was 11 minutes. We do have 8 ramp rates and 4 cooling fan rates so with an additional ramp, we should be able to separate methyl amyl ketone and ethyl amyl ketone and use a faster fan rate to reduce the cool down time. For NIOSH Method #1501, we were able to separate 15 of the 17 compounds in 14 minutes instead of 35 minutes. We were not able to separate nitrobenzene and naphthalene but there is a such a significant difference in the PID/FID response ratio that each of the components can be easily identified.

Conclusions 

We have shown that the resistively heated columns can be used to improve both separations & time of analysis. The use of a second detector (FID) for confirmation of peak identity is more helpful for faster separations where complete resolution is not attained.

1.   Driscoll, et al., "Gas Chromatographic Detection and Identification of Aromatic and Aliphatic Hydrocarbons in Complex Mixtures by Coupling Photoionization and Flame Ionization Detectors," J. Chrom., 158, 171 (1978).

Register for AIHCE

Back to where it all begins

Last year was the International Year of Chemistry and we celebrated the commercialization of the photoionization detector at the reception to honor Dr. Jack Driscoll, the father of photoionization, at The Chemistry of Industrial Hygiene Instrumentation at the American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition. The event featured three speakers including the guest of honor who told the story of starting HNU Systems, Inc. way back in 1973, including his first sales visits, his AHA! moment-beating out the competition with the non-destructive photoionization detector vs. the sample destroying flameionization detector and the work on the first Superfund sites with the HNU detector. I've been trying to get a copy of his talk to post on the blog but to no avail-it's likely the anecdotes he shared with us were told in stream of consciousness and have not in fact been written down... Maybe I'll get him to talk at the American Chemical Society Fall National Meeting in Philly (August 2012) at the Small Chemical Businesses Division program: True Stories of Success from Chemical Entrepreneurs and at the Northeast Regional Meeting NERM of the American Chemical Society in Rochester, NY (October 2012). His stories are rich in context, detail and humor that makes him laugh when he tells the story! 


So back to where it all begins...The Model 101 photoionization detector-it is no coincidence that Jack dubbed it the 101-with a passion for education, he chose Model 101 as the jumping off point, where the foundation is laid: the basics in any college level course are introduced in the 101 course. Then as one progresses through their education they move to the next course level or in the case of our client base, they would move to the automated, continuous total VOC monitor, the Model 201. We continue the progression moving onto the 301, 401 and 501 gas chromatograph-based analyzers; of course the "graduate level" or 500 series are the most complex requiring a chromatographer as chief operator to interpret analytical results.


Plenty of folks still use and service the Model 101 analyzers, yes, with the analog meter and heavy duty construction (pre-ergonomics) favoring the fast response time and ease of operation (remember it's the 101-anyone can be trained to use it). I'm told "old school" industrial hygienists still record readings by hand even if they are utilizing a digital readout like our Model 102 and especially if they are using the datalog function. We take 101's in on trade-in and still have them available for sale for those nostalgic die-hard folks who won't move into the digital age. Maybe it is a fear of the disposable instrumentation and or appliances that have crept into the commercial and residential corners of our lives. Our original prototype of the Model 102 was actually constructed out of metal (like the 101) but after extensive market analysis was rejected for ABS plastic construction in consideration of user fatigue-workplace ergonomics. 


I got up this morning wanting to blog about the Model 102 and yet it seems I can never just get there without talking about the greatness of it's predecessor. It's impossible not to with the 40 year anniversary looming so near (2013) and seeing so many Model 101 service units still coming into our shop every week. And yet, in my career at HNU/PID Analyzers, I was instrumental in the design, function and development of the Model 102 participating in all the research & development sessions including choosing the color and field testing it for the engineers at client sites. So here it is folks, my best sales pitch for the Model 102: the Model 102 is a modern portable VOC detector employing photoionization as the detection principle boasting the best sensitivity in the industry with the widest dynamic range (ppb to high ppm). With a library of over 250 chemical compounds to allow the analyzer to respond as a particular compound ie) vinyl chloride and/or ethylene dichloride or gasoline and/or diesel (there are actual settings for these) etc. the list really does go on and on. By utilizing the unique Snap-On heads, customers are able to customize their analyzer to tailor their exact needs ie) make your own analyzer including a 4-gas meter.  With it's lightweight construction and ease of calibration this is the ultimate screening tool for anyone working with chemicals both in the field and in the laboratory (QA/QC batch analysis). For those wanting analyzer specifications, the product brochure for the Model 102 is here and the product line brochure for the field portable analyzers is here.


And yes, I am a Dickey Betts fan. Hence the title of this blog post.

Real-Time Detection Systems Programming at #AIHCE #RTDSC

Real-Time Detection Systems presents the following at #AIHCE_2012 #RTDSC

AIHA Real-Time Detection Systems Committee Meeting 2011

• PDC 108 - Practical Applications of Portable Radiation Instruments Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• NEW! - PDC 010 - Registry Preparation: 4-Gas Monitor/PID Field Use Saturday & Sunday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• PDC 411 - Methods and Applications for Exposure Assessment Chemical Detection in Real Time Sunday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• SS 001 - Closer to Spock’s Tricorder — The Latest in Real-Time Detection Monday, 2:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
• PO 111 - Real-Time Detection Systems Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.–12:50 p.m.

Full schedule including authors/titles etc. is available in late January 2012 and will be posted here.

2011 presentations by Dr. Jack Driscoll a.k.a @pidguy

2011 presentations by Dr. Jack Driscoll a.k.a @pidguy

Fault Tolerant Wireless Sensor Network Abstract Number: 180 - 19P

Fast GC with PID and FarUV for Environmental Analyses  Abstract Number 180-20P

Real-Time Detection Systems at #AIHCE: Fast GC Analysis for IH monitoring

The Chemistry of Industrial Hygiene

#AIHCE 2011 Wrap-Up-the word from Booth 718

We heard it from an industrial hygienist

                                                                     in Portland, OR

Chlorinated hydrocarbons are a hot topic right now for first responders from fire departments and government agencies such as Homeland Security and Transportation Security Administration.We have been specializing in the measurement of chlorinated hydrocarbons since our development of the 11.7 eV long lifetime photoionization detector lamp in 1979. This lamp is available for the hand-held PIDs and for our portable gas chromatographs. Click here for more information about use of a photoionization based analyzer for the measurement of chlorinated hydrocarbons.

Web site

We brought along the first ever sold HNU PI-101 to Portland because we were showcasing it at The Chemistry of Industrial Hygiene Instrumentation Reception during the conference and we brought it to the booth thinking folks would get a kick out of it. We elicited a huge response from attendees most of whom were unaware that they could still get service from us on their old (and beloved) 101 series photoionizers.   Check out our "A New Era in Photoionization" brochure here.


Real-Time Detection Systems: our fast gas chromatograph Model 322 was extremely popular in Portland, OR. Although we introduced the Far-Ultraviolet detector in 1984, it remains underutilized. The most attractive feature of the FUV is that it is nearly universal and is more sensitive than the Thermal Conductivity Detector (TCD). Jack Driscoll and Phil Smith presented research at AIHCE for an industrial hygiene application using the fast GC Model 322 which uses resistively heated columns in the oven and a dual detection method: photoionization detector and a far-UV detector. Click here for more info on this application.

As a member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association's Real-Time Detection System Committee (AIHA RTDSC), Jack Driscoll is co-authoring a book with Phil Smith, Past Chair of the AIHA RTDSC called "Important Instrumentation and Methods for the Detection of Chemicals in the Field". Jack has contracted to contribute the last section of the book on the subject of Infrared Analyzers. He recently completed the Photoionization and Specialized Detectors sections.

Updated May 27, 2014

  AIHA Important Instrumentation Cover Page + Table of Contents by Dr. John Jack Driscoll

Real-Time Detection Systems at #AIHCE: Fast GC Analysis for IH monitoring

 

Excellent attendance was reported for our podium session at the American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition:

PO 111 Field Detection, Sampling and Analysis: Real Time Detection Systems. According to people who attended this session the room was nearly at capacity meaning approximately 200 people comprised the audience!

Tuesday | 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. May 17, 2011 Portland, OR

Arranger: W. Groves, Penn State, University Park, PA. Moderator: P. Smith, Uniform Services University, Bethesda, MD. Monitors: M. Roe, 3M Company, Blaine, MN; J. Engel, USN, Camp Pendleton, CA.

10:30 a.m.

Fast GC Analysis with PID and FUV Detectors for Industrial Hygiene Monitoring at Low ppb Levels. (PO 111-1) J. Driscoll, D. Walsh, PID Analyzers, LLC, Pembroke, MA; P. Smith, US/DOL/OSHA

After the talk, numerous folks came by our booth to discuss industrial hygiene applications with Jack Driscoll for both the fast GC and the portable GC-the featured products at the HNU-PID Analyzers booth #718 at the 2011 AIHCE in Portland, OR.