Grantee Research Project Results
Field-Portable Fluorescence Sensor for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
EPA Contract Number: EPD05041Title: Field-Portable Fluorescence Sensor for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Investigators: Peterson, Kristen
Small Business: Southwest Sciences Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2005 through August 31, 2005
Project Amount: $70,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2005) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) , Hazardous Waste/Remediation , SBIR - Waste
Description:
In this research project, Southwest Sciences, Inc., proposes to design, build, and test a real-time, field-portable instrument for the detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The technology uses time- and wavelength-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy (T&WFS) to identify PAHs at sub-parts-per-billion concentrations in water. The instrument incorporates an innovative approach to fluorescence lifetime detection that is based on radio frequency electronics and is considerably less expensive than other approaches to T&WFS. The Phase II prototype will be compact, cost effective, and reliable. It will use an ultraviolet diode laser for excitation of fluorescence and fiber optics to deliver and collect light at the sampling site. The entire instrument, including the diode laser optics, detector, electronics, and computer, will fit into a space the size of a briefcase and will be capable of running on batteries.
Potential customers include hazardous waste sites and industrial treatment facilities, the Department of Energy (for waste monitoring and remediation), and municipal waste disposal sites. Southwest Science?s portable onsite assessment instrument offers the advantages of providing PAH contamination profiles and distributions and real-time monitoring during remediation efforts.
Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, field-portable fluorescence sensor, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs, time- and wavelength-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, T&WFS, water, real-time monitoring, radio frequency, detector, hazardous waste, site remediation, EPA, RFA, Scientific Discipline, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Environmental Chemistry, Monitoring/Modeling, Waste, Environmental Monitoring, Environmental Engineering, monitoring, environmental measurement, field portable monitoring, field monitoring, hazardous waste, PAH, field deployable, fluorescence detection, remediation, diode laser based monitoringProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.